Quick question can you help?

[jim2406]

Just to put a slightly different spin on this.

I had an agent tell me a similar tale but I wanted/needed the contract, so after some negotiations I met them halfway on the proposed rate cut.

A few months into the contract I got friendly with the client who confirmed they had indeed dropped the amount they could pay by around £80/ day, and the agent had tried to pass this onto me in entirity; in the end each of us took a £40 hit.

In other words the agent hadn't been lying!

This was one of the S3 group too who are regularly slated on here.

So even though it's usually BS, sometimes it may not be.

[alreadypacked]

Basically I was in a negotiation discussion with an agent regarding a contract and we discussed and agreed a rate. A few hours later she called to say the client is keen to confirm an interview but due to ‘budgetary issues’ the best they can offer is a reduced amount and starts pressurising me to agree.

I had a simular issue recently, I said no to the interview as it would have been long commute, and I was not prepared to do it for the reduced rate. I know I would have hated every day of the commute.

I gave the agent my usual reason for saying no. "The more people pay you the more they listen to you. I don't want to waste my time, at this rate they would not listen at all."

Warchest is ok at the moment, and I want 4 months off this winter, may have effected my reply.

[NotAllThere]

Ermm... WIS?

Yes. Reinforcing astounding words of wisdom.

[RichardCranium]

"There's little point us discussing rates until after the interview when I know what the gig entails".

[gingerjedi]

I try to avoid talking rates once I know the ball park figure (which will always be the lowest they mention), when you've got the gig in the bag you're the one in the driving seat so it's much easier bump it up.

[Not So Wise]

Work is work, in this climate. Get the interview, meet the client, get the gig,then argue about the rate. You can always haggle on the basis of additional responsibilbity, higher costs, higher risk of failure or something. Then if you get grief, you can ask the client to suggest the agent might like to consider not p*ssing everyone around.

Of course, the agent may just be tellng the truth (it has been known...). In which case you'll lose the gig for nothing. 6 months at £200 a day is better than three months at sod all.

^^WHS

[thunderlizard]

You don't need any more of an excuse than they had. Just tell them that due to "budgetary issues" you need to stick to the agreed amount.

[malvolio]

Whoops - missed the fact that they're dangling the interview. I'd agree to the rate, and then afterward tell the agent - sorry, my original agreed rate stands, because of x,y,z.

Ermm... WIS?

[NotAllThere]

Whoops - missed the fact that they're dangling the interview. I'd agree to the rate, and then afterward tell the agent - sorry, my original agreed rate stands, because of x,y,z.

[malvolio]

Work is work, in this climate. Get the interview, meet the client, get the gig,then argue about the rate. You can always haggle on the basis of additional responsibilbity, higher costs, higher risk of failure or something. Then if you get grief, you can ask the client to suggest the agent might like to consider not p*ssing everyone around.

Of course, the agent may just be tellng the truth (it has been known...). In which case you'll lose the gig for nothing. 6 months at £200 a day is better than three months at sod all.

[NotAllThere]

Depends how desperate you are. I'd say - we agreed £x per day. How much are the client offering to pay you now?

[strawberrysmoothie]

I had interesting incident happen to me and I would appreciate feedback on the best way to deal with this when it occurs.

Basically I was in a negotiation discussion with an agent regarding a contract and we discussed and agreed a rate. A few hours later she called to say the client is keen to confirm an interview but due to ‘budgetary issues’ the best they can offer is a reduced amount and starts pressurising me to agree.

I know b@0l$ks when I hear it, because she’s looking to increase her margin. I told her I would have to ‘get back to her ‘with an answer. I know this tactic is an old negotiation chestnut, I am wondering how other people have responded to this when it has cropped up because I came very close to tell her to ‘go procreate’ herself.