Staffing Agencies/Recruiters

I applied for a job on Craigslist today and a recuiter from a top staffing agency called me. I don't know why I thought I was dealing directly with companies on Craigslist. It seems they dominate the ads every where these days, and I'm trying to get away from them. They are even on the state employment web search site.

I"m sick and tired of spending my time and money driving to their offices, and most times paying for parking, only to find out the job doesn't exist. They only want you to come in, fill out all their paper work so they can make a quota, and find out where you've been interviewing. They want to know where you've been so they can get leads as to who's hiring.

Mind you, I am currently dealing with one agency which is not like that, but the majority of them are, and I'm sick of it.

Am I alone? Who else out there are trying to get away from recruiting agencies and how do you handle it?

Gave up on them long time ago as well. Running to the other side of town during rush hour. Having them make me wait, then fast interview, go home take a bunch of tests on-line. Give me several packets of info, some on health insurance, some on privacy act, etc. Then, that's it, just keep calling, they tell you it's slow. I think when they see your age on the application, it's basically over.

i get three recruiters sometimes for the same job opening....

funny thing almost all the contracts i have managed to get have been via phone only.....resume speaks for itself