\"free\" translation requests from good customers Initiator des Themas: Mimi7
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Mimi7
Local time: 04:45
Englisch > Französisch
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Hi all,
I have a customer who has kindly sent me five or so referrals over the last year since she has received compliments on my work. Recently she sent me an email asking for a translation \"favor\" (doing it at no-charge) since she has sent me several customers. The \"favor\" is 5100 words of text from an 11 page website. I am wondering how to reply to her since, although I have truly appreciated the referrals, I have already reduced my fees for her clients (to .06 US per word) s... See more Hi all,
I have a customer who has kindly sent me five or so referrals over the last year since she has received compliments on my work. Recently she sent me an email asking for a translation \"favor\" (doing it at no-charge) since she has sent me several customers. The \"favor\" is 5100 words of text from an 11 page website. I am wondering how to reply to her since, although I have truly appreciated the referrals, I have already reduced my fees for her clients (to .06 US per word) since they are a non-profit company with a good cause. It seems that doing this much for free is a bit excessive. Has anyone else received this type of request? Is it common and what would be the best way to handle it in your opinion? Thank you very much. - Lynelle Detlefsen ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ulrike Lieder (X) 
Local time: 03:45
Englisch > Deutsch
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In stillem Gedenken | No freebies, but maybe a discount? | Dec 5, 2001 |
5100 words for free seems truly excessive.
Maybe you could offer her a one-time discount, as a professional courtesy and a thank you for the referrals? And make it clear that this is a one time deal.
IMHO, how much you charge the clients she referred to you should not figure into the equation.
But if this is truly a good client who pays on time and whom you wish to keep happy, you might try the following: reiterate that, as she wel... See more 5100 words for free seems truly excessive.
Maybe you could offer her a one-time discount, as a professional courtesy and a thank you for the referrals? And make it clear that this is a one time deal.
IMHO, how much you charge the clients she referred to you should not figure into the equation.
But if this is truly a good client who pays on time and whom you wish to keep happy, you might try the following: reiterate that, as she well knows, you do this for a living, and that a project of that size is simply much too large for you to do pro bono. However, as a token of your appreciation for her past business and all her referrals, you would be happy to extend her a one-time special discount of xx (% or $$, and you\'ll have to decide how much; factoring in such things as repitions, formating, whatever. Personally, I think 10 to 15% would be quite fair, espec. if she\'s brought you a lot of business. If you want to be generous, say maybe 20%?)
Asking for 5,000+ words for free seems a bit cheeky to me, but I think that offering a one-time discount (and being very clear that it is a one-time discount only) might be an acceptable compromise.
HTH
Good luck!
Ulrike ▲ Collapse
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