| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When you communicate with a new customer, do you specify your minimum rate? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When you communicate with a new customer, do you specify your minimum rate?".
This poll was originally submitted by Silvia Barra. View the poll results »
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Unless it is about one page or less. In this case I apply minimum charge EUR 10 or $ 10 rather than minimum rate.
If a new customer's project is about charity or nature conservation, I can apply a discount, which may result in a rate even below my minimum.
[Редактировалось 2014-07-23 08:50 GMT]
| | | | | Does this mean the minimum rate I work for, or my minimum charge for a small job? | Jul 23, 2014 |
I voted no - I certainly do not tell new clients my minimum per-word rate if they are offering me something better!
If asked to suggest a rate, I try to assess a fair rate for the particular job and what I can expect from the part of the world where the client is. I quote an average to high rate, so I can negotiate a little if necessary.
I might mention my lowest charge for a small job if the job is very small. Otherwise I would probably only mention it when we reached ... See more I voted no - I certainly do not tell new clients my minimum per-word rate if they are offering me something better!
If asked to suggest a rate, I try to assess a fair rate for the particular job and what I can expect from the part of the world where the client is. I quote an average to high rate, so I can negotiate a little if necessary.
I might mention my lowest charge for a small job if the job is very small. Otherwise I would probably only mention it when we reached the point of discussing repeat jobs and rates in general, proofreading, deadlines and other terms.
I would not quote the whole range for a one-off client.
[Edited at 2014-07-23 11:16 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marjolein Snippe 
Netherlands
Local time: 16:51
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| I replied yes | Jul 23, 2014 |
I understood this as the minimum rate I work for, which essentially is my standard rate. Very occasionally, for a good client or for very general texts, I might drop below my standard rate but for all new clients my standard rate also serves as my minimum rate. I generally inform new customers about my rate so we won't end up wasting each other's time if my rates are clearly too high for them.
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I understood this to mean my lowest per-word rate. I certainly wouldn't tip my hand. On the contrary, I quote a rate in the middle range, and if they complain, I tell them that I often charge more. I already have clients that pay well - I am looking for more of the same.
I do have a minimum rate for small jobs. I would only quote that rate if the word count was lower than the equivalent of my minimum rate.
[Edited at 2014-07-23 09:06 GMT]
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Don't understand exactly what the question means! Anyway, when I communicate with a new customer it's in general an enquiry about a specific job and I charge accordingly...
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I read it as minimum charge
Otherwise I charge a flat rate per word for each customer
I give them all the info up front so there's no chance of confusion later
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 16:51
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Teresa Borges wrote:
Don't understand exactly what the question means! Anyway, when I communicate with a new customer it's in general an enquiry about a specific job and I charge accordingly...
If the question refers to providing a new client with all my rates, the answer is no. I provide my per word or hourly rate, depending on the type of service requested. Only if the project at hand is very small do I inform the new client about my minimum rate/charge for small jobs, as well as with the billing procedures of 1 or more small jobs.
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Never occurred to me the question could have meant "minimum charge". But I suppose it could, and would be more logical than what I thought it meant.....
....which is what it says, i.e. "minimum rate". And quite obviously, I'm hardly likely to go around broadcasting the lowest rate I'd consider working for (say, in a slack period) when it's equally obviously a bit lower than my usual rate. So no, I don't "specify my minimum rate", taking the words at face value (and there is no other... See more Never occurred to me the question could have meant "minimum charge". But I suppose it could, and would be more logical than what I thought it meant.....
....which is what it says, i.e. "minimum rate". And quite obviously, I'm hardly likely to go around broadcasting the lowest rate I'd consider working for (say, in a slack period) when it's equally obviously a bit lower than my usual rate. So no, I don't "specify my minimum rate", taking the words at face value (and there is no other context!). It would be lunacy.
At the same time, once discussion turns to filthy lucre, I usually make clear I'm mainly interested in the daily/weekly/monthly earnings I generate. I can be flexible ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:51
Spanish to English
+ ...
It depends. If they ask, I'll tell them my usual or basic rates. I don't really have a "minimum charge" per se.
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 16:51
Member (2006)
German to English
Why should I? I have my rate and if the customer does not want to pay it, then sorry. My garage does not have a minimum fee either, they supply quality that costs money and that is the same here
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 23:51
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
I would be exposing myself to abuse - some customers/clients will always try to lower the bar and knock you down a peg or two. And, I'm not a masochist. Well, at least not that much...
On a similar note, I always hate 'feeler' inquiries from potential new customers (generally LSPs) who ask me to quote with my 'best rate,' i.e. my lowest rate. That always bugs me.
So, when entering negotiations with a new... See more I would be exposing myself to abuse - some customers/clients will always try to lower the bar and knock you down a peg or two. And, I'm not a masochist. Well, at least not that much...
On a similar note, I always hate 'feeler' inquiries from potential new customers (generally LSPs) who ask me to quote with my 'best rate,' i.e. my lowest rate. That always bugs me.
So, when entering negotiations with a new customer/client, I start off with my preferred rate and see what happens from there. ▲ Collapse
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tilak raj
India
Local time: 20:21
Member (2012)
English to Punjabi
+ ...
If client accepts my given rate then why should I tell him/her my minimum price. If he bargains then I have to tell him/her that ...is my min. Price for work.
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Thayenga wrote: Teresa Borges wrote:
Don't understand exactly what the question means! Anyway, when I communicate with a new customer it's in general an enquiry about a specific job and I charge accordingly... If the question refers to providing a new client with all my rates, the answer is no. I provide my per word or hourly rate, depending on the type of service requested. Only if the project at hand is very small do I inform the new client about my minimum rate/charge for small jobs, as well as with the billing procedures of 1 or more small jobs.
Exactly.
I provide my rate based on the job needed.
| | | | | Minimum rate or minimum charge? | Jul 23, 2014 |
I understood this to mean my minimum charge, which I always set at what I would generally earn in one hour. And yes, I always tell new clients this, because it avoids and to-ing and fro-ing if and when they come back to me with a minimum rate job - I know I will have already told them about my minimum when they first contacted me.
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