| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | What if they ask you to lower your rates Thread poster: Rita Bilancio
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because of the Euro/$ rate?
Do I really have to consider it or not? What would you do?
| | | | Mulyadi Subali 
Indonesia
Local time: 21:47
Member
English to Indonesian
+ ...
| you don't have to | Oct 11, 2007 |
as usd continues to weaken against euro, your u.s. clients might ask you to lower your rate. it maybe because their other translators, such as me, who are not residing in europe, asked them to increase their rates...
personally, i won't consider lowering the rate for anything but project volume.
| | | | Marcelo Silveyra
United States
Local time: 07:47
Member (2007)
German to English
+ ...
| My personal recommendation: Don't | Oct 11, 2007 |
If you can afford not to, don't. You live in Europe and have to pay your bills in Euros, not in USD.
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Think the other way round : do you think anybody would be ready to increase your rates if one day the euro is weaker than $ ? of course not, it always works in the wrong way...
have a rate limit and stick by it
Regards
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Rita Bilancio
Local time: 16:47
English to Italian
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TOPIC STARTER
They would like me to work in a field I'm very keen on translating, so it is a tough decision...
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 16:47
English to German
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| Your decision | Oct 11, 2007 |
Hi Rita,
Do I really have to consider it or not?
You should consider the request, but whether or not you change your pricing is entirely up to you.
What would you do?
Nothing at all, since I'm working at 100% capacity.
Best, Ralf
| | | | | Same thing happened to me | Oct 11, 2007 |
I did give a lower rate, still within my acceptable limit, but it was still not low enough for the agency, who was offering work in my field ...
I had to turn down the opportunity (politely). The agency said they would keep my CV on file in case they have any jobs in the future where they can afford my rates
I have decided to focus on agencies in Europe who pay in my currency.
| | | | | You are the only one who can decide | Oct 11, 2007 |
Personally, I'd say no, but if you're not working at full capacity and the field interests you, it might be worth considering it.
However, as Marcelo points out, you live in Europe and your rate has to reflect that.
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Peter Linton (X)
Local time: 15:47
Swedish to English
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Rita Bilancio wrote:
They would like me to work in a field I'm very keen on translating, so it is a tough decision...
The experience in this field has a value to you that may make up for the lower rate. Go for it.
What you lose out on now you will be able to regain later when you can demonstrate experience in this field and charge accordingly.
| | | | Margreet Logmans (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 16:47
English to Dutch
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Depends on your usual rates to begin with.
If they ask to go from 10 cents to 2 cents per word- no, thanks.
If they ask to go from 10 cents to 5-7 cents, - maybe.
If they ask to go from 10 cents to 8 or 9 cents, yes.
In other words, what percentage is acceptable? What's the absolute minimum you are willing to work for? And does that still pay your bills?
Good luck!
| | | | | Link to other threads | Oct 11, 2007 |
Hi Rita,
you may find interesting these previous threads:
How has the weak US dollar affected your rates?
At least one client is not accepting the readjusted invoice ( EURO / USD )
In my opinion, Peter Linton points out something important: being at the beginning of your career, you should consider the benefits (experience...) you can obtain with this job, and the cons of lowering your rates (then the client is used to certain rates...)
Then, assuming you decide it is more important for you to gain experience, how much do you value such experience? Or, in other words: how much are you prepared to lower your rates? Up (actually down) to which rate is it all worth?
Set your own limits and then decide accordingly: you're the only one who can decide.
Just some ideas to reflect on...
Good luck,
Chiara ▲ Collapse
| | | | Luisa Fiorini
Italy
Local time: 16:47
Member
English to Italian
+ ...
| the same happened to me | Oct 11, 2007 |
Lori Cirefice wrote: I did give a lower rate, still within my acceptable limit, but it was still not low enough for the agency, who was offering work in my field ... I had to turn down the opportunity (politely). The agency said they would keep my CV on file in case they have any jobs in the future where they can afford my rates
Same experience (maybe also same agency, who knows?) and I turned it down.
I agree with Margreet: it depends on the percentage and on the rate you asked.
[Modificato alle 2007-10-11 12:16]
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 16:47
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
| Your question reveals much... | Oct 11, 2007 |
Rita Bilancio wrote:
What if they ask you to lower your rates because of the Euro/$ rate? Do I really have to consider it or not?
You are asking if you must consider it, because you suspect that they're not really serious when they say that you must do it before they'll consider buying your services. In other words, you're already thinking that they're lying to you.
And if you think they're lying to you, why are you even considering supplying them?
| | | | Angela Arnone
Local time: 16:47
Member (2004)
Italian to English
+ ...
| I fell for this trick at the beginning | Oct 11, 2007 |
This happened to me and I fell for it: they gave me oodles of work for big fashion magazines, travel magazines, art catalogues, you name it.
I was always so full of work, I had to turn down better-paid work (because, of course, there is better-paid work out there) until the day I couldn't stand it any more and I told them "no more".
I negotiate each project now. That way it's not a case of "lowering" or "raising" a rate, it's a case of coming to an agreement for a specific job... See more This happened to me and I fell for it: they gave me oodles of work for big fashion magazines, travel magazines, art catalogues, you name it.
I was always so full of work, I had to turn down better-paid work (because, of course, there is better-paid work out there) until the day I couldn't stand it any more and I told them "no more".
I negotiate each project now. That way it's not a case of "lowering" or "raising" a rate, it's a case of coming to an agreement for a specific job.
It works for me and just because I accept a job for XXX per word for one project, there is no strict rule that I will charge that the next time.
My customers are aware of that and it's rid me of the leeches (who took revenge by taking a year to pay my last invoice....).
Angela
Rita Bilancio wrote:
They would like me to work in a field I'm very keen on translating, so it is a tough decision... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 16:47
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
| Remember, USD 1 = EUR 0.7 | Oct 11, 2007 |
Rita Bilancio wrote:
They would like me to work in a field I'm very keen on translating, so it is a tough decision...
Think of it this way: they're basically asking for a 30% discount. If you're happy with that (and there is no reason why you shouldn't be, if you think you're going to enjoy the work), then that should be your decision.
But see my previous post...
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