| Страници во темата: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you inform potential clients of your rates in your first contact? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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Instantly weeds out most of the chancers!
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No point wasting each other's time if they are never going to accept my rates anyway.
| | | | neilmac
Шпанија
Local time: 11:22
шпански на англиски
+ ...
It depends - I don't immediately volunteer my rates. Clients usually approach me first, so I usually wait until they ask, as I'm generally more interested in how much they intend to pay, or indeed if they have any notion of the going rates.
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Marjolein Snippe wrote:
No point wasting each other's time if they are never going to accept my rates anyway.
And not only that, also the payment terms as well.
| | | | | Only if they ask about them | Mar 28, 2014 |
I offer a somewhat varied array of services around translation, e.g. plain translation, sworn translation (statutory rates), video translation for dubbing or subtitling, subtitling itself, DVD authoring, DTP, PDF, etc.
Since each job has its peculiarities, a simple price list "on the wall" won't cut it. Furthermore, I offer three price options for typical combinations of payment term and method (which cause some significant difference in price where I live).
If they giv... See more I offer a somewhat varied array of services around translation, e.g. plain translation, sworn translation (statutory rates), video translation for dubbing or subtitling, subtitling itself, DVD authoring, DTP, PDF, etc.
Since each job has its peculiarities, a simple price list "on the wall" won't cut it. Furthermore, I offer three price options for typical combinations of payment term and method (which cause some significant difference in price where I live).
If they give me enough information on the job and ask about rates, I'll tell them right away. ▲ Collapse
| | | | macimovic
Холандија
Local time: 11:22
англиски на српски
+ ...
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
I offer a somewhat varied array of services around translation, e.g. plain translation, sworn translation (statutory rates), video translation for dubbing or subtitling, subtitling itself, DVD authoring, DTP, PDF, etc.
Since each job has its peculiarities, a simple price list "on the wall" won't cut it. Furthermore, I offer three price options for typical combinations of payment term and method (which cause some significant difference in price where I live).
If they give me enough information on the job and ask about rates, I'll tell them right away.
Just as José said.
I mention them when they ask me actually and I always point out some factors that may affect my rates.
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Very often the client approaches me first, and if they mention a rate, it colours my answer.
Sometimes I have been pleasantly surprised, and in that case I happily accept.
Otherwise I fish a little and negotiate, if I think there is a chance of a reasonable level, but if it is clearly a client who only expects to pay half my minimum, I tell them my average rate (possibly adjusted for the type of text). Then I refuse to budge, and they usually go away!
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Enrico Zoffoli 
Италија
Local time: 11:22
Член
германски на италијански
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I don't contact new clients, they contact me. And lately I always turn down any offer before we can even negotiate a rate, since I'm already far too busy.
| | | | MikeTrans
Германија
Local time: 11:22
италијански на германски
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| I answered yes, but... | Mar 28, 2014 |
...generally yes if it's a serious agency proposing me a precise job, in this case the completness of information is important for both sides. Generally no for private first time clients, but it all depends on the situation.
Mike
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I used to negotiate prices, but now as of this year I just state my rates for 2014 - take it or leave it,
and that saves me a lot of hassle and time. Separates the sheep from the goats, so to speak.
But this you can only do, once you have a regular client base willing to pay reasonable rates.
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But it's more a case of 'you show me your's first and I'll show you mine.'
If I get asked about rates from a completely new entity, I ask them for their terms and conditions and rates before I venture to divulge what I feel is privy information. If they are serious, they will provide me with a lot more information so that I can decide whether they are an attractive party -- after all these are the opening advances in a potential courtship.
If they aren't, I won't hear from the... See more But it's more a case of 'you show me your's first and I'll show you mine.'
If I get asked about rates from a completely new entity, I ask them for their terms and conditions and rates before I venture to divulge what I feel is privy information. If they are serious, they will provide me with a lot more information so that I can decide whether they are an attractive party -- after all these are the opening advances in a potential courtship.
If they aren't, I won't hear from them again, which is just perfect with me. I don't like being stood up at the altar once they've found out that we are not mutually compatible. Ouch! 
I'm always miffed that translators have to divulge more information than the person making the initial overtures. Grrr.... ▲ Collapse
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Chris S wrote:
Instantly weeds out most of the chancers!
It's best to filter out the least serious and frivolous ones at an early stage instead of allowing the negotiation process to become protracted over countless time-consuming e-mails to eventually find out that you both weren't meant to be a happy couple (see my previous post). 
[Edited at 2014-03-29 02:15 GMT]
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 05:22
Член (2005)
германски на англиски
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| I've become more upfront about my rates | Mar 28, 2014 |
I went through several levels of negotiations, tests, discussions of expertise, CAT tools, and then the agency told me that they could only pay me 80% of my rate.
They explained (quite earnestly) that if I did not lower my rates, then I would not get as many projects from them.
I explained that I already had quite a bit of work, and that I would generally choose a better-paying project from one of my long-term clients than a discounted project from them. Why should I spend my time ... See more I went through several levels of negotiations, tests, discussions of expertise, CAT tools, and then the agency told me that they could only pay me 80% of my rate.
They explained (quite earnestly) that if I did not lower my rates, then I would not get as many projects from them.
I explained that I already had quite a bit of work, and that I would generally choose a better-paying project from one of my long-term clients than a discounted project from them. Why should I spend my time at a 20% pay cut?
Has anyone else gotten this response as a reason for cutting your rates?
"Our clients are very prestigious, so why aren't you willing [to take a paycut] to work for them?"
What does the prestige of the agency's clients have to do with my rates?
Prestige doesn't pay my bills. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! | Mar 28, 2014 |
I've found all of the comments above very interesting and useful.
I suggested the poll because I find that (probably because I still have a lot to learn about this profession) my initial instinct is that, as a strategy, not disclosing my rates in my first contact may give me some room for negotiation and for the potential client to become interested in the services and quality I have to offer. This approach has proven successful in that they often are indeed interested, but then ask... See more I've found all of the comments above very interesting and useful.
I suggested the poll because I find that (probably because I still have a lot to learn about this profession) my initial instinct is that, as a strategy, not disclosing my rates in my first contact may give me some room for negotiation and for the potential client to become interested in the services and quality I have to offer. This approach has proven successful in that they often are indeed interested, but then ask about my rates, and then I reply, and then... I usually don't hear from them again.
So, as most of you said, I guess being more straightforward about this might save everyone some time.
And I will have to keep repeating to myself that more serious clients are yet to come! ▲ Collapse
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