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Half price for volume translation with no deadline???
Thread poster: Mariana Rohlig Sa
Mariana Rohlig Sa
Mariana Rohlig Sa  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 13:57
Member (2012)
English to German
+ ...
Mar 7, 2012

A client asked me for a quote for 60500 words, asking me to bear in mind the accessibility of the text (very easy). I offered a quote of 0.06 EUR per word, saying I could not reduce my rate any further as I would potentially have to reject other, better paying projects due to the large volume. The client got back to me saying he couldn't pay more than 1900 EUR, which is basically almost half of what I was asking for, saying that there wouldn't be a deadline so I didn't have to reject any other ... See more
A client asked me for a quote for 60500 words, asking me to bear in mind the accessibility of the text (very easy). I offered a quote of 0.06 EUR per word, saying I could not reduce my rate any further as I would potentially have to reject other, better paying projects due to the large volume. The client got back to me saying he couldn't pay more than 1900 EUR, which is basically almost half of what I was asking for, saying that there wouldn't be a deadline so I didn't have to reject any other projects. From a moral point of view I would never do it as I am fed up of people asking for low rates, but because the text really is very easy and as I could do it in my down-time, I am wondering whether to accept it or not as I am having to invest a lot of money at the moment (new PC, software, website creation). What would you do?Collapse


 
Dave Bindon
Dave Bindon  Identity Verified
Greece
Local time: 14:57
Greek to English
In memoriam
I wouldn't do it. Mar 7, 2012

Yes, you could do it in your down-time.

Personally, however, I see 'down-time' as one of the perks of being a freelancer: an opportunity to relax, catch up on housework, sit on the balcony...whatever I feel like. My free time isn't really quite 'free': I value it highly, and I don't want to give it up for work which doesn't pay well.


 
FarkasAndras
FarkasAndras  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:57
English to Hungarian
+ ...
What text is it? Mar 7, 2012

If I found the text at least mildly interesting, and there really is no real deadline, I'd take the job gladly. Essentially, you could do it as a hobby project, working on it whenever you're bored/ feel like it.
Note: Generally, it's better if there is some sort of a deadline, even if it's in the distant future. Otherwise, the temptation to keep putting it off forever might be too great.


 
Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei
Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei  Identity Verified
Ghana
Local time: 12:57
Japanese to English
Think hard Mar 7, 2012

Is this a regular client? Are you sure he'll pay? What are the payment terms? How badly do you need the money? I think 0.06 EUR was low enough to begin with and like Dave I value my free time, but if that 1900 EUR will keep you from starvation and homelessness, go for it.

 
Steven Sidore
Steven Sidore  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 13:57
German to English
Does it represent value for you? Mar 7, 2012

The question here is: does this type of project represent value for you? If you have an unsteady flow of work, a project like this -- pick it up when things are quiet, put it down again for weeks when things pick up -- could be helpful. If you're not lacking for work, then politely decline.

I remember when I was first getting established I did some long-term literary translation that didn't pay much but helped my resume. Seems like a long time ago now, but it made sense back then.... See more
The question here is: does this type of project represent value for you? If you have an unsteady flow of work, a project like this -- pick it up when things are quiet, put it down again for weeks when things pick up -- could be helpful. If you're not lacking for work, then politely decline.

I remember when I was first getting established I did some long-term literary translation that didn't pay much but helped my resume. Seems like a long time ago now, but it made sense back then.

Good luck!
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keshab
keshab  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:27
English to Bengali
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
No deadline? very fishy Mar 7, 2012

If there is no deadline for delivery, there may be possibility of no deadline for payment also.

 
Vladimír Hoffman
Vladimír Hoffman  Identity Verified
Slovakia
Local time: 13:57
Member (2009)
English to Slovak
+ ...
It depends. Mar 7, 2012

If you decided to take the job, you should treat it as any other work. It means fixed deadline (for example 6 months or even a year), PO, agreement on payment deadline, penalty for cancellation of the job etc. Personally, I wouldn't take it for many reasons, but I know several colleagues, who compile dictionaries or translate books, when they do not have commercial translations.

Maybe you could even try to use some machine translation (althought I generally strongly oppose to the id
... See more
If you decided to take the job, you should treat it as any other work. It means fixed deadline (for example 6 months or even a year), PO, agreement on payment deadline, penalty for cancellation of the job etc. Personally, I wouldn't take it for many reasons, but I know several colleagues, who compile dictionaries or translate books, when they do not have commercial translations.

Maybe you could even try to use some machine translation (althought I generally strongly oppose to the idea), if the text is really simple.

