Reply to: Feedback Welcome: 2 Agencies, 1 Contractor

[minestrone]

Best to get these things sorted out as soon as possible when you notice them and be totally firm in what you say. The first agency to mention the client name and confirm that they are sending through the CV gets it for me.

I dont care who sent the CV first, it's who told me the name first. That is the point it turned into an application with a specific client and not just a CV exchange.

If anyone mentioned ownership to me I would tell them to f off.

[pmeswani]

Agency A has been previous documented on this forum for its sharp practices. Its a pity in some instances, people's future in IT is determined by contract politics as opposed to their work merit.

It has also been documented that some contractors remain clueless (including me).

[shanti]

Thanks for feedback.

Did Agent A get you to agree that they would have ownership?

Nope. Agency A is probably just p*ssed that I went with another for the submission. Nice to have the agents squabbling over the candidate for change - makes you realize how contractors are getting out numbered by the sharky middlemen. Its all academic anycase, client has yet to interview.

Agency A has been previous documented on this forum for its sharp practices. Its a pity in some instances, people's future in IT is determined by contract politics as opposed to their work merit.

[djob]

Small situation, that I welcome feedback on...

*Sent in a CV to Agent A and they forwarded to the client
*Also submitted an CV to Agent B for a role that seemed different
*Turns out, it is the same client company that has a large PSL of agencies
*The large client company contacts both agencies

Both of the Agencies then contact me back:

Agent B says that its not unusual occurance, I just have to select one to be the representing agency for the role. I should send them a confirmation email if I want them to represent my application.

Agent A says that they sent in the CV first, so they have ownership, but could I send an email to them to confirm I am happy to have them representing me (sounds a bit fishy, if they have ownership - why the confirmation?).

After reviewing both potential contracts, opted for Agency B, better and less restrictive contract (and more money).

Agency A, is saying that I have to go with them, they have ownership.

Just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if there is precedent. We have not had any interviews at the moment - this is just for an application.

Is there any chance that Agency A could scupper the application all together - as I did not go with them? They seem a bit more sharky.

As long as the client is okay with it, you are in no way obliged to go with A just because they say so. Go for the better contract option (and more money)

[expat]

Did Agent A inform you that they were forwarding your CV to the client beforehand. If you agreed to this prior to speaking with Agent B then I can see their point otherwise ignore anything they say and go with the Agent of your choosing.

Did Agent A get you to agree that they would have ownership?

[neilmcl]

*Sent in a CV to Agent A and they forwarded to the client

Did Agent A inform you that they were forwarding your CV to the client beforehand. If you agreed to this prior to speaking with Agent B then I can see their point otherwise ignore anything they say and go with the Agent of your choosing.

[pmeswani]

Or to organise a massive party at Shanti's gaff so that Agencies A and B can attend to decide who owns him.

I'll bring a couple of bottles of Pinot Grigiot as a starter, chilled of course.

Don't forget the spiritual journey of those bottles.

[TykeMerc]

Or to organise a massive party at Shanti's gaff so that Agencies A and B can attend to decide who owns him.

I'll bring a couple of bottles of Pinot Grigiot as a starter, chilled of course.

[pmeswani]

So the answer to this problem is to take both agencies to court for misrepresentation.

[DS23]

Alternatively, refer both agencies to this thread: http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...p-welcome.html and the likelihood is that neither of them will want to work with you... Problem solved.

[TheBigYinJames]

Alternatively, refer both agencies to this thread: http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...p-welcome.html and the likelihood is that neither of them will want to work with you... Problem solved.

Hah good call, didn't realise this was THE shanti who's back got stabbed by some agent doing his job (AKA the Shanti Virus)

[Ravello]

Alternatively, refer both agencies to this thread: http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...p-welcome.html and the likelihood is that neither of them will want to work with you... Problem solved.

[Liability]

very common

If it gets to fisty cuffs the client will choose the one

- who has the filthy blonde on the other end and she sounds good
- was submitted first based on time
- the one they like better

In this case - stick to the one you want to and tell the other one that you have request to the agency and client that youd like the other agency to represent you. Agents will shut up if they know the client is involved as they don't want to damage the relationship.

[expat]

Small situation, that I welcome feedback on...

*Sent in a CV to Agent A and they forwarded to the client
*Also submitted an CV to Agent B for a role that seemed different
*Turns out, it is the same client company that has a large PSL of agencies
*The large client company contacts both agencies

Both of the Agencies then contact me back:

Agent B says that its not unusual occurance, I just have to select one to be the representing agency for the role. I should send them a confirmation email if I want them to represent my application.

Agent A says that they sent in the CV first, so they have ownership, but could I send an email to them to confirm I am happy to have them representing me (sounds a bit fishy, if they have ownership - why the confirmation?).

After reviewing both potential contracts, opted for Agency B, better and less restrictive contract (and more money).

Agency A, is saying that I have to go with them, they have ownership.

Just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if there is precedent. We have not had any interviews at the moment - this is just for an application.

Is there any chance that Agency A could scupper the application all together - as I did not go with them? They seem a bit more sharky.

How come agency A have "ownership"? What is this "ownership"?

Like, if I looked at Tesco's lamb chops, but later decided to buy Waitrose's lamb chops, Tesco could dispute that, saying that they have "ownership" of my lamb chops purchase. I don't think so.

Agency A have priority, in a narrow sense. That doesn't give them ownership. You shopped around. You picked the better deal. End of story.

If you're worried, ask Agency B if that might cause a problem; so that they do know the situation.

[pmeswani]

Small situation, that I welcome feedback on...

*Sent in a CV to Agent A and they forwarded to the client
*Also submitted an CV to Agent B for a role that seemed different
*Turns out, it is the same client company that has a large PSL of agencies
*The large client company contacts both agencies

Both of the Agencies then contact me back:

Agent B says that its not unusual occurance, I just have to select one to be the representing agency for the role. I should send them a confirmation email if I want them to represent my application.

Agent A says that they sent in the CV first, so they have ownership, but could I send an email to them to confirm I am happy to have them representing me (sounds a bit fishy, if they have ownership - why the confirmation?).

After reviewing both potential contracts, opted for Agency B, better and less restrictive contract (and more money).

Agency A, is saying that I have to go with them, they have ownership.

Just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if there is precedent. We have not had any interviews at the moment - this is just for an application.

Is there any chance that Agency A could scupper the application all together - as I did not go with them? They seem a bit more sharky.

Just tell Agency A that you contacted them in error... but this could prove problematic. Best thing to do is to try and secure an interview and tell the client that you would like to go via Agency B.