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[Recruiter] Ripping Us Off !!

13 replies [Last post]
Fri, 2005-01-28 05:13
Ted Hanson
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Joined: 27 Aug 2004
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Having spoken to a [Name Removed by Moderator] at [Name Removed by Moderator] regarding a position I’d seen advertised he informed that my current rate at a position I hold was for too much money and that it was due to my agency only taking a small cut.

He said he would only pay a lesser rate to someone with my experience. This man seems to be above his station and seems to think that he can act as a consultant oppose to an agent. He seems to be striving to drive down all Planners rates in order to fill his own pockets.

I’d avoid his company at all costs, if you work for them or a similar [adjective removed - Moderator] agent I suggest you speak to Morson or NES who only charge about 8%. Speaking from personal experience they are both good and they offer very quick payment, unlike some!

Also do not be fooled by an agent saying you can not change agencies and stay in the same job. If you have a clause saying you can’t it is now illegal, it’s called the ‘Prohibited Working Clause’.

Remember any agent charging you over 10% is Ripping You Off!!!

Change you agency, lets stop lining the pockets of the likes of [Name Removed by Moderator]. There not a consult they’re an AGENT!!!
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Replies

Thu, 2005-04-28 15:05
#1
John Smitt
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Groups: Petro-Chem / Oil & Gas
20%-30% is average, unless you are managing more than 5 contractors then rates come down. Agents rates have nothing to do with a contractors rate, (% of the hourly rate) if an agent drops his rate the contractor will not see any difference in his pay packet.
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Sun, 2005-02-20 15:34
#2
Jaco Stadler
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"Thanx for the reply Oliver.

So the agent gets a 10% for his overheads. I wonder if anybody in th UK (employers) has realised by not using agents their cost will be 10 % less or that they could be pay a better rate (bonusses) to their employees. And get a better service.
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Fri, 2005-02-04 09:14
#3
Ted Hanson
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From the point of a Recruitment Agency / Middle Man I am speaking from personal experience here & that in general, Recruitment Businesses do not charge ridiculous margins or mark ups, if they were to do so then their businesses would probably fail and be unsuccessful as no-one in life likes to be charged over the odds.Not if they feel they can get away with it or tell perspective planners that their rate is too high"it’s happened to me before but will never happen again, 10% is more than enough!" you as the Contracted Consultant/Engineer have no relevance to the Clients paid rate as this shouldn’t affect your rate and an Agent is meant to fight both corners to ensure that both you and the Client are content. You are also paid by the Agency whilst the Client pays the Agency, Agencies have a high amount of respect for both client and Contractor/applicant and never wish to upset or rock the boat of either party and therefore juggle keeping all involved happy and content.Are you joking? If an agent is charging high rates it puts the person in the job at risk. As you know an employer will cut back the most expensive planner if need be.

Also it’s money that should be with the planner not the agent."The agent that really annoyed me spoke to me like I was an idiot and didn’t even ask to see my CV", if an Agent does not feel that from a conversation you hold the relevant background or skills within their chosen market place then to save your time and their time naturally they will advise that you would not be the Agent to assist them in their search for a new position which in turn makes sense for both parties, but having read your profile and that you are classed as an expert in all markets ranging from Build, Civils, Mining, through to Rail, Oil & Gas, Petro-Chem I would find it hard to believe that someone who has worked in every market possible would be rejected by any Agency?I don’t recall ever editing my profile, i have done it now. Take a look oliver, I’ve got an Engineering degree i’ve worked on many contracts all over the world. Industries including IT,Construction,Water,Power, Oil & Gas (not in Planning), pharmaceuticals. Now what qualifies you to speak out against me in such a way?

What’s more i have never been rejected by any agent, i don’t deal with many. I find that it’s better to stick with big agencies with people who know what they’re talking about say Morson or NES.If you were told that you earnt more than what was currently on the books of the Agency surely this is not a bad remark at all??? it would just be unfortunate that the Agency would be unable to match or better your current rate. Agent in question thinks he can dictate rates. I have never had the misfortune of talking to someone who was so matter of about fact before.

Ted
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Fri, 2005-02-04 06:56
#4
Ted Hanson
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Hi,

Looks like this thread is of interest to people. I appreciate that the Moderators withdrew names of agencies etc.

Just to clarify the point about agencies not being consultants:

When i say Consultant i mean a company that works for a client providing people on secondment. Therefore often providing equipment, software, PM standards and knowledge etc.

In this instance the Consultant has the right to charge employees out on at a high rate due to their high overheads.

In the case of an agents they are merely the middle man and have no right to charge ridiculous mark ups!

That is happening it’s happened to me before but will never happen again, 10% is more than enough!

The agent that really annoyed me spoke to me like i was an idiot and didn’t even ask to see my cv.

I was not happy at being told i earnt too much, because from other agents i have spoken to that is not the case. My own personal opinion is that they are taking too bigger cut and are simply greedy.

Ted



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Fri, 2005-02-04 06:00
#5
Dayanidhi Dhandapany
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Dear Oilver,

You have given a valid information by sharing your nice experience with us.

