Previous Client wants me back

[ChimpMaster]

I would try to take on both contracts. See how much workload each one involves and partition your working week accordingly.

Get old client to match the higher rate too - if they want you then the demand is there and they need to pay for the goods.

[lukemg]

Had similar myself, offer from past client at same rate, current contract a bit dull too. Other contract took a while to sort and took me over a contract end point which would have made exit easier.
With some regret, decided to turn down the new offer and stay, they are a big player and didn't want to leave on bad terms when I might need them again to provide work.
As a contractor I am a bit addicted to change, it keeps me interested but the sensible, professional but possibly dull option was to stay.

[BolshieBastard]

To listen to some people talk, you'd think 'businesses' never ditched a contract part way through. Which of course is bollocks, they do all the time when it suits them.

Having said that, I'd never give up on a contract to go back to a lower rate. The only time I'd do that is if the situation on the current contract was so poor etc then I'd have no hesitation of leaving.

[Jubber]

A real contractor you will never regress back to a low pay 'comfort zone contract'. He will nurture the new client so that he has 2 satisfied customers. If you really want to go back, then negotiate hard and ask them to match your existing rate. After all, that's what you're worth, right

I work for the going rate (within reason) - that way I've always got work. The rate I'm on now is what I call high - middle of London - Financial client, but I wouldn't expect the same from a provincial company with a tiny turnover in comparison. If I stuck out for the highest rate I've ever been on (back in the good old Telecom boom days) I would be on that bench for a long long time.

Many thanks for the replies - staying put - Professional Hat has been donned.

J

[tim123]

1. But make it clear that you'd love to go back and the only thing stopping you is your profesionalism on seeing through a contract you have committed to Of course if they can hang on until January you'd be delighted to!

I once had an old client try to persuade me to dump on my current client and go back to them ASAP.

To my regret, I did and when I got there they weren't the slightest bit ready for me and could have easily waited another 4 weeks for me to have arranged a proper handover with the previous client - never again!

tim

[Turion]

A real contractor you will never regress back to a low pay 'comfort zone contract'. He will nurture the new client so that he has 2 satisfied customers. If you really want to go back, then negotiate hard and ask them to match your existing rate. After all, that's what you're worth, right

[DS23]

stick it out and do a good job and then you will have two clients who want you back.

[Epiphone]

Put a subbie in at one of the clients. You're a business aren't you.

[LittlestHobbo]

i'll sub for you!! where is it?

[NotAllThere]

On the grounds that you should never accept a pay cut, option 1 seems best.

[voodooflux]

1. But make it clear that you'd love to go back and the only thing stopping you is your profesionalism on seeing through a contract you have committed to Of course if they can hang on until January...

...or match/beat your current rate...

...you'd be delighted to!

[DaveB]

Sigh ... I know this type of thing has been much discussed, but here goes anyway.

I'm 2 months into my current 6 month gig. Old client has been in contact - wants me back. Old client is much closer to home, but rate is 25% less. The working atmosphere, work etc. is better at old client. I don't have to decide now - probably wouldn't start till early October.

I'd love to go back, but

1) Wearing my professional hat I think - no - I have committed myself here for a six month duration. Thank the old client for his interest and if he has anything in the New Year I would be very interested

2) Wearing my slippery hat I think - I'll tell old client Yes Please, wait and see how things go at new client, then go with the best option come October.

3) Wearing my Got a Big Pair hat I think - I'll tell current client on Monday that I'm off at the end of September.

4) Wearing my I've been dumped on my big companies before half way through term hat I think - tell old client a week before end of September I'm off (two weeks before if I fancy a week in the sun)

Which hat fits.?

1. But make it clear that you'd love to go back and the only thing stopping you is your profesionalism on seeing through a contract you have committed to Of course if they can hang on until January you'd be delighted to!

[Jubber]

Sigh ... I know this type of thing has been much discussed, but here goes anyway.

I'm 2 months into my current 6 month gig. Old client has been in contact - wants me back. Old client is much closer to home, but rate is 25% less. The working atmosphere, work etc. is better at old client. I don't have to decide now - probably wouldn't start till early October.

I'd love to go back, but

1) Wearing my professional hat I think - no - I have committed myself here for a six month duration. Thank the old client for his interest and if he has anything in the New Year I would be very interested

2) Wearing my slippery hat I think - I'll tell old client Yes Please, wait and see how things go at new client, then go with the best option come October.

3) Wearing my Got a Big Pair hat I think - I'll tell current client on Monday that I'm off at the end of September.

4) Wearing my I've been dumped on my big companies before half way through term hat I think - tell old client a week before end of September I'm off (two weeks before if I fancy a week in the sun)

Which hat fits.?