| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Some agencies are strange! Thread poster: Mats Wiman
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Sheila Wilson 
Spain
Local time: 22:37
Member (2007)
English
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| Definitely a case of "or what?" | Aug 23, 2012 |
ivanamdb wrote:
Got a reply from the PM saying just "already done"....
"already done" is not an email to someone you've only just started corresponding with. It's rude and totally unhelpful.
and then got a reply saying "I've already found another translator for this job, but if you still want to do it, no problem with me."
That's just bizarre! He doesn't care if you totally waste your time?
I am still a bit perplexed at this exchange of emails...did I get something wrong?
Nearly! You could have started working for this outsourcer, when communication really mattered and your time (i.e. money) would have been wasted. Lucky escape, I'd say!
| | | | ivanamdb
Local time: 22:37
Croatian to English
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| thanks Sheila! | Aug 24, 2012 |
thanks Sheila! I thought I was the crazy one when this e-mailing back and forth was going on... I thought I had misunderstood something, or there was something missing there. I even asked my husband to "interpret" the replies...
what an unprofessional approach, and the thing that got me really angry was not only the manners (or lack of) but the "who cares" attitude in the end. I did reply to him saying that "I might have mi... See more thanks Sheila! I thought I was the crazy one when this e-mailing back and forth was going on... I thought I had misunderstood something, or there was something missing there. I even asked my husband to "interpret" the replies...
what an unprofessional approach, and the thing that got me really angry was not only the manners (or lack of) but the "who cares" attitude in the end. I did reply to him saying that "I might have misunderstood the input/request, and to please put the required ETA for any future jobs".
I don't know why...but I have a feeling I won't be hearing back from this agency.
Ah, and oh no, I never start a job before I get an official written go-ahead from the agency (I know I might be a bit "strict" with my rules, but better safe than sorry). ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I always wonder... | Aug 24, 2012 |
... when an agency requests an urgent job and haggles over rates, whether they haven't already wasted 2-3 weeks searching for a cheaper translator to no avail.
| | | | Mats Wiman
Sweden
Local time: 23:37
Member (2000)
German to Swedish
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TOPIC STARTER In memoriam | Is it really urgent? | Aug 24, 2012 |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
... when an agency requests an urgent job and haggles over rates, whether they haven't already wasted 2-3 weeks searching for a cheaper translator to no avail.
Whatever the cause, if you want a favour and are not ready to pay for the favour (express delivery) the impression you convey ist that you are not entirely serious and thereby you diminish the confidence one might have for you as a business partner.
[Edited at 2012-08-24 15:39 GMT]
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ivanamdb
Local time: 22:37
Croatian to English
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José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
... when an agency requests an urgent job and haggles over rates, whether they haven't already wasted 2-3 weeks searching for a cheaper translator to no avail.
I totally agree, and most of the time it's true! I remember someone writing precisely that in the forum a long time ago, the way agencies subcontract to cheaper companies or inviduals, who in turn subcontract and so on, for an always lower price, and this is what happens.
| | | | Ildiko Santana
United States
Local time: 14:37
Member (2002)
Hungarian to English
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MODERATOR | agencies, flea market style | Aug 28, 2012 |
Thayenga wrote: I agree with Sheila that most agencies have budget limits that cannot be exceeded. ... And like Sheila, I state my rates (normal and rushed delivery) which the agency either accepts or rejects. .... it seems that some agencies are simply testing their luck to see if a translator will lower her/his price. That's their prerogative...as it's ours to accept or decline. 
I can second everything you say, Thayenga. When a potential client cannot simply say "no thank you" if their budget is below my rate but they try to haggle, my answer is always NO, for two reasons: 1/ I have no incentive to lower my rates and 2/ I don't find this "flea market" style attractive, at all. Any sign that indicates the agency cares more about price than quality is a red flag for me. I'd rather not work for someone at all than to be their favorite for my cheap labor. Here are two latest examples where I didn't even respond to their second attempt:
"...competitive rates will ensure a greater possibility of you receiving a regular flow of work from us. We have translators who charge us less than the rate you mentioned, so obviously they will be first choices when we get projects."
- "obviously"? thanks for the introduction! )
"Thanks for your mail, but your quote per word is too high for an agency like me.
