One upping an agency Thread poster: Lany Chabot-Laroche
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I just had my first time of being asked to do the same job by a direct client and an agency at the same time. I won the bid instead of the agency, I'll keep that 40% cut, thank you!
It really feels great, just wanted to share
| | | | Nicole Schnell 
United States
Local time: 00:55
English to German
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In memoriam
Lany Chabot-Laroche wrote: I just had my first time of being asked to do the same job by a direct client and an agency at the same time. I won the bid instead of the agency, I'll keep that 40% cut, thank you! It really feels great, just wanted to share
But you do realize that you have to pay the editor with the "cut", and what is left is the payment for your hours of project management?
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 08:55
| Just wondering... | Jul 8, 2011 |
I am interested to know whether you let the direct client know up front that you also work for the agency whom you "outbid"? There is a chance that the direct client knew this already.
I am also wondering what others would do in a similar situation.
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Project management is minimal, the project was split into 2 or 3 translators, the direct client will still manage everything.
I really don't think that the direct client knows which translators the agency contacted for this assignment, after all, it was still a very uncertain assignment for the agency.
I did tell the direct client that I had been contacted by an agency with a similar project (the agency gave me very few details) but I did not give out names. I also reve... See more Project management is minimal, the project was split into 2 or 3 translators, the direct client will still manage everything.
I really don't think that the direct client knows which translators the agency contacted for this assignment, after all, it was still a very uncertain assignment for the agency.
I did tell the direct client that I had been contacted by an agency with a similar project (the agency gave me very few details) but I did not give out names. I also revealed this information only after it was confirmed that the project was assigned to me. The client seemed very happy to cut the middle man also. To be fair, it was an agency I hadn't heard from in 18 months, I don't feel bad one bit. ▲ Collapse
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Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 03:55
Spanish to English
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| Congratulations | Jul 9, 2011 |
I wish that I could get these kind of opportunities, and I also wish that more direct clients would come to their senses and realize that the charges assessed by agencies over and above what a skilled freelancer would happily accept are often not commensurate with the value they add to the finished product.
[Edited at 2011-07-09 02:02 GMT]
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 09:55
Spanish to English
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Allison Wright wrote:
I am interested to know whether you let the direct client know up front that you also work for the agency whom you "outbid"? There is a chance that the direct client knew this already.
I am also wondering what others would do in a similar situation.
Letting the the direct client know up front would be the right thing to do ethically, but many might be tempted by the 40% chunk that would be creamed off by the agency. A tough decision.
Even without a prior confidentiality agreement, I find it good practice never to "jump over the head" of colleagues, and always try to "do unto others" ... but not "before they do you"
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 09:55
Spanish to English
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| Added value? What added value? | Jul 9, 2011 |
Robert Forstag wrote:
I wish ... that more direct clients would come to their senses and realize that the charges assessed by agencies ...are often not commensurate with the value they add to the finished product.
[Edited at 2011-07-09 02:02 GMT]
Totally agree. I often wonder how some agencies manage to sucker their clients in, especially the ones who obviously don't give a hoot about quality or the client other than looking good to them. I suppose their outlay on advertising/client capture justifies their existence to some extent...
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