| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How do you feel when a client tells you when a new project is to come, but delays it without news? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you feel when a client tells you when a new project is to come, but delays it without news?".
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| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 12:51
Spanish to English
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| Slightly miffed… | Mar 23, 2021 |
In fact it happened to me this weekend. Friday was a national holiday here, so it was a long weekend in more than one sense. New client - recommended by another client from the same institution - turned up on Friday needing just over 3000 words translated urgently for a Symposium, which he needed delivered by today. I said that as long as he sent me most of the text by Sunday, I could probably deliver on time. He duly agreed and sent me the first thousand words or so, saying he would send the r... See more In fact it happened to me this weekend. Friday was a national holiday here, so it was a long weekend in more than one sense. New client - recommended by another client from the same institution - turned up on Friday needing just over 3000 words translated urgently for a Symposium, which he needed delivered by today. I said that as long as he sent me most of the text by Sunday, I could probably deliver on time. He duly agreed and sent me the first thousand words or so, saying he would send the rest by Sunday. However, I didn't get anything from him on Sunday, but as I also had other jobs lined up for delivery this week, I simply used the time to finish a couple of them. The rest of his "urgent" text arrived yesterday morning, and I spent most of the day finishing the translation. As if that wasn't enough, this morning he sent me an addendum of 120 words to be added to the rest. When I finish this post, I'm going to give his translated manuscript a final going over before delivering it on time, as agreed.
Twenty years ago, I 'd probably have been going up the walls and cursing him right, left and centre for his laxity, but this kind of thing has always happened in Spain, so I'm kind of used to it by now. Mañana doesn't always mean tomorrow. I'm now hoping to have less work next weekend, because the weather is starting to turn nice... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sadek_A 
Local time: 15:51
English to Arabic
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"delays it" is not the problem, "without news" is.
Unless proven otherwise, due to some force majeure perhaps, that would be plain disrespect.
In the latter case, your feeling must be the exact same they should be brought to have when you confirm availability then go completely unreachable.
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With agencies:
I contact them when the time slot booked is at risk of being taken over by someone else. I kindly ask them to reply within 30s from receipt, after which my availability commitment to them expires.
Then I make a decision as to whether two birds in the bush is better for the planet than one bird in the hand. Autrement dit, un "tiens" vaut mieux que deux "tu l'auras".
Philippe
[Edited at 2021-03-23 10:39 GMT]
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I’ll get very annoyed if I’m booked for a project that is delayed but until now my customers have always notified me in advance on the rare occasions this has happened.
| | | | | Amusing poll | Mar 23, 2021 |
Why do your feelings even matter in this case?
| | | | Liena Vijupe
Latvia
Local time: 13:51
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
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| Yaay, a new poll! | Mar 23, 2021 |
It may be slightly annoying, but mostly I feel nothing, it happens all the time. It is typically the case of potential jobs where they want to know if I'm available and usually I'm rather surprised if I actually receive any such work at all.
I will take note of it and might even inquire in some cases, but I won't clear my schedule unless it's confirmed. If/when the project arrives, it will be treated as any other new request negotiating the deadline depending on my availability, if ... See more It may be slightly annoying, but mostly I feel nothing, it happens all the time. It is typically the case of potential jobs where they want to know if I'm available and usually I'm rather surprised if I actually receive any such work at all.
I will take note of it and might even inquire in some cases, but I won't clear my schedule unless it's confirmed. If/when the project arrives, it will be treated as any other new request negotiating the deadline depending on my availability, if necessary. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Liena Vijupe
Latvia
Local time: 13:51
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
+ ...
| an even better question | Mar 23, 2021 |
Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei wrote:
Why do your feelings even matter in this case?
Why do feelings matter at all?
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Michael Newton
United States
Local time: 06:51
Japanese to English
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| delay without news | Mar 23, 2021 |
It this happens consistently with the same client, I drop them.
| | | | | Even better question | Mar 23, 2021 |
Liena Vijupe wrote:
Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei wrote:
Why do your feelings even matter in this case?
Why do feelings matter at all?
What are feelings?
| | | | Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 14:51
Member
English to Turkish
| 'delays it without news' | Mar 23, 2021 |
Is 'doing something without news' an Americanism?
[Edited at 2021-03-23 11:53 GMT]
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I would like to congratulate Proz.com for all the efforts put to breathe new life again into the Quick Poll…
[Edited at 2021-03-23 12:00 GMT]
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| Feelings matter | Mar 23, 2021 |
Liena Vijupe wrote:
Why do feelings matter at all?
A bit off-topic, but without any feelings you wouldn't even be able to cross the street in a safe way.
[Edited at 2021-03-23 14:02 GMT]
| | | | Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 06:51
Spanish to English
+ ...
Frankly, any translator who "books" his or her time in the absence of written confirmation of assignment is a fool.
The most I would say in the case of "a possible assignment" is that "as of now, I am available, but I cannot confirm acceptance until I am actually offered the assignment."
The time to make a firm commitment is when you actually receive the assignment - not before.
| | | | | Some clients seem to be specialists | Mar 23, 2021 |
In my experience, this seems to be an integral part the way a certain number of communication agencies work. As working to extremely tight deadlines seems to be commonplace for them, by the time a file is sent for translation, the time remaining to do a decent job has been significantly reduced. The fate of the end-of-the-line translator. I can understand that it happens from time to time. We are simply human and all that. When it is systematic and applies to several clients in the same field, y... See more In my experience, this seems to be an integral part the way a certain number of communication agencies work. As working to extremely tight deadlines seems to be commonplace for them, by the time a file is sent for translation, the time remaining to do a decent job has been significantly reduced. The fate of the end-of-the-line translator. I can understand that it happens from time to time. We are simply human and all that. When it is systematic and applies to several clients in the same field, you start to see it as an industry standard.
Over time, you get philosophical as you can only do what is humanly possible within a particular time frame. When you gradually realise that the client says the job is with the translator and that the last one holding the hot potato gets to carry the can, well, you might find yourself weaning your way away from this type of client. It can damage your reputation through no fault of your own. I learnt to let them go!
You can try to be flexible, but there are limits. After explaining what is possible and what is not, when it is every time, then a radical solution may be the only option remaining. It is frustrating to turn down a job because you are waiting for one to come in that comes is horribly late or that never lands, then well, you get fed up.
I've had this happen a lot with press releases. Always super mega urgent. As the client knows that there is an absolute publication or broadcast deadline, he will "book" your time so that the work can be done. When it is theoretical every time, well, you miss the deadline... and it's my fault? No thanks. The same people who send stuff off late on Friday night as they are going off for the weekend... announcing that they must have it for first thing Monday morning.
You need to have strict terms and conditions with clients like this and be equally strict in applying them. I found that these guys are generally those who cannot organise payment on time either. Felt I was being taken for a ride and so stopped working for them. I simply hope that the sector has improved since then as it was common place, it really was.
[Edited at 2021-03-23 16:12 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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