Reply to: Pushed to Agency

[MrMarkyMark]

Those are not mutually exclusive as it is commong for a PO to reference a contract number.

I personally would rather have a few things spelled out so would not accept a bare PO, expecially as it will have the client's standard terms and conditions on the back which will be a) extremely disadvantageous to YourCo and b) almost entirely irrelevant to contract roles.

Boo

Totally agree.
I was a little naive at that time, however had worked extensively with the client before, so didn't forsee any issues (late payment withstanding).

[Boo]

Just did mine on Purchase Orders rather than contracts when I did it.

Those are not mutually exclusive as it is commong for a PO to reference a contract number.

I personally would rather have a few things spelled out so would not accept a bare PO, expecially as it will have the client's standard terms and conditions on the back which will be a) extremely disadvantageous to YourCo and b) almost entirely irrelevant to contract roles.

Boo

[MrMarkyMark]

Just did mine on Purchase Orders rather than contracts when I did it.

[Boo]

Why would you want to contract direct on ludicrous payment terms?

One reason would be that the client will most likely (IME anyway) not have a suitable contract to use so you will be able to put forward your own terms based on the PCG or QDOS's contracts. The payment terms don't matter so much if the warchest is up to scratch and there is an overall reduced risk due to the better contract and fewer parties in the chain who could go bust.

Boo

[LondonManc]

Have they pushed you to a particular agency or do they have a PSL for you to choose from?

[expat]

Like others have said, assuming they're reputable, I'd probably prefer dealing with the agency as they'll agree to resonable payment terms. Bare in mind you've already agreed the rate, so it's not like the middle man is costing you anything.

Just make sure there aren't any stupid handcuff clauses in the contract. You brought the business to the agency, not the other way round.

That goes double if the client is a large multinational: you may well get another contract with another branch of the client and there is no reason to be tied to that agency for the future.

[fool]

Like others have said, assuming they're reputable, I'd probably prefer dealing with the agency as they'll agree to resonable payment terms. Bare in mind you've already agreed the rate, so it's not like the middle man is costing you anything.

[Eirikur]

Yes I have had this with a major IT company

Not a problem at all as rate and conditions were all agreed with end client before agency came in. It helped also a lot to get paid within a week after invoicing in stead of waiting the 90 days that they normally use

[FatLazyContractor]

Do you have any other option?

Personally I would take the contract and keep looking.

Have you forgotten the password for 'psychocandy' ?

[MrMarkyMark]

I have been

truly

direct with <Quite Large Teleco>, took me over 3 months+ to get my first payment, as the purchase orders were set up wrong.
Luckily I had the warchest to carry the "debt", even after taking a year off travelling, as I kind of prepared for it.

One of the realities of direct, its only a panecea for certain things .

[LondonManc]

Why would you want to contract direct on ludicrous payment terms?

[PurpleGorilla]

Just go through the agent and get weekly payment terms!

[BrilloPad]

Out of interest why? If the contract terms are ok and you get good payment terms, what's the problem? This is perfectly normal, albeit underhand, practice.

If, as the OP says, the client is a "major name" then I suspect you'll never get around this.

I think there are 2 parts to my reply :-

1. Why take the job? Its better to be earning than not
2. Why keep looking? I feel the behaviour is underhand. And I expect it is the thin end of the wedge.

Some above have recommended not taking the job at all - and I think they have a point.

It might be normal - but it is not right and should have be told earlier.

[Chuck]

Do you have any other option?

Personally I would take the contract and keep looking.

Out of interest why? If the contract terms are ok and you get good payment terms, what's the problem? This is perfectly normal, albeit underhand, practice.

If, as the OP says, the client is a "major name" then I suspect you'll never get around this.

[BrilloPad]

Do you have any other option?

Personally I would take the contract and keep looking.