That awkward rate moment when..........

**ChimpMaster** · 20 December 2011, 10:30

Originally posted by SneakySimon View Post

.......someone realises they are on substantially less than everyone.

During the quiet Xmas time, the contractors around us got chatting about our rates. Now in our team, we all work generally the same role, similar experience and apart from one person, generally work 8.30 till 5.30 (project depending). So we go around the table, and rates come out £500, £475, £525 etc. Then we get to the person who works long hours most days. Looking somewhat crestfallen, they said they were only on £280 PD - apaprently it is there 2nd contract role after being permie for 25 years and thought £280 was good!

Be an interesting conversation with there manager in January!!

I just have to say Hahahaha.

Seriously though, he can't be a good business can he. Just goes to show that you need at least a modicum of business nous as well as technical expertise to be a successful contractor.

All of my contracts, including my first one, have been at a decent enough rate - otherwise I wouldn't have seen the point of contracting.

**d000hg** · 20 December 2011, 10:45

Originally posted by ChimpMaster View Post

I just have to say Hahahaha.

Seriously though, he can't be a good business can he. Just goes to show that you need at least a modicum of business nous as well as technical expertise to be a successful contractor.

All of my contracts, including my first one, have been at a decent enough rate - otherwise I wouldn't have seen the point of contracting.

If you don't know, you don't know.

**SimonMac** · 20 December 2011, 10:45

Why on earth would you discuss your rate with other contractors?

**ChimpMaster** · 20 December 2011, 10:50

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

Why on earth would you discuss your rate with other contractors?

What's your rate?

**doomage** · 20 December 2011, 10:55

Do you think there's a corresponding bunch of agents discussing how much they are gouging their contractors? And one of them displays an amount of glee exactly equal to the level of despair the contractor shows?

**MarillionFan** · 20 December 2011, 11:05

Originally posted by ChimpMaster View Post

What's your rate?

£25 a day more than yours for the same job.

**MarillionFan** · 20 December 2011, 11:06

Originally posted by doomage View Post

Do you think there's a corresponding bunch of agents discussing how much they are gouging their contractors? And one of them displays an amount of glee exactly equal to the level of despair the contractor shows?

Absolutely. But when they're in the pub they're all to scared to go to the toilet first because when they come back the others have scarpered and left the 1st one with the bill and are back at the office trying to nick his clients.

**darmstadt** · 20 December 2011, 11:08

Originally posted by MarillionFan View Post

£25 a day more than yours for the same job.

£25 per hour more than yours for doing bugger all (at the moment) :-)

**Notascooby** · 20 December 2011, 11:08

I know there's all this stuff around never discussing rates and as long as you're happy etc...
But I'm all for it being open and honest, otherwise the agencies are just playing the same sort of games that ClientCo plays with permies.... Keep it hush hush and then you can under pay those that don't complain or are so beaten down and give the old "well it's a 5% rise" knowing 5% of f-all is still f-all.

If I'm friendly with a few contractors then I'll generally ask, if I'm told to piss off then fair enough. Obviously if someone was brought in for some obscure in-demand knowledge then good on them if they're on £200 more per day, I'm certainly not going to cry about it. But it's case like that quoted that annoy me, although I do wonder if he's done any type of research at all.

When you know that the average rate is (in this instance) £500 with people on £475 to £525 then those on £475 know there's an easy bit of wiggle room, aim for £525 and probably settle for £500 without much boat rocking.

Maybe that's just me...

That awkward rate moment when..........