ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | babli

Sonia Fili — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:41:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Sonia Fili
Post title: babli

[quote]babli wrote:

But when it comes to payment, there is no urgency from the agency's side. They take their own sweet time.

Swati [/quote]

Dear, I totally agree with you, when it comes to payment...no comment on it.
I also hate the word "urgent"...it reminds me of texts with high difficulty level.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Urgent

babli — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:01:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: babli
Post title: Urgent

This word "Urgent" is always imposed on the translator by the translating agency. I agree with Carla, that the translating agency always expects a high quality translation. Such kind of translation work is at times very tedious and mentally taxing, which leads to oversight of mistake.

But when it comes to payment, there is no urgency from the agency's side. They take their own sweet time.

Swati

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Why is Trados required so often?

Thomas Johansson — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:21:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Thomas Johansson
Post title: Why is Trados required so often?

[quote]José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:

But Trados is like some kind of a religion. If it becomes a mandatory standard[/quote]

I am trying to understand this. Why is it that so many clients require TRADOS? Is it a completely free and arbitrary choice on their part or are they somehow themselves pushed to it?

Thomas

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Our client says they will pay us in xx days/weeks

Fiona Stephenson — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Fiona Stephenson
Post title: Our client says they will pay us in xx days/weeks

And what does that have to do with me? I'm working for you, not your client.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | CV and best rates

Hilary Davies Shelby — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:12:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Hilary Davies Shelby
Post title: CV and best rates

Just a wee rant -

This morning I got an email via my Proz profile requesting a copy of my CV and my "best rates". All my work experience and qualifications are listed on my profile, together with my rates. Obviously expecting agencies to actually READ your profile when they're looking up your contact info is too much to ask....

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | I have translated the doc myself (or the client has)

keelin feeney — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: keelin feeney
Post title: I have translated the doc myself (or the client has)

I totally agree with Patricia Ferro. I look at these documents with dreaded fear as I know that I will have to change the entire text and turn it around, which is more time-consuming than translating myself as I also have to deal with "Spanglish".

And of course, I get paid less so it is really not worth the trouble.

[Edited at 2008-04-04 11:29]

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Best rates

Finn Skovgaard (X) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:37:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Finn Skovgaard (X)
Post title: Best rates

"Best rates" - I hate it. Would they expect me to send them my worst rates if they didn't ask? It sounds like the crooks who answer online ads with requests to know "the last selling price", to which I have occasionally replied that the first and last price appears in the ad. My replies to such requests are very short.

Pay after 60 days or more. Anyway, I occasionally accept it IF their blueboard record is very good AND they agree to pay a supplement for the credit costs. If they start discussing it, I tell them that it would not be fair to clients who pay quickly if they should pay the same price as those who pay much later.

No or lower pay for repeat words. When I ask them if it's ok if I leave the repeat words out of the translation, I don't hear any more. I only reduce the price if there are clear blocks of repeat items, columns of numbers etc. that truly make the work quicker.

Free sample translation. I can get free samples on the food markets in France but not many other places. If I'm not sure about a produce, I buy a small quantity to try it. Why can't agencies do that?

Native translators only. I'm Danish, have been an IT specialist for 20 years but never used Danish software or manuals. English only, and a bit of French. Written computer manuals in English. Lived 3 years in England. I have no feel for Danish computer vocabulary, and I need to look up most of the computer related words in Danish. I emigrated in 1993 so I'm losing touch with Danish, since most of my communication is in English or French. But according to the simple minds of too many agencies, I'm only qualified to translate into Danish.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | No Experience = No chance to work ?

Kika Kuenzle — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Kika Kuenzle
Post title: No Experience = No chance to work ?

[quote]Dolors Selis i Masnou wrote:

I am quite new in the community and one of the things that anoys me more when trying to quote for a job is the lack of recognised experience.

Though I am a senior student at University, I have been translating for firms and business in my area for some time and I know I qualify for many jobs offered.

We all know perfectly whether we can or cannot accept a work with a short deadline and we all know if the subject is one in which whe expertise or not.

For me the main problem is to be given the first chance to work, that that will allow you to say that you have experience because you have been working for a firm willing to declare they are satisfied with your work and that they would work with you again.

I supose this is not the case for most of those taking part in this forum, but I am sure it is for many members of the community.

Well, I hope I will have my chance to obtain a WWA soon.

Have a nice Easter [/quote]

Hello Dolors!

