Many thanks Ralf for your quick and edifying reply. And special thanks for pointing out that asking for an advance could put me out of the running!
Best,
Kathy
Ralf Lemster wrote:
Hi Kathy,
Welcome to ProZ.com. Taking an upfront deposit from an unknown customer is a good idea in principle - obviously, you might set yourself at a disadvantage compared to others. Don't get me wrong: we did a major translation job for an exchange-listed American company earlier this year; since we didn't know the customer, we demanded (and got) 40% upfront. So I'm not telling you not to do it - you just need to be aware of the fact that others might not require this. Obviously, you'll have the last laugh if that customer turns out to be a "bad apple".
In any case (and particularly if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot demand a deposit), make sure to get proper documentation (i.e. a written purchase order, at least by fax), and ensure to check the outsourcer's reputation and business practices, e.g. on the ProZ.com Blue Board.
Best regards,
Ralf