posted 12 January 2003 03:57            

Is it right to specify a general rate without seing the job?

For example, if someone calls me and says 'What is your rate for a A4 size page?'. And when I say 'Well, send me the text, or at least a sample, then I'll tell you' he says 'No, I just want to know your general price level'. (They do ask exactly like this.)

Thank you.

posted 12 January 2003 08:43            

Personally, when asked to give a price for a document I've never seen, I just give the most expensive rate I offer and then tell them I may come down on price subject to sight of the document. You can always come down on price, but going up is much harder.

As for Pro-Z bidding? I don't bother. From what I've heard from other people the majority of (but by no means all, note!!) companies asking for translators on there are looking for "quick and dirty" translation - you know, the kind of thing that forces down market prices and gives us all a bad reputation...

Hope this helps!

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posted 14 January 2003 03:10            

For what it's worth, the agency I work at tells the enquirer our rates based on the information they give us, but we make it clear that it could go either up or down once we see the document (naturally we give them a firm price once we've seen the document). They almost never have any problem with that, and it never causes them to give the job to someone else instead of us.

In my very humble opinion (I should make it clear that I've never taken part in this kind of thing as an independent translator), you should give 'em a rate, but make it clear that it's subject to change once you get the document. I mean, if, as you say, they want to know your "general price level", then you can only give them a "general " answer. Surely they'll understand.

posted 14 January 2003 08:11            

quote:

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I mean, if, as you say, they want to know your "general price level", then you can only give them a "general " answer. Surely they'll understand.

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This is a good point, actually. I find the reaction of any company to that statement is often directly proportional to how much trouble they'll be as a client!!

If the company says "sure, no problem. Give us a price and then we'll review it once you see the actual document for translation", it's a reasonably safe bet that they'll be professional, pleasant to deal with and - more importantly - conscientious about paying their bills.

But if they umm and ahh about it, demand a fixed price there and then and aren't keen to consider a revised price once you've seen the text, this should ring some fairly loud warning bells. Not all of them are bad payers or difficult to deal with - some are just under pressure from their clients. But it's worth being aware of the potential pitfalls if they behave like this....

All the best

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apollo@translatortips.net