Dishonest Agency?

[Wanderer]

From what I understand you did this discreetly and the client simply now doesn´t give new business to the agency. So the agency doesn´t know you´ve screwed him. The point is though is that it is a dangerous game, because if the client kicks up a fuss gets mad and tells the agency he´s kicking him out because OP told him his rate then OP might be for the high jump.

So it's achieved nothing really. The agency loses some business but they have learned no lesson from this because they are unaware that the game is up so they will just keep screwing people. The client is a bit smarter and maybe they will try to avoid this happening in the future (but really they probably won't care that much).

The OP should have gone to the agency and told them that the game was up with the tacit threat that the client might find out if they didn't come up with a settlement.

[darrenb]

Given the current business environment, a client should assume an agent is lying about margins until proven innocent. And if it is too awkward for a client to verify rates, it is pointless for them to be asking in the first place.

[quackhandle]

To the OP, you could always walk away.

Those nasty agents, hey?

qh

[bobspud]

From what I understand you did this discreetly and the client simply now doesn´t give new business to the agency. So the agency doesn´t know you´ve screwed him. The point is though is that it is a dangerous game, because if the client kicks up a fuss gets mad and tells the agency he´s kicking him out because OP told him his rate then OP might be for the high jump.

It´s not simply about giving an agency a kick up the backside it´s about making sure a) you don´t lose the contract b) don´t end up with the agency taking legal action against you.

I´m not saying OP shouldn´t do this, I´m saying he should be aware of the risks, before he does do it.

Agreed

[BlasterBates]

The agent has breached their own terms with the end client. So they have done FSCKed themselves. I had the conversation with the client and we decided we couldn't be bothered to kick up about the stolen 3k but the agency in question is not getting any new business.

From what I understand you did this discreetly and the client simply now doesn´t give new business to the agency. So the agency doesn´t know you´ve screwed him. The point is though is that it is a dangerous game, because if the client kicks up a fuss gets mad and tells the agency he´s kicking him out because OP told him his rate then OP might be for the high jump.

It´s not simply about giving an agency a kick up the backside it´s about making sure a) you don´t lose the contract b) don´t end up with the agency taking legal action against you.

I´m not saying OP shouldn´t do this, I´m saying he should be aware of the risks, before he does do it.

[bobspud]

Be careful, the agency hasn´t breached your contract, and if you divulge confidential information to the client which results in the agency losing business, the agency may potentially be able to sue you.

Just tread carefully otherwise you might help the client but become a victim in the process.

As Cojak says this is business, and is pretty par for the course. As a contractor you should simply care about the rate you want, not what happens between the agency and the client.

i.e. determine your rate and don´t listen to agents, base it on whether you get offers or your CV gets put forward.

The agent has breached their own terms with the end client. So they have done FSCKed themselves. I had the conversation with the client and we decided we couldn't be bothered to kick up about the stolen 3k but the agency in question is not getting any new business.

[BlasterBates]

Be careful, the agency hasn´t breached your contract, and if you divulge confidential information to the client which results in the agency losing business, the agency may potentially be able to sue you.

Just tread carefully otherwise you might help the client but become a victim in the process.

As Cojak says this is business, and is pretty par for the course. As a contractor you should simply care about the rate you want, not what happens between the agency and the client.

i.e. determine your rate and don´t listen to agents, base it on whether you get offers or your CV gets put forward.

[bobspud]

I think the OP is saying that the agent is telling the client they are paying him £x per day, but in fact they're paying him less than £x per day.

If so, then to me that's plain dishonest, not "just business".

At my current client the PSLs are all obliged to tell the client the actual rate they have agreed with each contractor, i.e. the client knows the margins. If one of the PSLs was telling porkies about this and was found out, I think it would be regarded as more serious than "just business". It's about trust.

He can join an illustrious club My agency (I caught them doing the same the other week) got their payback this week after I introduced a friend to the PSL at the end client. My mates have already told the end client that they will effectively buy the business for the next 6 months on any contractor they place with open books so everyone can see the margins after that.

[cojak]

Ok, then just tell the client what you saw (on the basis that 'I'm a bit confused....').

Then see where it gets you.

[GB9]

Gotta be a troll this one surely....

WHS

But if it is true, you've been fine for 8 months. Get over it.

[aoxomoxoa]

I think the OP is saying that the agent is telling the client they are paying him £x per day, but in fact they're paying him less than £x per day.

If so, then to me that's plain dishonest, not "just business".

At my current client the PSLs are all obliged to tell the client the actual rate they have agreed with each contractor, i.e. the client knows the margins. If one of the PSLs was telling porkies about this and was found out, I think it would be regarded as more serious than "just business". It's about trust.

[northernladuk]

Gotta be a troll this one surely....

[Civilsbod]

I was happy with the rate and I do appreciate its just business.

What I don't like is the blatent lie the agency are telling the company I work for. It makes me look more expensive than I otherwise should be putting me at a disadvantage, when compared to other contractors within the firm on different terms.

Any advise welcome?

[cojak]

There is nothing dishonest going on, just business.

Both you and the client negotiated with the agency and both were happy or you would not have signed up.

Know your own worth and be a better negotiator next time.

[Civilsbod]

I have been working on a contract for some 8 months and came across some correspondence regarding margins between my agency and the company I contract to. From what I can tell the agency is telling them that the “Rate to the man is £xx” whereas the actual rate the agency pay me is lower. I just wanted to check that the term rate to the man is the rate to me? Obviously this will affect the margins they make on top.

If it is the agency is taking the mick out of both me and the good company I contract to. Any advice on how to move forward would be appreciated.