'Please reply with your best rate'...

[kal]

I have seen a few dev roles recently with a 'Please reply with your best rate' comment by the pimp in place of the usual rate range (or the ubiquitous 'market rates' placeholder).
What gives?, looks like an attempt by the agency to see how much of the margin they can keep by effectively looking for the least expensive resource (whats the minimum you'll work for...), needless to say won't be applying as I would rather not encourage this trend!

[doodab]

Your using the wrong idea of "best". I usually give them the best i.e. highest, rate I've ever had, plus 10% or so. Sometimes they cough up, sometimes they negotiate me down a bit, sometimes they run a mile

[d000hg]

It's called capitalism. If you're happy with £350 why should they tell you it pays £550? They can either keep a bigger margin, or they can pass on savings to the client who may be choosing between multiple agents, or both.

If I was advertising a role I wouldn't say what I wanted to pay either - what I'm willing to pay would depend on a combination of what the applicants are worth, and what I can get away paying them

[kal]

Your using the wrong idea of "best". I usually give them the best i.e. highest, rate I've ever had, plus 10% or so. Sometimes they cough up, sometimes they negotiate me down a bit, sometimes they run a mile

I assume from the pimps perspective the less you quote the better it is (for them anyway!).

[DirtyDog]

Your using the wrong idea of "best". I usually give them the best i.e. highest, rate I've ever had, plus 10% or so. Sometimes they cough up, sometimes they negotiate me down a bit, sometimes they run a mile

That would be my approach. My best rate is the best I can get. From there, it's a negotiation task.

[DirtyDog]

I assume from the pimps perspective the less you quote the better it is (for them anyway!).

Unless they are on a fixed margin, and the client knows what the agency are paying you. Which would be nice.

[AtW]

It's called capitalism. If you're happy with £350 why should they tell you it pays £550?

Because with £350 he will be as opposed to with £550.

And for £1000 he will be like that

Oh wait, did you say capitalism?

[d000hg]

Your using the wrong idea of "best". I usually give them the best i.e. highest, rate I've ever had, plus 10% or so. Sometimes they cough up, sometimes they negotiate me down a bit, sometimes they run a mile

Indeed, he means "reply with my best rate"