Poll: Do you ask that your clients provide you with a Purchase Order before starting a project? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you ask that your clients provide you with a Purchase Order before starting a project?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nicole Maina. View the poll results »
| | | | Vera Schoen 
Sweden
Local time: 16:14
Member (2008)
German to Swedish
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Not a formal one, but I never start without a clear go ahead in writing (e-mail) which states delivery date, format and price.
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A request by e-mail accepting my cost estimate and payment term/method will do.
Sometimes it may be IM text over Skype.
For some frequent clients, a Nike ("Just do it.") phone call will suffice.
I worked with one client for over 20 years without ever learning what his company's PO looks like.
Conversely, I worked once for the translation division of a humongous worldwide business conglomerate. Their PO included sufficient food for thou... See more A request by e-mail accepting my cost estimate and payment term/method will do.
Sometimes it may be IM text over Skype.
For some frequent clients, a Nike ("Just do it.") phone call will suffice.
I worked with one client for over 20 years without ever learning what his company's PO looks like.
Conversely, I worked once for the translation division of a humongous worldwide business conglomerate. Their PO included sufficient food for thought to cause lively discussion among a legal team. I had trouble with them all the way, and our specific outcome was definitely not included in the array of all possible unfortunate epilogues listed on that PO. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:14
Spanish to English
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As far as I'm concerned, the less bumph and red tape involved in almost all aspects of life and work, the better.
However, perhaps I'm just lucky in that all my clients are trustworthy, and our relationships tend to be based on that. I do work with one agency which sends me a purchase order with each job, but apart from that, the only similar thing might be that some clients may ask for an estimate before confirming the translation/revision/correction, although it usually seems to be a fo... See more As far as I'm concerned, the less bumph and red tape involved in almost all aspects of life and work, the better.
However, perhaps I'm just lucky in that all my clients are trustworthy, and our relationships tend to be based on that. I do work with one agency which sends me a purchase order with each job, but apart from that, the only similar thing might be that some clients may ask for an estimate before confirming the translation/revision/correction, although it usually seems to be a formality, probably imposed by their accounting departments, as they very rarely turn down my deadlines and rates etc.
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bumph ▲ Collapse
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As I said before (another repeated poll) I've been doing business with some customers for so long that we know each other well enough and good old-fashioned trust is all we need. For new direct clients, I always send a formal quote stating price, delivery date and payment conditions and I will wait for a “green light”. For new agency clients, I've never had to ask for a PO. All the agencies I work with send some sort of PO, be it a formal one or just a reference number…
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 16:14
Member (2006)
German to English
Generally not as they are sent along automatically.
For newer, or occasional customers, yes.
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only to new clients or occasional clients.
| | | | | Depends what you mean by a purchase order | Oct 27, 2015 |
Definite instructions to go ahead can take many forms.
I did once sit up half the night translating 2000 words for a good client who had only asked if I was available... but that was many years ago, and I learned to read to the end of the e-mail twice before beginning to translate.
Many of my clients simply end the negotiations by repeating the fee and deadline, and wishing me 'God arbejdslyst', which means something like 'hope it goes smoothly' or 'all power to your el... See more Definite instructions to go ahead can take many forms.
I did once sit up half the night translating 2000 words for a good client who had only asked if I was available... but that was many years ago, and I learned to read to the end of the e-mail twice before beginning to translate.
Many of my clients simply end the negotiations by repeating the fee and deadline, and wishing me 'God arbejdslyst', which means something like 'hope it goes smoothly' or 'all power to your elbow'.
With several of them a one-line e-mail is clear enough:
The job's yours, order no. XXXX
Fine - looking forward to delivery as agreed this afternoon
which in fact are binding agreements when we get that far.
Others like a formally set out PO for their own system, but if they are in a hurry, I may start translating before it comes. ▲ Collapse
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and I find it very annoying, when they don't provide a PO (or work order or whatever they may call it) from the beginning, because of my own administrative procedures.
| | | | 564354352 (X)
Denmark
Local time: 16:14
Danish to English
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| Good grief, no | Oct 28, 2015 |
That would just add unnecessary 'virtual' paperwork, something I loathe.
But like others, I always make sure I have a clear agreement before I start working on a job.
| | | | | Either a PO or a clear green light | Oct 28, 2015 |
More than once I've made the mistake of starting on a job only to find out that it was canceled.
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 11:14
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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You can't require a PO from clients that do not work with PO's. In my first jobs, I always request one if the client/agency does not send one, but some of them simply don't use that system. Some people just send you an e-mail saying "please proceed", which added to the previous e-mail, is enough proof of the agreement.
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