Very very low rates...again. Thread poster: Marcela García Henríquez
|
|---|
I have been offered a job to translate and edit in QuarkXPress at U$0.03 per word... Was it just a translation, I would think it is a very low rate but, also adapting fonts and files and doing desktop publishing?
I am confused.
Rates keep getting lower.
Isn\'t it time to set our own rates, as a group of professionals and compete on the basis of experience and professionalism?
Would that be possible?
... See more I have been offered a job to translate and edit in QuarkXPress at U$0.03 per word... Was it just a translation, I would think it is a very low rate but, also adapting fonts and files and doing desktop publishing?
I am confused.
Rates keep getting lower.
Isn\'t it time to set our own rates, as a group of professionals and compete on the basis of experience and professionalism?
Would that be possible?
Thanks,
Marcela ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X) 
United States
Local time: 06:05
English to Spanish
+ ...
Unless you\'re hungry enough or desperate enough.
In which case you\'ll take whatever job you can get, at any price.
Just ask those who passionately defend their right to charge bottom-of-the-barrel prices.
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 12:05
English to German
+ ...
| You set your own rates | Jan 7, 2003 |
Quote:
Isn\'t it time to set our own rates, as a group of professionals and compete on the basis of experience and professionalism?
You are an independent entrepreneur, aren\'t you? The flip side of the freedom you enjoy is the risk that you won\'t get enough work at reasonable prices. But let\'s face it: this is your decision. Nobody\'s forcing you to work at 3 cents, but if somebody else wants to w... See more Quote:
Isn\'t it time to set our own rates, as a group of professionals and compete on the basis of experience and professionalism?
You are an independent entrepreneur, aren\'t you? The flip side of the freedom you enjoy is the risk that you won\'t get enough work at reasonable prices. But let\'s face it: this is your decision. Nobody\'s forcing you to work at 3 cents, but if somebody else wants to work at that price, that\'s their choice. Don\'t get me wrong: my answer to such an offer would be no - and of course, if someone chooses to compete on price only, I will endeavour to demonstrate that they don\'t measure up in terms of quality. That\'s the reality of competition...
We had many, many threads on whether or not ProZ.com could or should impose \"standard\" or \"minimum\" prices - I don\'t want to get into that loop again. I suggest you search the forums for \"low rates\"; also, have a look at FAQ #7.
▲ Collapse
| | | |
So what are acceptable rates for translation plus desktop publishing in Quark? Anyone can help?
| | |
|
|
|
Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 12:05
English to German
+ ...
| Have a look at average site rates | Jan 7, 2003 |
As a Platinum member (and provided you have entered a range of rates yourself), you can check the average rates entered by other members in up to 5 working language pairs.
(If you haven\'t entered any, make sure you read the FAQ entry first!)
Sorry I can\'t indicate anything as far as your pairs are concerned - but 3 cents seems to be veeeery (if not: ridiculously) low, particularly if DTP is to be included.
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X)
United States
Local time: 06:05
English to Spanish
+ ...
| What clients pay me | Jan 7, 2003 |
Quote:
On 2003-01-07 13:54, Hispawords wrote:
So what are acceptable rates for translation plus desktop publishing in Quark? Anyone can help?
Translation: 12 cents per word minimum (depends on the quality of the original and subject specialization)
Revision: 4 cents per word or $40 an hour minimum
DTP: $50 an hour minimum (about 1 page per hour)
Your mileage may v... See more Quote:
On 2003-01-07 13:54, Hispawords wrote:
So what are acceptable rates for translation plus desktop publishing in Quark? Anyone can help?
Translation: 12 cents per word minimum (depends on the quality of the original and subject specialization)
Revision: 4 cents per word or $40 an hour minimum
DTP: $50 an hour minimum (about 1 page per hour)
Your mileage may vary. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Thanks for the input.
Just another question, when you mention what clients pay, do you mean direct clients or translation agencies?
I have a feeling that these very low rates come mainly from agencies, and not very good ones.
My rates for direct clients go from U$0.20 to U$0.12, the problem I am facing is that
local business opportunities in my country are very little right now and I am obliged to work for agencies abroad,... See more Thanks for the input.
Just another question, when you mention what clients pay, do you mean direct clients or translation agencies?
I have a feeling that these very low rates come mainly from agencies, and not very good ones.
My rates for direct clients go from U$0.20 to U$0.12, the problem I am facing is that
local business opportunities in my country are very little right now and I am obliged to work for agencies abroad, which I see as a great opportunity also, as long as the rates are not below profit.
I am not taking a desktop publishing and translation job at this rate (0.03 p/w), moreover, I couldn\'t even see the files so as to make a budget, for the project manager had lost them!
Thanks to all.
Marcela ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X)
United States
Local time: 06:05
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Believe it or not | Jan 8, 2003 |
Quote:
On 2003-01-08 16:54, Hispawords wrote:
Just another question, when you mention what clients pay, do you mean direct clients or translation agencies?
Translation agencies.
| | |
|
|
|
Adrian Woods (X)
Spanish to English
| $$ stretches further in other countries | Feb 5, 2003 |
[quote]
On 2003-01-06 22:57, Hispawords wrote:
Isn\'t it time to set our own rates, as a group of professionals and compete on the basis of experience and professionalism?
Funny, in all these threads, nobody has mentioned countries where a little money goes a long way.
Globalisation: pros and cons.
Adrian Woods
| | | | Rick Henry
United States
Local time: 05:05
Italian to English
+ ...
| This is very telling... | Feb 5, 2003 |
This spells nothing but disaster in my book. How were they planning on delivering the files to you? Fax? Whatever the delivery method, the simple fact that the PM doesn\'t at least provide a sample of the text to be translated is pretty indicative of his/her (lack of any kind of) quality control. Even new clients send at least a brief excerpt of the text and ask if I can or cannot handle the subject matter.
R.
==
Quote:... See more This spells nothing but disaster in my book. How were they planning on delivering the files to you? Fax? Whatever the delivery method, the simple fact that the PM doesn\'t at least provide a sample of the text to be translated is pretty indicative of his/her (lack of any kind of) quality control. Even new clients send at least a brief excerpt of the text and ask if I can or cannot handle the subject matter.
R.
==
Quote:
On 2003-01-08 16:54, Hispawords wrote:
...
I couldn\'t even see the files so as to make a budget, for the project manager had lost them!
▲ Collapse
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X)
United States
Local time: 06:05
English to Spanish
+ ...
| How little is "a little"? | Feb 5, 2003 |
Quote:
On 2003-02-05 09:00, awoods wrote:
Funny, in all these threads, nobody has mentioned countries where a little money goes a long way.
Like, where? India? China?
| | | | sylver
Local time: 18:05
English to French
| Costa Rica, Thailand,... | Feb 6, 2003 |
Quote:
On 2003-02-05 22:58, Dyran wrote:
Quote:
On 2003-02-05 09:00, awoods wrote:
Funny, in all these threads, nobody has mentioned countries where a little money goes a long way.
Like, where? India? China?
and many other countries. But, it depends which market is being targeted. However, i... See more Quote:
On 2003-02-05 22:58, Dyran wrote:
Quote:
On 2003-02-05 09:00, awoods wrote:
Funny, in all these threads, nobody has mentioned countries where a little money goes a long way.
Like, where? India? China?
and many other countries. But, it depends which market is being targeted. However, if we are talking about Eu countries, that\'s just enough for a sleeping bag under a good bridge.
Hell, we provide a valuable service for god sakes! ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Very very low rates...again. | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
| | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
