Reply to: A genuine mistake?

[m0n1k3r]

Here is the story about someone I know. Some time ago an agency (actually big and well known one) approached him with a gig, the rate was better than average, interview went very well, an offer was made. A day later agency called him and said they are so much sorry but they made a horrible mistake and the rate is actually about 15% lower then originally advertised one, "would you still agree to accept an offer?" they said.
Is this just a genuine one off mistake or one of agents' usual dirty tricks? Did you see anything similar?

At 15% it sounds like that the rate they advertised is in fact the rate they charge their client.

[sal]

The bit that you said it would go directly on your blacklist first but then you would negotiate. Other way around surely?

The way I understand it, it will go on his black list regardless for future reference, but if negotiations are successful he will proceed with the contract regardless, not much of a black list

[northernladuk]

If neg. is successful or not it's a crap agency, what you don't understand?

The bit that you said it would go directly on your blacklist first but then you would negotiate. Other way around surely?

[Bee]

So it wouldn't go directly on your blacklist? You'd negotiate first and if you didn't get what you want then it would go on your blacklist?

If neg. is successful or not it's a crap agency, what you don't understand?

[northernladuk]

This one would go directly to my black list.
I think it's a trick and instead of saying "good bye" I would push for the first offer and see.

So it wouldn't go directly on your blacklist? You'd negotiate first and if you didn't get what you want then it would go on your blacklist?

[Bee]

This one would go directly to my black list.
I think it's a trick and instead of saying "good bye" I would push for the first offer and see.

[SimonMac]

PC had a similar mix-up at the Dole Office.

Now now this is the professional forums and we are not allowed to take the piss out of dole boy and his benefit culture

[Old Greg]

I have had this before when it was a genuine, quoted £x65 when it turned out to be £x56, so sometimes mistakes do happen, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

PC had a similar mix-up at the Dole Office.

[SimonMac]

I have had this before when it was a genuine, quoted £x65 when it turned out to be £x56, so sometimes mistakes do happen, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

I guess it depends on your situation, fat warchest and you can tell them to do one, living invoice to invoice and the options are a lot less appealing.

[Eirikur]

A few months ago I was put forward for a role for a certain amount. Went to interview, got the gig and when reconfirming the rate with them they mentioned a sum £50 per day lower. Told them that's not what you said and can't accept the gig at this rate, they denied they ever mentioned a higher rate, I sent them an email with the jobspec as advertised on jobsite that mentioned the higher rate as well as the call recording of the original call, never heard from them anymore.
I told the end client that the agency were a bunch of lying cheating bastards and they dumped the agency.

[MrMarkyMark]

I have seen agents trying to pull a fast one at the last moment trying to increase their margins, but never with 15%. It's more likely to be a mistake where a newbie agent put the rate the client is paying them in the ad (I have experienced this first hand and could later verify that was a genuine mistake after checking with the Client how much they are paying for my services). Either way it's you "friend" will never know as no matter how much questions you as the agent, you can never be sure whether he is telling the truth or not.

What should your "friend" do in this case? It all sound advice that a lot of people are suggesting to stick to your guns and drop the contract if the agency don't back down to the original rate discussed. The problem is can you afford it? If the rate was higher than average to begin with and you are happy with the reduced rate, do you really want to trow your toys out of the pram because the agent lied to you...

Ultimately it's a decision everyone need to make for themselves, considering all the circumstances, there is no single definitive answer/solution to situations like this.

This +1, exactly what I alluded to earlier as a possibility. I have seen it before and verified also.
The rate being "above average" is another pointer.

[Old Greg]

I had this years back in my contracting infancy, agreed a rate for a local gig of 350pd, interview all well and good and accepted the offer, contract arrives with a daily rate of 378pd, didn't think it was worth bothering the agent to query it

Yes, I remember agreeing 500 pd with an agent for a gig I had found but I couldn't go direct. Agent said they would put on 7.5% but added 20%, agreeing 600 pd with client. The client then decided they had to go with their preferred intermediary who has a 5% markup based on a total rate of 600 pd, leaving me with 571.43 pd. They then accidentally put my base as Birmingham rather than Leeds so I got to claim 250 miles round trip daily at something like 56p per mile.

[sal]

I have seen agents trying to pull a fast one at the last moment trying to increase their margins, but never with 15%. It's more likely to be a mistake where a newbie agent put the rate the client is paying them in the ad (I have experienced this first hand and could later verify that was a genuine mistake after checking with the Client how much they are paying for my services). Either way it's you "friend" will never know as no matter how much questions you as the agent, you can never be sure whether he is telling the truth or not.

What should your "friend" do in this case? It all sound advice that a lot of people are suggesting to stick to your guns and drop the contract if the agency don't back down to the original rate discussed. The problem is can you afford it? If the rate was higher than average to begin with and you are happy with the reduced rate, do you really want to trow your toys out of the pram because the agent lied to you...

Ultimately it's a decision everyone need to make for themselves, considering all the circumstances, there is no single definitive answer/solution to situations like this.

[SlipTheJab]

I had this years back in my contracting infancy, agreed a rate for a local gig of 350pd, interview all well and good and accepted the offer, contract arrives with a daily rate of 378pd, didn't think it was worth bothering the agent to query it

[ruasonid]

Would you want to work for an agency or anyone who makes those kind of mistakes? At best sounds like maybe a naiive agent quoted you the loaded rate which included their margin. I'd ask for details.