Agent's Take

[Fungus]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) It's as fair as life.

2) I think the client is not allowed to tell you, and the agent won't. But you can sometimes find out if you know who to make friends with.

3) As someone else said. It depends on the market.

4) Yes.

5) Yes. If you are competent. Lots of idiots went contracting during the last boom, but they didn't last long.

Leif

[boredsenseless]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) Well did you get the work yourself or did they come to you? If they got the contract then they earned it.

2) I don't care - if I'm happy with my cut they can earn 200% for all I care.

3) Clients of course - if they take their ball home we're all f@cked

4) Within reason

5) Depends on if you keep up-to-date or just cream it while the sun shines

[wendigo100]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) In my experience they have earned it.

2) I always understand the margin.

3) Clients rule the market.

4) It is a question of supply and demand.

5) I think so. I've been contracting for 17 years and I've done OK, touch wood. I've not made masses of money, but I've only spent a total of six months out of work during that time.

[voron]

OK, there have been lots of comments in the thread along the lines of contracting not being a long term option. Why is it not a long term option?

V in 'is it time to contact Ocean Finance' mode.

[bfg]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?
With the current set-up that is none of your business. Your business is to get the highest price you can for your services, their job is to get a higher one. They are better salesmen than you so they usually can. The bit most people object to is wwhen the difference is too large, that is not a failing on the agent's part it is a failing on your part. Learn from this and next time charge more.

2) How often do you understand the margin?
Always. If I don't know exactly what it is I will find out and price accordingly.

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?
Clients right now.


4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?
Yes

5) Is it viable in the long term?
Hope so, it's how I make my crust. Seriously think we're all in the toilet soon though but that is a much wider question than this one.

[TwoWolves]

Agents are like women; can't live with them, can't shoot 'em.

[Alf W]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) No Agent has ever charged me anything so it's fair.
2) I've always known the margin but i don't really care.
3) Clients (he who pays the piper...)
4) Yup!
5) Depends on how hard you're prepared to work on what you've got to offer.

Ask me again when I'm out of contract!

[messiah]

"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The same argument applies to retailers."

Ha ha ha. Utter bollocks.

What do you fancy? An agent with an office and other people around him or some shady bloke sat at home in his bedroom and watching porn (hopefully for a 2% less).

ROFL.

the bloke watching porn is at least honest about what the does

[MarillionFan]

Retailers Margins

"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The same argument applies to retailers."

Ha ha ha. Utter bollocks.

What do you fancy? An agent with an office and other people around him or some shady bloke sat at home in his bedroom and watching porn (hopefully for a 2% less).

ROFL.

[BlasterBates]

The same argument applies to retailers.

Are the margins of retail stores fair ?

I mean you could buy the goods direct from the manufacturer for substantially less.

[eliquant]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

1) no
2) never
3) Clients on economic downturn Contractors on economic upturn.
4) yes
5) not really, but it carries on.

[The Late, Great JC]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?

It's a symbiotic relationship and should be treated as such.

Stop whinging!

[ancient]

1) Is it fair - do they earn it?

2) How often do you understand the margin?

3) Who rules the market - Contractors, Clients or Agents?

4) Is it just a question of supply or demand?

5) Is it viable in the long term?