I'm even "newer" then you are and I do understand your point! I need to work and I'm willing to offer my services at reduced rates and I've been volonteering for few associations just to be able to build my portfolio. BUT....
I haven't found yet anyboby willing to "risk" working with unexperienced translators like myself, so no chance for me to get WWA.
I personaly wish I could find a Mentor for my career launch, someone who would throw at me some work they do not want or have no time to take care of, so that I could work, learn the pro tricks and have some support.
I take my work very seriously and I hope to be able to demonstrate my skills soon.

Anyone interested in becoming my long distance mentor? :D
My pair are English into Italian and Italian into English.

Have a fantastic day!
Buona giornata a tutti!
Kika

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Mandatory?

Textklick — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Textklick
Post title: Mandatory?

[quote]prciosasoy wrote:

How many of you with negative comments about your clients have actually spent time working as a PM in an agency? That should be mandatory for all who study translation so they can actually see the other side of the story, perhaps be more thorough and timely in completing work they have accepted and understand some of these situations. [/quote]

Mandatory is a word I would not accept from a Project Manager. :-) I don't do mandatory!

But maybe we are "singing from the same sheet" and I am just splitting hairs.

I believe that in-house translation experience is a very sound idea, (although I would not use the word mandatory). Apart from that, who the heck is going to want to hire a greenhorn freshman translator as a project manager? If I were the proprietor of an LSP I certainly would not.

In my experience, the best and most logical career progression is college>inhouse translator>PM>freelance translator. I've seen it work incredibly well, (although I personally skipped the PM stage, having other business experience).

That way you have:

* PMs who are linguists and who also, if not indeed better, understand the issues that arise ;-) (as aptly mentioned above by Nanna).
* Freelancers who, as you say, have appropriate experience in the PM field and have gained sufficient business experience to steer their own ship. "The inside scoop", as you neatly call it.

Cheers
Chris

[Edited at 2008-04-03 12:41]

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Marketing...

Kaiya J. Diannen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:51:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Kaiya J. Diannen
Post title: Marketing...

[quote]Charlie Bavington wrote:

"It's a marketing text...."

in other words, it will be utterly meaningless bilge and piffle of the kind that makes my blood boil and my skin creep.
[/quote]

LOL! How about "It's just a small marketing text/Just a few lines"...?

It's like they have no clue! I have sat for *hours* trying to resolve "simple" marketing puns and "catchy" phrases.

Universe - please spare me from small marketing texts!!! ;-)
(as I sit and stare at one right at this very moment) :(

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is

farmor — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: farmor

[quote]prciosasoy wrote:

How many of you ... have actually spent time working as a PM in an agency? That should be mandatory ... so they can actually see the other side of the story, perhaps be more thorough and timely in completing work they have accepted... [...] [/quote]

There's no doubt that there are a few bad apples around. That some translators don't know what they are doing. That some translators deliver late, and that some don't deliver :-( at all.

Still, how many agency owners or project managers know huey about translation?

Nanna

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | We are splitting this job / Are you available to proofread? / Client has terminology

Kaiya J. Diannen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Kaiya J. Diannen
Post title: We are splitting this job / Are you available to proofread? / Client has terminology

One agency I know of in particular seems to specialize in taking on projects with gazillions of words in ridiculously short turnaround times - and so makes it a standard business practice to split documents among translators.

Not only is the coordination of terminology almost non-existent, but of course the larger and more urgent the project, the more the quality varies (and generally suffers) because the agency is under more pressure to use whoever they can. Viewing some of the "portions" in such projects translated by other linguists (earning near enough the same money as myself) has made me wince on more occasions than I'd like to remember.

I also occasionally get asked by this agency (and others) to revise/proofread translations in these split projects or projects that have been translated by other translators.

This has almost without fail resulted in my *severe* disappointment with the amount of time and effort it takes me to patch over questionable (or downright incorrect) translations, reduce five different sets of terminology into one, or try to meld together clearly British English with my American (which I have told project managers over and over again - YES, it does matter!). I *always* have to go back and ask for a larger budget in these cases. And schedule in up to twice as much time as originally planned, possibly eating into time already earmarked for other clients. End result: no sleep and frustration you can sink your teeth into.

95% of the time, I just won't do it any more.

Another quality-limiting factor that I hate to hear is when the project manager says "the client has their own set of terminology/glossary and wants the translator to use it".

