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What do you answer agencies with bad BB ratings
Thread poster: Ines Burrell
Ines Burrell
Ines Burrell  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:30
Member (2004)
English to Latvian
+ ...
Jun 21, 2005

I recently received collaboration offer from an agency that operates in a country that immediately spells low rates. On top of that they have quite low BB rating.
The question is - do you send them a polite note rubbing their nose into their s..t and pointing out that you do not work for free. Or you do not even bother to reply.
I normally explain why exactly my services are not available to them but offer to reconsider should they be willing to pay upfront. I believe they should ... See more
I recently received collaboration offer from an agency that operates in a country that immediately spells low rates. On top of that they have quite low BB rating.
The question is - do you send them a polite note rubbing their nose into their s..t and pointing out that you do not work for free. Or you do not even bother to reply.
I normally explain why exactly my services are not available to them but offer to reconsider should they be willing to pay upfront. I believe they should know that they will always get their own back.

Cheers,
Burrell ▲ Collapse
 
Rahi Moosavi
Rahi Moosavi  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 00:30
Member (2004)
English to Persian (Farsi)
+ ...
Plain simple Jun 21, 2005

Plain simple: Ref to [BB] records, please consider payment in advance should you need my services. Bye.

Time is more valuable...
 
de-ru-es-en
de-ru-es-en  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 06:30
Russian to German
+ ...
prepayment, make your offer, don't put too much work in quoting Jun 21, 2005

If you were contacted by a bad BB company/agency they know about their bad reputation (and will know that one checks the BB before bidding).

So, simply send an offer, demanding n % of prepayment (n > 70), work starts once the money was credited to your bank account and quote the rates you consider reasonable.

But, as you mostly won't get any reply to this, don't put too much work and time in writing offers or even consider not to do anything and just don't reply.
 
Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 00:30
SITE FOUNDER
State your rates to save time Jun 21, 2005

State your regular rates, if that is something you do, and see what happens. As for the BB record, if they decide to work with you at your rates you can discuss prepayment if that is something you would like to require.

If they don't respond to you after hearing your rates, either they will not bother you again, or when they approach you again, they will be doing so in full knowledge of your rates.
 
Erika Pavelka (X)
Erika Pavelka (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 00:30
French to English
Agree with Henry Jun 22, 2005

I totally agree with Henry's approach. There's no need to rub a potential client's nose into anything. Simply state that your rates start at X amount, so it looks like you won't be able to take the project. Regardless of the reputation of the client, I think it's important to maintain a professional image as translators.

Erika
 
Ines Burrell
Ines Burrell  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:30
Member (2004)
English to Latvian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you everybody! Jun 22, 2005

This has been a very valuable opinion exchange and next time I will have to spend a lot less time coming up with a suitable wording.
Thanks again!

Cheers,
Burrell
 
Edward Potter
Edward Potter  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 06:30
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Agreement Jun 23, 2005

I rarely write off a potential client a priori. You never know when the client might actually a serious one although they give a different image. A person/company offering work almost always deserves at least some degree of respect.

If they are suspicious looking just ask for payment up front. That'll get rid of the non-serious ones pretty fast.
 


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What do you answer agencies with bad BB ratings







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