Going direct but client wants me to use agent ???

[Bumfluff]

Got offered a gig via a contact working there no agent involved, but client has now said I need to come through an agent or have an agent. How does it work in circumstances like this, I will p8ssed if the agent gets commission for doing nothing but for this gig I need one, anyone else had the same situation how have you dealt with it

[rootsnall]

If they aren't fussed which agent then shop around the established ones ( ie. not likely to go bust ) and see who will take the smallest cut and also offer instant payment terms. I've had to do this and it annoys me a lot ! I struggled to get anybody to do it for less than 8% if my memory is correct. Also make sure that any handcuff clauses are removed from the contract ie. the client may see the light and ditch the agent once they know you.

[Bumfluff]

If they aren't fussed which agent then shop around the established ones ( ie. not likely to go bust ) and see who will take the smallest cut and also offer instant payment terms. I've had to do this and it annoys me a lot ! I struggled to get anybody to do it for less than 8% if my memory is correct. Also make sure that any handcuff clauses are removed from the contract ie. the client may see the light and ditch the agent once they know you.

Cheers.

I might use my current agent, they are goodm payment terms are instant though I think client only pays monthly anyway. The client though is asking me for what my rate is should I quote it with the agent % factored in or not ?

[pmeswani]

If they aren't fussed which agent then shop around the established ones ( ie. not likely to go bust ) and see who will take the smallest cut and also offer instant payment terms. I've had to do this and it annoys me a lot ! I struggled to get anybody to do it for less than 8% if my memory is correct. Also make sure that any handcuff clauses are removed from the contract ie. the client may see the light and ditch the agent once they know you.

Set up an Agency as a trading name of your Ltd Co. I don't know how it fully works, but it could be an option.

[BolshieBastard]

Got offered a gig via a contact working there no agent involved, but client has now said I need to come through an agent or have an agent. How does it work in circumstances like this, I will p8ssed if the agent gets commission for doing nothing but for this gig I need one, anyone else had the same situation how have you dealt with it

Jesus, you get the client to agree you get your specified rate and they pay the agent's mark up, however much or little that may be.

I've done that beofre. Its no hassle.

Course you could refuse and walk away

[thunderlizard]

Also make sure that any handcuff clauses are removed from the contract ie. the client may see the light and ditch the agent once they know you.

And make sure they remove them from the agency-client contract too. Got caught that way once in my greenhorn days.

[stevo kane]

Use a limited Co as agency

I had a similar problem. Went with Mitsulimited.co.uk. They take 5 percent but i got them down to 4. It s better than what the agencies charge. i was pissed as well as i found the contract. So yeah they get paid for doing nothing. It sux huh.

[meridian]

So yeah they get paid for doing nothing. It sux huh.

No, they get paid essentially for factoring your invoices.

When I first went direct to a client I had to wait three months before my first invoice was paid - the cost of that money is mostly what you are paying the agency for, especially if the agency pays weekly.

[RSoles]

I have never understood why end clients insist on putting contractors through an agency.
It doesn't save them any money. It costs them more. Sometimes a lot more.
It doesn't save them work, just means they have to do different work.
It doesn't save them being messed around, just means they're messed around professionally.

Chalk another one down to lazy incompetent HR.

And any contractor who needs invoice factoring shouldn't be contracting.

[thunderlizard]

+ it makes it more likely that the contractor becomes a disguised employee, not less.

As an alternative, ask if the client will still take you on direct, but go into the car park with you every lunchtime and set fire to £100. The business value will be just the same, plus you get to warm your hands on it in winter.