| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Does the rate of a job determine how much effort you put into delivering good quality? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Does the rate of a job determine how much effort you put into delivering good quality?".
This poll was originally submitted by Els Hoefman
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Does the rate of a job determine how much effort you put into delivering good quality?".
This poll was originally submitted by Els Hoefman
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | John Cutler 
Spain
Local time: 16:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Just a simple no | Jul 14, 2009 |
I'd answer no. I have one particular client who pays me less than the standard rate I usually accept. I work just as hard at her jobs as at anyone else's, because I enjoy them and learn a lot from them.
As far as I'm concerned, if I've accepted a job, it´s my responsibility to complete it to the best of my professional ability. No one was holding a gun at my head making me take the job or accept a certain rate. If you can't get a rate you're happy with and are willing to accept, fi... See more I'd answer no. I have one particular client who pays me less than the standard rate I usually accept. I work just as hard at her jobs as at anyone else's, because I enjoy them and learn a lot from them.
As far as I'm concerned, if I've accepted a job, it´s my responsibility to complete it to the best of my professional ability. No one was holding a gun at my head making me take the job or accept a certain rate. If you can't get a rate you're happy with and are willing to accept, find another job. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 16:06
French to English
+ ...
| Wreckless driving | Jul 14, 2009 |
I fully agree with John. If I accept a job, I deliver quality. Period.
I have a bottom line and will not work below it.
A question for those who put less effort into cheaper jobs: do you also pay more attention to road safety when driving a more expensive car?
Best,
Jocelyne
| | | | | Going the extra mile | Jul 14, 2009 |
Like John and Jocelyne, I try to produce near perfection in anything I take on. What I cannot control is my subconscious I fear - I have a feeling that it puts a stop on my going the extra mile with clients who don't treat me particularly well (and that doesn't necessarily mean they are the worst payers). And I certainly don't give them the little extras I chuck in for others: making minor readjustments for ppt pages when the translation has misaligned the layout, giving them a list of errata in... See more Like John and Jocelyne, I try to produce near perfection in anything I take on. What I cannot control is my subconscious I fear - I have a feeling that it puts a stop on my going the extra mile with clients who don't treat me particularly well (and that doesn't necessarily mean they are the worst payers). And I certainly don't give them the little extras I chuck in for others: making minor readjustments for ppt pages when the translation has misaligned the layout, giving them a list of errata in the original etc.
Favouritism? Yes, I guess so. ▲ Collapse
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lillkakan
Local time: 16:06
English to Swedish
| Always quality, but not more | Jul 14, 2009 |
I agree with Noni here. I don't accept lower quality, ever. If I take the job, I give it my best. However if the rate is on the low end or the client is fussy, disorganised, annoying... they don't get the added value I give my "good" clients. None of the "fluff and fold", they only get exactly what was agreed. No extensive reports on source errors, no volunteered fixing of formatting, no extras like that.
| | | | Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:06
German to English
+ ...
| Occasionally | Jul 14, 2009 |
I have on rare occasions been asked for a 'quick and dirty' translation for a lower price. I can oblige where necessary. But only if there was a specific need for reduced quality would I do this. Normally, the quality is the same whatever the price.
| | | | AWa (X)
Local time: 16:06
English to German
+ ...
| Another No here | Jul 14, 2009 |
If I accept a job I deliver optimum quality. This optimum mostly is determined by the deadline and the support from the client in case of question about the text, but never by the rate.
Why am I so sure about this? Because the only way a rate could influence the quality of my work is that I'm so angry about a low rate that I can't think straight.
When I see job offers for rates like that I simply ignore them.
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John Cutler wrote:
As far as I'm concerned, if I've accepted a job, it´s my responsibility to complete it to the best of my professional ability. No one was holding a gun at my head making me take the job or accept a certain rate. If you can't get a rate you're happy with and are willing to accept, find another job.
I've nothing else to add - John has got it in a nutshell.
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:06
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yeah right, I do sloppy work on lower rated projects and only really pay attention to the highest payers. Por favor...
What really gets my goat (it's happened twice recently) is when clients say "this is an important document so it has to be translated really well", as if the rest of the time we're delivering a sub-standard product... it makes me really, fumingly angry.
Perhaps it comes from the Spanish "mañana" Weltanschauung whereby unless something is stamped "URGENT" in s... See more Yeah right, I do sloppy work on lower rated projects and only really pay attention to the highest payers. Por favor...
What really gets my goat (it's happened twice recently) is when clients say "this is an important document so it has to be translated really well", as if the rest of the time we're delivering a sub-standard product... it makes me really, fumingly angry.
Perhaps it comes from the Spanish "mañana" Weltanschauung whereby unless something is stamped "URGENT" in screaming red print it won't get done in time.
BTW the last time I had a properly drafted original document from a client I did a little jig of delight, it's like finding a four-leaf clover... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mariam Osmann
Egypt
Local time: 17:06
Member (2007)
English to Arabic
+ ...
The client may reduce the rates as "his/her" client requires the translation to be reviewed by someone other than the translator.
So If I read my translated document twice, I will make it once for a lower rate.
[Modifié le 2009-07-14 15:37 GMT]
| | | | | I insist on earning my hourly target rate | Jul 14, 2009 |
Therefore, if an agency contacts me and asks for a job to be done at a third of my normal rate, I objectively assume that they wish me to translate 1,000 words per hour. I am right in assuming this is correct - do you agree?
I answer their enquiry, politely declining the job and stating that I am very sorry, but I am unable to translate fast enough to meet their requirements.
If they do not understand this message, it is just too bad.
| | | | | Never - personal/professional pride | Jul 14, 2009 |
I just don't have it in me to deliberately produce below standard work because I'm being paid less - I always strive to do my best. Like John said, if I accept work (whatever the rate) I'm obliged to complete it to the best of my ability.
I mean does a Civil Engineer suddenly decide that because he's earning a little less than normal he's not going to double check the foundations or something similar on a building (ok a slightly drastic comparison.. but anyway!).
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John Cutler wrote:
I'd answer no. I have one particular client who pays me less than the standard rate I usually accept. I work just as hard at her jobs as at anyone else's, because I enjoy them and learn a lot from them.
As far as I'm concerned, if I've accepted a job, it´s my responsibility to complete it to the best of my professional ability. No one was holding a gun at my head making me take the job or accept a certain rate. If you can't get a rate you're happy with and are willing to accept, find another job.
Well thats' my opinion too.
| | | | John Fossey
Canada
Local time: 10:06
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
I agree with the other comments that quality has to be top notch, regardless of the price that I have agreed on. I have many times turned down work because I knew I could not produce a proper document at the price asked for.
| | | | Roberto Rey
Colombia
Local time: 09:06
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| +/- 40% sometimes...what??? I'm I reading right? | Jul 14, 2009 |
So If I'm unable to negotiate a good rate I "get back" at my client, providing a substandard product? I want to hear from the almost 40% who replied "sometimes": I wouldn't like to fall into their "quality standards"! What a shame!
Simple answer No, no and NO..
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