Poll: Do you have a discount system in place for at least some clients? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have a discount system in place for at least some clients?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | Yes (only for one client) | May 19, 2019 |
As a way of recognising my longest-standing customer...
I should add that the discount rates offered to this customer vary a lot and are always at my discretion.
[Edited at 2019-05-19 15:13 GMT]
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X) 
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 12:13
шпански на англиски
+ ...
| I voted "No," but then I remembered ... | May 19, 2019 |
In the past, I have offered discounts for clients for texts in areas that I was interested in supporting. I haven't done that in about 5 years.
| | | | neilmac
Шпанија
Local time: 21:13
шпански на англиски
+ ...
But I don't really see myself as a very systematic person. What I do is give discounts at my own discretion. For example, one academic client sent me a translation job a couple of months ago which I billed at my standard rate for these clients (it would be paid by the institution). Then, just before last weekend, they sent me a similar text, but a bit longer. They pleaded with me to charge them a more or less similar sum as for the previous work, because they are subject to departmental budgetar... See more But I don't really see myself as a very systematic person. What I do is give discounts at my own discretion. For example, one academic client sent me a translation job a couple of months ago which I billed at my standard rate for these clients (it would be paid by the institution). Then, just before last weekend, they sent me a similar text, but a bit longer. They pleaded with me to charge them a more or less similar sum as for the previous work, because they are subject to departmental budgetary restrictions. I explained that the standard rate for these texts usually includes revision ("proofing" if you like) by another person, but my reviewer was not available until the middle of the following week. As they were in a hurry, I agreed to bill them slightly less (10%), but on the understanding that this second pair of eyes would not apply in this case. They were only too happy to agree, and the translated paper delivered was well up to the standard of the target journal.
I take each case on its merits, and sometimes even apply a discount unsolicited. I don't really know or care what anybody else does, but that's the way I roll. ▲ Collapse
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I charge some clients more than others for a whole variety of reasons.
One client has a flat rate except when he negotiates a higher one for weekend work or some other reason - but pays the same for all words, with or without Trados.
Others have agreements that I charge less for Trados repeats, which are quite reasonable, because I have fired all the ones who exploit Trados beyond reason, or never worked with them in the first place.
If a direct client is a... See more I charge some clients more than others for a whole variety of reasons.
One client has a flat rate except when he negotiates a higher one for weekend work or some other reason - but pays the same for all words, with or without Trados.
Others have agreements that I charge less for Trados repeats, which are quite reasonable, because I have fired all the ones who exploit Trados beyond reason, or never worked with them in the first place.
If a direct client is a non-profit organisation, I either charge them the same rate as agencies for big jobs, or do the odd half page or small job for free.
When the client normally sends easy texts and the deadlines are flexible, I may charge a lower rate, or conversely I put the rate up when there is some fiendish piece of legalese and the client really wanted it yesterday…
In short, I don't have a fixed starting point to give discounts from. I provide a differentiated service and charge more or less according to the amount of work involved.
[Edited at 2019-05-19 19:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
Холандија
Local time: 21:13
Член (2006)
англиски на африканс
+ ...
| I don't have a "system", but... | May 19, 2019 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote:
Do you have a discount system in place for at least some clients?
No, I have no discount system. But I do charge different rates depending on circumstances.
A discount system can only work if your rates aren't normally determined through negotiation. Discount systems assume that you have a fixed rate that you always (or usually) charge, and then the rate drops when specific circumstances apply.
If you determine your rates mostly by negotiation (i.e. if you charge different rates for different clients and even different jobs for the same client), as I do, then there can't be discounts (and there certainly can't be a discount "system"). This is something that confuses some [new] translators when talking about discounts.
| | | | Kay Denney
Франција
Local time: 21:13
француски на англиски
I did offer a small discount or freebie in the New Year to clients I hoped to continue working with, but I don't think that deserves to be called a "system".
| | | | | I voted "No",....... | May 19, 2019 |
Because I don't have a discount system. I won't offer discounts ever. I hate "discounts".
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Rebecca Garber
Local time: 15:13
Член (2005)
германски на англиски
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| Not systematic | May 19, 2019 |
It's negotiated by each client per project.
For example, in amended claims: if 90% of the text is a repeat of a patent I am currently translating for them, then we negotiate a different rate for the amended text.
If I'm working from PDFs, then there has to be more than 30% of identical text. Not similar, identical.
Otherwise, I charge per word.
| | | | Michael Newton
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 15:13
јапонски на англиски
+ ...
If a translator is using a CAT tool, there should be no discounts.
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I offer my clients a 20% discount, if they grant me a PR support. This includes a positive feedback on my website and Proz.com, permission to use any results gained from the project for marketing purposes, permission to use their name, logo and products for marketing puposes, etc. I call it "The Anti-NDA Dicount".
[Edited at 2019-05-22 06:44 GMT]
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