Reply to: The new low for agents...

[TheFaQQer]

I had recruiters call me on weekends at 10:00pm trying to pressure me to accept rates well below markets rates on the basis that 'it would look good on my CV' and when I refused they proceeded to tell me 'mate, who do you think you are? you're not that good, let's be honest... in this market, you're luck to have an offer at all...' after telling me 'I think you're a fantastic candidate.' What caused them to change their tune was my refusal to accept the low rate.

Or they were lying at the start and are now being honest to try to help you get some work.

You say po-tay-toe, and I say po-tah-toe...

[TheFaQQer]

I used the template provided by the client.

You should have asked the party with whom you have a contract, not a third party.

[vetran]

I used the template provided by the client.

For the Invoice?

[vadhert]

If you have a low tolerance for BS then you shouldn't be a contractor

[MrMarkyMark]

I have very low tolerance for BS. Agents make money when we work for clients. They need to make both sides happy. They seem to forget that when it comes to dealing with contractors. I always tell those who are doing a poor job that if they cannot handle the fact that contractors make good money, they should change jobs, because people who a worth good money should be treated with respect and not with contempt.

You and me both .

Maybe you're not quite earning enough?

It sounds as though you deal with monkeys rather than the agency account managers.

[SlipTheJab]

I didn't go out with those women. Read again what I wrote.

I had recruiters call me on weekends at 10:00pm trying to pressure me to accept rates well below markets rates on the basis that 'it would look good on my CV' and when I refused they proceeded to tell me 'mate, who do you think you are? you're not that good, let's be honest... in this market, you're luck to have an offer at all...' after telling me 'I think you're a fantastic candidate.' What caused them to change their tune was my refusal to accept the low rate. One kept chasing me for weeks and texting me "I really think you have made the wrong decision..." or "So, what do I tell the client?" ten times after I told him I won't take the job. I had enough of it and talked to his manager and that put a stop to it.

Another agency tried to pull a fast one and presented me with a "last minute additional request from their client"... a very aggressive NDA.

A female recruiter two weeks ago was trying to get me to accept a permie offer, because 'my CV showed I was not fit to be a contractor...' I asked her why she was calling me then? She told me she wanted to help me improve the quality of my life... I could hear kid screaming in the background and she was trying to cook a meal while trying to take care of her kid. I know her life must have sucked on that afternoon, but the tone of her voice and the way she was trying to make me doubt myself was not winning her any points with me. I put her phone number on my black list.

Another agent had their systems so badly set up that they were incapable of renewing contracts on time and I had to tell the client, 'I'm here to give my badge back.' The money was on the table, but the idiot did not know how to take it.

I have very low tolerance for BS. Agents make money when we work for clients. They need to make both sides happy. They seem to forget that when it comes to dealing with contractors. I always tell those who are doing a poor job that if they cannot handle the fact that contractors make good money, they should change jobs, because people who a worth good money should be treated with respect and not with contempt.

And breathe...

[SueEllen]

Eh?

[I just need to test it]

I had recruiters call me on weekends at 10:00pm trying to pressure me to accept rates well below markets rates on the basis that 'it would look good on my CV' and when I refused they proceeded to tell me 'mate, who do you think you are? you're not that good, let's be honest... in this market, you're luck to have an offer at all...' after telling me 'I think you're a fantastic candidate.'

I have very low tolerance for BS.

Eh?

[SueEllen]

I didn't go out with those women. Read again what I wrote.

I had recruiters call me on weekends at 10:00pm trying to pressure me to accept rates well below markets rates on the basis that 'it would look good on my CV' and when I refused they proceeded to tell me 'mate, who do you think you are? you're not that good, let's be honest... in this market, you're luck to have an offer at all...' after telling me 'I think you're a fantastic candidate.' blah blah blah....

You clearly have a tolerance for bulltulip otherwise you would know how to end the calls quickly when agents start rabbiting on about irrelevant things. You don't need to get into a conversation with them you just tell them you are ending the call now, say "Bye" and then put the phone down. If they ring again you ignore them.

[squarepeg]

Actually I thought his rant was amusing especially when he went off topic and started talking about the crazy women he's gone out with, as that says a lot about him more than anything. He's the one who attracts the crazies or more likely makes them crazy with his behaviour.

