Reply to: Raising rate after offer

[CheeseSlice]

I've not tried it, but I think I'd only attempt this if i had 2 offers on the table. If the lower paid one wants me then pay what the other is offering. But then I have taken lower paying roles because of the role and/or location.

I did this one. It wasn't greedy by any means.

Two offers land at the same time.

One pays £50 more than the other.
The one I want pays the lower rate, the other pays the higher rate.
The not so good contract was on my doorstep, the one I wanted wasn't.
I was straight forward with the agent for the lower paid contract, and he realised he needed to be convinced financially so he went off to get clientco to meet half-way.

I think that was a perfectly amicable bargain. Each of us compromised slightly on day rate and got what we actually wanted.

[d000hg]

It should always be a negotiation, if they offer X you should legitimately be able to demand X+£25 (or so depending on X). If you quoted X and then ask for more, that is unprofessional IMO.

[BlueSharp]

When i received two offers at the start of this gig the lower one I was not interested in upped the offer. Still turned them down even though it was more money as the work was not as interesting.

[SarahL2012]

Classic today:

Agent "fantastic role, great client, we're really struggling to find great candidates" [gives blurb about role]

Me "if you're struggling to fill that it's because the rate is too low"

Agent "it's a great rate"

Me "so £x per day then? That's about market rate"

Agent "errr we're a bit adrift from that"

They were nearly £200 per day adrift - no wonder 3 agencies can't fill it. ** sigh **

And back to packing boxes for the house move......

[psychocandy]

Sure, why not! There is no way you can really know what a gig is about until you've met the client and discussed it with them. If it turns out to be more involved that you expected or you can add a lot of value over what the competition can then go right ahead and make your pitch for a higher rate.

I'd do it direct with the client though so they know the agency isn't just trying to pad their margin out...

But of course agents are very keen to tie you down to a rate at submission. Probably for this reason....

[Wanderer]

If you've been put forward at £x per day, do you ever push for £x+y% when the offer comes in?

Sure, why not! There is no way you can really know what a gig is about until you've met the client and discussed it with them. If it turns out to be more involved that you expected or you can add a lot of value over what the competition can then go right ahead and make your pitch for a higher rate.

I'd do it direct with the client though so they know the agency isn't just trying to pad their margin out...

[SteelyDan]

[QUOTE=SarahL2012;1874263]I've only done it once and that's when it was obvious at the interview that the responsibilities of the role were way, way higher than what the agent had described.

Luckily the client had realised the same thing and when the agent went back to them they'd already got internal approval to increase the rate.QUOTE]

Yep, I'd go with this scenario.
Sometimes the role is under-egged (tactic maybe on their part - client/agent - what can we get for 2&6?), and you don't find out until interview time, or in some cases, a while after being in the role. So, if under-egging can be identified at interview, and you get the offer, go for the rate increase at this stage.
Failing that, take the role (if say a short term 3-monther), get your feet under the table, and then fully justify the increase at renewal to both client and agent.
No agreement; leave and provide reasons. This way is better than no work at all in my book.

[BoredBloke]

I've not tried it, but I think I'd only attempt this if i had 2 offers on the table. If the lower paid one wants me then pay what the other is offering. But then I have taken lower paying roles because of the role and/or location.

[riffpie]

I'm hoping by that you mean you didn't need to thank about it and accepted it straight away.

That's exactly what I mean. No agent either. Lovely.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Never tried it. I've had *the client* increase the rate following an offer. "We want to put you on a weeks notice, in return we're upping the rate by £50 a day. Do you want to think about it?"

I didn't.

I'm hoping by that you mean you didn't need to thank about it and accepted it straight away.

[riffpie]

Never tried it. I've had *the client* increase the rate following an offer. "We want to put you on a weeks notice, in return we're upping the rate by £50 a day. Do you want to think about it?"

I didn't.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

If you've been put forward at £x per day, do you ever push for £x+y% when the offer comes in?

It feels like it is a bit of dick move, but it's often the easiest money you will ever make. That £50 a day or whatever will soon be forgotten but adds up on the contracts that run for a long while. It may also often put pressure on the agent to give up some margin to get the deal done.

I like to keep the rate discussed as a range nowadays so there is some scope for negotiation based on details of the role. That isn't always possible to do though.

To be clear I haven't done this before, but I am feeling a bit more mercenary at the minute.

All depends on your skills, experience and how much they want you. Met the agent straight after the interview (he was on site). I felt they needed my skills so managed to add another £xx/day onto contract to "cover fuel cost".

[SarahL2012]

If you've been put forward at £x per day, do you ever push for £x+y% when the offer comes in?
.

I've only done it once and that's when it was obvious at the interview that the responsibilities of the role were way, way higher than what the agent had described.

Luckily the client had realised the same thing and when the agent went back to them they'd already got internal approval to increase the rate.

So now I tend to say to the agent that there's a range and I can only agree to the rate post interview. Wouldn't be surprised if I've lost a couple of interviews saying that though!

[Kanye]

I wouldn't do it but you can if you want. It is your call.

I would expect the agent to see through you and know you will take the gig if he says no so he will say no.

I'm not really even proposing doing it. I'm in a contract at the minute and its ticking along OK. I am just wondering whether it is a valid negotiating tactic really.

[DirtyDog]

I guess it's no worse than when the agent says "oh, the client has reviewed the budget and it's now £50 a day less".

Obviously, when that happens, we always smile, understand and graciously accept. We never think "f***ing w@nk3r - I'll ditch him as soon as I can". Which is what the agent will think of you.