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I recently posted a job for translators for which several people applied. The job however was closed by my client with out explanation, I just happened to mention that some money up front would not go amiss as he was a new client. This got me thinking should I ask for translators when I have a firm job to offer or should I ask when I get a request from a client. Does anyonehave any thoughts on the situation. I am a new agency just trying to improve the way I work.
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Claudia Iglesias Chile Local time: 07:08 Member (2002) Spanish to French + ...
Answer just to part of your question
Aug 22, 2002
\"should I ask for translators when I have a firm job to offer\"
If you call for translators several times and don\'t give a job, you\'re going to loose credibility. But you can call for translators explaining that you have a project, not sure yet, and you want to be ready. Every body understands that.
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Parrot Spain Local time: 13:08 Spanish to English + ...
Just being practical
Aug 22, 2002
From Spain (OK, I know that\'s generally no recommendation, but I believe we go the whole range).
Tayfun has a point about paying two bank charges: you if you cash a cheque, the client if he makes a transfer. The question was raised some time back as to whether a translator should ask for up-front on a 90-page job. In that case I said that it depended, I saw no reason for it - I have a 270-page book on the desk right now that is programmed to finish 3 weeks after delivery of... See more
From Spain (OK, I know that\'s generally no recommendation, but I believe we go the whole range).
Tayfun has a point about paying two bank charges: you if you cash a cheque, the client if he makes a transfer. The question was raised some time back as to whether a translator should ask for up-front on a 90-page job. In that case I said that it depended, I saw no reason for it - I have a 270-page book on the desk right now that is programmed to finish 3 weeks after delivery of text, so I didn\'t ask for up-front. My criteria was the 30-day payment/clearance that serves us in lieu of salary. I also have government clients who pay monthly, by invoice. And another government client that once proposed an 8-month job and paid an advance. But money as a basis of bona fides is a bit jarring in my part of the world, where a COMPANY is expected to deliver services before compensation, and the invoice/collection system is expected to function.
PS: I do not work as a company, nor am I a translation intermediary; I take full responsibility for my production. But I can\'t help seeing this as a matter of common sense. There are amounts for which fractioning payments actually comes out cheaper, and then you have a pre-convinced client (after all, what\'s his guarantee that you WILL deliver?) ▲ Collapse
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