Reply to: Small agencies, why bother with them?

[pzz76077]

Don't think size is everything TBH.............. Last gig was thru a smaller agency, they've been in business since 1957. I've seen big agencies and very big brolly co's go t!ts up and leave contractors out of pocket. Weekly invoice and payment is the way to go. Current gig is via an "in house" agency so effectively is direct with the client (>30,000 employees world wide). Apart from the first week when I also got paid another contractors money too (!!!) all has been fine. Invoice on the Friday, paid the next Wednesday.

Would agree- cash flow is king, 5 days max credit has been good for me. Ive seen agency debts become a millstone around contractors necks so many times. The recent Albany debacle shows that even the biggest fall. Credit control is the only way to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

PZZ

[vetran]

One of the larger ones had the above attributes too, but they are in the minority.

Do tell, its ok if you are nice about them.

[PAH]

So the moral of the story is to get the contract terms tied down to invoice and payment cycles as frequently as you can, preferably weekly if you can be arsed raising all those invoices.

That the size of the agency shouldn't matter just their ability and willingness to cater for those terms, and stick to them.

Maybe we need a contractors code where things like this are set in stone and all agencies have to be able to work to it otherwise they don't get any business.

Would also like some way of being able to verify they can fulfill their obligations and aren't some disgruntled ex-employee of a big agency who thinks he can do better, set up their own operation, and make a right pigs ear of it.

How to sort the wheat from the chaff if there is no agency references available? Maybe I'll ask them for two references first next time.

[Zippy]

Do tell?

Is that an attempt at innuendo? Tsk, tsk

I've worked with a couple more larger agencies than small but I've observed the following about small agencies:
- paid weekly, no argument
- agents don't attempt to fish (I've yet to have to hand over a reference)
- agents are friendly and professional and haven't 'doctored' my cv

One of the larger ones had the above attributes too, but they are in the minority.

[Fred Bloggs]

Don't think size is everything TBH.............. Last gig was thru a smaller agency, they've been in business since 1957. I've seen big agencies and very big brolly co's go t!ts up and leave contractors out of pocket. Weekly invoice and payment is the way to go. Current gig is via an "in house" agency so effectively is direct with the client (>30,000 employees world wide). Apart from the first week when I also got paid another contractors money too (!!!) all has been fine. Invoice on the Friday, paid the next Wednesday.

[AtW]

I've had better experiences with smaller agencies.

Do tell?

[AtW]

Are we allowed to say your talking utter b*ll*cks now or is that against the rules?

It actually is, I believe - usage of *'s to hide meaning of a swear word isn't allowed.

Stick to using socially neutral word "tulip", ie: "stop talking utter tulip".

It's either that or you'll get right b*ll*cking from the mods and rightfully so...

HTH

[Zippy]

I've had better experiences with smaller agencies.

[EternalOptimist]

I have only been done over three times. On each occasion it was a big agency (all run by a Greek fellow, funny enough)

I try so hard to get a gig, hundreds of applications, do you REALLY think I would turn an offer down because the agency was a tiddler ?


pah

[oracleslave]

Are we allowed to say your talking utter b*ll*cks now or is that against the rules?

you're

At least it's English

[PAH]

Are we allowed to say your talking utter b*ll*cks now or is that against the rules?

What part is bollocks?

That it's not possible to not get paid for work invoiced?

That limited companies cannot close down without the directors being personally liable for the outstanding debts?

[PAH]

I can only offer the same advice that has got me through 27 years of contracting unscathed:-

Invoice every Friday with out fail.

Insist on payment in your bank within 5 working days.

Stop working on the 6th day if payment has not been received.

Yep that's my plan from here on in.

My original question was related to how only the larger agencies seem (in my experience) able to offer and stick to such a quick invoice and payment cycle.

The smaller agencies may offer it but either fail to stick to the terms and then it's hassle all round, or pretend they're sticking to the terms and it's due to technical problems stopping the money hitting your account on time, or they didn't actually receive the timesheet/invoice yada yada bs bs.

I wonder how understanding the client would be if you did down tools on the day after the payment was due. I suppose it depends how critical it is you are there and how you inform them.

[northernladuk]

Just be careful the gig isn't one of those where you put the graft in but don't get paid.

I'm tempted to ask the agencies for a personal guarantee. Too easy for them to do a runner and hide behind their limited company status.

Are we allowed to say your talking utter b*ll*cks now or is that against the rules?

[pzz76077]

Just be careful the gig isn't one of those where you put the graft in but don't get paid.

I'm tempted to ask the agencies for a personal guarantee. Too easy for them to do a runner and hide behind their limited company status.

Too true, the market view is that even more agents are going to hit problems this year than last: http://www.recruiter.co.uk/administr...003966.article


I can only offer the same advice that has got me through 27 years of contracting unscathed:-

Invoice every Friday with out fail.

Insist on payment in your bank within 5 working days.

Stop working on the 6th day if payment has not been received.

Keep it friendly, and point out to the client and the agent what has been agreed contractually. Remember, when an agent offers you a contract its for their benefit not yours.

Usually best to walk away if agents cant meet payment schedules.
After all, why else would you be working with the agent if it was not for your little business to make some money for you??

So many contractors I have worked with have ended up with nothing but huge debts and broken promises when they needed them the least just because the agent strung out the payment runs till they eventually they went bust and often as not taking the contractors with them.


PZZ

[BolshieBastard]

I seem to have a much better experience of getting paid on time, or even have the option of weekly/fortnighly invoicing, with the larger agencies that have invested in a proper BACS system and staff that know how to use it.

What do the smaller agencies offer and why should clients and contractors even bother with them?

Unless they're specialists in a very specialist field I can only think they're more hassle and risk than they're worth.

My experience is the opposite. Big agencies say 'take our terms or **** off.' Smaller ones are more happy to negotiate imo.