| User | Thread poster: Olly Pekelharing Indian agency prepared to pay 'European'rate |
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Olly Pekelharing 
Netherlands
Local time: 02:08
 Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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I hope they don't read this, but an agency from India recently approached me to expand their database in my language pair (NL-EN). I started by quoting my rate of €0.11/word, and that's where it usually stops. But they actually agreed to it! At first I thought it was a scam, because they want me to do a small (less than 300 words) test translation, but when I wrote that I would be willing to do this test, but that it might take a few weeks because I'm rather busy (true), they replied that this was no problem and were looking forward to hearing from me! I checked the blueboard and there's nothing wrong with their track-record, though admittedly a limited number of postings on it. Of course I don't want to appear disparaging about Indian agencies, but I really didn't expect to find one offering European (or in any case Dutch) level rates. Conversely, I've been turned down by more than one Dutch agency in the past because my rates were too high for them. So I'm wondering what gives?
[Edited at 2012-01-14 17:06 GMT]
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Edward Potter
Spain
Local time: 02:08
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
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If and when they have a job for you, be prepared to re-negotiate this price.
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Olly Pekelharing
Netherlands
Local time: 02:08
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
TOPIC STARTER |
For some reason, only a bit of this post is displayed on my computer. See if its all there now... no, its not... weird... Moderator?
[Edited at 2012-01-14 17:06 GMT]
Thanks Emma!
[Edited at 2012-01-14 17:18 GMT]
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Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 02:08
 Member (2010)
Spanish to English
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Olly Pekelharing wrote:
For some reason, only a bit of this post is displayed on my computer. See if its all there now... no, its not... weird... Moderator?
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The symbol "less than" marks the beginning of BBcode. That's why the rest of your message doesn't appear.
Write it out in full and the problem will be solved
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Sigrid Andersen
Austria
Local time: 02:08
Member (2011)
Danish to German
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| | I had seveal agencies approaching me... | Jan 14 |
I had several agencies from rather unusual countries for this language pair (danish-german) approaching me lately, and they all pay well. Seems there might be a new trend.
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Anne and Paolo Boidi
France
Local time: 02:08
Member (2011)
Italian to English
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Edward Potter wrote:
If and when they have a job for you, be prepared to re-negotiate this price. |
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Totally agree. I find that there are generally no issues with my rates until there is a pending job and all of the sudden the budget issue comes up.
Maybe this situation will be different - I hope so for you!
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Spain
Local time: 02:08
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
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Unfortunately Indian companies are quick to accept other people's conditions until they have their problem solved, and then they forget everything.
They probably want to succeed in some translation test they have for some project and say that they will pay your usual rate... and when the actual work comes they will either not send you the job or they will offer half your rate, take it or leave it. But at that moment they will have solved their problem, i.e. getting the job with a high-quality test.
They will certainly be very grateful to you, but this will not mean they will end up paying your rate! As the colleague say, be ready for surprises!
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Anton Konashenok
Czech Republic
Local time: 02:08
Russian to English
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Although generally the Indian translation market is dominated by extremely low prices, I had a couple of assignments at normal European/American rates, and the clients followed the standard business protocol and paid on time as agreed. One of these jobs was very interesting, too. So keep your eyes open.
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Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:08
English to Italian
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
Unfortunately Indian companies are quick to accept other people's conditions until they have their problem solved, and then they forget everything.
They probably want to succeed in some translation test they have for some project and say that they will pay your usual rate... and when the actual work comes they will either not send you the job or they will offer half your rate, take it or leave it. But at that moment they will have solved their problem, i.e. getting the job with a high-quality test.
They will certainly be very grateful to you, but this will not mean they will end up paying your rate! As the colleague say, be ready for surprises! |
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you should rephrase your sentence and say "some Indian companies"? I never worked for any Indian company, but it seems a rather sweeping and offensive statement to make. Surely, not ALL Indian companies behave like this?
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matt robinson
Spain
Local time: 02:08
Member (2010)
Spanish to English
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I have only worked with one Indian agency, and to date I have had no more problems than with agencies from any other country.
My advice would be the same as for any other new business arrangement; start with small projects, build confidence, evaluate their working practices and then decide if you wish to continue.
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