cutting out one of the middlemen....

[vfr_rider]

here's an update....

I had twenty minutes of justification from the agent taking the major cut. their position is that the client has to fund any rate rise. they flatly refuse to entertain any possibility of reducing their margin to increase my daily rate - without asking for an increase from the client.

I've decided just to let it lie for now, as it turns out i'm actually taking home the top 'MRP' - which is the maximum the client is willing to pay for my role - irrespective of the cuts the agencies are taking.

it's a good job and it could run on for some time, so I've decided not to upset the applecart, for now.

agencies - don't you just love them?

[Another Dodgy Agent]

that's exactly what's happened.

my skillset is extremely specialised, which I suppose puts me in a good position - the client has been trying to find another 'me' for quite some time to no avail.

there is a clause in the contract stating that I cannot work for the same client within six months of the contract ending, but with a 'save for' clause which mentions working for another agent(?) with whom I was registered at the start of the contract. it's not straightforward.

I just don't want to annoy off the client - they've been extremely good to me - but I think if I don't nip this in the bud now, I'll keep losing upwards of 2k a month....

Given your niche skillset and the fact that you are aware that your line manager has been searching for another "you" without success, surely gives you a good stand point to ask for an increase. If they lose you then I should imagine whatever project you are working on would suffer as a consequence.

Regarding the 2 agencies, yes this does occur on occasion. What you will find is that they have split the "fee" 50/50 between them rather than taking 2 lots of commission. So for example if agency 1 has agreed 10% with the client then that would be halved between agency 1 and agency 2. The client may not even be aware of agency 2 (your agency) and will think they are only dealing with agency 1 (the original agency that had the role you were put forward for).

[pmeswani]

Probably better to tell them that you want a rate increase otherwise you won't be renewing. I know if someone asked me "if a rate increase is possible" and I was an agent I would just say "no".

That may be the case in the majority of cases. I asked the agency for a rate increase a few weeks back when my renewal discussion kicked off, got told no. Then told him last week (or the week before) that I had an interview somewhere else for the same rate for a bit longer, ended up with a small raise. Quite insignificant... have renewed my contract, but am still on the lookout. (And yes, I did have another interivew... there's a thread about that somewhere else!).

[Hex]

Ask them if a rate increase is possible.

Probably better to tell them that you want a rate increase otherwise you won't be renewing. I know if someone asked me "if a rate increase is possible" and I was an agent I would just say "no".

[pmeswani]

that's exactly what's happened.

my skillset is extremely specialised, which I suppose puts me in a good position - the client has been trying to find another 'me' for quite some time to no avail.

Stop flexing your muscles.

there is a clause in the contract stating that I cannot work for the same client within six months of the contract ending, but with a 'save for' clause which mentions working for another agent(?) with whom I was registered at the start of the contract. it's not straightforward.

I assume that you mean that you cannot approach the client directly and tout for business. However, you can renew your contract with your agency. Your contract is with the agency that has got your role. Your agency's contract is with the client's agency. Whatever the clause is between Agency A and B should not concern you. Best thing to do is to go back to the agency that got you the role and let them renew your contract.

I just don't want to annoy off the client - they've been extremely good to me - but I think if I don't nip this in the bud now, I'll keep losing upwards of 2k a month....

Then don't complicate things and go back to your agency and kick them in the backside and get them to sort it out. Ask them if a rate increase is possible.

[vfr_rider]

In my case.... there are 2 agencies involved. For some reason, the first agency isn't able to fill the position, therefore they approach the second agency and ask them to find a candidate. The second agency finds the candidate and acts as the candidates point of contact. Candidate invoices 2nd agency, who in turn invoices the first agency who invoices the client. Can't always be avoided.

that's exactly what's happened.

my skillset is extremely specialised, which I suppose puts me in a good position - the client has been trying to find another 'me' for quite some time to no avail.

there is a clause in the contract stating that I cannot work for the same client within six months of the contract ending, but with a 'save for' clause which mentions working for another agent(?) with whom I was registered at the start of the contract. it's not straightforward.

I just don't want to annoy off the client - they've been extremely good to me - but I think if I don't nip this in the bud now, I'll keep losing upwards of 2k a month....

[TheRefactornator]

...I've recently been invited to renew, which I'm pretty chuffed about.

however, there are 2 agencies involved in my contract...

Is there any way you could go direct and bin both leeches?

[tim123]

In my case.... there are 2 agencies involved. For some reason, the first agency isn't able to fill the position, therefore they approach the second agency and ask them to find a candidate. The second agency finds the candidate and acts as the candidates point of contact. Candidate invoices 2nd agency, who in turn invoices the first agency who invoices the client. Can't always be avoided.

But two margins can.

On my last but one (overseas) gig I was in this situation. There were actually more than one UK agency, sub contracting to more than one of the foreign client's preferred suppliers.

The rates offered to my by the UK agents varied by more than 20%. I simply refused to deal with the lower paying agents and went for exactly the same job through the higher paying one.

tim

[pmeswani]

How does that work
What does the other agent do?

In my case.... there are 2 agencies involved. For some reason, the first agency isn't able to fill the position, therefore they approach the second agency and ask them to find a candidate. The second agency finds the candidate and acts as the candidates point of contact. Candidate invoices 2nd agency, who in turn invoices the first agency who invoices the client. Can't always be avoided.

[ratewhore]

Why do some people get themselves into these situations!?

Because sometimes the contractor doesn't know, that's why.

To the OP, it will just come down to negotiation to reduce their margin. Remember the golden rule though, they are not taking a cut of YOUR money, they are paying you a share of THEIRS...

[NotAllThere]

I guess it's because they're getting £300 a day and haven't worked out that if they say - £400 a day or I walk, they'll get more money.

So long as people accept peanut pay, I suppose they'll behave like semi-evolved simians.

[BolshieBastard]

Why do some people get themselves into these situations!?

[Sausage Surprise]

first off - hi

I thought i'd ask my fellow contractors for a bit of advice.

I'm into the last few months into my current contract, and I've recently been invited to renew, which I'm pretty chuffed about.

however, there are 2 agencies involved in my contract, and the agency I invoice (who introduced me to the client) is taking a enormous cut out of the daily rate, putting me below market value.

is it the case that, as the introducing agent, I'm stuck with them as long as I'm working at the same site?

How does that work
What does the other agent do?

[vfr_rider]

first off - hi

I thought i'd ask my fellow contractors for a bit of advice.

I'm into the last few months into my current contract, and I've recently been invited to renew, which I'm pretty chuffed about.

however, there are 2 agencies involved in my contract, and the agency I invoice (who introduced me to the client) is taking a enormous cut out of the daily rate, putting me below market value.

is it the case that, as the introducing agent, I'm stuck with them as long as I'm working at the same site?