Delivery time, how realistic it should be?
Thread poster: Riadh Muslih (X)
Riadh Muslih (X)
Riadh Muslih (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 02:22
Arabic to English
+ ...
Nov 30, 2010

What is it with clients, particularly agencies that post jobs, often sizable or complex ones, and want quick quotes (site unseen), and extremely unrealistic delivery time? They ought to know that translation, at least in my opinion, could some times be a complex affair, and it is an art. It is not always simple to convey the idea and substance of a source text into something as close as possible to be understood in a target language and culture.

My humble advise to fellow translat
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What is it with clients, particularly agencies that post jobs, often sizable or complex ones, and want quick quotes (site unseen), and extremely unrealistic delivery time? They ought to know that translation, at least in my opinion, could some times be a complex affair, and it is an art. It is not always simple to convey the idea and substance of a source text into something as close as possible to be understood in a target language and culture.

My humble advise to fellow translators is to keep the following points in mind as you go about your own business. Stick to them, but be flexible enough where a situation demands, and where you are very comfortable with the client.

1. To expect a good product, reasonable time is needed. Quick delivery whereby a translator has to work longer hours, or late hours, has to be compensated with a premium on top of a regular fee. This is true in almost all professions.

2. Big jobs need down payment. I cannot ask for return of merchandise if I'm not paid, the work is done and is already in the hands of the client. Hint: lawyers never commence work on a case without a retainer (or some kind of guarantee), and so should we.

3. Time zones play a vital role in today's Internet commerce. For example, if a client/agency is in Europe and the translator is in North America, or in the Far East, you are looking at a minimum of eight hours difference. Someone's day is another person’s night.

4. Don’t pay attention to these jobs, don’t even bother quoting, because most of the time it appears they are simply exploring the world of the Internet to find out how jobs are priced and delivered. If someone has an urgent job or a job that's not small, then a minimum of 25% down payment should be a condition of accepting a job. If the job is so large that needs to be delivered in parts over a period of days or even weeks, then an escalating payment schedule should be introduced.

5. And if it were to be delivered in parts over a period, then the client obviously would have had the opportunity to evaluate the product, and should not be allowed to claim it is unacceptable after the job is completed.

6. Finally, remember that Internet commerce comes with a risk, some times a big risk. The client is often time beyond your control and the power of your local laws. Very unlikely to seek redress.
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Donald Rutherford
Donald Rutherford  Identity Verified
German to English
Edlivery time, how realistic should it be? Nov 30, 2010

I think, that this is sound advice.

 
Robert Forstag
Robert Forstag  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 05:22
Spanish to English
+ ...
Freelancers need to stipulate their conditions for accepting any project Nov 30, 2010

I generally agree with Riadh's points. I would also add that any translator bidding on a project with an urgent deadline ought to stipulate that viewing the document is mandatory before any firm commitment is made, and then impose a deadline as to when a response is required confirming acceptance of an offer. After all, does it really make sense for an agency to take two days (for example) to decide whom to contract for a large project due within four days?

 
Neil Coffey
Neil Coffey  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:22
French to English
+ ...
However, don't forget the client Nov 30, 2010

Riadh Muslih wrote:
What is it with clients, particularly agencies that post jobs, often sizable or complex ones, and want quick quotes (site unseen), and extremely unrealistic delivery time?


Firstly, I'm playing devil's advocate here slightly, because I also tend to avoid "urgent" jobs and just concentrate on cases where clients want quality and are prepared to invest the required time. But...

I think what clients will tell you in response to what you've said is that "stuff crops up" in business, and not everything can be planned in an ideal way. The situation isn't too bad so long as you understand the client's needs and negotiate with them as to what will actually possible within their given timescale. So whilst this is true:

Riadh Muslih wrote:
They ought to know that translation, at least in my opinion, could some times be a complex affair, and it is an art. It is not always simple to convey the idea and substance of a source text into something as close as possible to be understood in a target language and culture.


It may be that for the purpose of your client's important business meeting tomorrow, just having the gist or slightly "raw" translation-- however unpoetic-- of the French report they were suddenly presented with 10 minutes before going-home time might actually be sufficient for their purposes.

Riadh Muslih wrote:
Big jobs need down payment.


This is true, but unfortunately a humble translator may differ from a big company in terms of what they class as "big". If you want the better jobs, there'll inevitably be *some* moderate risk-taking and fitting in with corporate payment systems unfortunately.


 


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Delivery time, how realistic it should be?







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