atw: Re: Agency Rates

I'm one of those frustrating, irritating people who insist on knowing 
what percentage the agency put on top of what I get paid.  Why?  
Well, it affects the relationship between the client and I, for a start.  It 
may affect how long they can afford to keep me on, and their 
expectations.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe that agencies should only take 
the bare minimum - UNLESS I've introduced the client to them, and 
I'm using their services simply to administer the contract.  Then it's 
bare bones admin costs, plus the 'hidden' stuff like super.  If they have 
introduced me to the client, then they're entitled to a percentage as a 
finder's fee.  5-10% on top of administration seems fair to me.

Many agencies have been very unwilling to disclose their rates... most 
will do so if I push, though.  If they won't, I don't do business with 
them.  Otherwise, they're profiting from my work without offering me 
any incentives to put up with it - such as guaranteed consistency of 
work, paid holidays, etc.  I realise not everyone is in a position to do 
this - I haven't always been - but even so I generally noticed very 
quickly if there was a large gap between my rate and the client's, and 
if the client was happy with me and wanted to extend the contract, I'd 
tend to turn around and get some more money out of the agency, 
either for me or for the client.

So I'm not very nice :)

- Naomi

> I find this a rather strange discussion.
> If you a paid $60 per hour by the agency - that's all you have to
> worry about.It's not your concern what the agency is getting from the
> client. Firstly, it's not your client - it's the agency's client. Your
> client is the agency. Likewise, if I buy a widget from the hardware
> store and I pay $10 for it, I don't care if the stoe paid only $1 for
> the widget. i was happy with the price, paid it, and thats the end of
> the matter. Negotiate the price with the agency, and if you're happy
> with what they are paying you, that's it. Otherwise, you go and get
> the job from the agency's client. Some agencies 'buy' better than
> others. It's not a crime, it's good business. Good luck.

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