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Asking for translators - should I have a definite job first?
Thread poster: Ron Clarey
Ron Clarey
Ron Clarey
Local time: 01:10
Aug 21, 2002

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.
 
Claudia Iglesias
Claudia Iglesias  Identity Verified
Chile
Local time: 20:10
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.
 
Parrot
Parrot  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 02:10
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
 
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:10
Member (2004)
English to Italian
Ron... Aug 22, 2002

why have you called your agency Translater.net, and not Translator.net? Just curious...



Giovanni
 


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Asking for translators - should I have a definite job first?







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