Reply to: Renegotiate rate after verbal agreement and start

[northernladuk]

I've had agents try haggle me down over an extra 50p on an hourly rate. To them "Every Little Helps"

I have to wonder if this is something to do with you and your relationship with him. If you came over as a strong contractor that knows his stuff no way would they attempt this type of stuff. If they spot a weakness they will try it on, even if it's just for the kudos of getting one over on you, not the actual value.

[CloudWalker]

I've had agents try haggle me down over an extra 50p on an hourly rate. To them "Every Little Helps"

[SueEllen]

I did a 6 week role last year. Was only ever going to be for 6 weeks. Organisations whole operation was geared towards this part of the year - so they only needed people for their busy time.

Sick of explaining this to agents/clients who think its weird it only lasted 6 weeks.

Agents can't read so I wouldn't worry about them anyway.

So you need to write the paragraph for your CV and give the paragraph to a friend or two who are non-technical to review then fine tune it for clients.

[TheFaQQer]

I did a 6 week role last year. Was only ever going to be for 6 weeks. Organisations whole operation was geared towards this part of the year - so they only needed people for their busy time.

Sick of explaining this to agents/clients who think its weird it only lasted 6 weeks.

Market it better, then.

[psychocandy]

During my contract, the department head moved to a new job in a different organisation.

The current head is also a contractor. We had a first meeting in April when he said there would not be an extension but there was the possibility of a permanent job.

I politely declined the permanent role and we agreed that I'd see out my contract and move on amicably.

About a week into May (3 weeks left in the contract), he asked if I had a new contract lined up from June and offered a 1 month extension. Either way, he wanted a decision by the end of this week.

As it was going to be via the agency, I told him that I'd be okay to stay but would be seeking a raise from the agency.

Agency phoned me a few minutes later and I ignored their call. They left a voicemail message and sent me an email with the same content: extension on offer.

I replied to the email the next day, asking what the rate was.

As expected, agency replied "Same rate as before" (220).

I said "I can't accept that unfortunately".

Agency said "OK. Let me know what you want and I'll see what we can do"

I anted 250. I asked for 260.

They said, "Out of the goodness of our hearts, we'll give you another £20 from our margin" (240).

I said "Thanks but it'd have to be at least £30" (250).

Then they phoned me and said, "The £20 is as a gesture and to honour the fact that you're completing your contract. It's from our margin. If we give you £30, we'll be losing money so we'd have to ask the client."

I know this is not true as they currently charge 280 for my 220.

I said "Thanks but "No, thanks"."

I heard nothing back from them that day. Perhaps they were seeing if I came back and accepted £240 (this I believe). Perhaps they were asking the client for a raise (I don't believe this).

Anyway, they called me the next day and said "We'll give you £20 and the client will do £10, so you can have £250 for the extension."

I said "OK. Then."

The new contract has not been sent yet. We only have a verbal agreement.

My approach to this was that I'd be okay either way. I was prepared to walk. Partly because I know that I can earn more than £250 (especially with a bit of private sector experience) and partly because I'd quite like to be home to watch the FIFA World Cup (starts 12 June).

The games are at 1700, 2000, 2100, 2300 and 0200. Outside work hours but during sleep time.

Now, I'll have to see if I can work from home. That way, the time spent commuting can be spent working so I can watch the games and get enough sleep.

To be fair sounds like you did ok out of it. Standard agency responses above mind. You know they didnt ask the client for that last tenner though dont you? Like you said they were hoping you'd fold so well done there.

Always difficult to decide which way to play it when you know the margin and they don't know you know. Do you keep quiet and use the knowledge to your advantage like you did or do you stump up and tell them no games I know the margin so lets not mess around?

[psychocandy]

Be prepared to explain why the role was so short.

There are people who do regular short-term roles (I've done some one-month and two-moth stuff in the past to fix specific problems), but if it stands out on the CV, then people will ask why you were only there for two months. The answer "I kept looking to jump to a better paid role" doesn't go down well as an explanation, though.

I did a 6 week role last year. Was only ever going to be for 6 weeks. Organisations whole operation was geared towards this part of the year - so they only needed people for their busy time.

Sick of explaining this to agents/clients who think its weird it only lasted 6 weeks.

