Agent trying to reduce agreed day rate.

**stek** · 26 September 2016, 13:55

You need a real poker face. FOUR ACES!!!

Bill and Ted....

**LondonManc** · 26 September 2016, 13:57

He's trying to scam you.

There have been a few stories about it recently.

He's also probably trying to hardball client to "get you" an extra £25-50 a day and trouser the lot.

It's very simple; 90% of agents give the rest a bad name.

**ChimpMaster** · 26 September 2016, 14:56

The way the agent has said that implies he is a noob at this game. In any case, he will not have enough care for the client to provide them the best candidate; he will only care to place the cheapest contractor from which he can make the largest margin.

So the risk to you is that he'll find someone he can make more money from, and regardless of whether that person is the client's first choice or not, he will attempt to place him before he considers you.

In any case I think you've done the right thing. Wait until you have an offer from the client, in which case you know they want you - and then hold to your rate.

**VillageContractor** · 27 September 2016, 08:10

Depends how long you have or will be on the bench for. I'm all for telling the agent to stick it, but when I'm coming to the end of the contract and I have a role paying a decent rate minus whatever the agent is trying skim or time on the bench then I'm more inclined to take the role.

But my savings aren't as significant as others on here who can tell the agent where to go

**NotAllThere** · 27 September 2016, 08:18

Refuse the reduction. Unless his agency is sole supplier, once an offer has been made, there's no guarantee he'll be able to slip in someone else. Even if it is sole supplier, the client may not want the other candidates. Remember, they chose you.

If he then says "oh, in that case, we'll have to let it go", say "Fine. Btw, I'm going to send a note to the client apologising for being unable to accede to their request for a rate reduction".

Or just call him out straight. "I don't believe you".

**MrMarkyMark** · 27 September 2016, 08:19

Originally posted by NotAllThere View Post

Refuse the reduction. Unless his agency is sole supplier, once an offer has been made, there's no guarantee he'll be able to slip in someone else. Even if it is sole supplier, the client may not want the other candidates. Remember, they chose you.

If he then says "oh, in that case, we'll have to let it go", say "Fine. Btw, I'm going to send a note to the client apologising for being unable to accede to their request for a rate reduction".

Or just call him out straight. "I don't believe you".

This +1

**kevpuk** · 27 September 2016, 08:53

As above ^^ Agent is doing a rather bad job of this sort of thing
Seems (s)he is a bit new at this......

**strawberrysmoothie** · 4 October 2016, 12:10

Update from my original post

Got numerous emails from agency over the last week saying I was the no.1. candidate, client loved me.
blah blah blah.

Got fed up of the BS so decided this morning decided to write and tell them that I getting interest from other agencies, I have to give them consideration. what is outcome of my interview?

I get an email this morning stating they offered the role to someone else. They agency is awaiting feedback (not holding my breath)

I suspect they told the client I had taken another role and put another candidate forward and they were offered the role.

I'm not upset (its the nature of the beast), it's kind of tulip <mod snip>

I was able to find the email details of one the people who interviewed me, I am seriously considering emailing him and asking for feedback and if it was to due with rate reduction.

**ChimpMaster** · 4 October 2016, 12:35

I would write to the guys, if only to find out what the real deal is. You never know, perhaps he was also scammed by the agent.

Agent trying to reduce agreed day rate.