Client insists on preferred supplier... grrr

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Old Greg replied

20 July 2007, 11:44
I'm in that position - had to come off the government preferred list as the end-client won't have to deal with individual contractors as Dodgy says. It's a fixed margin so there's no negotiating.

I spoke to a couple of agencies and chose a really good one who was able to get me a higher rate (which was in their interest, I suppose because of the fixed margin).
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OrangeHopper replied

20 July 2007, 11:41
Sorry, but if you found the gig then the client pays the agent for their services not you.

That is the case here. Client called me, I said I was available, client and I agreed a rate, client says they wanted me to use agency A, client pays agency A 4% of agreed rate to handle me. I don't lose out.

Edit: As Dodgy has said above but I missed on first read through.

Last edited by OrangeHopper; 20 July 2007, 11:48.
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gingerjedi replied

20 July 2007, 11:30
Originally posted by XperTest

Surely you're in the driving seat here? Ask them for a list of preferred suppliers, and then shop around for the best deal.

They need to be 'list X' so whoever their suppliers are they will be sitting pretty.
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DodgyAgent replied

20 July 2007, 10:56
Originally posted by gingerjedi

I have probably found my next gig and the client seems happy with me but I have to go through one of their preferred suppliers, I can see why they do it like that but I really begrudge some feckin scumbag agent getting 20% on top of my fee for doing sod all.

Anyone else in this situation?

I doubt such "Gimme's" yield 20%, I would imagine that it is more like 4%. They do this to avoid oily little contractors pestering their accounts department for early payment and give the whinging problems to the agency for the sake of peace and quiet. it is not your money it is the clients so live with it. If you dont like it make a nuisance of yourself to the agency.
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Pondlife replied

20 July 2007, 10:55
Tell the agent that they get 5% for factoring and that's it.
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XperTest replied

20 July 2007, 10:54
Surely you're in the driving seat here? Ask them for a list of preferred suppliers, and then shop around for the best deal.
Leave a comment:
gingerjedi started a topic Client insists on preferred supplier... grrr

20 July 2007, 10:48
Client insists on preferred supplier... grrr

I have probably found my next gig and the client seems happy with me but I have to go through one of their preferred suppliers, I can see why they do it like that but I really begrudge some feckin scumbag agent getting 20% on top of my fee for doing sod all.

Anyone else in this situation?
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