To be honest, I have had good experience with BGC, RE, Success HRC and Capital Group during the times I was transitioning/unemployed:
- RE set me up with a local hospital. 3 month contract and the contract drafted did include all the usual clause like LD, how to fill up the form (in blocks of 15min), submission and pay date. I remember first pay deducted $50 or something because of successful referral.
- BGC set me up with one year contract with local telco call centre. When I sign contract the consultant verbally told me if I quit within 3 months, must pay 1 month salary. Fortunately for me, the contract itself did not say such thing. When the consultant called me to confirm my resignation and remind me of payment, I told her not in the contract so no obligation. Never heard back lol
- RE offered me to join them as a recruiter. I was quite tempted until a very uncomfortable interview with their chikopek boss. If anybody is interested in joining, you can expect around $2000-$2200 basic and need to work Saturday for 1 year. I am pretty sure you will get pay cut or be fired if you do not hit the sales quota but not sure because I never signed with them or took a look at the contract.
- Success HRC was also set me up with one year contract with a foreign bank call centre. They were not very active at following up for you though so need to constantly call and drop message. But they were pleasant to deal with overall - one of the better ones I reckon.
- Capital Group was efficient but sneaky. When we first talked, I told him my pay range and I was not willing to negotiate. He said no problem, set me up with a company that he said can match. Company wanted to proceed with me, he suddenly told me they cannot match and it was almost $1000 below what I wanted since it was hourly pay. Rejected him but company called me directly and gave me the pay I wanted. They even said they were happy to cut CG out of the picture because they did not have to pay commission and I joined their company with a better pay.
Anyway, my point is - got pros and cons la to dealing with agencies. My general feel is that if you approach agencies, you are desperate for a job/some income. Most agencies do rip you off to a certain extent because obviously they want their commission.
But at the end of the day, don't bite the hands that feed you la. They help you find a job, you also don't itchy backside want to quit just because don't like this or that. If you know you got 3 months contract, start looking for new job maybe mid of your 2nd month so you can escape the LD. Or if you like the current job, ask the employer directly if want to extend your contract or if got permanent direct vacancy.
It's not that the agencies are being unfair, but you aren't holding up your end of the (written and legal) bargain too.