Minimum fee, always or sometimes not?
Thread poster: Nina Spencer
Nina Spencer
Nina Spencer  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:48
English to Norwegian
+ ...
Aug 28, 2007

My question is about minimum fees.

I did quite a large project for an agency a while back. It was a translation of a user manual. Since then they have sent me (so far) 4 little additions to the translation. It isn't really the agency's fault , I think, as I think it is their client who is subsequently asking for words to be added (little notes, warnings etc). Some of these additions are as little as 10 words. Do I just do them (they need doing in tageditor and the memory updated etc
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My question is about minimum fees.

I did quite a large project for an agency a while back. It was a translation of a user manual. Since then they have sent me (so far) 4 little additions to the translation. It isn't really the agency's fault , I think, as I think it is their client who is subsequently asking for words to be added (little notes, warnings etc). Some of these additions are as little as 10 words. Do I just do them (they need doing in tageditor and the memory updated etc) at the per-word rate of the original project (i.e. not really worth it for me) or do I do them stating I will need to charge my minimum fee to cover admin-time etc?

What do others do?

Nina

[Edited at 2007-08-28 15:17]
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Margreet Logmans (X)
Margreet Logmans (X)  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 00:48
English to Dutch
+ ...
Depends; in this case... Aug 28, 2007

... I would add them all up and send an invoice once the total amount is a reasonable amount to send an invoice for. Because it is part of on ongoing project and you already have a TM for it and are familiar with it.

If they are 'stand alone' translations, I would apply the minimum fee.

My 2 cents!
Best,
Margreet


 
Deborah do Carmo
Deborah do Carmo  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 23:48
Dutch to English
+ ...
Agree with Margreet Aug 28, 2007

In this specific case, I'd just invoice them collectively as updates at the end of each month.

I usually charge updates on an hourly basis but that is agreed beforehand.

It would be a bit difficult - after having done the first four - to turn round now and start trying to negotiate a minimum fee anyhow, I'd imagine.

If the situation does really become abusive, then speak your mind, but on the current facts it's how I'd deal with it.


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In this specific case, I'd just invoice them collectively as updates at the end of each month.

I usually charge updates on an hourly basis but that is agreed beforehand.

It would be a bit difficult - after having done the first four - to turn round now and start trying to negotiate a minimum fee anyhow, I'd imagine.

If the situation does really become abusive, then speak your mind, but on the current facts it's how I'd deal with it.




[Edited at 2007-08-28 15:49]
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Claire Cox
Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:48
French to English
+ ...
See recent forum discussion Aug 28, 2007

Hi Nina,

This issue was discussed a couple of weeks ago:

See http://www.proz.com/post/641693

I think in your case I'd agree with the others and bill them at the end of the month. One-off small things should always attract a minimum fee though.

Good luck,

Claire


 


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Minimum fee, always or sometimes not?







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