| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: The lower the rate, the less work/attention to detail one is likely to put into a translation: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 22:30
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Professionals who offer quality and accuracy will do so in every single job they accept. The thing is, they won't accept jobs at low rates. People who accept low rates are usually not able to offer quality and accuracy to decent levels. They'll do that naturally in any job, whatever the rate is. So it's NOT like "if you pay me less, I'll deliver a shitty job". It's more like "if you pay me less, I won't work for you, and you'll find someone who accepts it but who will deliver a shitty job. AND Y... See more Professionals who offer quality and accuracy will do so in every single job they accept. The thing is, they won't accept jobs at low rates. People who accept low rates are usually not able to offer quality and accuracy to decent levels. They'll do that naturally in any job, whatever the rate is. So it's NOT like "if you pay me less, I'll deliver a shitty job". It's more like "if you pay me less, I won't work for you, and you'll find someone who accepts it but who will deliver a shitty job. AND YOU KNOW THAT!". ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Newton
United States
Local time: 21:30
Japanese to English
+ ...
I solve this problem by not accepting low rates.
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Transparent prices: Pay the right price for good quality, not per word! | Dec 22, 2019 |
First, what kind of expert can adequately judge what is “cheap” for all translators around the globe, let alone all clients?
Second, why compare those PEMT needy who agree to $0.001/word with “discounts” after some 90 days and those who charge at least $0.25/word flat in advance, within three working days, by installment, or escrow? Such ‘industry’ average, the mean, the mode, and the median are rather volatile and prove nothing for each product or service has its own pr... See more First, what kind of expert can adequately judge what is “cheap” for all translators around the globe, let alone all clients?
Second, why compare those PEMT needy who agree to $0.001/word with “discounts” after some 90 days and those who charge at least $0.25/word flat in advance, within three working days, by installment, or escrow? Such ‘industry’ average, the mean, the mode, and the median are rather volatile and prove nothing for each product or service has its own price and niche.
Third, in the translation field there are very many lemmings without real specialization and hand-on exp who seem to neither know nor care about business, cheaply attracting cheap clients with cheap work—dumping the rates and clasping the circle.
Indeed, a philistine may confuse “money” (the bid and ask prices) and “value” (benefits for the customer), let alone he cannot substantiate the rate—WHY exactly that amount? Little wonder most such individuals have never heard about marketing or presentation, not even an elevator speech…
For instance, while zillions of cheap cars (say, under $10000) are produced every year, I still can’t see 100% cheap cars everywhere. Why, I regularly travel on biz in developed and developing countries, and out of a hundred random cars I see some five cheap cars and about ten premium or luxury cars (over $65000). Also I often buy expensive things and visit expensive restaurants, which even dedicated students can afford too though much less frequently)
Therefore, I also think that unlike the stereotyped sponger fuss, people do prefer to buy quality goods and services, yet in their own premium segments, which may differ greatly.
So, what makes up a low price—and what special includes a high price?
If a car is 1500 kilograms, does it really mean that it should be more expensive than one of 1300 kilo? What would a $10000:1500 kilo imply? Is 175000:2000 ratio any better—for whom? Just irrelevant.
Then why most translators naively charge per word, considering imposed averages and practices?
We can discuss the brand, materials, highly qualified work, amortization, advertisement, class/prestige, fashion/exclusiveness, packaging/extra, services, and so on, but it’s all about the guarantees and customers’ satisfaction, thus bringing in more prospects.
Modern translators (as the real language service providers) usually don’t have direct production costs, yet they should be aware of what their price consists. However, if they cannot justify their rates, what exactly they can guarantee and how? The expensive good/service is no mass consumption goods, but rather the uniquely tailored goal.
The same job for $100 and for $1000 is still the same, correlating with the customers’ class [purchasing capacity] and the translator’s image, reflecting how much and how soon it’s wanted [the value]. Who cares whether I tipped somebody $10, $50, or $100? No difference.
If the offer fits my minimum requirements, I will accept it and do my best for the paid time and efforts. Nevertheless, the customer who paid more will get more–higher priorities [delivery before the deadline] and extra services [and consulting my colleagues and relevant specialists], seeking even better quality for individual preferences and offering more guaranties with a long-time cooperation in mind.
As far as I run my own profit-oriented business in several languages, I offer no discounts or freebies. ▲ Collapse
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