Reply to: B B B Benched????

[conned tractor]

As it happens, the extension was plan D. Plan C was do nothing for Xmas. Plan B was sledges for Xmas and Plan A is to secure something back in California. The reason I closed the shop was to open up a move to the US in the New Year. The US thing may still come off in the next week but it's not looking good just yet.

I've been saying for a month I wouldn't extend.

I feel dirty and cheap now.

But to the point above, normally I start a month before the end.

B B B Bye

[TiroFijo]

As it happens, the extension was plan D. Plan C was do nothing for Xmas. Plan B was sledges for Xmas and Plan A is to secure something back in California. The reason I closed the shop was to open up a move to the US in the New Year. The US thing may still come off in the next week but it's not looking good just yet.

I've been saying for a month I wouldn't extend.

I feel dirty and cheap now.

But to the point above, normally I start a month before the end.

California is bust! Haven't you heard?

[TheFaQQer]

I feel dirty and cheap now.

Probably because you are.

HTH.

[TheFaQQer]

Can someone please explain to me why so many contractors don't get this stuff set in stone earlier than the last hour of the last day??

If you are in a good role, and don't want to look for anything else, then it's worth waiting to see what the client wants to do. When I'm in contract, I don't deal with agents apart from to tell them when the contract expires, so they know not to bother me about "exciting opportunities".

At the end of the contract, if there is no extension, then I take a break and look for something new then.

[bobspud]

I've been saying for a month I wouldn't extend.

I feel dirty and cheap now.

Don't worry. You actually have to be clinically insane to turn down cash in this market. There was a chap on my last gig that carried a "PUSH THE RED BUTTON HERE" termination of contract letter with him everywhere he went. On a hair trigger wasn't the word for the poor chap. Anyhow one 500 server migration completed and business set into BAU, The only one still there out of 100 people and 50 contractors is him! Last I heard he still had the letter in his pocket

[MarillionFan]

This is MF we are talking about here, most (if not all) would be out looking if the client were dragging their feet about an extension.

As it happens, the extension was plan D. Plan C was do nothing for Xmas. Plan B was sledges for Xmas and Plan A is to secure something back in California. The reason I closed the shop was to open up a move to the US in the New Year. The US thing may still come off in the next week but it's not looking good just yet.

I've been saying for a month I wouldn't extend.

I feel dirty and cheap now.

But to the point above, normally I start a month before the end.

[TiroFijo]

Can someone please explain to me why so many contractors don't get this stuff set in stone earlier than the last hour of the last day??

I have a standard approach to renewals and that is get it signed in the month before its due the END no exceptions. EVER!
I simply tell them that I am currently ignoring the pimps that are calling me, but if I am not secure with a piece of paper in my hands then I will start listening to what other parties have to say... It concentrates their mind and you can see if they want to keep you.

When they start burbling on about budgets and sign offs you know its time to sort your own exit plan.

My last few contracts have been two and a half years, eighteen months, one year, and another eighteen months so its not like it has affected my chances of extensions. with my current client, I knew that my work was due to finish at the end of this month, with a few other jobs starting as it finished, so I beat an extension out of them until the end of December so we both I have the flexibility for me to start a new piece of work with them if they need it (meanwhile my radar is up and I have until the end of the year to source something before I see a bench...)

This is MF we are talking about here, most (if not all) would be out looking if the client were dragging their feet about an extension.

[TestMangler]

Ten in the hand is worth one in Kate Bush.

FTFY

[bobspud]

Can someone please explain to me why so many contractors don't get this stuff set in stone earlier than the last hour of the last day??

I have a standard approach to renewals and that is get it signed in the month before its due the END no exceptions. EVER!
I simply tell them that I am currently ignoring the pimps that are calling me, but if I am not secure with a piece of paper in my hands then I will start listening to what other parties have to say... It concentrates their mind and you can see if they want to keep you.

When they start burbling on about budgets and sign offs you know its time to sort your own exit plan.

My last few contracts have been two and a half years, eighteen months, one year, and another eighteen months so its not like it has affected my chances of extensions. with my current client, I knew that my work was due to finish at the end of this month, with a few other jobs starting as it finished, so I beat an extension out of them until the end of December so we both I have the flexibility for me to start a new piece of work with them if they need it (meanwhile my radar is up and I have until the end of the year to source something before I see a bench...)

[Mich the Tester]

Ring ring. As you posted.



Ain't that the truth.

Had been holding on for an offer from California, been on the phone to the US every day but it's just not happening.

Just accepted an extension until end of Jan. Bird in the hand and all that.

No rate increase.

Bird in the hand, hand in the bush.

[FiveTimes]

Ring ring. As you posted.


Just accepted an extension until end of Jan. Bird in the hand and all that.

I'm sure there will be a post by the end of the day saying they have called you and want you back as they can't cope without you

Looks like I was right

Nice one

[suityou01]

This is unique. Last day. Sat home in tracky bottoms, nothing to do.

Contract has finished and clientco is not beating down my door with a contact extension even though it was mentioned. I mentioned that I might not extend (bluff - angling for a rate increase).

Off on holiday for a week and then.........

Who will blink first?

Where's my fricking contract extension!!!!

Got this awesome gig with a Bob consultancy you can have.

[TestMangler]

That means no sledge business for this year.

Will buy them off you at 10p in the £

[MarillionFan]

That means no sledge business for this year.

[Mich the Tester]

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me"

PS But FFS don't send me MF, we have our standards!!

Give me your hungry, your tired your poor I'll piss on 'em
that's what the Statue of Bigotry says
Your poor huddled masses, let's club 'em to death
and get it over with and just dump 'em on the boulevard

Get to end up, on the dirty boulevard
going out, to the dirty boulevard
He's going down, on the dirty boulevard
going out