| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Would you agree to do a free translation for a client you've known for years? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you agree to do a free translation for a client you've known for years?".
This poll was originally submitted by Ruslan Polishchuk. View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:28
German to English
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It would depend on the circumstances. I occassionally offer long-standing clients the odd freebie as a goodwill gesture but have never actually been asked to do a free translation.
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 03:28
| Probably not | Oct 25, 2012 |
Would that hypothetical client agree to pay me double my rate on just one translation, just for a change? Probably not.
Why change the basis of a relationship when that relationship is working?
I have and I would go that extra mile for clients of long-standing though. This would include fitting a last-minute translation into my schedule - where a new client, or an agency for whom I have only done one or two jobs will get the "sorry, not available" message.
| | | | | Precisely because it was a client I had known for years | Oct 25, 2012 |
I have on a couple of occassions done a free translation for a long-standing client, though in both cases I can think of, it was not directly for the client, but for a non-profit organisation the client was supporting.
Otherwise, business is business, and I think my rates are quite competitive for the market I work in. Apart from tiny jobs where goodwill is more important than the money involved, I do not work for free.
I prefer to make a direct donation to the causes I... See more I have on a couple of occassions done a free translation for a long-standing client, though in both cases I can think of, it was not directly for the client, but for a non-profit organisation the client was supporting.
Otherwise, business is business, and I think my rates are quite competitive for the market I work in. Apart from tiny jobs where goodwill is more important than the money involved, I do not work for free.
I prefer to make a direct donation to the causes I support myself. ▲ Collapse
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John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 04:28
Spanish to English
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Actually, I've been doing small free translations, corrections, queries, etc. for one client for years.
It should be mentioned though that they provide a substantial chunk of my income.
I see it as a "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" policy.
| | | | Tatty
Local time: 04:28
Spanish to English
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I don't care how long-standing a client you are I will always charge. However, I must admit that an agent once sent me a sentence in an email to translate stating that his office would be closed between two dates and I translated it for free. Incredibly generous of me I know...
| | | | Sonia Hill
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:28
Italian to English
If it was a very good client and the job was just a few words long I would consider it. I have done this on the odd occasion, but it has been my own choice and only because the job only took a few minutes of my time. Obviously some jobs of just a few words long can be very time-consuming, so it really does depend on what is involved.
I also often provide good clients with a quick consultation free of charge.
I have a minimum fee which I usually apply for small jobs and I certainly wo... See more If it was a very good client and the job was just a few words long I would consider it. I have done this on the odd occasion, but it has been my own choice and only because the job only took a few minutes of my time. Obviously some jobs of just a few words long can be very time-consuming, so it really does depend on what is involved.
I also often provide good clients with a quick consultation free of charge.
I have a minimum fee which I usually apply for small jobs and I certainly wouldn't do a long translation for free. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tatty
Local time: 04:28
Spanish to English
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When I worked in an agency, we had two separate translations, one containing two words and the other containing five. The agent had not intended to charge the client, but I could not find a translator with the appropriate language combination to do them. They all charged a minimum, and refused to budge. You have got to hand it to them.
An agent of mine, not one that I know well, once asked me to translate a single word. It was a hard word. But I told him that I hadn't got time. "But... See more When I worked in an agency, we had two separate translations, one containing two words and the other containing five. The agent had not intended to charge the client, but I could not find a translator with the appropriate language combination to do them. They all charged a minimum, and refused to budge. You have got to hand it to them.
An agent of mine, not one that I know well, once asked me to translate a single word. It was a hard word. But I told him that I hadn't got time. "But it's just one word" he said. "Yes but I am going out exactly now..." I replied. ▲ Collapse
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| It depends... | Oct 25, 2012 |
...on the topic of this translation. I would accept such free translation just on specific, non-commercial topics.
[Edited at 2012-10-25 08:55 GMT]
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Allison Wright wrote:
Would that hypothetical client agree to pay me double my rate on just one translation, just for a change? Probably not.
Why change the basis of a relationship when that relationship is working?
I have and I would go that extra mile for clients of long-standing though. This would include fitting a last-minute translation into my schedule - where a new client, or an agency for whom I have only done one or two jobs will get the "sorry, not available" message.
It wouldn't just be a case of asking to be paid double, it would be a question of whether they would actually give you some money or hours of their time. That's what this adds up to.
| | | | Tim Drayton
Cyprus
Local time: 05:28
Turkish to English
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| Have done/will do again | Oct 25, 2012 |
Yes, for example, if a client has sent me large amounts of good quality work over several years and then needs a brief paragraph translating, I will do the latter for free. It is all about preserving a good relationship.
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 04:28
Member (2006)
German to English
| No, not really / depends | Oct 25, 2012 |
I have said no, but only knowing that they would never ask me ...
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 11:28
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Yes, but ... | Oct 25, 2012 |
Rarely and only for regular customers. Like John, I'll respond to inquiries and do minor corrections for them that do not take up a lot of time for free. This does create goodwill and leaves some customers with a good impression and greases the tracks for future work and projects. I just hope that they do not take advantage of this and automatically assume that I do freebies on a regular basis.
Besides, just doing the extra paperwork for billing would be a pain and time-consuming in... See more Rarely and only for regular customers. Like John, I'll respond to inquiries and do minor corrections for them that do not take up a lot of time for free. This does create goodwill and leaves some customers with a good impression and greases the tracks for future work and projects. I just hope that they do not take advantage of this and automatically assume that I do freebies on a regular basis.
Besides, just doing the extra paperwork for billing would be a pain and time-consuming in itself.
I do, however, draw the line at complete documents and manuals -- those are paid-for work. ▲ Collapse
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I have never actually been asked! I occasionally decide to offer long-standing clients the odd freebie. My volunteer translation work goes to the United Nations and Translators Without Borders...
[Edited at 2012-10-25 10:23 GMT]
| | | | | Bits and bobs... | Oct 25, 2012 |
I have often done very short, two or three line translations on a "free of charge" basis for regular clients. I look on it as oiling the wheels a little. Having said that, it has only been for long-standing clients who have provided me with a good deal of work in the past.
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