| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: I would take on an assignment over the phone with nothing in writing. Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "I would take on an assignment over the phone with nothing in writing.".
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| | | | Enrico Zoffoli 
Italy
Local time: 07:16
Member (2013)
German to Italian
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| I do it all the time... | May 30, 2013 |
...but that's because I work with just a handful of trusted clients.
| | | | Tatty
Local time: 07:16
Spanish to English
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| File sent by email | May 30, 2013 |
As the file is sent by email, if they don't include the project details then I will when I return the confirmation. So, no problem, I agree to do translations over the phone. In fact, if I then looked at the document and didn't want to do it for some reason I would reject it. Until I sent my confirmation I am not bound, as far as I am concerned.
| | | | | Yes, I would but only for certain clients | May 30, 2013 |
I must say that I can't remember the last time I actually spoke to a customer over the phone: the preferred method of communication seems to be email!
[Edited at 2013-05-30 09:29 GMT]
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How many jobs come by fax/post/carrier pigeon these days anyway?
| | | | Jana Kinská
Czech Republic
Local time: 07:16
English to Czech
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| I totally agree... | May 30, 2013 |
Tatty wrote:
As the file is sent by email, if they don't include the project details then I will when I return the confirmation. So, no problem, I agree to do translations over the phone. In fact, if I then looked at the document and didn't want to do it for some reason I would reject it. Until I sent my confirmation I am not bound, as far as I am concerned.
So "nothing in writing" seems quite confusing when it comes to translation (not interpretation), I think.
| | | | | Only for certain clients and with confirmation later | May 30, 2013 |
NOTHING in writing?
How about the source text?
But assuming a trusted client needed a translation absolutely as fast as I could send it, and called me with a reference to some text I could find quickly, specified on the phone... I would probably start and agree they could send a PO later.
Perhaps if the e-mail was down, but I would still need the source text!
I have done the equivalent with mails, in answer to 'How soon can you translate the attached file an... See more NOTHING in writing?
How about the source text?
But assuming a trusted client needed a translation absolutely as fast as I could send it, and called me with a reference to some text I could find quickly, specified on the phone... I would probably start and agree they could send a PO later.
Perhaps if the e-mail was down, but I would still need the source text!
I have done the equivalent with mails, in answer to 'How soon can you translate the attached file and get it back to us?' - sometimes alerted by a phone call that the file is on the way.
However, in these days of broadband and instant e-mail... I would normally expect a couple of lines of written agreement, even if the formal PO comes later.
Knowing me, unless it was a straightforward no-formatting job, the client would do well to prepare a straight no-formatting file too!
I would only do it for clients who go the extra mile for me when I get into a tight spot. But I have several of those, and am happy to help them when I can. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 14:16
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Yes, sort of | May 30, 2013 |
Even with well-established customers, a phone call to me would be to confirm my availability or to see if I checked an important e-mail. If I'm free, I will give them a tentative answer, and will then get back to them with a firm OK after checking content, deadline and other details.
And, with these customers, contractual details are already set in place.
Sorry, but the days of accepting jobs with a nod and a wink are far long gone.
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| You need to see the text first | May 30, 2013 |
Even trusted regular clients may send you files that you don't want to translate (because they are outside your expertise, have a horrible format, have more words than you can do in the time available, etc.).
| | | | Ventnai
Spain
Local time: 07:16
German to English
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| Not without source text | May 30, 2013 |
I usually never accept anything until I have actually seen it. I have accepted a few short jobs over the phone from my main client late on Friday afternoon, for instance.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 07:16
Spanish to English
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| Yes, but depends who for | May 30, 2013 |
From my regular direct clients, yes, because they know my conditions, likes and dislikes, etc. With agencies, I'd also usually accept work over the phone as long as my usual terms were understood to hold sway (no dodgy OCRs or unworkable PDFs, no cryptic undefined abbreviations, things like that).
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 01:16
Member (2005)
German to English
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| That's a good way to get burned. | May 30, 2013 |
Even trusted clients sometimes underestimate either the difficulty or the difference from their standard projects. Been there, done that, learned that lesson.
If the client doesn't have time to email the source files and discuss terms, then I don't have time either.
I have gotten requests for and accepted rush jobs. Source per email and discussion over the phone works really well in those situations. But phone only? No, thank you.
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Rebecca Garber wrote:
Even trusted clients sometimes underestimate either the difficulty or the difference from their standard projects. Been there, done that, learned that lesson.
If the client doesn't have time to email the source files and discuss terms, then I don't have time either.
I have gotten requests for and accepted rush jobs. Source per email and discussion over the phone works really well in those situations. But phone only? No, thank you.
Same here!
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 07:16
Member (2009)
English to German
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| This might not be wise | May 30, 2013 |
We are all only human beings and can, therefore, misconceive agreements or some of the affiliated terms.
In extremely urgent cases, and for good clients only, I have agreed to assignments over the phone on the condition that the documents be delivered asap and that the price is not a "firm" one. And never without an email confirmation of all the details to follow within minutes.
The terms we had agreed on over the phone, with reservation, sometimes required some adjust... See more We are all only human beings and can, therefore, misconceive agreements or some of the affiliated terms.
In extremely urgent cases, and for good clients only, I have agreed to assignments over the phone on the condition that the documents be delivered asap and that the price is not a "firm" one. And never without an email confirmation of all the details to follow within minutes.
The terms we had agreed on over the phone, with reservation, sometimes required some adjustments based on the actual work scope and/or the difficulty of the documents.
My clients trust me like I trust them, however, we are only human beings after all. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | But I always ask for written confirmation... | May 30, 2013 |
You might say this has been the subject of some bitter arguments, so although I say yes on the phone, you better send me a confirmatory email before I actually undertake the job...
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: I would take on an assignment over the phone with nothing in writing. | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
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