Well, that's just great if the client actually knows what they're doing, and has worked with native speakers in the past to develop this terminology.

But ohhhhhh, when that's not the case....

It makes me feel sick to have to argue with a project manager about why I cannot in good conscience use the client's terminology, because the client is simply WRONG.

I don't want to argue - I *know* the project manager doesn't want to argue - it all really comes down to a client that for some reason thinks they know the target language better than the translator. Or that received a poor translation once upon a time and has stuck with it, not realizing the mistake that has been made.

I have used logic, I have cited dictionaries and reference material and publications... in many cases, to no avail. The project managers usually do their best to act as a liaison, but in the end, the client will have what the client will have, and don't bother the client with the facts.

Ugh.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Four cents per word

Ivette Diaz — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:42:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Ivette Diaz
Post title: Four cents per word

Why are they offering how much they will pay? Those are not small easy jobs.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | I empathize, but

Catherine Navarro — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:29:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Catherine Navarro
Post title: I empathize, but

How many of you with negative comments about your clients have actually spent time working as a PM in an agency? That should be mandatory for all who study translation so they can actually see the other side of the story, perhaps be more thorough and timely in completing work they have accepted and understand some of these situations. Obviously not all of them can be understood, sometimes it just depends on an individual personality or a horrible corporate culture.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | As soon as possible

Denise DeVries — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Denise DeVries
Post title: As soon as possible

Worse than "urgent" because it's so vague. Does it mean "possible if you don't sleep or bathe?"

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | My favourite: job divided among many translators

Laurent KRAULAND (X) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:57:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Laurent KRAULAND (X)
Post title: My favourite: job divided among many translators

Apart from urgent, easy, commercial, marketing, this CAT is a must, send us your best rates (along with your CV)...

And so on
LJK

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Urgent

Priya Dubey Sah (X) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Priya Dubey Sah (X)
Post title: Urgent

I agree with all who dread this one. An extension to this is also the 'harmless' short. Before you know, you are chasing a ridiculous deadline with a so-called short text containing either technical blah or peculiar expressions.

But I do agree with Konstantin as well. Who complains if they pay you well enough for all the heart burns involved?

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | various

Marlene Blanshay — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Marlene Blanshay
Post title: various

i should have paid attention to that word...

it meant mostly lots of weird little invoices with little text and i was not only supposed to translate but copy all the english text as well. it was atedious, laborious nightmare, with very little actual translation.

They gave me almost no instructions and she even admitted she'd barely seen the files. When i send them in she was dissatisfied because of improper formatting; i admit i may have not done it perfectly...however, there was text missing because of PDF reproduction which i never even saw. Then she said she'd 'rejected' my submission. NO way...i billed her and told her I expect compensation. It hasn't appeared yet...but it's just a couple of days. I'm sure they'll comply unless they want to end up in the HALL OF SHAME ...i'd already decided that after this job I'd never work for them again. It was a tedious nightmare.

I aslo shy away from anyone who promises payment in a month. Why bother working feverishly for a week and have to wait a month?

I agree...we should get 'urgency' pay...

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | I like "urgent"

Konstantin Kisin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Konstantin Kisin
Post title: I like "urgent"

To me, urgency means a surcharge, and a surcharge means more money per hour, and more money per hour means I don't have to work as many hours.

Personally, I prefer urgent jobs, provided the client doesn't mind paying extra for the urgency.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | "Yesterday" and "rewriting"

Miranda Joubioux (X) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Miranda Joubioux (X)
Post title: "Yesterday" and "rewriting"

When I ask what the deadline is, they say "Yesterday". It basically comes back to "urgent", but it's the actual word that gets to me.

The other word I hate is "rewriting". It generally happens when a customer rings me to say that "so-and-so" has just looked at the document and decided that he/she is going to rewrite part of it. We don't think he/she will make many changes, but of course, you do understand our position, he's our Manager. As a general rule, this means that the translation needs to be completely redone.
This often happens just before the document goes to print, or is put online. It annoys the hell out of me, because it seriously upsets my translating schedule.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | "We're trying out a new translator and would like you to edit..."

Félicien Sirois — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Félicien Sirois
Post title: "We're trying out a new translator and would like you to edit..."

That's the one line that scares me most, beyond anything else.... especially when the translator has an impressive resume/CV.

The horror stories I could tell you about the work product these "new translators" (some of whom have *apparently* been translating for many years) have produced over the years would have you writhing in disgust.

