Poll: What is the biggest put-off when it comes to a client request?
Autor vlákna: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
PRACOVNÍK SERVERU
Jun 8, 2024

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the biggest put-off when it comes to a client request?".

This poll was originally submitted by Iulia Parvu. View the poll results »



 
Most of them make it onto the list, some don't Jun 8, 2024

> Low budget

Yes. That applies to all agencies, so I turn down the request

> Tight deadline

Yes, very often

> Not enough expertise in the subject

Yes - I'm not good at legal and understand nothing about finance, sailing, and some other sectors (some antique fabrics, antique coral artefacts, and plenty more) and I don't trust myself on medicine (I worked in the sector for eight years, so I know how dangerous it can be to make a mist
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> Low budget

Yes. That applies to all agencies, so I turn down the request

> Tight deadline

Yes, very often

> Not enough expertise in the subject

Yes - I'm not good at legal and understand nothing about finance, sailing, and some other sectors (some antique fabrics, antique coral artefacts, and plenty more) and I don't trust myself on medicine (I worked in the sector for eight years, so I know how dangerous it can be to make a mistake)

> Too much research involved

Isn't that just the other end of the same thing?

> Unfriendliness of PMs

The last time I worked with a new agency was maybe a couple of decades ago, so that's not currently a problem

> Too small to bother

Sometimes, but generally it's not a great problem.

> A combination of all the above

Well yes, but generally one in particular for each request.

> Something else (please share)

I only deal with clients if they know me or know about me, which I suppose means that I don't like having to face competition from my colleagues. Nothing to be proud of but I did plenty of that years ago and can't be bothered now.
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Iulia Parvu
Zea_Mays
svetlana cosquйric
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Řecko
Local time: 18:34
řečtina -> angličtina
Deadline Jun 9, 2024

Any job offer from a new client with a deadline of 24 hours or less is going to get rejected, regardless of anything else.

The appearance of the word "urgent" - or even worse, "URGENT!!" - in the email subject line betrays a lack of organisation and kills any interest stone dead.


Jean Dimitriadis
Iulia Parvu
expressisverbis
Elena Feriani
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Michael Harris
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
 
Tantie Kustiantie
Tantie Kustiantie  Identity Verified
Indonésie
Local time: 22:34
angličtina -> indonéština
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
They always asked and collect our data but never give the real job Jun 9, 2024

The Translation Agency always ask to submit CV, certificate, NDA etc but never give us the real job

Philip Lees
expressisverbis
Iulia Parvu
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Roy Chacón
Michael Harris
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
 
WolfgangS
WolfgangS
Francie
Local time: 17:34
angličtina -> němčina
+ ...
50.000 words Jun 9, 2024

Please quote your best offer considering the huge amount of the project.

Philip Lees
expressisverbis
Iulia Parvu
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Lingua 5B
Christine Andersen
svetlana cosquйric
 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugalsko
Local time: 16:34
angličtina -> portugalština
+ ...
Other Jun 9, 2024

Requesting documents such as a "copy of my self-assessment" and "a letter from my accountant confirming they manage my accounts", and other sort of useless documents!
(Yes, it happened to me last week, and I wonder what is a self-assessment copy?!)
Offering ridiculous rates and asking for a series of requirements.
I also don't like being forced to use translation tools that are crap, even though I'm receptive to technology and like to learn new things.


Philip Lees
Iulia Parvu
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugalsko
Local time: 16:34
Člen (2007)
angličtina -> portugalština
+ ...
Something else Jun 9, 2024

All of the above but “too much research involved” (I like researching and I enjoy the instant gratification of finding the right word), plus something else:

1. Translation management portals
2. Red tape in the form of so-called welcome packs
3. First come, first served basis
4. Urgent deadline from a new client
5. (…)


expressisverbis
Philip Lees
Iulia Parvu
Simon Turner
 
Lingua 5B
Lingua 5B  Identity Verified
Bosna a Hercegovina
Local time: 17:34
angličtina -> francouzština
+ ...
“Send us your CV” Jun 9, 2024

After a long description of the project, it says “send us your CV”. Major put off.

Also a “combination” applies.


Iulia Parvu
svetlana cosquйric
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
Nurettin Ceylan
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
Francie
Local time: 17:34
francouzština -> angličtina
. Jun 13, 2024

You lost me at "low price".
But in general I find that those paying the lowest prices are also the least efficient and the least friendly and the least inclined to find the right translator for the job, meaning that they might offer me a job that has nothing to do with any of the many specialist subjects I handle.


Anne Maclennan
 


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Poll: What is the biggest put-off when it comes to a client request?






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