| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you quote on potential projects? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you quote on potential projects?".
This poll was originally submitted by Montse S.. View the poll results »
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 16:26
Member (2006)
German to English
| Yes, at times | Mar 21, 2014 |
and generally only for my regular customers where I actually do get the job....
| | | | | Not on Proz.com | Mar 21, 2014 |
I do not quote on potential translations here on Proz.com but I do if a direct client (or agency) asks me directly.
| | | | XXXphxxx (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:26
Portuguese to English
+ ...
I don't understand the question. How else can a client decide whether or not they can assign you the job?
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not sure if the question refers to proz or in general.
In general, I don't usually compete for jobs. On the few occasions I've been tempted to apply for an interesting-sounding offer on proz, there has invariably been something offputting in the conditions. For example "SDL Trados", which seems to be more or less de rigeur, warts and all. I also find the rates proposed are usually quite low and the deadlines rarely realistic from my point of view as an already busy working translat... See more Not sure if the question refers to proz or in general.
In general, I don't usually compete for jobs. On the few occasions I've been tempted to apply for an interesting-sounding offer on proz, there has invariably been something offputting in the conditions. For example "SDL Trados", which seems to be more or less de rigeur, warts and all. I also find the rates proposed are usually quite low and the deadlines rarely realistic from my point of view as an already busy working translator.
Otherwise, if a new (or old) client approaches me and asks for a quote, I'm usually prepared to make an offer, but rarely go below my usual standard rates, which are comparatively low to begin with.
[Edited at 2014-03-21 17:57 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Potential only | Mar 21, 2014 |
Here on ProZ, I quote almost exclusively on potential projects, because the vast majority of actual ones are simply too small. Not that I shun smaller jobs, but if an outsourcer needs to put up a 200-word project (or even a 5000-word one) for open bidding by translators not in their database, it's already a symptom of mismanagement, at least because a properly organised bidding process would in this case take longer than the translation itself. Or maybe the agency is just trying to get the rock ... See more Here on ProZ, I quote almost exclusively on potential projects, because the vast majority of actual ones are simply too small. Not that I shun smaller jobs, but if an outsourcer needs to put up a 200-word project (or even a 5000-word one) for open bidding by translators not in their database, it's already a symptom of mismanagement, at least because a properly organised bidding process would in this case take longer than the translation itself. Or maybe the agency is just trying to get the rock bottom price, which would invariably be outside of my market segment.
On the other hand, potential projects are usually large.
[Edited at 2014-03-21 09:10 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 23:26
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Very rarely - but I used to with new customers many years ago.
With already established customers, there really is no need for 'quotes' per se on 'potential projects' or otherwise since rates are already decided on in advance in a Vendor Agreement or similar contract. The customer provides me with a character count - remember I'm translating from Japanese to English - along with other contractual details (e.g. start/end dates and project specific requirements) and I either ac... See more Very rarely - but I used to with new customers many years ago.
With already established customers, there really is no need for 'quotes' per se on 'potential projects' or otherwise since rates are already decided on in advance in a Vendor Agreement or similar contract. The customer provides me with a character count - remember I'm translating from Japanese to English - along with other contractual details (e.g. start/end dates and project specific requirements) and I either acceot them or discuss issues in further detail before accepting or declining.
Quotes or in this case 'negotiation of rates and other contractual details' occur only with new customers, and the procedure is exactly as above once the contract is in place. No need for quotes at all. 
This saves a lot of time and anxiety, and all negotiations - which are hardly negible - are done before the project is started so all I have to do is concentrate solely on actually translating the project once it gets going. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 16:26
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
I have interpreted this question to refer to projects posted on proz or coming in by email from a potential new customer. I will only quote if the project seems interesting and I have a quiet spell, using my normal rates (which I consider my best rates anyway). With already established customers, as Julian said, it comes down to accepting or negotiating deadlines or, in some cases, a specific rate for that project rather than quoting.
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On Proz.com it all boils down to: Am I available? Is the project interesting? Has the poster a good BB score? Is the rate acceptable? Is the deadline reasonable? This being said, I only quote very occasionally. Otherwise, if a client asks me directly for a quote, it’s the only way to get the job…
| | | | | Other - it depends | Mar 21, 2014 |
I will definitely quote on potential jobs from regular clients. I'm much more selective when it comes to people I don't know, and I almost never quote on potential jobs posted through ProZ unless the subject really interests me.
For me, quoting for jobs posted on ProZ has been a waste of time. My rates are rarely accepted. But I do get clients who find me through the ProZ directory, and for them I might consider quoting on a potential job.
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Lisa Simpson, MCIL MITI wrote:
I don't understand the question
| | | | Montse S.
Spain
Local time: 16:26
German to Spanish
+ ...
| See explanation below | Mar 21, 2014 |
Chris S wrote: Lisa Simpson, MCIL MITI wrote:
I don't understand the question
On Proz.com outsourcers can post "potential" projects, meaning that the project hasn't been confirmed yet by the final client. This option is generally chosen by agencies willing to have a translator available at the very same time green light is given by the final client.
The downside of this kind of job posting is that quoters have to spend some time sending their quotes and if they are chosen, there will probably be some email correspondence going back and forth, but they may end up empty-handed if the project is not finally confirmed.
I hope it is clear now!
Best,
Montse
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XXXphxxx (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:26
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| Thanks for explaining | Mar 21, 2014 |
I don't quote for jobs on here a) because the prices outsourcers are looking for are usually a fraction of what I charge b) I can't quote on a job unless I've seen the whole document.
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Lisa Simpson, MCIL MITI wrote:
I don't quote for jobs on here a) because the prices outsourcers are looking for are usually a fraction of what I charge b) I can't quote on a job unless I've seen the whole document.
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 16:26
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
As outlined before, the prices offered are usually below, sometimes even less than half of what I charge. Quoting on potential jobs also bears the "risk" of ending up receiving these mass emails. Dealing with those would consume too much of my time.
The only time I quote on existing (not potential) jobs is when I a) have some free capacity and b) when the job is really interesting.
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