Reply to: Switching Agencies

[FatLazyContractor]

Ill take my chances anyhow and push for a higher rate with agency one. On further research Ive noticed that a few of the other agencies working on this are also advertising the higher rate. Looks like about 5 agencies have it.

Yes, after an offer is made.

[colinrobinson]

Not just that, some agents advertise a higher rate and once you send in your cv, that's the last you hear.

Most agencies will ask what rate do you want me to market you in at ? if you go in high he may say I've put forward x candidates at £ are you happy to compete on skill level.

I quite like this approach, the risks are mine the agent doesn't get me the job just the approach treat it like a sales lead. you only need 1 lead a duplicate lead is of no use.

[BolshieBastard]

Some agents are fond of bigging-up the rate to get you hooked, then tell you 'client had to cut back on rate, blah, blah, could only get you £xxxx.....'

Ask yourself why the difference in rate, it's not necessarily down to margin...

Not just that, some agents advertise a higher rate and once you send in your cv, that's the last you hear.

[danjericho]

Just a few points on this...

If his lips were moving when he told you this he is lying..
If he sent it via email he's lying...
If he used telepathy to embed this is to your subconscious he's lying...

Never take an agent on his word when it comes to percentages. The same goes for the rates they advertise. They will often advertise high to get you in to this pickle and lo and behold when you get the gig the client suddenly can't pay what is advertised or there is another contractor willing to take a lower rate....

Ill take my chances anyhow and push for a higher rate with agency one. On further research Ive noticed that a few of the other agencies working on this are also advertising the higher rate. Looks like about 5 agencies have it.

[northernladuk]

The second agent told me when I told him I was already at interview stage. He said they had the same job at £450 at 25% commission

Just a few points on this...

If his lips were moving when he told you this he is lying..
If he sent it via email he's lying...
If he used telepathy to embed this is to your subconscious he's lying...

Never take an agent on his word when it comes to percentages. The same goes for the rates they advertise. They will often advertise high to get you in to this pickle and lo and behold when you get the gig the client suddenly can't pay what is advertised or there is another contractor willing to take a lower rate....

[GlenW]

The second agent told me when I told him I was already at interview stage. He said they had the same job at £450 at 25% commission

I would have said I had it for £1450 if you were already going with someone else.

[danjericho]

How do you know what the client is paying?

The second agent told me when I told him I was already at interview stage. He said they had the same job at £450 at 25% commission

[stek]

Some agents are fond of bigging-up the rate to get you hooked, then tell you 'client had to cut back on rate, blah, blah, could only get you £xxxx.....'

Ask yourself why the difference in rate, it's not necessarily down to margin...

[TheFaQQer]

One agency is taking a 33% cut and the other 25%.

How do you know what the client is paying?

[TombRaider]

33% cut and the other 25%

These margins are excessive - the agency should only be taking around 11-12% so you should negotiate with agency 1.

[Pondlife]

There are a lot of agencies working on the contract. Anyhow, just seeing what my options are and where I stand. I guess if (if) I get the job I can negotiate with the first agency to reduce their margin or I'll walk.

Exactly.

[danjericho]

Assuming they have any sort of relationship with the client, then yes, they'll find out. Why do you think the client would accept this behaviour?

There are a lot of agencies working on the contract. Anyhow, just seeing what my options are and where I stand. I guess if (if) I get the job I can negotiate with the first agency to reduce their margin or I'll walk.

[Pondlife]

Is it feasible that I call the agency and tell them Im no longer interested and the contact the employer direct and tell them Im switching agencies. Would they ever find out?

Assuming they have any sort of relationship with the client, then yes, they'll find out. Why do you think the client would accept this behaviour?

[TheFaQQer]

Is it feasible that I call the agency and tell them Im no longer interested and the contact the employer direct and tell them Im switching agencies. Would they ever find out?

It's feasible to do that, yes.

Of course, you'd then be relying on the client to (a) be interested; (b) break their contract with the first agency; and (c) keep quiet. You'd have to ask why they would do that to help you out, rather than just bin your CV to avoid any hassle down the line.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[danjericho]

The 2nd option.

You can't switch agents as they will kick up a massive fuss with the client making you too much effort to deal with and the work will go elsewhere.

You can however work on getting the agent to reduce their margin. Or get a shorter contract length and renegotiate once you've got your feet under the table and the client likes you.

Is it feasible that I call the agency and tell them Im no longer interested and the contact the employer direct and tell them Im switching agencies. Would they ever find out?