Reply to: Agent/Agency getting their come-uppance - a tale of greed?

[dwater]

To be very frank, I have never had a problem.

I know I'm good and all of my clients being large blue chips with mucho repeat business, over the last 14 years proves that.

I have also contracted at a principle level for the vendor I specialise in, a few years ago now, but they were billing me at a cool 2.5K per day.
Lets just say you would have to be very good to be even considered.

FWIW, I wasn't speaking about anyone or situation in particular, just commenting on a possible effect of this set of circumstances....completely hypothetical. It's irrespective of anyone's competence or his/her inclination to consider it acceptable.

[LondonManc]

That means everything coming from you

You're very welcome.

[MrMarkyMark]

He's decent but he needs to work on his modesty.

HTHBIDI

That means everything coming from you

Nothing wrong with a bit of strong sales patter






33

[LondonManc]

Ah, but what if you're not "any good" - I'm sure there are more than a few such people "out there" ...or, you *think* you are, but you're not really (relatively speaking - there are some excellent perm people too).

However, while they might look over your shoulder, perhaps it is just to ensure you're not on facebook or whatever (unless you're working for Facebook, perhaps).

In any case, I wouldn't expect it either, nor find it acceptable. I guess there might be a period of time where they are gaining your trust or something like that. Shrug.

He's decent but he needs to work on his modesty.

HTHBIDI

[MrMarkyMark]

Ah, but what if you're not "any good" - I'm sure there are more than a few such people "out there" ...or, you *think* you are, but you're not really (relatively speaking - there are some excellent perm people too).

However, while they might look over your shoulder, perhaps it is just to ensure you're not on facebook or whatever (unless you're working for Facebook, perhaps).

In any case, I wouldn't expect it either, nor find it acceptable. I guess there might be a period of time where they are gaining your trust or something like that. Shrug.

To be very frank, I have never had a problem.

I know I'm good and all of my clients being large blue chips with mucho repeat business, over the last 14 years proves that.

I have also contracted at a principle level for the vendor I specialise in, a few years ago now, but they were billing me at a cool 2.5K per day.
Lets just say you would have to be very good to be even considered.

[dwater]

+1 Anyone that tries looking over my shoulder will get a poke in the eye .
If you are any good, you should always be miles ahead of the client, in any case.

Ah, but what if you're not "any good" - I'm sure there are more than a few such people "out there" ...or, you *think* you are, but you're not really (relatively speaking - there are some excellent perm people too).

However, while they might look over your shoulder, perhaps it is just to ensure you're not on facebook or whatever (unless you're working for Facebook, perhaps).

In any case, I wouldn't expect it either, nor find it acceptable. I guess there might be a period of time where they are gaining your trust or something like that. Shrug.

[MrMarkyMark]

Can't say I agree with these.....I would never expect a Client to be 'looking over my shoulder' or granting me 'an easier time', irrespective of rate charged! For me, I am a specialist in what I do, brought in with bespoke skillset to fulfil a specified work schedule - how I go about this, within reason, should not be pertinent; being 'closely monitored' is absolutely not acceptable; all gigs have a little ebb and flow in terms of varying timeline workloads, but.....MyCo provides a professional service in a business-to-business relationship. Simples.

+1 Anyone that tries looking over my shoulder will get a poke in the eye .
If you are any good, you should always be miles ahead of the client, in any case.

[dwater]

Doesn't work like that I'm afraid.

Clients with small budgets so a lower rate tend to try and squeeze the last drop out of you.

There as clients with larger budgets are more relaxed and leave you alone as long as you are producing the results in a reasonable time frame.

Hrm, in general I can see that, but I still think if there has been some bad blood stirred up during the negotiation and it's been blamed on you (when it actually isn't) I can see a client might be a bit tetchy.

I'm not saying it's acceptable or anything, or that *you* would put up with it, just that I could see it happening.

