What is meant by "PO"? Thread poster: Åsa_Maria K
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Åsa_Maria K 
Sweden
Local time: 12:23
English to Swedish
I just received a job for a client who says "Please do't start without a PO".
What does she mean?
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 12:23
English to German
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| PO = purchase order | Oct 25, 2007 |
What the client tells you is to wait for their purchase order.
HTH, Ralf
| | | | Åsa_Maria K
Sweden
Local time: 12:23
English to Swedish
TOPIC STARTER
I am new in this business, as you might understand...:-)
| | | | Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 12:23
English to Dutch
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A 'Purchase Order' or 'Project Order' is a document that lists what you are supposed to do (which documents should be translated/reviewed into which language), some characteristics of the job (number of words, number of full/partial/no matches), how to deliver (by e-mail, by mail, by FTP, as .doc, TM included or not, etc), when to deliver (deadline, in one go or bit by bit), and last but not least, what they're gonna pay you.
Some agencies have more elaborate PO's then others, but above it... See more A 'Purchase Order' or 'Project Order' is a document that lists what you are supposed to do (which documents should be translated/reviewed into which language), some characteristics of the job (number of words, number of full/partial/no matches), how to deliver (by e-mail, by mail, by FTP, as .doc, TM included or not, etc), when to deliver (deadline, in one go or bit by bit), and last but not least, what they're gonna pay you.
Some agencies have more elaborate PO's then others, but above items are usually included.
The reason they want you to wait, is that they probably have asked several translators whether they are available, and haven't decided yet who will get the job. Or they (quite decently) want to give you the chance to properly evaluate all the aspects of the job, so you can decline if something is not to your liking. ▲ Collapse
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| | | Legally binding | Oct 25, 2007 |
In some European countries the agency does not consider itself legally bound until it issues a PO. I always insist on one before doing any work, as I got stitched up by a French agency who assigned the job to me but didn't send a PO. When I sent them the translation they said they had never confirmed the order and refused to pay.
As they say in Bosnia, 'svaka skola se placa'.
| | | | Hepburn
France
Local time: 12:23
English to French
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| Trust the French ;-) | Oct 25, 2007 |
John Farebrother wrote:
I always insist on one before doing any work, as I got stitched up by a French agency who assigned the job to me but didn't send a PO. When I sent them the translation they said they had never confirmed the order and refused to pay.
But do NOT trust the P.Os!
In my experience the more elaborate the PO, the least trustworthy it is. The more they demand in the PO, the less likely they are to pay you within a reasonable delay and usually: it is not a rule, but it is what I noticed over the years.
I certanily do not insist on a PO now and get it rather seldom.
At the moment I am bound by a monthly PO, which I hate: All the work done for this agency is listed and they send me a monthly PO at the end of the month, to be paid 30 days later. Officially, I always refuse the 45 or 60 days payments, but that PO system means that if I do some work for them at the beginning of the month, I have to wait for the PO at the end of that month to send the invoice. If for any reason I send the invoice 8 days later or if they send the PO with some delay - which happens - that means that in the best of cases I will get paid 60 days after I delivered the first jobs, more often 68 days. That drives me mad.
Why do I keep on working for them? Because they send me work every week and I enjoy that type of work.
So a PO is not always what it looks like and can bring its load of frustration.
I have never had any problem with people who do not send me POs: isn't it strange?
Claudette
| | | | Buck
Netherlands
Local time: 12:23
Dutch to English
| No PO, no GO | Oct 25, 2007 |
Hi. If your client says that every job needs a PO, make sure you get it before you start working on the job.
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| Also they may need the OK from their customer | Oct 25, 2007 |
And you shouldn't start before your customer tells you so (meaning that they got their purchase order from their client).
About PO or not PO, from my experience the PO (or lack thereof) doesn't tell you anything about a company's solvency.
Some agencies send a PO with the files to translate, others just a reference number and the files to translate. Even worse for a 1-off mid-sized job from an unknown company without BB from a remote country, it was just a signature on the qu... See more And you shouldn't start before your customer tells you so (meaning that they got their purchase order from their client).
About PO or not PO, from my experience the PO (or lack thereof) doesn't tell you anything about a company's solvency.
Some agencies send a PO with the files to translate, others just a reference number and the files to translate. Even worse for a 1-off mid-sized job from an unknown company without BB from a remote country, it was just a signature on the quotation sheet (doubtful and risky? Very, I just checked their phone number was actually registered and operating. But I got paid in full in 20 days).
Typically, large companies send a PO as per their procedures, smaller ones can't be bothered and reference number tracking is good enough. Either type can be crooks or fantastic customers...
My only non-payment was from a French agency (oh no, not again) that used to send proper POs (before they went down the pan). But I also deal with very good French agencies.
So my experience tells me not to bother too much about POs, but to unleash the dogs as soon as I feel payment is too delayed for my liking...
Goodnight,
Philippe ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Similar to Claudette | Oct 26, 2007 |
The only agency I ever worked with from the Blue Board that insisted on a PO never did pay me. They are also the only agency that ever failed to pay ...
However, if they insist don't go ahead without the PO.
Good luck!
| | | | Brandis (X)
Local time: 12:23
English to German
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| here are a few terms... | Oct 26, 2007 |
PO = purchase order /procurement order
CO= circular order
cc = not carbon copy, but circular contract
TC = Term contract
pc= a contract for the whole project, only one translator finishes this.
There are many such terms
good luck Best regards, Brandis
| | | | Åsa_Maria K
Sweden
Local time: 12:23
English to Swedish
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you for your comments! | Oct 26, 2007 |
They are very helpful to a newcomer like me.
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