Dear colleagues;

I just want to know how insulting do you think it can be when you -as a professional translator- read the following ad:

Dear Translator,

I have an immediate job (5000-13000) words depending on how much you can handle. The files must be delivered by Sunday at 12pm US Eastern Standard Time. The text is not complicated, see a sample below. I’m looking for translators (English into Arabic) who can deliver on time. Please email me ASAP if:
- Your are a native Arabic speaker
- Have experience in technical manuals
- At least 5 years of experience in translation

I can offer a rate of 0.03 USD per word; this is just a start for long term cooperation. Payment is within 30 days of receiving the invoice.

The deadline must be met. Please email your CV as an attachment to XXXXXXXXX

Thank you

Ed
XXXXXXXXX

Sample
Once the battery is installed, the ASAAF will run a start-up Built-In-Test (BIT). (This is accomplished very quickly; watch closely.) An interactive switch test will then be performed. If BIT is passed, the display will indicate “Built-In-Test Passed, install weapon, WPN TYPE or AIM” indicating the ASAAF is ready for operation. A BIT failure will be displayed as “FAIL [xxxxx]” where [xxxxx] is the five (5) character failure code. If the BIT fails, refer to Chapter 3, Section I, Troubleshooting. If the BIT passes, perform the following instructions

So what this poster is saying:

- This is a rush assignment (less than three days for 15000 words)

- I will not change the standard for time of payment (30 days)

- I will pay a ridiculous rate (even compared with rates for reasonable deadlines) of 0.03 rate

I think that there should be a limit of the lowest rate that can be offered, just in order to keep professionalism on TC. I think it is our role to stop the practices of some agencies and their trials to take advantage of the translators.

Sincerly,

Sofiene Addala

If, according to TC's rate statistics, a job offers less than the average rate, perhaps that job could be relegated, in some way, to a "peanuts department", where it would be highly non-preferred in terms of e.g. visibility, and perhaps also be accompanied by some kind of warning.

On the other hand, I actually think that posters should not be permitted to make any offers whatsoever. This applies both to absolute rates and to euphemisms such as "your best price", "for long term cooperation" and "considering the size of the job". TC should not degrade into an auction house for virtual sweat shops to abuse. When one wishes to retain a professional, one does not offer a price, but requests the professional(s) to.

Ads like that are very frustrasting, of course.

I simply ignore this kind of job, which is simply ridiculous for me, considering that:

- they pay 0,03 USD pw
- they pay whitin 30 days

and that they won't change their mind for what concerns payment method and rate.

But... is there any other approach possible at all?

Originally written by Laurent J. Krauland on November 21, 2008 11:53 AM There simply were too many discussions about prices and rates on TC and elzewhere...

This has been clearly one of the most debated topics and pretty much everything has been said about it over and over again. A Forum Search with 'low rates' or 'cents' or 'ridiculous' as key words in the header turns up the following examples:

Ridiculously Low Rates,
Handling clients who ask for lower rates,
2007 translation rates (even)lower ??,
2 or 3 cents per word payments,
Is .04 the new standard rate in the US?,
PROTEST Re Job Post at Ridiculously low rate,
Ridiculous Rates,
Another ridiculous job offer,
Ridiculous job offer

Talking of a devil, just received such offer myself:

''Ok, now let me explain some terms and conditions before starting with our cooperation.
1. We offer US$0.04/W per source word English to Danish translation or vice versa.
2. We follow 3-month payment term. For example: if you start the translation job for us from this month, we'll accumulate all the jobs you have done and pay at the last day of Jan 2009; similarly, Dec's fee will be paid on Feb 28th. 2008,  e.g. every last day of each month.
3. Sometimes our new client requests for trial translation, we'll selecte around 150-200 words each time if necessary, but it's not for all the cases.
4. We request on-time delivery with good quality translation.
I've clarified all the terms, if you have any questions, pls feel free to let me know. I'll pass you new job immediately once I receive your confirmation.''

How insulting is that!!!!!:

1. USD 0.04/source word

2. 3 months payment terms (haven't had such yet in my 11 years of translating!!!)

3. Occasional free test translations ( I bet would ask to do them for every client, every order they get)

How rude should that be stating such offer, which actually makes you reply in a certain way which I did) and teach them a lesson.

I still hopesuch offers will not ruin my Friday

Best of luck to everybody

Karolina