Agencies - not as good as they used to be

**ChimpMaster** · 6 November 2007, 09:33

Vote with your feet - and blame the agency for their lack of response.

(and I don't mean put a pen inbetween your toes).

**DodgyAgent** · 6 November 2007, 09:42

Originally posted by Alf W View Post

Is it just me or are other people finding it increasingly more difficult to get simple contract extensions processed via the clients 'resourcing team's and the agencies 'contract team's? It has taken me three weeks this time and it's still not sorted. There seems to be a further two parties involved now who are the process monkeys who are inevitably offshored so no-one can actually speak to, cajole or threaten anyone to make things happen.

Also, why isn't my agency contact moving heaven and earth to get this sorted? Are they not on commission anymore?

Wasn't like this 10 years ago!

The "game" has now become so processed orientated and margins are so low that not only has the incentive for extending these contracts disappeared but also no single person has any ownership of the "problem". Nor is it easy for you or your boss to cut through the carp, without either getting knuckles rapped or feeling that you are banging your heads against a wall. I am not having a whine about margins, just to say that lower ones dont exactly get the agency moving, which prior to the "process invasion" did not really matter as if the agency didnt respond you could always cut them out altogether.

**DimPrawn** · 6 November 2007, 09:50

Sounds like time to cut the agents out for good.

The only usefull service an agency provides is factoring, and there are companies out there that do this standalone.

**Bagpuss** · 6 November 2007, 09:54

On my last contract i was direct, but then the client brought in a vendor management company to manage the agencies and direct suppliers. I had to pay them 3% of gross for the honour of getting paid a month later and they acted like they were doing me a favour.

**DodgyAgent** · 6 November 2007, 10:05

Originally posted by DimPrawn View Post

Sounds like time to cut the agents out for good.

The only usefull service an agency provides is factoring, and there are companies out there that do this standalone.

So how are you all going to find your contracts then?

**DimPrawn** · 6 November 2007, 10:09

They find me.

**DodgyAgent** · 6 November 2007, 10:12

Originally posted by DimPrawn View Post

They find me.

It must be a right pain for hiring managers to have to go around looking under so many stones to find you DP

**TheFaQQer** · 6 November 2007, 10:13

Originally posted by DodgyAgent View Post

So how are you all going to find your contracts then?

Go through Jobserve, work out who the client is from the description, and approach them direct.

Not that I would so such a thing - I like dealing with most of the agents that I have dealt with.

**DodgyAgent** · 6 November 2007, 10:15

Originally posted by TheFaQQer View Post

Go through Jobserve, work out who the client is from the description, and approach them direct.

Not that I would so such a thing - I like dealing with most of the agents that I have dealt with.

Presuming we are discussing there being no agents then:

You and 1000 others plus half the population of Delhi
And who places the ad on jobserve?

Agencies - not as good as they used to be