[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.