Reply to: What to do - Contract Finishes tmrw

[captainham]

Invoke Space Corp Directive #196156

196156? Any officer caught sniffing the saddle of the exercise bicycle in the women's gym will be discharged without trial? Hmm. I'm sorry, sir, that doesn't quite get to the nub of the matter for me.

[kingcook]

Invoke Space Corp Directive #196156

[eek]

It was a Leap Year this year....hence the "loss" of a day.

Was it? I don't remember invoicing it....

[ChimpMaster]

I hate it when I get to the end of a thread and realise that I've been reading posts that are months if not years old

Oh well, back to work...

[Scruff]

24th last year, 23rd this year...looks like a bug in the firewall, OP should check the NTP settings. I expect a full report back on the 22nd of April 2015.

It was a Leap Year this year....hence the "loss" of a day.

[captainham]

They have a very effective Firewall which blocks CUK, except for certain days in April, each year!

24th last year, 23rd this year...looks like a bug in the firewall, OP should check the NTP settings. I expect a full report back on the 22nd of April 2015.

[Scruff]

Are you only allowed on to the internet one day a year?

They have a very effective Firewall which blocks CUK, except for certain days in April, each year!

[Ticktock]

Are you only allowed on to the internet one day a year?

[MrHelpful]

I got the rate rise eventually... not straight away but got my rise with a year extension. BOOM! and they let the other contractor go.

[TheFaQQer]

Was just about to say that. Be fully prepared to walk or STFU.

This.

Since the contract ended two days ago, I'd be interested to know which path the OP took.

[northernladuk]

Was just about to say that. Be fully prepared to walk or STFU.

Totally. Remember the agents will have heard this time and time again, possibly from nearly every contractor on the books. They know all they could lose is some commission while they re-fill the role which won't take long. You have the chance to lose your income for a couple of months. They will be very well versed in the bluster contractors give them and back down. Water of a ducks back to them so you have to be serious about the walking. If you are not they will spot it a mile off.

[Sausage Surprise]

It's very simple, tell the agent unless you get the rate rise you will walk, no ifs not buts.They will either call back later offering you a rise or you will have to find a new contract.

Was just about to say that. Be fully prepared to walk or STFU.

[proggy]

It's very simple, tell the agent unless you get the rate rise you will walk, no ifs not buts.They will either call back later offering you a rise or you will have to find a new contract.

[Scrag Meister]

22% seems high, especially after 15 months, call their bluff if you can afford to walk...

WKS, depends how daring your are. Would be nice to pull it off though.

On a previous contract I was told by the agent that they charged 12% for 2 years and 5% after that, which seems fairer

[Scoobos]

WHS 100%

I buy all this - but I also think that the agents business model, over the years has been:

1. Oversell risks to clients of going direct
2. Take the rate for the deal, then take the rate for any continuing business.
3. Buy agents as cheaply as possible - no longer is anything more than a history at the carphone warehouse required, for the most prestigious agencies.
4. Mislead EVERYONE.

For me, this is why I think we're forced to use agents - I've been contracting a while now and know some (VERY) big multinationals that are sold the "preferred vendors" arrangement on hyperbole and crap from agencies.

The big agencies have made a very good job of sewing up the industry. Personally I think they are the single most risk to my business - not an enabler at all. Agents tend to have such poor knowledge that they represent you far worse than you could yourself - they make us look 20% more expensive and do absolutely nothing for that cash other than an initial sale.

Dead leads... sheesh.