Poll: When taking on jobs at lower-than-usual rates, do you use less strict or time-consuming procedures? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When taking on jobs at lower-than-usual rates, do you use less strict or time-consuming procedures?".
This poll was originally submitted by Thomas Johansson. View the poll results »
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I don't take jobs on lower than usual rates! To some of my long-standing customers I charge a slightly lower rate than to a new client but I give them exactly the same attention. I just couldn’t live with myself if I did such a thing…
[Edited at 2021-07-20 09:08 GMT]
| | | | Vera Schoen 
Sweden
Local time: 16:46
Member (2008)
German to Swedish
+ ...
I don't usually take on translations at lower rates than my normal ones, but on the odd occasion it has happened I am very clear about the fact that quality costs. If the client is fine with me skipping some QA checks and taking less time for the translation (and I have this in writing), I'm fine with that too. I used to take my translations very personally and used to get upset if clients wanted me to deliver what I consider poor quality. Not any more, not as long as both client and translator ... See more I don't usually take on translations at lower rates than my normal ones, but on the odd occasion it has happened I am very clear about the fact that quality costs. If the client is fine with me skipping some QA checks and taking less time for the translation (and I have this in writing), I'm fine with that too. I used to take my translations very personally and used to get upset if clients wanted me to deliver what I consider poor quality. Not any more, not as long as both client and translator are absolutely clear about what is paid for and delivered. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:46
Spanish to English
+ ...
I don't usually accept lower than usual rates, but if I did so, I admit I would be tempted to be slightly less assiduous than usual. However, I usually just tell cheapskates to find another monkey. I think my rates are average to low considering the quality provided.
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Same as colleagues above.
And if I did, I'd spend less time on it.
Of course.
Either it's easier and I'll be quicker, or it's not and I'll deliver inferior quality (to the trained eye).
And for jobs with shorter-than-usual deadlines, I inform the buyer that I'll spend less time on it, and the cost will be the same - or higher if it ruins my plans/schedule.
Philippe
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 11:46
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| That would be soooo unprofessional! | Jul 20, 2021 |
If you negotiated and accepted the job, that means you have the time and you're willing to do it. If you accepted the proposed rate and you anyhow lower the quality of your delivery or your working standards, I'm sorry, but you are not a five-star professional.
This is just like buying a car and asking for a discount. Then the dealer gives you the discount, but he changes the cars wheels and tyres for cheaper ones, removes the stereo and empties the tank. How satisfied would you be with th... See more If you negotiated and accepted the job, that means you have the time and you're willing to do it. If you accepted the proposed rate and you anyhow lower the quality of your delivery or your working standards, I'm sorry, but you are not a five-star professional.
This is just like buying a car and asking for a discount. Then the dealer gives you the discount, but he changes the cars wheels and tyres for cheaper ones, removes the stereo and empties the tank. How satisfied would you be with that?
Be careful not to spoil the image and reputation you took years to build for such an insignificant motive.
[Edited at 2021-07-20 14:14 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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There are two reasons I might take on a job at a lower rate:
When a job is straightforward and probably small, I know it will be correct and adequate for its purpose - standard café menus, or perhaps a birth certificate on a standard form for a private client, or some entirely routine text.
I check them carefully, but they are not very demanding. There is no need to spend time on them as I do with more specialised work.
The other reason for charging a low rate is... See more There are two reasons I might take on a job at a lower rate:
When a job is straightforward and probably small, I know it will be correct and adequate for its purpose - standard café menus, or perhaps a birth certificate on a standard form for a private client, or some entirely routine text.
I check them carefully, but they are not very demanding. There is no need to spend time on them as I do with more specialised work.
The other reason for charging a low rate is when I do a job for a non-profit organisation. Sometimes I only invoice them for a section of it, or I quote a low rate, if I do not simply do the job for free. An agency client sponsored a non-profit for a year, and I gave them a 10% discount, as there was quite a lot of work involved, but I was happy to support the cause. I have agreed to low rates on one or two other occasions. I regularly provide translations for a couple of non-profit clients free of charge - they depend largely on volunteers, and that is my volunteer contribution.
In any case, I provide my best quality work and check it as always. I simply do not want to put my name to anything less! What if anyone found an error? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Tak9ng lower rates jobs | Jul 20, 2021 |
I always do my best. If I cannot make a deal with the client regarding the rates, I simply don't take the job.
I always have to give the best quality possible. Not doing it means not acting as a good professional.