Thanks,

Regards

Daya
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Thu, 2005-02-03 13:41
#6
Jaco Stadler
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Hi steve

I stil would like to lnow why you pay the guys 10 %
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Thu, 2005-02-03 06:40
#7
Steve Craine
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Hi phillip

Just a quick reply dont know about South Africa, most jobs in the UK always go through an Agency or Consultancy even if you get a job through a friend you will still have to go through an Agency or Consultancy as most of the positions are through preferred suppliers list
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Sat, 2005-01-29 12:11
#8
Philip Jonker
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Hi Guys,

For a change I agree with the the moderators, lets not not use this forum as a slanging match. You have the right to determine your own salary, and if you you are not up to it do not blame the agent. This posting probably belongs on the Improving PP site, but everybody has the the right to determine what they earn.

My suggestion is that PP involves as many employers, as they can find, that is worldwide, It will save employers money in recrutiting planners. Secondly let’s not apply for every job that is available and only when we finish our projects. Do not apply if you are not really interested. This is in the the interest of the site. If employers receive 200 replies on every occasion they post a vacancy, they are going to ignore the site.

I have followed this posting from day one, and believe if you are qualified, and have the right experience, you do not need an agent, find your own job. AND, prove your worth.

Regards all
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Sat, 2005-01-29 00:01
#9
Jaco Stadler
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Hi Ted

I was just wondering you say 10 % is ok. I have never Heard of such a high markup what does the agent service include for such a High fee.

I have always believed to pay a fair price if I have to pay somebody 10 % of my salary I expect the person to do 10 % of my work.

Do you pay the Person 10 % every month. For What. I am realy interested in hearing what services the agent is selling for this. I also believe the story about finding work is ******. If you spend 5 day’s and sending your CV to all the company’s you will find greater joy than spending 5 day’s sending your CV to agents.

I must say when I was back at home an agent would phone me at least once a week about a position but then I have heard about it already about it through a friend or somebody in the business (NON Agants). So my qeeustion is why do we need agents.

Cheers

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Fri, 2005-01-28 16:45
#10
Forum Guest
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Hello All,

We have amended the posts here in order ot remove the identity of the parties involved. We sincerely hope that the PPers involved will understand that we need to remove the names of the parties.

We have tried to keep the posts intact so that the message is still being put accross - both from the Planner involved and the retort from the Recruiter.

We appologise to the PPers if this has caused offense.

If anyone has strong feelings over our actions we would be pleased to hear them, in order that we can act appropriately in any future occurances of this kind. The PP Admin team certainly doesn’t have "all of the answers" and would welcome your feedback.

Ted, we really hope that you can undertsand and accept this approach.

Lets all keep building our Planning Planet!!

Regards.
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Fri, 2005-01-28 12:44
#11
Forum Guest
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With regards to this thread and Ted Hansons remarks:-Having spoken to an [Name Removed by Moderator] at [Name Removed by Moderator] regarding a position I’d seen advertised he informed that my current rate at a position I hold was for too much money and that it was due to my agency only taking a small cut "This is correct Ted, your current rate as I said was a very good rate and that this may be due to the market and Agency you were working within, certain clients specify the percentage markup/margin whereas many will simply provide an Agency with an ’all in’ figure and from this we are to decide on a sensible percentage cut and the rest to the Contractor, this percentage will vary dependent upon length of contract, client rapport etc"He said he would only pay a lesser rate to someone with my experience?"Yes I would not be in a position with my current contracts to pay you a higher figure than your current rate and that I would not be an Agent who would be able to point you in the right direction based upon your specifc skills and market to which you have worked as they were not inline with my clients"This man seems to be above his station and seems to think that he can act as a consultant oppose to an agent?I am not really sure how to answer this, I am a Recruitment "Consultant" and as such employed by organisations to assist in who they should bring on board and to provide guidance on the current market rates whether good or bad.He seems to be striving to drive down all Planners rates in order to fill his own pockets.No this is derived from the clients.I’d avoid his company at all costs, if you work for them or a similar rip off agent I suggest you speak to Morson or NES who only charge about 8%. Speaking from personal experience they are both good and they offer very quick payment, unlike some!I am very glad that you have an Agency to work through and sorry to hear that you deem [Name Removed by Moderator] and similar Agencys as a ’rip off’.

I have to say that ’slanging matches’ with Agents is rather unprofessional and to make an enemy of one another in such a small niche market is rather ridiculous, relaying to "I see that PP now has several agencies listed on the jobs page, maybe its time, the Planners have their say about these agents and route out the good the bad and the ugly" surely if this were the case Agencys should be able to have there say on the Planners that they speak to on a daily basis, im sure this too would make a good read for a number of people within the market to which they work?

PS Thankyou Andrew for your remarks
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Fri, 2005-01-28 08:38
#12
Andrew Pearce
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I consider it is worth noting that there are agencies whose prime market is freelance planning support provision and others who concentrate on permenant placement. It is important that you select the right agency because an agency specialising in permenant placement often do charge higher placement fees.
My experience of [Name Removed by Moderator] at [Name Removed by Moderator] is that he has a handle on permenant placement and tends to offer freelance placement more as a sideline, although he may have a different view on this.

In short if you seek a permenant position in Construction do not discount [Name Removed by Moderator].
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Fri, 2005-01-28 05:27
#13
G Mullins
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I agree, I have encountered a few agents who are trying this tactic.

I see that PP now has several agencies listed on the jobs page, maybe its time, the Planners have their say about these agents and route out the good the bad and the ugly.

One for all and all for one.
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