| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: Would you reduce your price if a client was particularly friendly/pleasant? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
Mario Chavez (X) 
Local time: 03:34
English to Spanish
+ ...
| No...but I'll be nice about it | Jul 5, 2012 |
I agree with many here about not letting customer behavior alter my rates. Business is business.
This reminds me of how prices and value are perceived in different cultures. I've read that in some Middle Eastern locales, you are expected to haggle over price. In America, we are so used to liquidation days, last sales, going-out-of-business sales that it's become a joke. You see it more often in places like New York. Couponing is a form of discount and is prevalent in many markets he... See more I agree with many here about not letting customer behavior alter my rates. Business is business.
This reminds me of how prices and value are perceived in different cultures. I've read that in some Middle Eastern locales, you are expected to haggle over price. In America, we are so used to liquidation days, last sales, going-out-of-business sales that it's become a joke. You see it more often in places like New York. Couponing is a form of discount and is prevalent in many markets here.
Can you believe they even sell coupon wallets?
I suppose the discount culture goes hand in hand with the commodity culture. Hundreds of different makers or providers offer you the same service or product, same quality (more or less) and same features. So, the main differentiator is price. Hence, the discounts to drum up new business or make repeat business.
Needless to say, translation services are (or should be) unique. The whole relationship with a customer shouldn't hinge on rates, of course. A new customer of mine (direct one) asked for a quote a couple months ago. After receiving my quote, he asked if I would be willing to negotiate and I said yes. We got busy in the details of the project and he gave me the green light. There was no negotiation needed and my original fees were accepted as is. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 09:34
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Noni Gilbert wrote:
If the client was particularly unfriendly/unpleasant, I definitely wouldn't contemplate any price reductions.
In fact, I would not work for a client who seems to be unfamiliar with the guidelines of proper business conduct.
A particularily friendly or pleasant client is not good enough a reason for me to reduce my rates. Only friendly, highly interesting, large volume proyects and long-term collaboration could lead me to lower my price. And, of course, working for NPOs in which cause I believe.
| | | | Cristina Munari
Italy
Local time: 09:34
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
Thayenga wrote: Noni Gilbert wrote:
If the client was particularly unfriendly/unpleasant, I definitely wouldn't contemplate any price reductions. In fact, I would not work for a client who seems to be unfamiliar with the guidelines of proper business conduct. A particularily friendly or pleasant client is not good enough a reason for me to reduce my rates. Only friendly, highly interesting, large volume proyects and long-term collaboration could lead me to lower my price. And, of course, working for NPOs in which cause I believe.
It depends on many factors, including negotiating the deadline.
| | | | | I replied yes but | Jul 5, 2012 |
but I meant not just friendly, though, friendlines is definitely important, but promising as well in terms of future regular cooperation. Also, I would never go any further than my lowest acceptable rate for a given level of difficulty and urgency.
| | |
|
|
|
... they are friendly and pleasant in a way that makes it easier and/or less 'stressful' for me to do my work, then yes.
| | | | Chun Un
Macau
Member (2007)
English to Chinese
+ ...
But the furthest discount I could offer is 20% off my normal rates. That's the bottom line. No tricks will do to get me to accept a lower rate...
[Edited at 2012-07-05 14:39 GMT]
| | | | Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 09:34
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
I would probably not drop my rates but I would go the extra mile - try to have it ready that bit earlier, offer advice and short translations free of charge, accept a rush job I wouldn't accept from a less friendly client...
| | | |
But I would also be very friendly and pleasant with them.
| | |
|
|
|
David Hayes wrote:
No. Likewise, I would not increase my rate if the client was particularly unfriendly/unpleasant. My rates are not based on clients' behaviour (my availability to work with them, however, certainly is!).
Well put. It is exactly what I think.
| | | | | Of course not? | Jul 5, 2012 |
When you go to a store, will they charge you less because you are friendly to the staff?
You still work as hard and you still have to pay the same bills - and you are still as friendly to the people you work with. Why should you charge less?
[Edited at 2012-07-09 20:11 GMT]
| | | |
I don't see any logic in 'being pleasant" and giving/receiving a discount for that gesture! I have never seen such a situation in real life.
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 08:34
| No, not ordinarily. | Jul 5, 2012 |
I am not sure that a client suggesting to me that I should work for less than what already is a reasonable rate is a very friendly or pleasant approach!
| | |
|
|
|
I expect all my clients to be friendly.
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Would you reduce your price if a client was particularly friendly/pleasant? | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
| | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
