Reply to: Agency from Hell -- need advice

[Hex]

If they will do that for only £2 there must be some kind of catch. If you use them for that, are you then committed to using them for the rest of the debt recovery process?

No catches. It's all automated I think. You fill in the form and they generate and send the letter automatically.

See here: http://www.thomashiggins.com/

[darrenb]

Thomas Higgins can also send a solicitor's letter for you for about £2 - look at their website.

If they will do that for only £2 there must be some kind of catch. If you use them for that, are you then committed to using them for the rest of the debt recovery process?

[pmeswani]

All of my invoices have been through email. Would it add any pressure to them at all if I used post, or should I just get the collection process started right away?

If you can prove that you have emailed the agency (with the invoice), then it's a legally binding. Unless the agency can prove they never received it that is.

[darrenb]

Make sure you've invoiced them for the work you did, regardless of what they say. On the invoices state the payment terms as 30 days from date of invoice.

If they don't pay go through the procedures on the www.payontime.co.uk website.

Thomas Higgins can also send a solicitor's letter for you for about £2 - look at their website.

You must invoice though and give them time to pay before starting any debt recovery.

All of my invoices have been through email. Would it add any pressure to them at all if I used post, or should I just get the collection process started right away?

[darrenb]

You have a special problem; there is no shame in paying a specialist to fix it while you go back to doing your normal job.

OK fine, I think there's a consensus. Any other good collection agencies? PM me if you like.

[Nexxy]

Company I used was called Creditsafe Ltd. It was one that the PCG endorse (I am NOT a dyed in the wool PCG bod!). I dealt with a guy called Sid Home.
Glad I had insisted on being on weekly payment terms to take the gig - so it only cost me about £275 + VAT.

[Old Greg]

I was in a similar position six months ago. Speed was of the essence in case the agency went bust. I used a collection agency on a no collection no fee basis. Have to say they did a cracking job of persuading the agency to cough up and got me the money within a few weeks, especially as I didn't have signed timesheets! It cost me 5% of the total outstanding, but 95% in my pocket is better than getting 100% of nothing.

5% sounds excellent. Can you share the company's name. Don't need it at the moment but always good to be prepared.

[Hex]

Make sure you've invoiced them for the work you did, regardless of what they say. On the invoices state the payment terms as 30 days from date of invoice.

If they don't pay go through the procedures on the www.payontime.co.uk website.

Thomas Higgins can also send a solicitor's letter for you for about £2 - look at their website.

You must invoice though and give them time to pay before starting any debt recovery.

[ace00]

I was in a similar position six months ago. Speed was of the essence in case the agency went bust. I used a collection agency on a no collection no fee basis. Have to say they did a cracking job of persuading the agency to cough up and got me the money within a few weeks, especially as I didn't have signed timesheets! It cost me 5% of the total outstanding, but 95% in my pocket is better than getting 100% of nothing.

WHS - from personal experience go straight for the collections agency it is the least time consuming & most effective approach.

[RichardCranium]

So I have to pay 5% of my rate to yet another agency, while the recruiter pays nothing but what they owed me anyway? And goes on to inflict the same torture on countless other contractors?

You would be paying 5% for someone else to have the angst and aggro on you behalf while you set about finding another contract.

Alternatively, keep sitting at home with nothing except fora like this to post on. Do you want it fixed or are you happy to just moan about it?

You have a special problem; there is no shame in paying a specialist to fix it while you go back to doing your normal job.

[Nexxy]

So I have to pay 5% of my rate to yet another agency, while the recruiter pays nothing but what they owed me anyway? And goes on to inflict the same torture on countless other contractors?

I didn't have signed timesheets so 5% was a bargain.

[BrilloPad]

So I have to pay 5% of my rate to yet another agency, while the recruiter pays nothing but what they owed me anyway? And goes on to inflict the same torture on countless other contractors?

If you want a contractor union and fight for the greater good, join the PCG.

You should be looking after number 1.

[darrenb]

I was in a similar position six months ago. Speed was of the essence in case the agency went bust. I used a collection agency on a no collection no fee basis. Have to say they did a cracking job of persuading the agency to cough up and got me the money within a few weeks, especially as I didn't have signed timesheets! It cost me 5% of the total outstanding, but 95% in my pocket is better than getting 100% of nothing.

So I have to pay 5% of my rate to yet another agency, while the recruiter pays nothing but what they owed me anyway? And goes on to inflict the same torture on countless other contractors?

[EddieNambulous]

Name and Shame!!!!!!

Might be risky now that he's called them dishonest in a public forum.

[Nexxy]

I was in a similar position six months ago. Speed was of the essence in case the agency went bust. I used a collection agency on a no collection no fee basis. Have to say they did a cracking job of persuading the agency to cough up and got me the money within a few weeks, especially as I didn't have signed timesheets! It cost me 5% of the total outstanding, but 95% in my pocket is better than getting 100% of nothing.