PROZ.com Rates Thread poster: Lexi-tech
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Lexi-tech 
Local time: 14:58
Italian to English
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I am presently working on pricing for a large project and I thought that Proz.com rates survey might come in useful as a general and overall pictures.
THe problem was that to look at the rates as an agency (Lexi-tech) I had to enter our rates as agency. And our rates as an agency are higher than the rates I might post as an individual freelance translator.
Now I am asking myself: do the rates include both freelance translators and agencies? Should not rates be listed separa... See more I am presently working on pricing for a large project and I thought that Proz.com rates survey might come in useful as a general and overall pictures.
THe problem was that to look at the rates as an agency (Lexi-tech) I had to enter our rates as agency. And our rates as an agency are higher than the rates I might post as an individual freelance translator.
Now I am asking myself: do the rates include both freelance translators and agencies? Should not rates be listed separately for the two groups? How trustworthy are the rates indicated as minimum and target?
Many thanks in advance for your input.
Paola Ludovici MacQuarrie
Recruiting Manager
Lexi-tech International
www.lexitech.ca
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| | | | Cristiana Coblis
Romania
Local time: 22:58
Member (2004)
English to Romanian
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| Hide the rates | Oct 31, 2002 |
At least this is what I do. There is this option to hide them from others if you do not want them to be seen.
Lately, I found that for bidding on a job you have to declare your rates or accept community rates for that pair.
I do not approve of this open rates policy, because we deal here with a lot of different markets with different rates. It is pointless to declare some rates and find that they do not fit any market.
I think that this is a measure to try and buil... See more At least this is what I do. There is this option to hide them from others if you do not want them to be seen.
Lately, I found that for bidding on a job you have to declare your rates or accept community rates for that pair.
I do not approve of this open rates policy, because we deal here with a lot of different markets with different rates. It is pointless to declare some rates and find that they do not fit any market.
I think that this is a measure to try and build an universal translation market. Personally I prefer to keep the rates between me and my clients.
It is obvious that you cannot ask the same as a freelancer and translator. Maybe you should try to build a separate profile as freelancer. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | You are right, Cristiana | Nov 1, 2002 |
I am registered on Proz.com both as a freelance translator (something I did full time until last March) and as rep. for an agency (my new job). I don\'t mind showing our rates, and I must tell you that as an agency the possibility of viewing rates of freelance translators posted on their profile page is a great help, and we do not necessarily look always for the lowest rate.
My question was directed more to the reliability of the rates, considering that the average rate includes both ... See more I am registered on Proz.com both as a freelance translator (something I did full time until last March) and as rep. for an agency (my new job). I don\'t mind showing our rates, and I must tell you that as an agency the possibility of viewing rates of freelance translators posted on their profile page is a great help, and we do not necessarily look always for the lowest rate.
My question was directed more to the reliability of the rates, considering that the average rate includes both agencies and freelance translators who quote different rates for obvious reasons.
I did enter our rates as an agency (even if they are not too accurate in that we have different rates depending on volume, language, rush delivery, type of translation, etc.)
Thank you and I look forward to the input of other colleagues.
ciao
paola l m
[ This Message was edited by: on 2002-11-01 13:12 ] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Good point, Paola! | Nov 2, 2002 |
Dear Paola,
I hadn\'t considered this possibility, but I think we should ask Henry about it. To be honest, I would prefer, if agency rates were included  ) for obviuos reasons 
Still, there are some freelance colleagues showing \"agency\" in their profiles, only because they are \"united\" or they offer their services together (perhaps they share equipment, offic... See more Dear Paola,
I hadn\'t considered this possibility, but I think we should ask Henry about it. To be honest, I would prefer, if agency rates were included ) for obviuos reasons
Still, there are some freelance colleagues showing \"agency\" in their profiles, only because they are \"united\" or they offer their services together (perhaps they share equipment, office and means), even though their rates are \"freelance rates\". IMO a clear \"automatic\" (done by a robot)distinction is difficult to draw this way.
Have a nice weekend,
Giuliana
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NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 15:58
Member (2002)
French to English
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MODERATOR | Rates should be more flexible | Nov 2, 2002 |
I find that rates should be more flexible, just because the difference, to me, between translating run-of-the-mill correspondence is much less time-consuming than highly technical or specialised language.
Plus the 3-month freeze makes it difficult indeed when you first join ProZ. I am fortunate that two agencies this week offered me work even though my posted rates were higher than what they could pay; of course my rates are negotiable, but I\'m afraid I\'ve cut myself off many jobs be... See more I find that rates should be more flexible, just because the difference, to me, between translating run-of-the-mill correspondence is much less time-consuming than highly technical or specialised language.
