Agency dirty tricks or genuine cock up?

[SueEllen]

Bearing in mind Bolshie is an experienced contractor and I am sure doesn't appear a push over to an agent I find it very hard to believe they would pull such a stupid transparent trick with such large figures. I know you have to watch your back with these guys but I just can't help thinking they wouldn't be so brazen with a guy who knows his stuff so am slightly leaning towards a genuine mistake here. We do slate them for being useless so it's to be expected they make gaffes from time to time and this could be one of them.

I'd definitely be asking if they are on a fixed margin and getting the answer in an email for use later if they are lying.

I expected this to be the case, and no they won't answer whether they are on a fixed margin in an email so record the call.

There are a few apps around for mobile phones. As you are only doing it for your own records you aren't breaking any laws.

[uk contractor]

I have also been contracting since the 1990s & can confirm more than likely the agency put the higher rates in the ad to attract the widest possible range of responses as that is the current tactic being used to gather more CV's.


Most agents are not too bright they operate on the fixed mindset that there is an infinite supply of high quality contractors who will only come out of the woodwork if the price is right!

[Andy Hallett]

If it is one of the banks the agent will likely be on a fixed rate and margins are totally transparent. I'd suggest genuine cock up.

[JRCT]

I just had an agency call me about a role this morning. Talked me through it, then asked me what rate I am on.

I just said, I'll be looking for £x. She then said to me "Is that reasonable? The client hasn't stated a rate yet so I'm trusting you not to be ripping me off".

[northernladuk]

I'd been contracting since the mid 90's and to be honest, Ive never come across it before.

I see all these comments about newbies being screwed over by agents. I've yet to deal with one that's tried any of the tricks and the odd time I've been asked for references I state the case and they back off. If you show them you know your stuff they play straight down the line with you. Problem is all the morons we see on here that let agents take them for a ride so agents think we are all as dumb.

Bearing in mind Bolshie is an experienced contractor and I am sure doesn't appear a push over to an agent I find it very hard to believe they would pull such a stupid transparent trick with such large figures. I know you have to watch your back with these guys but I just can't help thinking they wouldn't be so brazen with a guy who knows his stuff so am slightly leaning towards a genuine mistake here. We do slate them for being useless so it's to be expected they make gaffes from time to time and this could be one of them.

I'd definitely be asking if they are on a fixed margin and getting the answer in an email for use later if they are lying.

[BolshieBastard]

I have been contracting since the early 90's this has happened to me on many occasions.

One thing to note -> The mistake is never in your favour. It's a sign of bad things to come on the agency front.

I'd been contracting since the mid 90's and to be honest, Ive never come across it before.

[northernladuk]

Did you ask if the agency are on a fixed rate or not?

[BolshieBastard]

They screwed up.

They were discussing total rate with the client i.e. what you wanted plus their commission on top.

Least there is actually a role. Sometimes agents do this and no role materialises.

Ive no doubt they told me the total rate the client was prepared to pay. What's more than disappointing is the rate the second pimp was quoting. This meant they were trousering at least 100 quid a day and a maximum 145 if the original max they told me is paid by the client.

[psychocandy]

It's more likely the client was straight on the phone to ask where his £25/day reduction was!

Possibly. In this case though client was fairly useless and think they were being taken for a ride too.

They though agent was on fixed margin but when they checked the contract found out they werent.

[tractor]

...

Could be any as others have said.

Or agent guessed rate before it was finalised to get it out there first (then it was wrong)?

Not unknown for them to be creaming it off the top though. Fella in last place had this. Got offered then pimp phoned him day before start to say sorry client budget cuts £50 less per day which he accepted.

Months later when he was friendly with client this came up in conversation. Of course, it was total bollax that agent had made up to screw another £50.

Risky thing to do by agent because client was less than impressed that agent had lied like this on their behalf.

It's more likely the client was straight on the phone to ask where his £25/day reduction was!

[psychocandy]

Could be any as others have said.

Or agent guessed rate before it was finalised to get it out there first (then it was wrong)?

Not unknown for them to be creaming it off the top though. Fella in last place had this. Got offered then pimp phoned him day before start to say sorry client budget cuts £50 less per day which he accepted.

Months later when he was friendly with client this came up in conversation. Of course, it was total bollax that agent had made up to screw another £50.

Risky thing to do by agent because client was less than impressed that agent had lied like this on their behalf.

[sal]

Only the Agent(s) can give you the right answer to this. It can be a genuine screw up, mixing up what the customer is paying in total with your cut or giving the approximately 20% difference might be mix-up around with/without VAT.

In any case, does it really matter? If you are not happy with the lower rate just tell them to foxtrot oscar

[jmo21]

The possible other scenario is that they were trying to entice people in with the higher rate that never existed.

Still a tulipe thing to do.

[SueEllen]

They screwed up.

They were discussing total rate with the client i.e. what you wanted plus their commission on top.

Least there is actually a role. Sometimes agents do this and no role materialises.

[BolshieBastard]

Been contacted about a London based role with a well known High St name via an agency who has a contributor on these boards.

Pimp contacts me to say a suitable role is paying up to a maximum £545 a day. You ask for and they accept your agreement to be submitted at the daily rate of £525.

A few hours later, another pimp from the same agency contacts you saying they have a great job for you (turns out to be the exact same job reference) but they can only pay up to a maximum £425 a day.

Next day the original pimp contacts you to say the maximum rate has now been, ahem 'confirmed' at £450 and would you still be prepared to be submitted at this new, lower rate (£450?).

So, at a stroke they've creamed £95 a day off the top for themselves. Alternatively, the client has reduced the original budget. But, I think I know the most likely scenario here.