I see that private responses are preferable, but this happens to be a
subject where I can't resist pulling out my soapbox....my apologies in
advance.
==================================================

Unfortunately I know of very few consulting firms that are more than just
plain pimps.  The major difference between being a contractor and a
prostitute is that the prostitute knows up front that she is billing
$100/hour and only getting $35-45.  Another difference is that the pimp
won't lie to her about the excellent benefits that will be given out as
compensation.  As contractors we aren't told what the client is getting
billed - and guess why?  Why would someone want to hide that figure?
Well, it's not real hard to guess the reason.....

Yes Kevin, it's highway robbery, but a crime that is usually endorsed by
large companies (and yes,  I can understand the reasons that they use
contracting firms).  Your best bet is to set yourself up as a company and
become bonded etc., then approach the company again with a deal.  You'll
have to pay the taxes and do the other admin for yourself (or get an
accountant), but that's the trade off for keeping what you earn.  Your
best bet is to stay away from companies in the F500 or higher, as they
almost always require a consulting firm.....

Good luck
Mark Watkins



Kevin L. Newman wrote:

> I do consulting work for another company, sub-contract if you will.  I
> recently found another contract that would be a part-time thing to do
> for a little Christmas money for this year.  I approached my contract
> firm about doing the billing for me, in hopes that since I brought
> this to them, and they don't have any part of this other than normal
> billing, taxes and insurance, that they wouldn't rake me for a rate.
> It turns out that they want $20/hour above and beyond the expenses for
> the privilege of me doing business with them.  They don't have to do a
> *$^@ thing for this.  I would be bringing both parties into the
> agreement, they would be doing their normal billing and their X%
> additional costs in order to handle all expenses plus this extra
> $20/hour.  Am I missing something, or does this seem like highway
> robbery?  Are there others out there that I could use to drop the
> billed at/paid ratios to a little more reasonable level or are all of
> the "Consulting Firms" the same?
>
> Kevin
>
> Private responses are preferable.