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Poll: If a translation agency has no Blue Board record, you...? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If a translation agency has no Blue Board record, you...?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nina Khmielnitzky. View the poll results »
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| I wouldn’t know or care | Nov 13, 2021 |
I just use common sense.
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Besides the Blue Board, there are plenty of resources available to find out whether a potential client is reputable. BB is a great reference source, but it’s not written in stone. Some of my long-standing customers (translation agencies) have no BB entry at all and I suspect they don’t even know that Proz exists. Anyway, like Muriel, over the years, I developed a good sixth sense or gut feeling for these things…
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 08:12
Spanish to English
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I don't really work with agencies, and don't usually approach them looking for work. If they come to me, they'd better have tried and trusted credentials (unlike the bottom feeders that sometimes crop up in my e-mails).
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Jessica Noyes 
United States
Local time: 02:12
Member
Spanish to English
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| Various things | Nov 13, 2021 |
Besides following my instincts, I check the email header; Google the name of the company and investigate their website; use Google maps to check their physical address and make sure it exists; and use LinkedIn to check the name of the person writing me and the names I find on the website.
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 08:12
French to English
Jessica Noyes wrote:
Besides following my instincts, I check the email header; Google the name of the company and investigate their website; use Google maps to check their physical address and make sure it exists; and use LinkedIn to check the name of the person writing me and the names I find on the website.
And we should all do this as well as looking at the BB because we all know references can be faked.
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I look to see if they have a website, which gives me an idea of how established they actually are, and to see if clients have posted reviews about them and their services.
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Edward Potter
Spain
Local time: 08:12
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
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| Down payment | Nov 14, 2021 |
The Blue Board is my primary resource when checking out a potential new customer. If they aren't there, I might duckduckgo/google them, but my mind is already close to being made up. If I am interested, I will ask for money up front.
If my "sixth sense" says that they are reliable, professional and solvent, I'll take the chance.
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| Payment Practices is also a resource, as well as groups on Facebook | Nov 15, 2021 |
I also check the agency in Payment Practices. I also ask for references on Speaking Dolphins on Facebook.
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Aline Amorim
Brazil
Local time: 03:12
English to Portuguese
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| Speaking Dolphins on Facebook | Nov 15, 2021 |
I also ask for references on Speaking Dolphins on Facebook.
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Rosanna Palermo
Local time: 02:12
Member (2006)
Italian to English
MODERATOR | Speaking Dolphins, translators cafe and other sources including trust pilot | Nov 16, 2021 |
I go check on speaking Dolphins, translators cafe, BBB and other sources including trust pilot
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Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 02:12
Spanish to English
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| Three options | Nov 17, 2021 |
1.
If the job in question is fairly small, and the outfit looks solid (e.g., has a website; favorable - or at least not many unfavorable - references on Google), then I would likely accept with a requirement of payment in full within 5-10 days of delivery.
2.
If the job in question is fairly small, and the outfit doesn't look solid (i.e., based on an absence of the above indicators) then I would probably accept "payment prior to delivery" terms (i.e., I would do the work, notif... See more 1.
If the job in question is fairly small, and the outfit looks solid (e.g., has a website; favorable - or at least not many unfavorable - references on Google), then I would likely accept with a requirement of payment in full within 5-10 days of delivery.
2.
If the job in question is fairly small, and the outfit doesn't look solid (i.e., based on an absence of the above indicators) then I would probably accept "payment prior to delivery" terms (i.e., I would do the work, notify the contact of completion, receive payment, and only then deliver the work product).
3.
If the job involved is considerable, then I would require a down payment prior to starting work and payment of the outstanding balance prior to delivery of the work product.
Obviously, "payment" here means "reliable and confirmed payment" - no rubber.  ▲ Collapse
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Sahib Mamudu
Nigeria
Local time: 07:12
English to French
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| Best practice | Nov 19, 2021 |
For one to be on a safer side, the best next step to take is to ask around to be sure. A translator is most of the time an intuitive person. Very rare to be conned if you use your instincts always.
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Daisy H.
United States
Local time: 23:12
English to Chinese
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| Will to take the risk | Nov 20, 2021 |
If it's a small project less than 20 dollar, I'm willing to take the risk, if it's too big, I would request for a down payment first.
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