Whoops now rougly how much client is paying for me.

[OwlHoot]

I agree, some agents are widening their cut. That's why it's important to build good relationships with the good agents. In times like these you won't get ripped off

These days I'd bade my time, wait for renewal and then claw back as much of the 30 odd percent as possible. If you are senior it's probably nearer 40%. I'd be looking to get 15-20 of that back. Remember to keep your manager onside also.

Exactly, and in 3 months, assuming you do OK, you'll be in a stronger position with the client as well, having had that time to get familiar with their apps or whatever you're involved with.

The client might even help put pressure on the agency if you give them a rough idea of the situation, by threatening not to use the agency again. But I'd be careful not to draw the client into it too blatantly, as one reason they use agencies is to avoid all that haggling over rates!

(Most agencies accept that the longer a contract lasts the less their margin should become, down to a point.)

[Bagpuss]

I worked a contract where the agent was 80%. So what? If you're happy with what you're getting then why worry...

Nobody likes to get a bad deal, which in this case is a higher than average commision taken out of the charge rate. OK naivety as a contractor leads to not knowing the true market rate, but that doesn't give the agency carte blanche to exploit the candidate. In my experience, agents that employ such practices don't last long. They are often found out (as in this case) and get a reputation as a shyster and therefore they don't build successful contractor relationships. Of course you can't expect your best deal as your first deal, but anything over 25% is plain out of order.

[rootsnall]

I was forwarded an email by mistake during my negotiations recently.

I know exactly how much the agency is making from me

£1 an hour

And no, that's not 50% before some wag chimes in

I don't begrudge them that at all.

However it doesn't leave a lot of room for manouver during the next re-negotiation

You fell for that number

The agent must be really raking it in.

[Doggy Styles]

You fell for that number

The agent must be really raking it in.

My agent told me he is only making 5p an hour from me. I had to take him out to lunch. He turned up in threadbare clothes and said he hadn't eaten in four days.

[Bagpuss]

Mine too, he said he's do this as "a massif favor to me"
he said "It's hurtin me to give you this much"

[Uncle Max]

Who's to say that the client isn't being made a monkey of...? Your pay may be in line with market rates and it may be the client who is paying loads more than he needs to. (Then again it may not...)

In my experience contractors on these kinds of issues, are far more savvy than clients, some of whom are often happy for agents to guide them on the going rate !!

[BrowneIssue]

My agent told me he is only making 5p an hour from me. I had to take him out to lunch. He turned up in threadbare clothes and said he hadn't eaten in four days.

When my agent took me out for Xmas lunch - or so I thought - it consisted of me buying him a coffee in the works canteen. Git.

[BrilloPad]

My agent buys me lunch every renewal. And is a pleasure to associate with. And he is from Modis.

[d000hg]

I worked a contract where the agent was 80%. So what? If you're happy with what you're getting then why worry...

If you're a business (rather than an employee looking for a decen salary) you should be making decisions to maximise your business' income. Why would you ever be happy if you know a middleman is taking half your potential profit, regardless of the actual numbers?

[lightng]

My agent buys me lunch every renewal. And is a pleasure to associate with. And he is from Modis.

Lucky git. I get nothing from mine. She wouldn't p1ss on me if I was on fire ... even if I gave her a funnel to do it.

I wanna transfer to Modis