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Do you discuss your rates?
Thread poster: Karin Walker (X)
Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Local time: 21:15
German to English
+ ...
9 cents = too low Apr 22, 2002

Quote:


On 2002-04-22 17:08, bochkor wrote:

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On 2002-04-22 15:28, Dyran wrote:

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On 2002-04-22 14:27, jacek wrote:

BTW, I think 9c/w is a reasonable rate for NYC.





It\'s actually on the low side. US$0.12 to US$0.14 for agencies (depending on the specialty) ... See more
Quote:


On 2002-04-22 17:08, bochkor wrote:

Quote:


On 2002-04-22 15:28, Dyran wrote:

Quote:


On 2002-04-22 14:27, jacek wrote:

BTW, I think 9c/w is a reasonable rate for NYC.





It\'s actually on the low side. US$0.12 to US$0.14 for agencies (depending on the specialty) is much more reasonable.





I am in NYC and my rate is 12 cents, with which most agencies don\'t have a problem at all. There are a few cheap ones everywhere, but even my project managers have confirmed that other translators charge the same. And this goes not just for New York, but most of the U.S. Again, with the exception of such cheap states like Florida, where they may expect 6-7 cents, but they don\'t get it from professional translators. Then they resort to local unprofessional people who just speak the language (with no quality), but that\'s their problem. Florida is like that, because the wages are very low there, too. But you have to assume that their clients may not be from Florida and pay well to them, so who cares about low employment wages in FL, if this is no employment and you don\'t live there? So all over the U.S. 12 cents is normal.

[ This Message was edited by: on 2002-04-22 17:11 ]





Fully agree! ▲ Collapse


 
Karin Walker (X)
Karin Walker (X)  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 02:15
German to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
I don't really appreciate this tone of message! Apr 22, 2002

Quote:


On 2002-04-22 15:21, bochkor wrote:



And especially in a team you started questioning an even rate for interpreters, then later, when you got admonished for that, you quickly withdrew and wrote that you meant it in general. Well, you didn\'t, \'cause that\'s not what you wrote in the first place!



Laszlo, I really don\'t appreciate being talked to like this. I did not question the even rates pri... See more
Quote:


On 2002-04-22 15:21, bochkor wrote:



And especially in a team you started questioning an even rate for interpreters, then later, when you got admonished for that, you quickly withdrew and wrote that you meant it in general. Well, you didn\'t, \'cause that\'s not what you wrote in the first place!



Laszlo, I really don\'t appreciate being talked to like this. I did not question the even rates principle, I merely stated that in this case, this is the way it happened and I wasn\'t sure about how to react to the consequences. I don\'t think I was admonished for it by anyone, indeed I think I made it clear that I am seeking pre-candidature which surely would make it clear in turn that I am a beginner in this game, thus still looking for guidance. I don\'t think that using such a harsh tone of voice is really helpful. Also, where did I \"withdraw\"? I was not a member on this team at all, by saying \"fellow interpreter\" I meant a colleague who told me about this. Sorry if that wasn\'t quite clear.





So how can this even be a question? I don\'t understand it. And in a market situation you can very well forget about such fairness as payment commensurate with difficulty of job, you better take the highest offer, whether the job is too easy for that or not. Would you ever complain to an agency that you don\'t deserve such a high rate for a specific job, because it\'s too easy, so they should pay you less for fairness\'s sake? Come on!



Again, why this tone of voice? I guess this is something that some people feel strongly about, but this is unnecessary. Of course I wouldn\'t complain to an agency about them giving me too high a rate - what I did actually say was that I can understand to a certain extent why this happens. Experienced, specialised translators can command higher rates - I would not dream of giving a junior translator fresh out of college the same rate as someone with 20 years of experience.



I hope this answers your question and gave you some clarity on where you need to stand.





Well, that depends on whether you mean my original question. I had asked whether a discussion of rates was a good thing, NOT whether uneven/even rates were fair or not. The other answers seem to suggest that discussion is good - as for knowing my market worth, I do know what the going rates are, both from talking to friends and from discussions on proz, so fear not, I won\'t be underselling myself.



I am totally aware of aiic guidelines so any suggestion, as I - maybe unjustly - have read into certain responses, that I am at risk of breaking the rules before I\'m even in the club, is unnecessary. Beginners will ask for help on getting into the business and how to react to certain situations - why not just be neutral and helpful? ▲ Collapse


 
Margaret Doney
Margaret Doney
French to English
+ ...
Certainly, translation rates should be discussed Apr 22, 2002

I\'m with those who believe keeping your rates a closely guarded secret only benefits clients who want to get away with paying substandard rates.



Ona, for example, by discussing her rates has probably discovered that\'s she still being underpaid. Information from others such as Dyran can give her leverage with clients who balk at her rates.



Margaret Doney

French and Spanish into English


 
Jacek Krankowski (X)
Jacek Krankowski (X)  Identity Verified
English to Polish
+ ...
Reply to Dyran, László and Werner Apr 22, 2002

OF COURSE, I wanted to be sarcastic about them not wanting to pay 9c in NYC, of all places!, but, being in a hurry, I did not get my point across. Thanks for straightening that out!

 
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