So, please send us a better quote per word for me, in order to try to work in cooperation."
- "an agency like me" could indicate split personality, or...
- I was very tempted to send "them" a "better" quote (2 cents more would have worked better for me)
[Edited at 2012-08-28 07:17 GMT]
| | | | Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 17:37
Spanish to English
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| Re proposed jobs requiring same-day turnaround | Aug 28, 2012 |
I think that any freelancer who is contacted with such a request, and who is available to do the work, should make an offer and insist on a decision from the potential client within (an absolute maximum) of one hour. It simply is not fair for a translator to put his or her day on hold while waiting for a client's decision regarding an urgent job which, if contracted, may very well require a rearrangement of the translator's plans for that day, staying up into the wee hours of the morning, etc.... See more I think that any freelancer who is contacted with such a request, and who is available to do the work, should make an offer and insist on a decision from the potential client within (an absolute maximum) of one hour. It simply is not fair for a translator to put his or her day on hold while waiting for a client's decision regarding an urgent job which, if contracted, may very well require a rearrangement of the translator's plans for that day, staying up into the wee hours of the morning, etc.
So it is not only rate that is important (and I completely agree with Mats on that issue) in such a circumstance, but insistence that a decision be made quickly. ▲ Collapse
| | | | LEXpert
United States
Local time: 16:37
Member (2008)
Croatian to English
+ ...
.... it seems that some agencies are simply testing their luck to see if a translator will lower her/his price. That's their prerogative...as it's ours to accept or decline.
Definitely.
One example from my experience: "Thank you for your quote. We currently have translators providing us with quality translation in this pair for (70% of my rate). If you will work for this price, we will assign the project to you."
So why were they still talking to me if they already have cheaper resources on tap for quality that they have deemed acceptable?
Fortunately, as she usually does in such cases, DW kept me from a dashing off an ill-considered sarcastic reply. Ultimately, I stood my ground and got what I wanted for the job.
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| Any clue on what's their point? | Aug 28, 2012 |
Rudolf Vedo CT wrote:
One example from my experience: "Thank you for your quote. We currently have translators providing us with quality translation in this pair for (70% of my rate). If you will work for this price, we will assign the project to you."
First, if they already have someone who does it for whatever they are willing to pay, why waste their time on me? Why waste my time?
I understand that someone willing to buy a Tata could actually go to a Mercedes dealership just to enjoy a cup of free coffee or any other amenities they offer. However I offer no such amenities.
On the other hand, if I could actually do that work for what they are offering, *I* would be the one testing my luck, checking whether I could get away with a higher rate. According to my book, that's dishonest! Why would they insist in hiring such a crook?
Of course, if the client has limited resources, I'll be the one to offer them possibilities of getting the same service for less. It is happening as I write, right now. A writer hired me to translate his book. I read it through, and it's great! Maybe someday it'll turn into a movie. For the time being, he is footing the bill. As he is in no rush, the cast & crew are not standing by in Hollywood, I made a special plan for him, at generously lower rates. I translated the Intro, reviewed it, and delivered. Then I translated Chapter 1 to its end. Before I could review it, three standard jobs came in, so I put the book aside. As I delivered the last one this morning, I reviewed Chapter 1, delivered, and am just getting started on Chapter 2. A client asked about my availability later today afternoon. Yes, I'll be fully available, I can set that book aside any time and resume later.
Yet if a client approaches me now with an urgent job at rates equal or lower than I get from that book, why should I set it aside?
| | | | Adam Jarczyk
Poland
Local time: 23:37
Member (2009)
English to Polish
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| Very much the same experiences over here as well. | Aug 28, 2012 |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
Of course, if the client has limited resources, I'll be the one to offer them possibilities of getting the same service for less.
and later
Yet if a client approaches me now with an urgent job at rates equal or lower than I get from that book, why should I set it aside?
Very much the same case on my end.
It happened today as well, with me trying to offer options that might have worked out on my side, but lately some formerly good clients are just trying their luck. And the project in question was even urgent at that, and highly technical!
Finally we agreed on, "Thank you for asking my cooperation for your clients, but no, thanks, this time."
And I am already spending my available time on a more profitable and more interesting project in the queue.
Adam
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Some agencies are strange! | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
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