I guess degrees and certifications aren't what they used to be, because the biggest blunders have issued from the quills of these "trained professionals." And sadly, I often see the names of these translators here and in many circles, touting their "exceptional abilities" as translators. "Exceptional" doesn't even begin to describe it...

As such, my per-hour rates immediately apply.

[Edited at 2008-04-01 15:18]

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Dead on...

Félicien Sirois — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Félicien Sirois
Post title: Dead on...

[quote]Charlie Bavington wrote:

"It's a marketing text...."

in other words, it will be utterly meaningless bilge and piffle of the kind that makes my blood boil and my skin creep.

And yet, despite my barely-disguised contempt for this particular form of writing (and I can hardly believe it doesn't somehow come through in the translation) there are actually a couple of end-clients at one agency I work with who sometimes specifically request that I translate their puerile hogwash.
[/quote]

LOL. You nailed it Charlie!

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | 'Expecting'

Mads Grøftehauge — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Mads Grøftehauge
Post title: 'Expecting'

...As in "We are [b]Expecting[/b] a job to come in on Monday, will you be available"? Usually, the PM also guesses (and secretly hopes not to be lying) that it's straightforward, short, etc.
And don't you just [i]know[/i] that the job never comes, or at least not until midweek, and by then it's [b]Urgent[/b]. Oh and of course it's twice the size they said, in an annoying format they didn't mention, and anything but straightforward!
So these days I usually answer that I don't have anything planned [i]right now[/i], but if no text shows up on Monday, I'll take on any other job that comes along. I've had a client send a 16,000 word text ten days after initially hinting that it would come - and expecting me to get on it straight away! Like, deadline a week later or something!

Another gripe is the [i]absence[/i] of words that warn you that you are dealing with some Member Of The Public who found your website because they have some stupid text they can't read. They don't realize that taxes (especially in Denmark) make private translation services prohibitively expensive, and they are stupendously ignorant about translation.
I once received almost one million words in ten huge files sent to me out of the blue, with a request for a quote. I said to expect ten people (with degrees) including a coordinator to work for three months. What did they think that might cost? Never heard back.
My favourite was an older man who called about some manual. I just assumed he was from a software company and asked him distractedly to send me the manual so I could have a look. A few days later I received 4 kg of laboriously printed hard copy from the postman (6-700 pages)! I had of course meant for him to [i]email[/i] it! It was about some kind of highly specialised CAD tool that no private person needs (and which probably would require special training - on top of an engineering decree - in addition to the manual). I found it in PDF online in about three seconds. Why this guy had the manual to it escapes me. Perhaps he thought it was something else...

So now I always check that callers represent a company very early on in the conversation.

Yours,
Mads G

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | pdf

John Speese — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:16:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: John Speese
Post title: pdf

pdf definitely gets my vote too!
And I agree with everyone who said "ask to see the text first" or "read through the text first" before accepting the job. I have ended up doing a great many pdfs that were perfectly legible, easy to format, etc. and I've also ended up turning down a great many that required horrible formatting, were hard to read photo copies, or had (for me anyway) illegible handwriting. And once a regular client of mine even (laughingly) said "I don't blame you, this isn't a very nice job! But I thought I'd try to place it anyway!"
I therefore can't emphasize enough "ask to see the text first" or "read throught the text first" before taking any job!!

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | "best rate"

Andrzej Wróblewski (X) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Andrzej Wróblewski (X)
Post title: "best rate"

[quote]Anthony Baldwin wrote:

[quote]M. Anna Kańduła wrote:

"Your best rate..." :|

My best rate is 1 000 000 EUR per one letter :D

Anni [/quote]

I think that rate would work out nicely.
Hmmmm....

(I do DETEST that "best rate" garbage!)

;)
/tony [/quote]

My answer to such questions usually is "$0.24 per word... which is 150% of the usual, just for asking that question. Thank you."

Rawful... ;>

But... seriously it's worth to try and explain to a customer the value he/she gets by agreeing to the standard rate, and by choosing a professional. Even if it is a non-profit project, the true value becomes visible only when such a client has to do the same work again because he/she chose a student or some gradma-dweller... When I see "best rate", in the back of my head I hear "the lack of ability to see hidden costs of a low quality translation" - wasted time of key personnel, bottlenecked projects and such... I think all translators should repeat this mantra to their clients.

