Reply to: Determining Agency Cut

[BrowneIssue]

(and trying my best to avoid emotes!)

emoticons

[aikidoka]

Well, a bit of an update - thanks again to all who responded.

I have been offered the contract Despite some reservations I had that the interview had gone a bit bad, I was really strong in one area, and really weak in another - but I think you're always going to get that when going for a job.

They are even willing to wait while I work my permie notice period, and upped it to a 6 month rolling contract, which is an incredible bonus.

The only thing I need to do is to make that final decision to jump. It's a direction I never saw myself going in, but I suppose that is the nature of contracting - less predictable than permie work.

Thanks for all your responses, I'll probably be on soon asking loads of questions (and trying my best to avoid emotes!)

[thunderlizard]

"the client has agreed to match" the originally offered value

surprise surprise! good to hear, hope you get the contract,

tl

[Denny]

Or punctuate with a "?" to mark the end of an interrogative statement, eh?

I was just testing. To see how alert you all are.

Well done FaQQer.

[Ardesco]

I've got a good idea. Why not learn to spell.

As yes because the godly Denny never makes a typo either.....

Anything else you would like to take me to task for? May as well start your own thread in General.

"Reasons to hate Ardesco"

Sound like a good enough title?

[TheFaQQer]

I've got a good idea. Why not learn to spell.

Or punctuate with a "?" to mark the end of an interrogative statement, eh?

[Denny]

thier

I've got a good idea. Why not learn to spell.

[aikidoka]

Thanks again for all the posts, and some very valid points there.

Maybe the agent did get over-excited when he saw my CV - it involves working with software that I wrote (while in permie employment, so it's not 'my' software) so I probably know it better than anyone else that he's got on his books.

Maybe I was being a little bolshy when I said I know for 'fact' that he is increasing his cut - what I do know is the reasons the client wants a contractor over using my current permie employer is that a contractor would be cheaper (strange as it sounds). It just seemed very fishy that the rate kept dropping.

However, my view is still unchanged, seeing as when I threatened to pull out of the interview based on the fact that the rate was dropping, "the client has agreed to match" the originally offered value, and I will now be attending the interview.

[Ardesco]

The best way to get somebody to do something is make them think that it was thier idea to begin with.

Democracy is this idea with nobs on.

[DodgyAgent]

Because we need to believe that the democratic and legislative process, however flawed it might be, is infinitely better than a dictatorship, particularly by the recruitment industry, that's why!

Duh!

Which therefore makes "the democratic and legislative process" a quasi dictatorship

[thunderlizard]

...I've had two phone calls from the agency, each time telling me that the rate is lower.

Ignore them. You're the seller: it's your job to say what your price is, not the customer's. It's the customer's job to decide whether he can afford it or not.

Like, try popping into Tescos and telling them the price of champagne is not their suggested £20.99 but is in fact £16.99 and see how far that gets you.

[Denny]

Since when have laws been made for "good reasons" ?

Because we need to believe that the democratic and legislative process, however flawed it might be, is infinitely better than a dictatorship, particularly by the recruitment industry, that's why!

Duh!

[max]

I know for a fact that the agent is taking advantage of me being a newbie to increase their cut.

How do you know this for a fact?

Maybe they just quoted a large number to get you to drag your carcass out of permidom. You've been vacillating for years, so maybe they thought you needed a strategically placed firecracker to dislodge you.

What number were they talking originally? What skills/industry? ie: was it £1500/day for space invaders customer support?

[Sausage Surprise]

Correctly, I might add, particularly now that the market is looking a bit dodgy for contractors at the moment.

Why do you say that?

[DodgyAgent]

Why is it pointless? It was query raised by a contractor. If you thought it was pointless why answer it?

You obviously have had a very lucky run with your contracts. Some contractors don't and do have to put in extra skills or hours and the reason is probably to do with the EB mark up, in some cases.

If the law states that the EB mark up should be disclosed (someone posted a link earlier) can't you just assume that there must be a good reason for that?

There is far too much disjointed thinking surrounding contracting and that is why we're in such a mess about ir35 as well.

Contracting seems mostly about throwing darts at the dartboard blindfolded and hoping for the best. I don't regard this as satisfactory and I'm sure other contractors feel the same way, even if you don't Ardesco.

Since when have laws been made for "good reasons" ?