[SueEllen]

It strikes me that the client might well put you under more pressure too, if you're more expensive - watching over your shoulder and making sure you're always working, etc, etc. If you are costing something more reasonable, they might well be more relaxed and give you an easier time. If you drop your rate, and the client is paying more than your rate (ie agent increased their margins at your and the client's expense), then you might expect an easier time, but they are expecting more performance...."They're not paying me enough for this sort of pressure." might cross my mind (as it has done in perm jobs).

Of course, 'expensive' is relative.

Doesn't work like that I'm afraid.

Clients with small budgets so a lower rate tend to try and squeeze the last drop out of you.

There as clients with larger budgets are more relaxed and leave you alone as long as you are producing the results in a reasonable time frame.

[kevpuk]

It's confusing (at least to me) because you're mixing mathematics with english that uses the same symbols for punctuation. I suggest using 'minus' instead of '-'. I had to re-read your original post because I had assumed your daily rate was £50 (yes, I raised my eyebrows), or you meant *hourly* rate.

Just a thought

Max.

Ummmm, ok, sorry....

It strikes me that the client might well put you under more pressure too, if you're more expensive - watching over your shoulder and making sure you're always working, etc, etc. If you are costing something more reasonable, they might well be more relaxed and give you an easier time. If you drop your rate, and the client is paying more than your rate (ie agent increased their margins at your and the client's expense), then you might expect an easier time, but they are expecting more performance...."They're not paying me enough for this sort of pressure." might cross my mind (as it has done in perm jobs).

Of course, 'expensive' is relative.

Can't say I agree with these.....I would never expect a Client to be 'looking over my shoulder' or granting me 'an easier time', irrespective of rate charged! For me, I am a specialist in what I do, brought in with bespoke skillset to fulfil a specified work schedule - how I go about this, within reason, should not be pertinent; being 'closely monitored' is absolutely not acceptable; all gigs have a little ebb and flow in terms of varying timeline workloads, but.....MyCo provides a professional service in a business-to-business relationship. Simples.

[dwater]

For you the contractor, it does affect you. You might be very expensive without knowing it (or rather, more expensive than you though) and this may affect your chances of being renewed.

It strikes me that the client might well put you under more pressure too, if you're more expensive - watching over your shoulder and making sure you're always working, etc, etc. If you are costing something more reasonable, they might well be more relaxed and give you an easier time. If you drop your rate, and the client is paying more than your rate (ie agent increased their margins at your and the client's expense), then you might expect an easier time, but they are expecting more performance...."They're not paying me enough for this sort of pressure." might cross my mind (as it has done in perm jobs).

Of course, 'expensive' is relative.

[dwater]

Ah, no......

Client is paying £x for the contract - rate I was put forward at turns out to be what client is paying - £50.

It's confusing (at least to me) because you're mixing mathematics with english that uses the same symbols for punctuation. I suggest using 'minus' instead of '-'. I had to re-read your original post because I had assumed your daily rate was £50 (yes, I raised my eyebrows), or you meant *hourly* rate.

Just a thought

Max.

[kevpuk]

<nluk>I hope you're not acting like a permie after that long with the same client. You'll give us all a bad name</nluk>

Hehe, absolutely not. Had it not been for significant schedule changes over various extensions, and being accepted as a cantankerous contractor who doesn't play the corporate game......I wouldn't have made it to this point. Of course, was a sad day when 24-month rule hit the horizon

[missinggreenfields]

Just because.......not that anyone will care......been with ClientCo now since Jan 2014, with major project finally due to complete at end of year. That will take me to 3yrs and that is a whole lot of £50/day that original Agent lost out on by playing silly bu$%ers!

#justsaying

<nluk>I hope you're not acting like a permie after that long with the same client. You'll give us all a bad name</nluk>

[kevpuk]

Just because.......not that anyone will care......been with ClientCo now since Jan 2014, with major project finally due to complete at end of year. That will take me to 3yrs and that is a whole lot of £50/day that original Agent lost out on by playing silly bu$%ers!

#justsaying