Best regards,

AW

[Edited at 2008-04-01 13:09]

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | I like urgent

Rob Albon — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:44:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Rob Albon
Post title: I like urgent

I like urgent, because whenever I see the word "urgent" I get to use my two favorite words "rush rate".
"Rush rate" is then followed by five more of my favorite words, "payment 30 days after invoice".

These seven words really separate the wheat from the chaff.

Sure, many agencies complain about a "limited budget for the job" or their "standard payment policies", but if it really is urgent they will agree to your rate and your payment terms.

Urgent jobs also seldom require silly tests.

An urgent job is often a chance to take a new client for a well-paid test drive.

Best of luck to everyone.

Rob

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | If you do your job right, there is no word to be afraid of.

Radovan Pletka — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Radovan Pletka
Post title: If you do your job right, there is no word to be afraid of.

If you do your job right, there is no word to be afraid of.
All the problems described in this thread can be tracked back to translator not following seven golden rules, which I learned the hard way to follow:
1)
I provide a binding quote upon receiving complete source text and all relevant info about the job. No exceptions. Period.
(Would you buy a car without seeing it - probably not - so if you take a job without seeing it is even more stupid, because your own behind and reputation is on the line).
2)
If the customer sounds cheap, he is most probably cheap. I don't work for cheap customers, I leave it to my cheap colleagues (smile). If you have to compete for a job solely on the basis of lowest price, you have a problem, which this discussion will not fix.
3)
If it sounds fishy, it is most probably fishy. Don't be afraid to ask for a deposit by credit card, PayPal, Moneybookers or whatever. It doesn't have to be a big amount, but at least a sign of a goodwill from the customer. If the customer is serious and really needs help, he will pay. Also all the payments are traceable, so if you never heard of the customer before, it will help to establish his identity. If not, problem is solved - somebody else will have this particular headache.
4)
If you feel you have to get this job, you will sound desperate and your customer will feel it and push down on the price until you will work for free.
5)
I never say no to a job, but I often price myself out of the job. Be careful with this, as in about 30% of cases customer says OK, so price the job really high, if you really don't want to do it (smile).
6)
Never say your price first, always let the customer start with numbers. And when he does, ask the magic question:
What is the best you can do on this job?
You often you get much more that you would dare to ask. When you get familiar with this one, you can improve on it. I usually say:
What is the best you can do on this job and still stay in business?
Customers like to hear that you are worried about them making money as well. Remember, the long time survival is when everybody is making money.
7)
Remember, there are ton of translators out there, but most of them are not exactly rocket scientists in price negotiations and therefore are working for peanuts. If you don't want to be one of them, ASK FOR MORE MONEY.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with being more expensive, especially when you get it. (smile)
Feel also free to check my site, where I post free jobs for translators and from time to time my rants about translation and interpreting like this one:
[url removed]
Sincerely
Radek Pletka
[phone removed]
Czech and Slovak translator

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Volume discounts

Paul Lambert — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:06:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Paul Lambert
Post title: Volume discounts

[quote]

Edited to add: I also wanted to answer that "best rate" is another classic. I especially love the ones who want volume discounts. I don't know about anyone else, but more work for less pay is what I live for.... *eyeroll*.

[Edited at 2008-03-19 12:07] [/quote]

Indeed, "volume discount" is the term I hate so much. Not so much that I am totally against the idea if there are good deadlines, a good file format (Word) and otherwise a reasonable rate, but it seems that the kind of clients who want volume discounts are the kind who send PDF's of faxed texts and expect it do be done in a day. As well, how 3000 words could qualify for a "volume" discount is beyond me.

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | Is there a corollary?

José Henrique Lamensdorf — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: José Henrique Lamensdorf
Post title: Is there a corollary?

[quote]Jonathan Downie wrote:
I like the one for the developing country. With outsourcing, does anyone else reckon this might be used by big businesses to try and get lower rates? [/quote]

I wonder if any agency would say that as the end client is headquartered in a stagnant country, we are ready for rates at GBP 1.00/word and above. :-)

Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is | "My budget only allows $0.000001 per word...."

Rodrigo Trompiz — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When a potential translation job is described to me, the word(s) I dread hearing the most is
Poster: Rodrigo Trompiz
Post title: "My budget only allows $0.000001 per word...."

very common line from one agency in particular...

to which I reply my dignity only allows me to tell you to get lost.