Poll: In general, do you find clients' deadlines for delivery reasonable for the work involved? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In general, do you find clients' deadlines for delivery reasonable for the work involved?".
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| | | | Jan Truper 
Germany
Local time: 10:20
Member (2016)
English to German
If a deadline is unreasonable, you should either say no or charge an equally unreasonable fee.
[Edited at 2018-11-18 09:46 GMT]
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:20
Spanish to English
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Most of my direct (non-agency) clients know by now that they are not the only ones, so they generally ask about my availability and negotiate their project deadlines in advance.
The only agency I still work with occasionally tends to ask for faster turnaround times, although they also know that I can't always drop everything to meet their deadlines.
| | | | | Increasingly less | Nov 18, 2018 |
I work mostly for international agencies, and most of the time the deadlines are rather tight.
I try to be realistic and suggest an extension when necessary, instead of stressing myself out.
Sometimes they agree, but often they cannot move the deadline and they'll ask another translator.
That's fine. There is plenty of work anyway.
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Anna Herbst
Australia
Local time: 18:20
English to Swedish
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MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER
I tell my clients, private as well as agencies, that by giving me the time I suggest, they will get a better quality product that has been properly proofread, and most are quite willing to negotiate the deadline.
However, there are always the agencies that want the job done right now: if possible, I will try to oblige but I will charge a 25% urgency fee on top of my usual fee. This seems to be bit of a deterrent for most.
Saying no to unreasonable deadlines is just as important as sa... See more I tell my clients, private as well as agencies, that by giving me the time I suggest, they will get a better quality product that has been properly proofread, and most are quite willing to negotiate the deadline.
However, there are always the agencies that want the job done right now: if possible, I will try to oblige but I will charge a 25% urgency fee on top of my usual fee. This seems to be bit of a deterrent for most.
Saying no to unreasonable deadlines is just as important as saying no to unreasonable pay. ▲ Collapse
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My regulars know me quite well and what I can and can't do. If a new client comes with an unreasonable deadline there are only two options: reject or negotiate…
| | | | Ventnai
Spain
Local time: 10:20
German to English
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Some clients always want things as soon as possible to make a good impression on their end client. If I can't make a particular deadline, I always suggest an alternative if the job interests me. The client will usually accept the longer deadline.
| | | | | Clients don't set deadlines, esp. not unilaterally | Nov 19, 2018 |
When a client requests a translation, I will certainly ask whether there are particular circumstances around the delivery date. But in general I examine the material and state by when the translation can be ready. Most of the time my clients ask by when a translation can be ready, so the issue never arises.
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| Yes: otherwise no | Nov 19, 2018 |
Jan Truper wrote:
If a deadline is unreasonable, you should either say no or charge an equally unreasonable fee.
If a deadline is unreasonable I won't accept the job.
By the way, what kind of an answer is "Increasingly less"? The opposite of "Decreasingly more"?
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One of my main clients has stepped up their minimum output requirement to 2,500 a day. That's OK for short documents, but when you're looking at 10,000 and 20,000 words and they don't give you a break for weekends, it's more than I can do. I have other obligations and I can't postpone them for weeks and months at a time.
My number 2 client is very respectful about deadlines and never expects me to work on weekends. I have never had a problem meeting their deadlines, never had to ren... See more One of my main clients has stepped up their minimum output requirement to 2,500 a day. That's OK for short documents, but when you're looking at 10,000 and 20,000 words and they don't give you a break for weekends, it's more than I can do. I have other obligations and I can't postpone them for weeks and months at a time.
My number 2 client is very respectful about deadlines and never expects me to work on weekends. I have never had a problem meeting their deadlines, never had to renegotiate or request an extension.
My other clients typically fall somewhere in between. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 05:20
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| There are no client deadlines. There are agreed deadlines | Nov 19, 2018 |
I usually have no issues with deadlines. They are usually negotiated and agreed upon, not imposed.
In some cases, however, the clients are not used to this kind of job and may request impracticable deadlines. If they don't agree with the practicable one, they can go find another translator.
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