Plus the 3-month freeze makes it difficult indeed when you first join ProZ. I am fortunate that two agencies this week offered me work even though my posted rates were higher than what they could pay; of course my rates are negotiable, but I\'m afraid I\'ve cut myself off many jobs because of the intransigence of the system.
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| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 21:58
English to German
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| All the flexibility you need... | Nov 2, 2002 |
Quote:
On 2002-11-02 17:01, NancyLynn wrote:
I find that rates should be more flexible, just because the difference, to me, between translating run-of-the-mill correspondence is much less time-consuming than highly technical or specialised language.
Your maximum rate is 2.5 times your minimum - this should take care of pretty much everything that comes across...
Quote:... See more Quote:
On 2002-11-02 17:01, NancyLynn wrote:
I find that rates should be more flexible, just because the difference, to me, between translating run-of-the-mill correspondence is much less time-consuming than highly technical or specialised language.
Your maximum rate is 2.5 times your minimum - this should take care of pretty much everything that comes across...
Quote:
Plus the 3-month freeze makes it difficult indeed when you first join ProZ. I am fortunate that two agencies this week offered me work even though my posted rates were higher than what they could pay; of course my rates are negotiable, but I\'m afraid I\'ve cut myself off many jobs because of the intransigence of the system.
If members were given the chance to change rates on an on-going basis, the system would make itself redundant, since everyone could adapt their \"minimum rate\" to fit whoever comes along - back to the situation where agencies offer a job at, say, 8 cents, and a number of ProZ members undercut each other and end up offering 5 cents (or worse). Nice from the agency\'s point of view - but that\'s exactly the situation the rates system was designed to avoid.
I accept your point about running the risk of setting inappropriate rates as a newcomer to the site (although your rates do not strike me as particulary high...). In the event of a bona fide mistake, I suggest you contact ProZ via a Support Request, and ask them to adjust your rates on your behalf. ▲ Collapse
| | | | NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 15:58
Member (2002)
French to English
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MODERATOR
You\'ve reassured me on this point. So my rates are not particularly high... one agency warns: if your rates are too high, and we do not make a profit, there is no job.
Indeed, they drew it up as an equation
your rate + our rate = too high; no job
So I now really understand why freelancers should not be able to undercut each other; we\'d end up working for free. As Paola mentioned, it\'s not always the lowest rate that gets the job! Quality and reliabilit... See more You\'ve reassured me on this point. So my rates are not particularly high... one agency warns: if your rates are too high, and we do not make a profit, there is no job.
Indeed, they drew it up as an equation
your rate + our rate = too high; no job
So I now really understand why freelancers should not be able to undercut each other; we\'d end up working for free. As Paola mentioned, it\'s not always the lowest rate that gets the job! Quality and reliability must count for something too. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 21:58
English to German
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| A few additional points in this context | Nov 6, 2002 |
Quote:
On 2002-11-06 13:29, NancyLynn wrote:
You\'ve reassured me on this point. So my rates are not particularly high...
Not from my perspective, that is. You should bear in mind that I operate in a niche market where the rates are significantly above average.
Quote:
one agency warns: if your rates are too high, and we do not m
... See more Quote:
On 2002-11-06 13:29, NancyLynn wrote:
You\'ve reassured me on this point. So my rates are not particularly high...
Not from my perspective, that is. You should bear in mind that I operate in a niche market where the rates are significantly above average.
Quote:
one agency warns: if your rates are too high, and we do not make a profit, there is no job.
Indeed, they drew it up as an equation
your rate + our rate = too high; no job
Beautiful. Of course, they are right to a certain extent: they will only be able to stay in business if they pay you less than what they get from their customers. The crucial question, however, is whether that particular agency sells its services primarily based on price (in which case they\'ll squeeze you as far as possible), or based on quality and service (which would allow them to extract a higher price, and to afford paying you more).
Quote:
So I now really understand why freelancers should not be able to undercut each other; we\'d end up working for free. As Paola mentioned, it\'s not always the lowest rate that gets the job! Quality and reliability must count for something too.
Very true - although sticking to high rates won\'t help you pay your bills if there is no alternative. Bearing this in mind, it\'s worth taking a few moments to decide
- who you should target as customers
- how you can do that
- why they should choose you.
This thread might be interesting, too: www.proz.com/?sp=bb/viewtopic&topic=6118&forum=13&2 ▲ Collapse
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