Reply to: Request for interview but agency saying rate has now been cut

[Cenobite]

I don't really care what rate was discussed before interview - once I understand the role, location etc, I can tell them I'd like to negotiate on the rate if the role is offered. Anything discussed beforehand is just waffle.

That's good advice. I might start thinking about going low to get my foot in the door.

[MaryPoppins]

This is something I'm having really trouble with at the moment. Agents want to pin me down on rate before even submitting my CV (I'm having a standoff with an agent over this today in fact). It's only when I know that they want me that I actually have some bargaining power in the rate negotiation.

I don't think I was being asked to nail down a rate before interview a few years ago: also this tends to make me think the only sifting the agent is doing is price.

What rate was it advertised for? Frankly, I don't really care what rate was discussed before interview - once I understand the role, location etc, I can tell them I'd like to negotiate on the rate if the role is offered. Anything discussed beforehand is just waffle.

[jmo21]

In leans times, not many contracts around, agencies can play these games.

Principled stands are easy when the market is in our favor, OR your war chest is large.

This is something I'm having really trouble with at the moment. Agents want to pin me down on rate before even submitting my CV (I'm having a standoff with an agent over this today in fact). It's only when I know that they want me that I actually have some bargaining power in the rate negotiation.

I don't think I was being asked to nail down a rate before interview a few years ago: also this tends to make me think the only sifting the agent is doing is price.

They can afford to be picky.

[Cenobite]

I'd personally leave any negotiating around rate and/or terms until the client likes me and I'm in more control.

This is something I'm having really trouble with at the moment. Agents want to pin me down on rate before even submitting my CV (I'm having a standoff with an agent over this today in fact). It's only when I know that they want me that I actually have some bargaining power in the rate negotiation.

I don't think I was being asked to nail down a rate before interview a few years ago: also this tends to make me think the only sifting the agent is doing is price.

[MaryPoppins]

Crumbs, no. I wouldn't ever discuss my rate with the client.

I'd personally leave any negotiating around rate and/or terms until the client likes me and I'm in more control.

[jmo21]

Just be careful there isn't another contractor who said OK to £x + £100 - £40.

If you go above this, you're more expensive than the other guy (less margin for the agent)

this is the crux of it.

In leans times, not many contracts around, agencies can play these games.

Principled stands are easy when the market is in our favor, OR your war chest is large.

[kingcook]

Just be careful there isn't another contractor who said OK to £x + £100 - £40.

If you go above this, you're more expensive than the other guy (less margin for the agent)

[SarahL2012]

I happily discuss rates with clients, but I'd judge my moment in the telephone interview. If it all sounds positive then just say you appreciate your asking rate (x+100) is at the top of their budget but you believe it is market rate for the work. See what the response is.

[BolshieBastard]

How much do you want the role?

You could call the agents bluff and state that the rate you quoted is your final rate - take it or leave it.

It is your call and if you are confident of getting another role (or an extension) then you are in a more powerful position than if your Co. need the money desperately

This.

Likely the agent is trying it on so you either stand firm and say no or cave.

Your call.

[SueEllen]

I never discuss the rate with the client. I don't think they would dscuss their budget on the phone to an unknown applicant anyway. Negotiate with the agency and tell them you are sticking to the original rate.

I've had clients' show or mention the rate with me at interview. This is because they want to check the agency isn't ripping both of us off.

[AvsFan]

I wouldnt mention it to client, jsut leave it for now, you may not even get offered the gig, then when at final negotiations with agent say you're going for another role as they are offering the amount you originally wanted. They will always negotiate at that point as its so close to the final deal

Yes, thinking about it, I believe this is the best option.
I'll wait until after interview, I can decide then how much I want it & if I'm offered then re-negotiate. I was fortunate enough to have 2 roles on offer at the same time for current contract and was able to negotiate a further £95 pd (although I had I think undersold my rate initially ), on what I had quoted so you're right that you're in a better position to negotiate at that point.

[JoJoGabor]

I wouldnt mention it to client, jsut leave it for now, you may not even get offered the gig, then when at final negotiations with agent say you're going for another role as they are offering the amount you originally wanted. They will always negotiate at that point as its so close to the final deal

[jmo21]

It's the latter.

That says to me that the agent stretched the initial rate range to reel more people in.

You could subtly question the interviewer about rate cuts and you might receive a "no, this is fully budgeted for 1 year" type reply that indicates the agent was lying, but it gets you no further forward - the client hasn't actually changed the rate.

Then you need to decide how much you want it and how you play it from there.

[AvsFan]

Do you mean £x - £40??

or they want to offer you £X + £100 - £40

It's the latter.

[TheFaQQer]

My question is not whether the agent is telling the truth or not (we could debate on that for a long time ), but whether I could use the opportunity of the telephone interview to determine if this is correct.
I wouldn't mention the rate number but say something like "I see that the original rate was reduced due to internal budgets/cuts. Going forward will this have an impact on the actual role requirements ?"

If you want to ask the question, then I would urge caution that you do it in a subtler way than this. The client doesn't really know you, and you might come across badly if you push too far.

"When I was talking to Pimpy, she mentioned that the contract was initially for three months, but it might go on for more than that. Do you have any firmer idea on how long the project is planned for?"

That might then lead them to say something along the lines of "we've got the budget agreed for the next twelve months".

What you then do with that information is another matter.