Contractors, Self Employed nice cars? You earn far too much!
Discussion
A mate of mine is self-employed and regularly spends days out with the people who pay is daily rates.
He used to have flash cars but got so much stick that he's ran less exotic cars and also had them debadged to make them look more inconspicuous. He's currently got a M235i and for the average joe it looks like any other repmobile.
It's a shame because it shouldn't make a jot of difference, but he has had potential contracts fall through due to the boss of the company noticing his car and feeling 'ripped off' or 'not wanting to put fuel in the man's nice car'.
That's society for you, eh.
He used to have flash cars but got so much stick that he's ran less exotic cars and also had them debadged to make them look more inconspicuous. He's currently got a M235i and for the average joe it looks like any other repmobile.
It's a shame because it shouldn't make a jot of difference, but he has had potential contracts fall through due to the boss of the company noticing his car and feeling 'ripped off' or 'not wanting to put fuel in the man's nice car'.
That's society for you, eh.
LukeR94 said:
Its the exact same as going to someone's house for the first time and thinking "god thats a big TV and a very expensive sound system", they must be loaded! That might just be their interest.
And they dont realise that!
Funnily enough I have had similar comments about my HiFi and Surround kit. But they're the equivalent of a 4K Porsche as cost very little for decent older kit 2nd hand.And they dont realise that!
Try...
Not earning for 5 months of the year.
No one else is paying into your pension pot.
Family health insurance costing £5K per annum
Citical illness cover .... (don't ask)
A higher mortgage rate
No sick pay.
Any training - you have to pay for - and it means that you are not earning when you do it.
Any cost cutting - you are the first to go.
Yes - it is factored into your daily rate...
But the gap is much narrower than the headline figures.
And if you have a bad year...
And, there is nothing stopping the boo boys from doing it themselves.
But they won't.
Not earning for 5 months of the year.
No one else is paying into your pension pot.
Family health insurance costing £5K per annum
Citical illness cover .... (don't ask)
A higher mortgage rate
No sick pay.
Any training - you have to pay for - and it means that you are not earning when you do it.
Any cost cutting - you are the first to go.
Yes - it is factored into your daily rate...
But the gap is much narrower than the headline figures.
And if you have a bad year...
And, there is nothing stopping the boo boys from doing it themselves.
But they won't.
I think it's a bit of a narrow minded attitude to say "they could do it, but they don't so f**k em".
For starters not everyone can go contracting. They might (and probably do) already have financial responsibilities that don't mesh with it, they might need the security more than they do the increase in daily rate or have dependents that rely upon that guaranteed wage packet.
Secondly it's manifestly obvious that no company could sustain a workforce of exclusively contract staff, so in many ways those full timers are indirectly facilitating you being able to contract with that company anyway. There is a symbiotic relationship there.
Mostly though I don't routinely like to wind people up the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to do that by ostentatious displays of wealth. You don't necessarily have to be unable to contract yourself to think that it's a bit tactless and gauche.
For starters not everyone can go contracting. They might (and probably do) already have financial responsibilities that don't mesh with it, they might need the security more than they do the increase in daily rate or have dependents that rely upon that guaranteed wage packet.
Secondly it's manifestly obvious that no company could sustain a workforce of exclusively contract staff, so in many ways those full timers are indirectly facilitating you being able to contract with that company anyway. There is a symbiotic relationship there.
Mostly though I don't routinely like to wind people up the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to do that by ostentatious displays of wealth. You don't necessarily have to be unable to contract yourself to think that it's a bit tactless and gauche.
NRS said:
All that jazz said:
In my line of work it is because most of them are too thick! I appreciate that doesn't apply to all industries though. Them going for the "lower risk picture" is absolutely fine with me but don't go b
hing about my chosen path, earnings and choice of wheels because you don't have the balls to do it yourself! 
It boils down to jealousy, plain and simple. No-one likes people getting something they're not, especially when it comes to money - and double especially when you're doing the same job as them!
Have to agree, them complaining that you are earning too much when in theory they could do exactly the same thing is just stupid. Not a good time to be a consultant at all in my (the oil) industry at the moment. Company I work for has/ will get rid of around 1000 now.hing about my chosen path, earnings and choice of wheels because you don't have the balls to do it yourself! It boils down to jealousy, plain and simple. No-one likes people getting something they're not, especially when it comes to money - and double especially when you're doing the same job as them!
.Surely a lot of the comments are just people trying to make a conversation.
A bit like when you wash your car and people say "Will you come and do mine" or when they see you struggling to get through a gap " Ohhh you could get a bus through there.
I think a lot is just banter, most people in the office car park will know an S Type Jag isn't that pricey. It can look more than it costs and that's why people comment, it's just a throwaway remark not to be taken seriously.
As for contractors or tradesmen young lesser cars as a "Front" if I'm using someone's services I want yo know they are good at what they do and that can be apparent from arriving in a nice car or perhaps van that's clean and well presented.
It can definitely hi the opposite way if your transport is poor, you won't get good jobs.
Personally, I drive nice cars, my customers and staff know I do and it sends out a decent message.
A bit like when you wash your car and people say "Will you come and do mine" or when they see you struggling to get through a gap " Ohhh you could get a bus through there.
I think a lot is just banter, most people in the office car park will know an S Type Jag isn't that pricey. It can look more than it costs and that's why people comment, it's just a throwaway remark not to be taken seriously.
