GCS

[AnonAgent]

I have never represented a company that demanded references upfront.

But I doubt I will come across a SME agency that will never ask for them...its part of the game. If you know the game, then dont give them out. I usually just tell them upfront why I want the info, most of the time that works, if it doesnt then some shtick about getting references wouldnt work.

[KiwiContractor]

No. They had a role they wanted filling asap. I never gave any references, from start to finish. Like you said in your OP, it was a fishing trip - just part of the game!

+1 for GCS, no references asked for at any stage, was great. weekly pay always good, agents I deal with always friendly too. no complaints.

(London office though, don't know about their other offices)

[barrydidit]

Did they ask you for 2 references up front?

No. They had a role they wanted filling asap. I never gave any references, from start to finish. Like you said in your OP, it was a fishing trip - just part of the game!

[pmeswani]

They got me sorted pretty quickly for my last gig - first conversation on the Tuesday Evening, phone interview Wednesday Afternoon, offered Wednesday Evening, started Monday. Agent sounded like a braying, braces wearing rugger type. Full of tulipe but... they pay weekly and it wasn't late..

It's just a contracting fact of life - remember to sup with a long spoon

Did they ask you for 2 references up front?

[barrydidit]

Has anyone had any experience with them? Just had an interesting conversation with them, which turned out to be a fishing exercise.

They got me sorted pretty quickly for my last gig - first conversation on the Tuesday Evening, phone interview Wednesday Afternoon, offered Wednesday Evening, started Monday. Agent sounded like a braying, braces wearing rugger type. Full of tulipe but... they pay weekly and it wasn't late..

It's just a contracting fact of life - remember to sup with a long spoon

[pmeswani]

Re: GCS

Thanks for that. The conversation with the agent was flawed beyond belief. Not just asking for 2 references, but name dropping my old clients, allegedly inventing a company, saying the role he is approaching me for is similar to my last one, when it wasn't.

[captainham]

Plus this into Google, they don't seem to have improved since these:

gcs site:contractoruk.com

[pmeswani]

Has anyone had any experience with them? Just had an interesting conversation with them, which turned out to be a fishing exercise.