[a27]

What sort of field are you in? You can go to itjobswatch and check out market rate for your field. Anyway as others have said, there is not much you can do. I'd say finish this contract (or at least keep it going for 3-4 months) and then look for another contract with better rates if you are not happy.

3rd line IT support. Servers and networks.

[texto]

Perhaps I should. I thought I'd have the "Working from home" talk with the client as it's part of their organisation culture.

What sort of field are you in? You can go to itjobswatch and check out market rate for your field. Anyway as others have said, there is not much you can do. I'd say finish this contract (or at least keep it going for 3-4 months) and then look for another contract with better rates if you are not happy.

[a27]

Should have asked for 270, when they came back with 250 you should have said deal as long as I can WFH three days a week.

TBH at 220 a day they should let you do whatever the hell you want, they are only paying you for half days anyway.

Perhaps I should. I thought I'd have the "Working from home" talk with the client as it's part of their organisation culture.

[a27]

March 2015?

May 2014.

I'll edit.

[a27]

If you tell us what you do we can give an opinion on what the average rate is.

Depending on what you do, I would suck it for the contract duration at which point you have the private sector experience and can maybe get something better.

3rd line IT support. Servers and networks.

I see roles for £400 (usually London and financial) but agencies don't put me forward for lack of "Financial services experience".

Other times roles are in London and they think "You're too far". In that regard, it helps that I've worked in Norfolk and lived there for the duration of the contract.

Then some agencies look at my CV and say "Public sector...Education" and don't want to put me forward for roles outside those sectors.

[TheFaQQer]

Hey,
I decided against leaving after 2 months (that would have been the end of April).
The contract is scheduled to last until the end of March.

March 2015?

[a27]

During my contract, the department head moved to a new job in a different organisation.

The current head is also a contractor. We had a first meeting in April when he said there would not be an extension but there was the possibility of a permanent job.

I politely declined the permanent role and we agreed that I'd see out my contract and move on amicably.

About a week into May (3 weeks left in the contract), he asked if I had a new contract lined up from June and offered a 1 month extension. Either way, he wanted a decision by the end of this week.

As it was going to be via the agency, I told him that I'd be okay to stay but would be seeking a raise from the agency.

Agency phoned me a few minutes later and I ignored their call. They left a voicemail message and sent me an email with the same content: extension on offer.

I replied to the email the next day, asking what the rate was.

As expected, agency replied "Same rate as before" (220).

I said "I can't accept that unfortunately".

Agency said "OK. Let me know what you want and I'll see what we can do"

I anted 250. I asked for 260.

They said, "Out of the goodness of our hearts, we'll give you another £20 from our margin" (240).

I said "Thanks but it'd have to be at least £30" (250).

Then they phoned me and said, "The £20 is as a gesture and to honour the fact that you're completing your contract. It's from our margin. If we give you £30, we'll be losing money so we'd have to ask the client."

I know this is not true as they currently charge 280 for my 220.

I said "Thanks but "No, thanks"."

I heard nothing back from them that day. Perhaps they were seeing if I came back and accepted £240 (this I believe). Perhaps they were asking the client for a raise (I don't believe this).

Anyway, they called me the next day and said "We'll give you £20 and the client will do £10, so you can have £250 for the extension."

I said "OK. Then."

The new contract has not been sent yet. We only have a verbal agreement.

My approach to this was that I'd be okay either way. I was prepared to walk. Partly because I know that I can earn more than £250 (especially with a bit of private sector experience) and partly because I'd quite like to be home to watch the FIFA World Cup (starts 12 June).

The games are at 1700, 2000, 2100, 2300 and 0200. Outside work hours but during sleep time.

Now, I'll have to see if I can work from home. That way, the time spent commuting can be spent working so I can watch the games and get enough sleep.

[a27]

So what answer will you give when the agency / client ask why the previous role was only two months when the norm for whatever you do is longer than that?

Hey,
I decided against leaving after 2 months (that would have been the end of April).
The contract is scheduled to last until the end of May.

[Antman]

Yep, they would! But the clients told me the same thing and showed me the purchase orders so I was inclined to believe them....

Fair dos then, I stand corrected.