Reply to: Agencies - not as good as they used to be

[VectraMan]

Possibly not. I recently spent two years with a client having originally signed up for three months. Somewhere around the 18 month mark, when dealing with the latest extension, the agent mentioned that he wasn't personally benefitting at all - he only received commission on my original three month contract, not on the extensions he'd had to deal with every two or three months since.

I told my agent I wanted an increase before accepting an extension last week, and he kind of sighed and said in a defeatest tone "well I can ask". I figure if he can maintain the same percentage and get a higher rate then he's obviously going to earn more too.

He was however very keen to pursuade me to talk to him before looking at other roles, so maybe he does only make money out of the original contract too?

[DodgyAgent]

You wouldnt get a job with one with your mouth covered up like that.

[SandyDown]

Agencies - not as good as they used to be

[oracleslave]

I delegate that one

[DodgyAgent]

Surely even agents draw the line somewhere?

I delegate that one

[oracleslave]

giving you a BJ.

Surely even agents draw the line somewhere?

[DodgyAgent]

If the agent is making a fat buck out of you then it is likely that he will do all he can to secure your extension, from kidnapping your wife to giving you a BJ. If the agent isnt on a big whack then you need to take control yourself and familiarise yourself with the process. If the agent is on a big whack and you wish to reduce that whack then again take control by knowing how the system works.

[Alf W]

I've never worked on a client site that would allow contractors to go direct.

Take the point about margin levels (the agency will see only see about 6% of this one) but surely processing renewals is the absolute cash cow for any agency? Surely better to ensure that end of the business is slick rather than throwing expenses at overley-gelled, cheap suited ex-meeja studies graduates to spend all day spamming 'references' or placing fake ads for the coldest of leads?

[NickFitz]

Also, why isn't my agency contact moving heaven and earth to get this sorted? Are they not on commission anymore?

Possibly not. I recently spent two years with a client having originally signed up for three months. Somewhere around the 18 month mark, when dealing with the latest extension, the agent mentioned that he wasn't personally benefitting at all - he only received commission on my original three month contract, not on the extensions he'd had to deal with every two or three months since.

He still did his job in a professional manner and things ran smoothly, but your mileage is obviously varying

[DodgyAgent]

Go through Jobserve, work out who the client is from the description, and approach them direct.

Not that I would so such a thing - I like dealing with most of the agents that I have dealt with.

Presuming we are discussing there being no agents then:

You and 1000 others plus half the population of Delhi
And who places the ad on jobserve?

[TheFaQQer]

So how are you all going to find your contracts then?

Go through Jobserve, work out who the client is from the description, and approach them direct.

Not that I would so such a thing - I like dealing with most of the agents that I have dealt with.

[DodgyAgent]

They find me.

It must be a right pain for hiring managers to have to go around looking under so many stones to find you DP

[DimPrawn]

They find me.

[DodgyAgent]

Sounds like time to cut the agents out for good.

The only usefull service an agency provides is factoring, and there are companies out there that do this standalone.

So how are you all going to find your contracts then?

[Bagpuss]

On my last contract i was direct, but then the client brought in a vendor management company to manage the agencies and direct suppliers. I had to pay them 3% of gross for the honour of getting paid a month later and they acted like they were doing me a favour.