As for contractors or tradesmen young lesser cars as a "Front" if I'm using someone's services I want yo know they are good at what they do and that can be apparent from arriving in a nice car or perhaps van that's clean and well presented.
It can definitely hi the opposite way if your transport is poor, you won't get good jobs.
Personally, I drive nice cars, my customers and staff know I do and it sends out a decent message.
Durzel said:
I think it's a bit of a narrow minded attitude to say "they could do it, but they don't so f**k em".
For starters not everyone can go contracting. They might (and probably do) already have financial responsibilities that don't mesh with it, they might need the security more than they do the increase in daily rate or have dependents that rely upon that guaranteed wage packet.
Secondly it's manifestly obvious that no company could sustain a workforce of exclusively contract staff, so in many ways those full timers are indirectly facilitating you being able to contract with that company anyway. There is a symbiotic relationship there.
Mostly though I don't routinely like to wind people up the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to do that by ostentatious displays of wealth. You don't necessarily have to be unable to contract yourself to think that it's a bit tactless and gauche.
Fella.... you are living in a dream world.For starters not everyone can go contracting. They might (and probably do) already have financial responsibilities that don't mesh with it, they might need the security more than they do the increase in daily rate or have dependents that rely upon that guaranteed wage packet.
Secondly it's manifestly obvious that no company could sustain a workforce of exclusively contract staff, so in many ways those full timers are indirectly facilitating you being able to contract with that company anyway. There is a symbiotic relationship there.
Mostly though I don't routinely like to wind people up the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to do that by ostentatious displays of wealth. You don't necessarily have to be unable to contract yourself to think that it's a bit tactless and gauche.
It isn't a case of "f**k them"
Many of us ended up contracting not through choice.
Security: Again - you are in a dream world. There is no security in being employed. You are 1 month or 3 months from being on the dole. You are expendable. We all are. Security is a fallacy.
If I ran an SME - it would have pretty much 0 employees. The UK legislation and red tape is abhorrent. Everything - and I mean everything is easily outsourced. It doesn't matter what your skill set is. 99.9% chance - you are a commodity.
Image.... This is a hard one. The customer needs to believe they get the right person for the job - and image (in many cases is important ) - so turning up in Columbo's Peugeot charging premium rates - may ask questions.
Ditto - for a small company - and the consultant rucks up in an Aston. It is a balancing act.
And again.... until you have done it for a few years - and had good years - and bad.... you really can't comment on it with authority."
Hehe. I had the same thing working in a supermarket (minimum wage ste). Bought a 13 year old Alfa 147 for a whopping £800. Always got asked how I afforded it, dont think a lot of people understand how much some cars depreciate. I replaced it with a Fabia VRS diesel, 9 years old for for 4x as much as the Alfa and get no such comments.
Should also point out half my colleagues making the comments where driving about in £5k of 3-5 year old corsa 1.2s xD
te). Bought a 13 year old Alfa 147 for a whopping £800. Always got asked how I afforded it, dont think a lot of people understand how much some cars depreciate. I replaced it with a Fabia VRS diesel, 9 years old for for 4x as much as the Alfa and get no such comments.Should also point out half my colleagues making the comments where driving about in £5k of 3-5 year old corsa 1.2s xD
Troubleatmill said:
Fella.... you are living in a dream world.
It isn't a case of "f**k them"
Many of us ended up contracting not through choice.
Security: Again - you are in a dream world. There is no security in being employed. You are 1 month or 3 months from being on the dole. You are expendable. We all are. Security is a fallacy.
If I ran an SME - it would have pretty much 0 employees. The UK legislation and red tape is abhorrent. Everything - and I mean everything is easily outsourced. It doesn't matter what your skill set is. 99.9% chance - you are a commodity.
Image.... This is a hard one. The customer needs to believe they get the right person for the job - and image (in many cases is important ) - so turning up in Columbo's Peugeot charging premium rates - may ask questions.
Ditto - for a small company - and the consultant rucks up in an Aston. It is a balancing act.
And again.... until you have done it for a few years - and had good years - and bad.... you really can't comment on it with authority."
Shhhh! Don't let everyone know!It isn't a case of "f**k them"
Many of us ended up contracting not through choice.
Security: Again - you are in a dream world. There is no security in being employed. You are 1 month or 3 months from being on the dole. You are expendable. We all are. Security is a fallacy.
If I ran an SME - it would have pretty much 0 employees. The UK legislation and red tape is abhorrent. Everything - and I mean everything is easily outsourced. It doesn't matter what your skill set is. 99.9% chance - you are a commodity.
Image.... This is a hard one. The customer needs to believe they get the right person for the job - and image (in many cases is important ) - so turning up in Columbo's Peugeot charging premium rates - may ask questions.
Ditto - for a small company - and the consultant rucks up in an Aston. It is a balancing act.
And again.... until you have done it for a few years - and had good years - and bad.... you really can't comment on it with authority."
When I was in Switzerland my Business Division head was very proud of his 911 4S and used to park it alone on the 4th floor. If I was early or late in and I was leaving after him I would sometimes park the Ferrari next to him just to piss him off . He used to rant and rave about it but only myself and Finnish lunatic Alfaholic friend knew it was me.
Used to amuse the hell out if us. What was depressing though was up there there was also an A610 gathering dust with tyres slowly going flat that never seemed to move
Used to amuse the hell out if us. What was depressing though was up there there was also an A610 gathering dust with tyres slowly going flat that never seemed to move
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