What do you think????

[SorenLorensen]

Totally understand where you are coming from on this but don't agree.

How many of the scumbag agencies do you think have sole agency agreements with their clients ? The answer is none otw they wouldn't need to behave the way they do. When I am contacted by agencies who are on a PSL or have sole rights they rarely behave like this and never ask for references and all that kind of crap.

I have my own black list. If a job comes up with one of those agencies and I have the right skills I just wait until it appears with someone who isn't on my black list. If I get the role my black listed agency loses out on commission and hence will suffer for their previous beahaviour.

There are IMO quite a few good agencies out there, tend to be small and specialist. These guys always call me back and always endeavour to get me feedback.

I'd agree with most of this.

There are lots of giveaways when dealing with agents though. The big one should be the job spec...if the agent can't provide one, then I'm not willing to be put forward. Same with not telling who the client is. Why the hell do agencies not give this sort of information out, is it just paranoia??

The other big giveaway that there is no role is the cockney accent...you're as well hanging up right there and then...

[Ruse]

Therein lies a problem.

If Scumbag Gitco Recruitment get a bad press on here, then advertise a role, and we on CUK don't go for it, what will happen? Some innocent numpty will get it anyway.

So, knowing there is no CUK competition, myself and others will think "Aha! I'm in with a better chance as there is less competition." So we all apply anyway.

And I am sat on the bench wondering about the January rent. If I see a role advertised by Scumbag Gitco Recruitment in my preferred niche market within commutable distance from home paying £500 a day, what do you think I'll do?


It is very helpful to be warned of the tricks agencies play and which ones are the worst offenders, That way we can develop counter-strategies.

But I don't think us rate whores can live without the pimps and so cannot afford to avoid the bad ones. (Especially since there are so few good ones.)

Totally understand where you are coming from on this but don't agree.

How many of the scumbag agencies do you think have sole agency agreements with their clients ? The answer is none otw they wouldn't need to behave the way they do. When I am contacted by agencies who are on a PSL or have sole rights they rarely behave like this and never ask for references and all that kind of crap.

I have my own black list. If a job comes up with one of those agencies and I have the right skills I just wait until it appears with someone who isn't on my black list. If I get the role my black listed agency loses out on commission and hence will suffer for their previous beahaviour.

There are IMO quite a few good agencies out there, tend to be small and specialist. These guys always call me back and always endeavour to get me feedback.

[RichardCranium]

Name and shame. We need to get the names of the agencies that do this publicised in contracting circles so we all can avoid them like the plague.

Therein lies a problem.

If Scumbag Gitco Recruitment get a bad press on here, then advertise a role, and we on CUK don't go for it, what will happen? Some innocent numpty will get it anyway.

So, knowing there is no CUK competition, myself and others will think "Aha! I'm in with a better chance as there is less competition." So we all apply anyway.

And I am sat on the bench wondering about the January rent. If I see a role advertised by Scumbag Gitco Recruitment in my preferred niche market within commutable distance from home paying £500 a day, what do you think I'll do?


It is very helpful to be warned of the tricks agencies play and which ones are the worst offenders, That way we can develop counter-strategies.

But I don't think us rate whores can live without the pimps and so cannot afford to avoid the bad ones. (Especially since there are so few good ones.)

[SorenLorensen]

ASk the question in an email:

"Can you confirm that you are on the Client's Preferred Suppliers List and that you have sent my CV to the Client?"

And get them to reply IN WRITING.

And then see how many quietly fall by the wayside...

Yep, this is exactly what to do. I didn't last time but will certainly do so from now on.

[Ruse]

ASk the question in an email:

"Can you confirm that you are on the Client's Preferred Suppliers List and that you have sent my CV to the Client?"

And get them to reply IN WRITING.

And then see how many quietly fall by the wayside...

I always do this. The agencies who are blocking will call back to confirm over the phone but not put it in writing. So then I am free to continue to submit my CV for that role with other agencies until one responds in writing.

[cojak]

ASk the question in an email:

"Can you confirm that you are on the Client's Preferred Suppliers List and that you have sent my CV to the Client?"

And get them to reply IN WRITING.

And then see how many quietly fall by the wayside...

[northernladuk]

I have been in a similar situation twice. Both had no less than 4 agents in the end. As they didn't actually tell me the company it was I told them I wasn't aware I had been put forward with a clear conceince believing I was hedging my bets that some wouldn't put me forwards.

Now the only thing which made me choose this route as that I had never heard of the agents before in both cases. All small fry so wasn't too worried about getting blacklisted.

In one case I got an interview with one of agents, didn't hear anything from the others and got the role. Sorted.

In the other it appears all 4 put me forward and all hell broke loose. I had 3 very annoyed agents ringing me telling me to tell the one i chose (who happened to be first) to cancel and use them. I ended up reporting one for bullying to his management and just had to bin the others off. The one that put me forward didn't care what the others did as he got in and he didn't bad mouth me or was aware the other agents bad mouthed me (which is a distinct possibility) I didn't get the role but that was due to them under speccing the actual role which wasn't in my skillset.

What to do when this happens again I don't know to be honest.

[Ruse]

Name and shame. We need to get the names of the agencies that do this publicised in contracting circles so we all can avoid them like the plague.

[SorenLorensen]

I had a similar situation recently, thread here...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...ng-agency.html

Who was the agency? PM me if you like.

[TheFaQQer]

Any thoughts on what I can do about it????

1. Chalk it up to experience and move on.

2. Get it in writing that the agency have the ability to put you forward for the project, and that they have ACTUALLY put you forward. Then if they don't, you can sue them for misrepresentation.

3. See number 1.

[Spacecadet]

Any thoughts on what I can do about it????

You could fire bomb their offices
However:

I had the interview but a direct consultant got the contract as no agency fees were involved. (fair enough).

that is what you should have done

[RichardCranium]

Hmm.

Anyone would think some agents occasionally tell little white fibs.

[icanbelieveitsnotbutter]

This is a true story and I have e-mails to back it up.

One tuesday morning an agent phoned me up and asked if it was ok to put me forward for a contract in Scotland. I said yes, he explained that he was the only agent who was dealing with this contract and to refuse any other offers.

Later on that day another agency contacted me about the same contract, she said she was the only agency dealing with the contract.

I found out who the company was and sent the it manager an e-mail and he said the only agency that was dealing with the contract was the 2nd one.

I had the interview but a direct consultant got the contract as no agency fees were involved. (fair enough).

However I e-mailed the 1st agency to confirm what he had said to me and he replied and said that he was dealing with the contract and he will be getting in touch, guess what I did not hear anything else.

Now I am still annoyed it was over 2 months ago, and the thought of the agent trying to prevent me from working still gets me annoyed.

Any thoughts on what I can do about it????