[lifeisstillgood]

Holy cow. I cannot imagine how desperate the hiring company must have been to pay 52%. That is an indicator of very bad things I suspect.

Unless you have a contract with your agent (highly unlikely - people like 10x are starting this idea) then just do not use them.

An agency who is getting 50% out of a client company has photos of the CEO and two shameful-looking-sheep somewhere.

[chris_dcosta]

I suspect you are right about the desperation thing, on the ground the client is under some pressure.

But look at it this way, if the client was asking for a small reduction in the rate the agent would be on the phone right away asking me to take a cut. They would also be getting a cut as their %age is based on my rate.

To be fair and honest, if the client is offering more to get you - for whatever reason - then that must filter down.

That just didn't happen here. The client therefore has also been mislead because they think that I am being paid appropriately. Instead the agent is profiteering.