Poll: What is the main reason you would stop working with a client?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 26, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the main reason you would stop working with a client?".

This poll was originally submitted by Rita Utt. View the poll results »



Omar elmi
 
Natalia Pedrosa
Natalia Pedrosa
Spain
Local time: 14:46
Member (2012)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Poor communication Aug 26, 2018

I hate having to wait for long hours or even days to get a response from the client.

Good Sunday to all.

Natalia


Omar elmi
CATARINA CASTRO
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 13:46
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Payment issues Aug 26, 2018

The main reason I have stopped working with some clients has been payment issues. I must say that late payers don’t deserve any sympathy and so if after three reminders the client hasn’t paid, I just call my lawyer. With a small number of clients I had to negotiate hard when I raised my rates 4 years ago, but only one left me.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:46
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Aug 26, 2018

Rudeness, or trying to blame me for their failures are the only things that spring to mind. I have a couple of long-standing clients who sometimes struggle to pay me promptly, but they always settle in the end.

 
Ricardo Suin
Ricardo Suin  Identity Verified
Spain
English to Spanish
+ ...
Payment issues Aug 26, 2018

I don't mind if the client answer me late, it is their project so it's not my fault if they translation is not in great quality because of their behaviour.

But i DO care if they don't pay on time. I understand if you have problems with the system once, but the second time will be their last with me.


 
José Henrique Lamensdorf
José Henrique Lamensdorf  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:46
English to Portuguese
+ ...
In memoriam
Payment issues Aug 26, 2018

The ONE thing any client can do for me is to pay on time, and exactly as agreed.

My rates are market 'average', compared to Proz's Community Rates, therefore considered 'outrageously expensive' for the overwhelming number of low-ballers in our industry. However such rates are NET for COD payment. Due to my location (Brazil), if the client, by their own choice, 'must' pay later and/or use expensive payment methods, they'll incur financial costs that are uncompetitive, if compared to
... See more
The ONE thing any client can do for me is to pay on time, and exactly as agreed.

My rates are market 'average', compared to Proz's Community Rates, therefore considered 'outrageously expensive' for the overwhelming number of low-ballers in our industry. However such rates are NET for COD payment. Due to my location (Brazil), if the client, by their own choice, 'must' pay later and/or use expensive payment methods, they'll incur financial costs that are uncompetitive, if compared to securing capital in most other countries.

In exchange for that timeliness, I - Swiss-Army-knife translator - can do many things for a client, including, though not limited to:

  • timely or early delivery, never late
  • sustaining high quality throughout
  • solving technical problems with crooked, complex, or uncannily-configured files
  • solving content problems with inaccurate, inconsistent or otherwise flawed source material
  • providing early warning in case unavoidably defective final output lurks, suggesting solutions
  • walking the extra mile in improving the output (e.g. improving the audio when the job is only about subtitling)
  • including low-cost giveaways (e.g. graphic editing to insert the translation of text embedded in pictures, if just a few)
  • suggesting cost-saving alternative solutions to the client's intended workflow
  • advising on the usability of the finished job, if trouble downstream can be foreseen
  • ... and the list goes on and on.


Of course, as long as the client remains professional, I don't demand they be 'nice' in e-socializing with me. That will be a bonus for both, IF we have time.

If they don't, can't, or won't give me support, I take problem-solving as part of my assignment. If I am unable to solve the problems involved, I'll have turned down the job at the outset.
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Sundar Gopalakrishnan
Julita Hille
 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 14:46
English to Italian
payment issue and Aug 26, 2018

I stopped working with a couple of clients due to some payment issues, but also with another one because she just asked for urgent translations and got rude when I had to refuse the job due to other jobs to be done in the same days.

 
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 07:46
Dutch to English
+ ...
Other Aug 26, 2018

I haven't had many problems during my 20+ years of translating but any of the above could make me stop working with a client, particularly if there is a combination of issues.

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 14:46
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Other: time-wasting platforms or impossible CAT tools Aug 26, 2018

If agencies are not happy to pay my rates, we never start working together - I suppose they fire me.

Agencies who want me to use a CAT I don't like never get far either. I have tried several CATs over the years, and I can still translate without a CAT if I have to. However, I have reached a point where it is my CAT or no CAT. Full stop.

I don't object to platform systems such as Plunet on principle, but I have dropped several clients because I simply will not waste my t
... See more
If agencies are not happy to pay my rates, we never start working together - I suppose they fire me.

Agencies who want me to use a CAT I don't like never get far either. I have tried several CATs over the years, and I can still translate without a CAT if I have to. However, I have reached a point where it is my CAT or no CAT. Full stop.

I don't object to platform systems such as Plunet on principle, but I have dropped several clients because I simply will not waste my time trying to log in, renewing the password, searching for files, 'bidding' for a job and finding it is either not available any more, or the fee offered for it is way too low.
Then, when I want to deliver the translation, I may have trouble logging in again, the uploading proces is not straightforward ... and finally, when I want to invoice them, I have to do everything twice, because I have to type in the details their way, and it doesn't produce an invoice I can use for tax and accounting purposes...

The word rates are often low, and they don't pay for time wasted on hassle. Agencies like that get short shrift, and I tell them why!

One of my favourite agencies has a system that works - combined with mails to the PMs if I want to discuss anything. Files are easy to download, I can upload the translation, and the invoice details are all entered for me, so I just have to check, accept, save and print out for my accountant.
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José Henrique Lamensdorf
Jennifer Forbes
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:46
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Payment issues Aug 27, 2018

Both payment issues and attempts to lower rates are heavy factors in this requisite. However, historically, the former has caused more losses than the latter to me.
Along the years, I've learned how to identify several traits that clearly indicate bad clients, and I usually get rid of those before even trying to negotiate or after two or three e-mails. This has prevented several lost clients, since I don't even allow them to become clients to begin with.


 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 06:46
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Aug 27, 2018

When they send out my translation to a novice proofreader and ask me to justify why I don't accept the changes. This has happened to be more than once. It has happened to me more than once that "proofreaders" have dumbed down proper medical terminology when the intended readership was obviously other doctors. If the client wants to do that, it's a work-for-hire and I have no right to complain. But I can't be bothered mounting a defense when I feel confident that my translation is acceptable--unl... See more
When they send out my translation to a novice proofreader and ask me to justify why I don't accept the changes. This has happened to be more than once. It has happened to me more than once that "proofreaders" have dumbed down proper medical terminology when the intended readership was obviously other doctors. If the client wants to do that, it's a work-for-hire and I have no right to complain. But I can't be bothered mounting a defense when I feel confident that my translation is acceptable--unless they're willing to pay me a generous hourly fee.

As for payment issues, as long as the money finally comes in, I don't hold it against the client, though those that take a long time to pay would not be my first choice when I'm dealing with multiple offers.

[Edited at 2018-08-27 04:07 GMT]
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Mario Freitas
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:46
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Right, Muriel! Aug 27, 2018

Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:

When they send out my translation to a novice proofreader and ask me to justify why I don't accept the changes.


Now, this is indeed an excellent reason to dump a client for good. If they are not professional, I am. So goodbye!


 


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Poll: What is the main reason you would stop working with a client?






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