Why should volume discounts exist? 스레드 게시자: Bill Greendyk
|
|---|
Thanks for your interest in this issue. I\'ve moved the thread to Business Issues, where it seems to get more coverage.
Bill
[ This Message was edited by:on2003-01-14 16:18]
| | | | | Less admin and guaranteed work. | Jan 14, 2003 |
I think the standard arguments behind volume discounts in translation involve administration, i.e. you obviously have to do less admin for one 100,000 job than for 100 one thousand word jobs, in terms of logging, invoicing, etc. Arguably, terminology research is also easier because you are unlikely to be confronted with one hundred times the terminology, and you are more likely to come across a term in more contexts.
The flip side of this argument is that larger projects oft... See more I think the standard arguments behind volume discounts in translation involve administration, i.e. you obviously have to do less admin for one 100,000 job than for 100 one thousand word jobs, in terms of logging, invoicing, etc. Arguably, terminology research is also easier because you are unlikely to be confronted with one hundred times the terminology, and you are more likely to come across a term in more contexts.
The flip side of this argument is that larger projects often involve more coordination, liaison, etc.
The other argument often cited is that it is guaranteed work. So you don\'t have to spend time on marketing, negotiating new jobs, etc. All well and good if you wouldn\'t have been working anyway, but if you\'ve got plenty of customers who will be disgruntled by you being \'off the scene\' for a few months, the argument starts to look as if it doesn\'t hold water.
And the advantages of a high-volume job, even one of 8 million words, would never justify going down 50 % of your normal rate.
FWIW
Mary ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X) 
미국
Local time: 18:46
영어에서 스페인어
+ ...
The translation is either for charity (in which case I would not charge at all), or it is a paid job (in which case I would charge full price).
8 million words sounds like way too much trouble for what they want to pay. I wouldn\'t even do it for three times that much.
| | | | HIROSE (X)
일본어에서 영어
+ ...
> The translation is either for charity (in which case I would not charge at all), or it is a paid job (in which case I would charge full price).
I like your wit. And this is so true!
| | |
|
|
|
| Depends on the relative bargaining powers | Jan 14, 2003 |
In this respect, translation is no different from any other client/provider relationship: If you have more than enough business at your normal prices, and the client asking for a discount accounts for, say, 10% of your turnover, it\'s relatively easy to say no.
If, however, you struggle to make a living (worse: if the client knows that...), and the client accounts for 25% of your revenue, you probably think twice. I\'m not saying that\'s fair - it\'s reality. For me, that\'s... See more In this respect, translation is no different from any other client/provider relationship: If you have more than enough business at your normal prices, and the client asking for a discount accounts for, say, 10% of your turnover, it\'s relatively easy to say no.
If, however, you struggle to make a living (worse: if the client knows that...), and the client accounts for 25% of your revenue, you probably think twice. I\'m not saying that\'s fair - it\'s reality. For me, that\'s the most compelling argument in favour of a diversified client base, and building your business on factors other than price... ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Why should volume discounts exist? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
