Do we have to pay 2 recruitment agencies if both provided same details?

[kittyhawk1972]

What is the name of your state? England, UK

We recently used 2 recruitment agencies to fill a very specific vacancy.

Agency A immediately recommended a candidate over the phone in particular and later faxed her CV along with others.

Agency B faxed several CV's, including the same candidate.

All CV's were compiled during the week and then reviewed. Suitable candidates were selected for interview. As Agency A had lower fees, we selected the candidate through Agency A and have subsequently offered her the job.

Agency B are now asking for payment as they faxed her CV although all interview arrangements and negotiations were with Agency A.

Surely we are not obliged to pay.

Any help / advice appreciated.

 

[cbg]

And what does your contract with them say?

 

[Beth3]

kittyhawk, this site deals exclusively with U.S. laws but I'd guess the legal issues involved here are very similar between out countries. In a nutshell, this is the type of thing of which lawsuits are made.

Both agencies forwarded this resume; both agencies now want their fee. What SHOULD have happened is that the moment Agency B forwarded the same resume previously received from Agency A, Agency B should have been notified of that. When an employer is working with multiple contingency firms, somebody needs to keep on top of this kind of thing throughout the process.

If Agency B is insisting on being paid, then your company needs to consult with an attorney.