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Poll: Do you read the whole document before sending a quote? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you read the whole document before sending a quote?".
This poll was originally submitted by Crystal Samples. View the poll results »
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Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:38
German to English
+ ...
Because it's simply not practical. If you're sent a 20,000 word document, you just don't have the time to read every word before getting back to the client. And it would be time wasted if you don't get the job. I tend to skim paragraphs here and there, and make sure I look at the whole document (sometimes appendices can be nasty).
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I take a general look and, if the text is long, I also use a software to extract the terminology, which helps to set the difficulty of the document.
Mary Worby wrote:
... and make sure I look at the whole document (sometimes appendices can be nasty).
Very good point
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 19:38
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| Yes, sometimes | Jul 22, 2011 |
If it's a small file of one or two pages, I read it before sending my quote.
However, larger files take up to much time to be read. I do check the first couple of pages, then read a few lines of the following pages. I do consider this practice advisible, at least for myself, because a "simple" text can turn into several graphics, especially the small print ones with their several abbreviations that might require a little more research. ... See more If it's a small file of one or two pages, I read it before sending my quote.
However, larger files take up to much time to be read. I do check the first couple of pages, then read a few lines of the following pages. I do consider this practice advisible, at least for myself, because a "simple" text can turn into several graphics, especially the small print ones with their several abbreviations that might require a little more research. ▲ Collapse
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 19:38
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not "read" per se.
I skim/scan the doc quickly to see how doable/snag-free it is.
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| Other/sometimes | Jul 22, 2011 |
Many of my jobs are small, and then I do read them right through.
I check for troublesome formatting etc. too!
Otherwise I skim carefully and look for different subject areas in later sections, specific terminology and anything that can cause trouble. A reasonable solution can be included in the quote if appropriate.
I look up some of the terms in the dictionaries and resources I have, to make sure that most of them are there, or I can find them. I have been caug... See more Many of my jobs are small, and then I do read them right through.
I check for troublesome formatting etc. too!
Otherwise I skim carefully and look for different subject areas in later sections, specific terminology and anything that can cause trouble. A reasonable solution can be included in the quote if appropriate.
I look up some of the terms in the dictionaries and resources I have, to make sure that most of them are there, or I can find them. I have been caught several times with texts that are easy enough to understand in principle, but where I am not sufficiently familiar with the specialist terminology. If in doubt, I turn down the job.
I usually explain to the client how I worked out the rate I am quoting.
Same procedure if a client sends me a text with a rate they are willing to pay - I have to work out whether it is acceptable or negotiable... or whether I should turn the job down anyway. ▲ Collapse
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Amandine Added
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:38
Member (2010)
English to French
+ ...
Well I always get through the doc, maybe not thoroughly but I need to make sure there is not a passage that is going to take so much time to translate due to its technicality that I won't be able to keep up with all my other deadlines....
It's more of a scan than a real lecture but I think it is kind of important to know what I undertake before actually working on it - I really do not like surprises)) It's not going t... See more Well I always get through the doc, maybe not thoroughly but I need to make sure there is not a passage that is going to take so much time to translate due to its technicality that I won't be able to keep up with all my other deadlines....
It's more of a scan than a real lecture but I think it is kind of important to know what I undertake before actually working on it - I really do not like surprises)) It's not going to be possible for vey huge docs but at least I will check the headings so to know if there might be difficulties.
I am also always looking for eventual editing difficulties (lay outs and technics not being my favorite part). ▲ Collapse
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| Skim the whole thing | Jul 22, 2011 |
Pausing more carefully over parts with particularly dense terminology or phrasing, or difficult formatting.
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Skim, yes. Read, no. Unless it's a given that I'm getting the job, reading the entire thing would not be an efficient use of my time.
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| Yes, sometimes | Jul 22, 2011 |
Depends on the subject. I usually read through technical documents before submitting a quote. To my mind, this is vital. Number 1 to make sure that I can handle the translation and number 2 to offer a feasible deadline and price (technical documents often require a lot of research, etc.).
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I rather 'scan' the document to see if I can handle the subject in the time given. It can happen that I oversee some difficulties that arise later, but its handable in general. There is no time to read a document thoroughly.
But I also check for some words if I can find them in the dictionaries.
[Edited at 2011-07-22 12:11 GMT]
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Minna Wood MITI (Purring CAT Ltd.) (X)
United Kingdom
English to Finnish
+ ...
Just a quick look to see if I feel confident with the text.
Antonio Fajardo wrote:
...I also use a software to extract the terminology, which helps to set the difficulty of the document.
What software might that be if you don't mind me asking?
Minna
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 19:38
Member (2006)
German to English
neilmac wrote:
Not "read" per se.
I skim/scan the doc quickly to see how doable/snag-free it is.
And as it is usually my field, I take it on. Sometimes my customers "forget" that I do not do certain sorts of documents and that I why I always take a quick look before agreeing.
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| Yes, always! | Jul 22, 2011 |
At least a quick look...
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Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 13:38
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
I skim the documents to make sure they're within my skill set. Then I do a word count and (if it's an editable file) run an analysis to estimate how long it will take. I also look through the files to see if there is text in graphical elements that will need to be translated but which won't show up in analyses.
All those factors go into calculating both the price quote and the delivery deadline.
[Edited at 2011-07-22 12:45 GMT]
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