Mariana Rohlig Sa wrote:

A client asked me for a quote for 60500 words, asking me to bear in mind the accessibility of the text (very easy). I offered a quote of 0.06 EUR per word, saying I could not reduce my rate any further as I would potentially have to reject other, better paying projects due to the large volume. The client got back to me saying he couldn't pay more than 1900 EUR, which is basically almost half of what I was asking for, saying that there wouldn't be a deadline so I didn't have to reject any other projects. From a moral point of view I would never do it as I am fed up of people asking for low rates, but because the text really is very easy and as I could do it in my down-time, I am wondering whether to accept it or not as I am having to invest a lot of money at the moment (new PC, software, website creation). What would you do?
Collapse


 
Alexander Onishko
Alexander Onishko  Identity Verified
Russian to English
+ ...
Don't do it. Mar 7, 2012

Mariana Rohlig Sa wrote:

A client asked me for a quote for 60500 words, asking me to bear in mind the accessibility of the text (very easy). I offered a quote of 0.06 EUR per word, saying I could not reduce my rate any further as I would potentially have to reject other, better paying projects due to the large volume. The client got back to me saying he couldn't pay more than 1900 EUR, which is basically almost half of what I was asking for, saying that there wouldn't be a deadline so I didn't have to reject any other projects. From a moral point of view I would never do it as I am fed up of people asking for low rates, but because the text really is very easy and as I could do it in my down-time, I am wondering whether to accept it or not as I am having to invest a lot of money at the moment (new PC, software, website creation). What would you do?


Don't do it. Better use your "downtime" for rest. Mind you - if you do not rest enough, you may get tired and a tired person can start making foolish mistake in serious translations and thus lose his or her good-paying clients.


 
Paul Adie (X)
Paul Adie (X)  Identity Verified
Germany
Spanish to English
+ ...
??? Mar 7, 2012

I think the fact you used 3 questions marks in the title of this post means you know how ridiculous this offer is.

!!!¡¡¡

Paul.


 
Phil Hand
Phil Hand  Identity Verified
China
Local time: 20:57
Chinese to English
With no deadline, I'd never finish Mar 7, 2012

I have terrible working habits, and rely entirely on deadlines to keep me motivated, so this would never work for me!

Plus, I'd just feel bitter all the time as I was doing it. I don't have a "half value" mode that I can switch into, where I only put half the effort in. If I'm doing a translation, I do it right. And investing the time and effort to do it right, but only getting half pay... it would sting.


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 12:57
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Downtime is essential Mar 7, 2012

Alexander Onishko wrote:
Don't do it. Better use your "downtime" for rest. Mind you - if you do not rest enough, you may get tired and a tired person can start making foolish mistake in serious translations and thus lose his or her good-paying clients.


There are all sorts of reasons not to take it, IMO, starting with the one above as the most important. Too little rest because of this badly-paid job could easily result in poorer quality, well paid translations. Other reasons are that picking up and putting down a translation over too long a period means you are likely to lose the thread regarding style and possibly terminology; and if payment is on completion then you are taking an enormous risk.

Sheila


 
wonita (X)
wonita (X)
China
Local time: 09:57
Good idea though Mar 7, 2012

Phil Hand wrote:

With no deadline, I'd never finish.

Ask for a front payment, and never finish the job.

There is no deadline anyhow.


 
Neil Coffey
Neil Coffey  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:57
French to English
+ ...
If you have that many hours of downtime to invest... Mar 7, 2012

Aside from the fact that you need to be comfortable with somebody profiteering off your back, if it's an easy text, then you're not really going to get much professional development out of it.

If you fancy investing 200 or so hours of your downtime on something translation-related, why not spend them adding some new pages to your web site (articles about translation, some sample translations of public domain material...) that might help to bring you more, better-paying business in t
... See more
Aside from the fact that you need to be comfortable with somebody profiteering off your back, if it's an easy text, then you're not really going to get much professional development out of it.

If you fancy investing 200 or so hours of your downtime on something translation-related, why not spend them adding some new pages to your web site (articles about translation, some sample translations of public domain material...) that might help to bring you more, better-paying business in the long run?
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 12:57
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Are you willing to accept later on another job Mar 7, 2012

from that client for the same price?

 
Elizabeth Joy Pitt de Morales
Elizabeth Joy Pitt de Morales  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:57
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Make smart use of your downtime Mar 7, 2012

Are you truly desperate for money? Is your mortgage about to be foreclosed, your power cut off or are the shelves of your pantry bare?

Then take it (with all added legal precautions, such as a valid PO, etc.) with no moral qualms or second thoughts. Times are tough and the only issue here (assuming the offer is legit and you get paid) is the rate. Not a deal-breaker if you're in dire straits.

Otherwise, you might invest your downtime (provided you are rested and feel l
... See more
Are you truly desperate for money? Is your mortgage about to be foreclosed, your power cut off or are the shelves of your pantry bare?

Then take it (with all added legal precautions, such as a valid PO, etc.) with no moral qualms or second thoughts. Times are tough and the only issue here (assuming the offer is legit and you get paid) is the rate. Not a deal-breaker if you're in dire straits.

Otherwise, you might invest your downtime (provided you are rested and feel like doing something productive related to your business) more wisely with a view to the future by mastering that new software you've invested in, fine-tuning your website, contacting potential (especially direct) clients, designing a set of business/professional goals for the next x upcoming years, or any other of the myriad activities that really busy translators long to do...if they only had the time.


My thoughts.

Liz
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Half price for volume translation with no deadline???







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