I didn't go out with those women. Read again what I wrote.

I had recruiters call me on weekends at 10:00pm trying to pressure me to accept rates well below markets rates on the basis that 'it would look good on my CV' and when I refused they proceeded to tell me 'mate, who do you think you are? you're not that good, let's be honest... in this market, you're luck to have an offer at all...' after telling me 'I think you're a fantastic candidate.' What caused them to change their tune was my refusal to accept the low rate. One kept chasing me for weeks and texting me "I really think you have made the wrong decision..." or "So, what do I tell the client?" ten times after I told him I won't take the job. I had enough of it and talked to his manager and that put a stop to it.

Another agency tried to pull a fast one and presented me with a "last minute additional request from their client"... a very aggressive NDA.

A female recruiter two weeks ago was trying to get me to accept a permie offer, because 'my CV showed I was not fit to be a contractor...' I asked her why she was calling me then? She told me she wanted to help me improve the quality of my life... I could hear kid screaming in the background and she was trying to cook a meal while trying to take care of her kid. I know her life must have sucked on that afternoon, but the tone of her voice and the way she was trying to make me doubt myself was not winning her any points with me. I put her phone number on my black list.

Another agent had their systems so badly set up that they were incapable of renewing contracts on time and I had to tell the client, 'I'm here to give my badge back.' The money was on the table, but the idiot did not know how to take it.

I have very low tolerance for BS. Agents make money when we work for clients. They need to make both sides happy. They seem to forget that when it comes to dealing with contractors. I always tell those who are doing a poor job that if they cannot handle the fact that contractors make good money, they should change jobs, because people who a worth good money should be treated with respect and not with contempt.

[shaunbhoy]

He's the one who attracts the crazies or more likely makes them crazy with his behaviour.

Wow. And you can tell all that from a few posts in General?

Go Dr Ruth!!

[SueEllen]

Admit it, it was the reference to crazy girlfriends that tripped your sensibility filter wasn't it?

Now slow down.......and breathe........

Actually I thought his rant was amusing especially when he went off topic and started talking about the crazy women he's gone out with, as that says a lot about him more than anything. He's the one who attracts the crazies or more likely makes them crazy with his behaviour.

[squarepeg]

Admit it, it was the reference to crazy girlfriends that tripped your sensibility filter wasn't it?

Now slow down.......and breathe........

[shaunbhoy]

You post reveals you have some deep seated problems.

Admit it, it was the reference to crazy girlfriends that tripped your sensibility filter wasn't it?

Now slow down.......and breathe........

[SueEllen]

Fixed.

To answer your questions, I did follow the process outlined in the "welcome pack" and the contract. If there is a hidden process I was not aware of, I should have been told. My issue was not getting paid late (that's what courts, lawyers, and collection agencies are for if it happens), but the fact that they rejected both the timesheet and the invoice on a bulltulip basis, after I followed the procedures. You don't throw the first invoice out of the window at the start of a business relationship if you want it to continue in an amicable way. If you do that it just a sign of you trying to squeeze me and you get what you deserve from me--a bloody nose.

As far as I am concerned, if the client signs the timesheet and the invoice is issued for the correct amount and has all of the information required by law, that's that. Anything beyond that is pure B.S. If they need to verify the timesheets that's for them to do, not me.

I keep my payment terms to 7 days from the date of the invoice and deal quickly with agents/clients who play stupid. I have no desire to go begging to be paid. If I do work, I get paid.

If you feel generous enough to let the clients/agents to sit on your money, that's your choice, I don't give a tulip about how agents feel or what arrangements they have with their clients, because the agents get paid when we do the work for the client and that's why we deserve to be treated with respect.

I've had enough of crazy girlfriends who think they'd make a good recruiter, because they know how to boss about her boyfriends or abusive boyfriends who mix up contractors with their beaten up girlfriends. Seriously, they work for us and if they cannot treat us with respect they should get all of the tough love we have to spare.

It works in both ways, of course, we should treat our clients and agencies with respect too. And I do.

I know good agents, and I always stay in touch with them. They don't always have contract, and that's fine, that's life. This is a new agency and I took the contract for two reasons: financial and prestige. It will look good on my CV, but that doesn't mean I have to agree to be bossed about.

You post reveals you have some deep seated problems.