| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Letter from agency announcing unilateral change in terms Thread poster: Jeff Whittaker
|
|---|
Jeff Whittaker 
United States
Local time: 15:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
November 11, 2010
"Dear Valued Translators,
Over this past year, there have been many changes in our company. We have implemented new procedures, workflows, and project management techniques in order to support our clients to the best of our ability. Also, we have launched our automated system for project creation, invoicing, payments etc.
In spite of all these positive changes, there has also been a negative change with regard to the financial area. As I'm... See more November 11, 2010
"Dear Valued Translators,
Over this past year, there have been many changes in our company. We have implemented new procedures, workflows, and project management techniques in order to support our clients to the best of our ability. Also, we have launched our automated system for project creation, invoicing, payments etc.
In spite of all these positive changes, there has also been a negative change with regard to the financial area. As I'm sure you are aware, the global economic situation is still very problematic and we have experienced the following effect:
- The majority of our clients have extended their payment terms from 30-45 days to 60-90 days.
- Our revenue from sales in Euros and US Dollars has decreased by almost 15% over the last 12 months.
- Clients have been requesting big discounts in rates.
All language service providers are experiencing similar difficulties.
Due to all this, we have been forced to take some measures to remain competitive in this market, but do not believe that reducing vendor rates is an appropriate action to take. So, we have decided to adjust our providers' payment terms to more closely match our clients' payment terms.
Effective immediately, our vendor payment term is changed from 30 days to 60 days. Please find the new updated General Payment Terms document in the Documentation section of your Profile. To check the 'due date' of your invoices, you can also do it online, in your profile.
This is a measure we very much regret to take, but we hope that you can understand our situation and why we have taken this decision. We thank you all for your support and look forward to working with you during the remainder of 2010, throughout 2011, and in the future.
Kindest regards," ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: double post | Laurent KRAULAND (X)
France
Local time: 21:31
French to German
+ ...
| Another one bites the dust... | Nov 11, 2010 |
and admits they are unable to manage clients and to implement a proper cashflow - so the bucket is passed once again to the "weakest (?) link in the chain".
[Edited at 2010-11-11 14:05 GMT]
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 15:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Letter from agency announcing unilateral change in terms | Nov 11, 2010 |
Except that, at least for this "weakest link", the majority of agencies/clients I work with pay within 15-20 days. One agency even issues a check every two weeks.
Laurent KRAULAND wrote:
and admits they are unable to manage clients and to implement a proper cashflow - so the bucket is passed once again to the "weakest (?) link in the chain".
[Edited at 2010-11-11 14:05 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 15:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Six of one, half a dozen of the other | Nov 11, 2010 |
In real terms, increasing the payment period from 30 to 60 days is the same as a decrease in rates, so the agency in question is not doing its "valued translators" any favors.
Personally, I think having to wait 60 days is entirely unacceptable, although it apparently is the norm in many European countries.
| | | | Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 17:31
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| I got that one, too... | Nov 11, 2010 |
The funny thing is that I've never worked for that company!
| | | | | Another "valued translator" | Nov 11, 2010 |
I am one of the “valued translators” who received this email. And, just like Amy, I never worked for them.
Robert Forstag wrote:
Personally, I think having to wait 60 days is entirely unacceptable, although it apparently is the norm in many European countries.
Robert, maybe having to wait 60 days is acceptable where the company is based. However, in the Netherlands 60 days are also considered unacceptable by most people. In fact in the Terms and Conditions of the Netherlands Society of Interpreters and Translators (NGTV) it states: “Accounts should be settled at the latest date 30 days after the date of the invoice in the currency in which the invoice is drawn up.”
| | | | | The same here :) | Nov 11, 2010 |
Amy Duncan wrote:
The funny thing is that I've never worked for that company!
| | |
|
|
|
John Rawlins
Spain
Local time: 21:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Late payment is a southern Europe thing. | Nov 11, 2010 |
I believe that 60 days is only generally acceptable in the more southern European nations.
| | | | Laurent KRAULAND (X)
France
Local time: 21:31
French to German
+ ...
John Rawlins wrote:
I believe that 60 days is only generally acceptable in the more southern European nations.
... and in France, of course, as it is a national sport.
| | | | Rebecca Hendry
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:31
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Amy Duncan wrote:
The funny thing is that I've never worked for that company!
Still, it's nice to feel "valued"!
| | | | | This is how I replied: | Nov 11, 2010 |
"So what you're saying is your credit controllers aren't doing their job properly, so we have to pay the price? No thanks. You can take me off your list of translators. Anyway, I stopped looking at the jobs you sent me, because even if you go to the website three minutes later the job has always gone."
And I take an instant dislike to anyone unctuous and patronizing enough to call me "Dear valued translator".
[Edited at 2010-11-11 17:36 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
| Just out of interest... | Nov 11, 2010 |
Where are they based? I always assumed the US, but the reference to the Thai baht suggests otherwise. Their location is a closely guarded secret if their website is anything to go by.
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 15:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Automated Translation Roulette Wheels | Nov 11, 2010 |
One of the problems with these types of automated translator roulette wheel systems is that even if a client has beaten the odds and is satisfied with the product, future orders are not assigned to the same translator for continuity and customer satisfaction purposes, but instead the client rolls the dice each time and the translator with the fastest fingers gets the job.
One of the companies I used to work with (whose maximum rate is now half my minimum rate) now uses an automated ... See more One of the problems with these types of automated translator roulette wheel systems is that even if a client has beaten the odds and is satisfied with the product, future orders are not assigned to the same translator for continuity and customer satisfaction purposes, but instead the client rolls the dice each time and the translator with the fastest fingers gets the job.
One of the companies I used to work with (whose maximum rate is now half my minimum rate) now uses an automated system and they had to send out a message to all of their translators to the effect of "please do not accept each and every job that is posted on the system just to get work and then not be able to deliver all the projects within the requested deadline." Translators are also asked to "make sure that all files are ready to be forwarded to the client". In other words, the agency does no work to assign each project to the appropriate vendor and no work to verify the translation. Basically, all they have done is put up a website.
[Edited at 2010-11-11 18:37 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Roy OConnor (X)
Local time: 21:31
German to English
| Often worth sticking to your guns | Nov 11, 2010 |
My experience is that it is worth insisting on the existing payment terms. Exactly the same thing happened to me, but with a direct customer and I declined the new terms. I was still approached later though, because the company needed the technical background that I could offer. So it was arranged with the Purchasing Department that my bills would be paid within 30 days.
Things like this are just the thin end of the wedge. Next they will want a rebate on the year's profit you have m... See more My experience is that it is worth insisting on the existing payment terms. Exactly the same thing happened to me, but with a direct customer and I declined the new terms. I was still approached later though, because the company needed the technical background that I could offer. So it was arranged with the Purchasing Department that my bills would be paid within 30 days.
Things like this are just the thin end of the wedge. Next they will want a rebate on the year's profit you have made with them! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Letter from agency announcing unilateral change in terms | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
