What should I do if a customer asks me to work directly with them?
What should I do if a customer suggests I go direct?
Going direct means working directly for an end client you've met via acracy, without going through our platform.
Of course, by client, we mean either someone you've already worked with via us, or someone that client has recommended you to internally.
So, for example, if you're contacted by one of the 184,000 employees of a big three-letter-named bank, and it's got nothing to do with us, you can obviously work with that person even if you've already done an assignment through us for one of the other 184,000 employees of this bank.
In our Terms of Sale, the contract that governs our relationship, we don't allow direct contact with our clients during an project and for 12 months after it ends. So basically, if you've worked with a client through us, and it's been 1 year without another project, then you can go direct if you want to.
There are several reasons for this clause:
- It allows you to benefit from our advantages, like the fact that we take care of the admin part, that we automate quotes and invoices, that we offer Fast-Track and that we are there as an intermediary in case there's a problem, etc.
- It protects acracy, which invests a lot in finding you interesting assignments and supporting you.
In 9 cases out of 10, there's no ill intention behind it. Sometimes the customer has forgotten that we're in the equation, or just wants to save time. So the easiest thing to do is to remind them that it's going through us, and to let us know. We're used to those discussions, and we conduct them in a nice way, without putting anyone at odds.
If you have the slightest doubt or hesitation, just let us know. That's what we're here for!
Thanks for your trust!
🚄 First of all, what does it mean to "work directly"?
Going direct means working directly for an end client you've met via acracy, without going through our platform.
Of course, by client, we mean either someone you've already worked with via us, or someone that client has recommended you to internally.
So, for example, if you're contacted by one of the 184,000 employees of a big three-letter-named bank, and it's got nothing to do with us, you can obviously work with that person even if you've already done an assignment through us for one of the other 184,000 employees of this bank.
🤔 So, is this possible or not?
In our Terms of Sale, the contract that governs our relationship, we don't allow direct contact with our clients during an project and for 12 months after it ends. So basically, if you've worked with a client through us, and it's been 1 year without another project, then you can go direct if you want to.
There are several reasons for this clause:
- It allows you to benefit from our advantages, like the fact that we take care of the admin part, that we automate quotes and invoices, that we offer Fast-Track and that we are there as an intermediary in case there's a problem, etc.
- It protects acracy, which invests a lot in finding you interesting assignments and supporting you.
🤷 What should I do if a customer makes this request?
In 9 cases out of 10, there's no ill intention behind it. Sometimes the customer has forgotten that we're in the equation, or just wants to save time. So the easiest thing to do is to remind them that it's going through us, and to let us know. We're used to those discussions, and we conduct them in a nice way, without putting anyone at odds.
Any other questions?
If you have the slightest doubt or hesitation, just let us know. That's what we're here for!
Thanks for your trust!
Updated on: 17/10/2023