Greetings!
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AnnaSCHTR
United States
Local time: 09:46
English to Czech
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| No compromise on quality | Jul 20, 2021 |
It happens rarely but if I take a job for a lower rate (long-term project, or a favor for a good client) there is no way I would deliver poorly researched or un-proofed project. I can't imagine how such unprofessional conduct would improve either my reputation or relationship with the client.
The only time-saver I can implement might be in formatting - if the deliverable file requires image localization or super-complex tables. That happened couple of times, and the agency PM did w... See more It happens rarely but if I take a job for a lower rate (long-term project, or a favor for a good client) there is no way I would deliver poorly researched or un-proofed project. I can't imagine how such unprofessional conduct would improve either my reputation or relationship with the client.
The only time-saver I can implement might be in formatting - if the deliverable file requires image localization or super-complex tables. That happened couple of times, and the agency PM did whatever needed to be done and sent the results to me for a quick look. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 16:46
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Occasionally, after agreeing with the client | Jul 21, 2021 |
I agree with Vera and Philippe. As long as the client is aware that some steps will be skipped, and agrees to this beforehand, this would be a way to give them the translation sooner and/or at a lower rate than my normal rate.
I don't make a habit of this - it is far less satisfying. And I will make sure the client is aware that the translation may be of slightly lower quality.
Mario Freitas wrote:
This is just like buying a car and asking for a discount. Then the dealer gives you the discount, but he changes the cars wheels and tyres for cheaper ones, removes the stereo and empties the tank. How satisfied would you be with that?
Be careful not to spoil the image and reputation you took years to build for such an insignificant motive.
[Edited at 2021-07-20 14:14 GMT]
I don't agree with this. I rather think it would be analogous to what happened to me when buying a computer some years ago. The shop attendant showed me a computer that was very fast, with excellent memory storage, great speed for gaming and streaming, and cost rather more than I was willing to pay. I explained that I just needed a simple text editor and was happy with the far cheaper model he eventually sold me.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 16:46
French to English
Like many here, I refuse to lower my rates.
Once I had a client pleading with me not to charge extra. I slapped on an extra charge because I was going to have to work late and early to get it done in time.
I tried to picture myself doing the translation without the extra charge, and felt anger and resentment starting to boil.
So I said "in all honesty, if I agree to that, I'll be seething with anger and resentment the whole time I'm doing this translation, and it'll sh... See more Like many here, I refuse to lower my rates.
Once I had a client pleading with me not to charge extra. I slapped on an extra charge because I was going to have to work late and early to get it done in time.
I tried to picture myself doing the translation without the extra charge, and felt anger and resentment starting to boil.
So I said "in all honesty, if I agree to that, I'll be seething with anger and resentment the whole time I'm doing this translation, and it'll show. Since this is a text about fun activities, you really want me to enjoy doing the translation, so that my attitude will shine through. The only way I can enjoy doing this last-minute work is if you pay me handsomely."
I'll happily do something for free though, if it's in a cause I believe in. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 11:46
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Ok, personal standards | Jul 21, 2021 |
Marjolein Snippe wrote:
I don't agree with this...
I do not deliver low quality jobs. If I can't deliver the jobs within my standard quality, accuracy, etc. I will not take it. But it's a personal thing, of course.
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| Other and never | Jul 22, 2021 |
I don't know how to lower my standards.
| | | | Manfei Li
Australia
Local time: 00:46
English to Chinese
| Same as other translators | Jul 25, 2021 |
If I did accept that, either that job is easier to do or that job will be consume less time with me.
Usually the low rates job will be easy to do, so the poster will arrange the rate lower than the normal charge. But someone does hide more information when posting the job, so I would recommend asking more details when you are interested in the low-rate jobs before you accept it.
| | | | | same quality for lower rates | Jul 28, 2021 |
Mario Freitas wrote:
This is just like buying a car and asking for a discount. Then the dealer gives you the discount, but he changes the cars wheels and tyres for cheaper ones, removes the stereo and empties the tank. How satisfied would you be with that?
[Edited at 2021-07-20 14:14 GMT]
If your clients realize that you strive the same way for lower rates, you might end up selling chewing gum at traffic lights, God forbid
After a discount is granted, going back to full rates is an extremely difficult task, a lot of time and effort has to be put into it, very often at no avail, these could easily be clients lost for good
[Edited at 2021-07-28 23:21 GMT]
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