Should I ask for more money? Thread poster: David Jessop
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Compañeros,
I am working on a transcription job, typing up a handwritten document in Spanish. However, when the client posted the job, it did not say anything about the text being barely legible. I am having a very difficult time reading the text as are several other people I asked to take a look at it. I am straining to read it and this is taking a long time. The rate I quoted was quite inexpensive because I thought I would just be typing up a normal, legible, handwritten document... See more Compañeros,
I am working on a transcription job, typing up a handwritten document in Spanish. However, when the client posted the job, it did not say anything about the text being barely legible. I am having a very difficult time reading the text as are several other people I asked to take a look at it. I am straining to read it and this is taking a long time. The rate I quoted was quite inexpensive because I thought I would just be typing up a normal, legible, handwritten document. Would I be in the right to ask for more money? And if so, do you think it would be likely that I would lose the job? Thanks.
David ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lia Fail (X) 
Spain
Local time: 14:38
Spanish to English
+ ...
David Jessop wrote:
Compañeros,
I am working on a transcription job, typing up a handwritten document in Spanish. However, when the client posted the job, it did not say anything about the text being barely legible. I am having a very difficult time reading the text as are several other people I asked to take a look at it. I am straining to read it and this is taking a long time. The rate I quoted was quite inexpensive because I thought I would just be typing up a normal, legible, handwritten document. Would I be in the right to ask for more money? And if so, do you think it would be likely that I would lose the job? Thanks.
David
My own feeling is no. Once you have agreed the terms you have made a contract and, although you may ask, they have every right to refuse, and still require you legally to comply.
Our work varies in terms of complexity so much that it is normal practice to ask to see the text first. If it's not digital (e.g. it's on paper, or PDF, or a fax), then you should take extra care.
You could discuss the problem with them, they may for example, agree to extend the deadline.
| | | | Sormane Gomes
United States
Local time: 08:38
Portuguese to English
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I normally charge a bit more for handwritten material, especially if they are hard to read. I once got some medical handwritten notes that drove me up the wall.
I agree with Ailish. You already accepted the job, and in my opinion it wouldn't look very professional to change your rate now. And it could be that one of the reasons they decided to go with you is because you didn't charge much, as you mentioned.
It happened to me once. And I just sucked it up.
Sorman... See more I normally charge a bit more for handwritten material, especially if they are hard to read. I once got some medical handwritten notes that drove me up the wall.
I agree with Ailish. You already accepted the job, and in my opinion it wouldn't look very professional to change your rate now. And it could be that one of the reasons they decided to go with you is because you didn't charge much, as you mentioned.
It happened to me once. And I just sucked it up.
Sormane ▲ Collapse
| | | | David Jessop
Laos
Member
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Ailish and Sormane for your quick replies. I appreciate your clarification and suggestions. Saludos!
David
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Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 06:38
English to Spanish
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In memoriam | Pig in a Poke | Jul 17, 2004 |
Just as you don't want to buy one, you don't want to take one on as a job either. As others have advised, I guess you just have to eat this one and chalk it up as a learning experience. Next time don't quote on anything until you see it.
This advice is doubled for anything having to do with transcribing and translating audio recordings. A lot of people have questions on that also. Don't ever quote in the dark.
| | | | | Adapt your rate earlier | Jul 18, 2004 |
There is always a risk that a job turns out to be significantly more difficult or time consuming than expected.
This should be taken into account when determining the general rate.
As soon as you will see the text and have time to check it, you may agree a lower rate for a really simple text or ask for a higher rate for any difficulties not mentioned in the inquiry.
That's a lesson which most translators have experienced. ... See more There is always a risk that a job turns out to be significantly more difficult or time consuming than expected.
This should be taken into account when determining the general rate.
As soon as you will see the text and have time to check it, you may agree a lower rate for a really simple text or ask for a higher rate for any difficulties not mentioned in the inquiry.
That's a lesson which most translators have experienced. ▲ Collapse
| | | | David Jessop
Laos
Member
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you and further questions! | Jul 18, 2004 |
Thank you to Tayfun, Henry, and Harry for the additional informative comments.
The client has offered to extend the job to include many more files and more importantly, translation of the document and not just transcription. I am pleased with his acceptance of my bid for translation, it is a fair price.
However, would I be in the right to bring to his attention that the transcription is taking significantly longer than I had expected before accepting the job and say t... See more Thank you to Tayfun, Henry, and Harry for the additional informative comments.
The client has offered to extend the job to include many more files and more importantly, translation of the document and not just transcription. I am pleased with his acceptance of my bid for translation, it is a fair price.
However, would I be in the right to bring to his attention that the transcription is taking significantly longer than I had expected before accepting the job and say that up to the original job length we keep the same rate and thereafter propose a new one? This seems more professional to me as I am meeting the original terms for the original job. How does this sound to you? Do you imagine this would go over alright?
Thanks again for everyone´s help!!
David ▲ Collapse
| | | | | New job new estimate | Jul 18, 2004 |
David Jessop wrote:
However, would I be in the right to bring to his attention that the transcription is taking significantly longer than I had expected before accepting the job and say that up to the original job length we keep the same rate and thereafter propose a new one? This seems more professional to me as I am meeting the original terms for the original job. How does this sound to you? Do you imagine this would go over alright?
This is exactly the time to tell your client what you have learned from the first job. In case he won't agree a surcharge for that nearly illegible text, you may offer to do the translation but let someone else do the transcription.
Depending on the translation rates compared to the transcription rates in your country this might be cheaper for both of you.
Have fun!
Harry
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José Luis Villanueva-Senchuk (X)
Argentina
Local time: 09:38
English to Spanish
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| José Luis Villanueva-Senchuk (X)
Argentina
Local time: 09:38
English to Spanish
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Henry Hinds wrote:
Just as you don't want to buy one, you don't want to take one on as a job either. As others have advised, I guess you just have to eat this one and chalk it up as a learning experience. Next time don't quote on anything until you see it.
This advice is doubled for anything having to do with transcribing and translating audio recordings. A lot of people have questions on that also. Don't ever quote in the dark.
Yes! Agree 100%.
JL
| | | | David Jessop
Laos
Member
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks José, you are correct, and I am investigating the matter and not doing any more work until I am paid partially upfront. Other users have alerted me as well.
Cheers.
David
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