posted 10 January 2003 16:20            

When a client or prospective client asks me for my "best" rate, I respond with my usual rate. If they say something like, "That seems too expensive for a 'best' rate, just give me your 'best' rate!" I always just smile and say, "That IS my best rate for the type of document we're discussing. You are paying for quality, and you get the best when you work with me."

[grin]

At that point, they either cave in or go somewhere else (and come back to me later when the cheaper translator has botched it up). Either is fine with me ...

posted 10 January 2003 16:58            

Okay Mackay, enough of this posting and back to my pharmaceutical report translation (this one's tuff stuff!)

Spani

posted 12 January 2003 03:54            

Another thing I just don't understand in the PROZ bidding process is how I am supposed to offer a rate for a job I haven't seen. Especially when it includes DTP in Powerpoint. Isn't it like saying 'I will do it for 1 dollar, no matter what'? Or do I miss something?

Actually, PROZ sends me emails quite frequently, and I can't believe that all those people and agencies want cheap rubbish. Or maybe I can. I have seen such attitude in telepnone contacts as well.

No, I better post it as a separate topic. Thanks for keeping company.

posted 14 January 2003 23:13            

If you are going to go for it on ProZ you should make it your policy that your rate is an estimate (not a quote) and that you reserve the right to turn down the job after seeing it. In a perfect world you should always see a job before giving a price but in my experience it doesn't always work that way. When a customer cannot produce the work before knowing the price I usually ask several questions about the job. My estimate, not a quote mind you, is given conditionally which is to be confirmed later. In practice I rarely have to deviate from my estimate when giving an actual quote.

posted 15 January 2003 08:12            

quote:

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Don't you just love those project managers or clients that can't even tell you the subject matter? Helloooooooooo!

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How many times have you had the conversation where you ask for the subject matter and the client doesn't know because it's not a language done in-house? Turns out their end-client has no idea what it's about and so sends it for translation instead "just in case". Makes me laugh every time to think they might be translating something entirely useless to them simply because no-one had the sense to ask around a bit....

All the best

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