payment for translations

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 Posted 2/28/2007 6:17:25 PM
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Recently I thought I had secured my first translation job - a French sale of property contract.  The client asked me if I could complete it within three days (8000 words).  I said "no problem".  He then sent me the document and I began to work on it.  Then he sent me an e-mail(one day into the job), asking me how I wanted to be payed.  I said via electronic funds transfer and said I would send my bank details shortly.  The next day I received a message from him saying he was sorry, but he had changed his mind and had given the job to some one he had worked with in 2003.  I'm reluctant to contact him to ask him what put him off, as it sounds a bit desperate, but wondered if it was the method of payment.  Any ideas ?  I've heard of Paypal.  Is it a better method ?  Also, does any one have any great tips on marketing your business ?


Thanks,


Krista

Post #1037
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 Posted 3/2/2007 5:08:25 PM
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First of all: always ask for a purchase order before start a project with a new client.

Second: if he changed his mind at the middle of the project, you can demand him to pay the whole translation because you have a contract. Payment method is the problem? It doesn´t matter.
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 Posted 3/2/2007 6:01:47 PM
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Jaubert,


Thanks - valued advice.


Krista

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 Posted 3/24/2007 12:56:08 PM
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You might also ask them to pay all or part of the payment in advance. This is what we usually do. Try to develop over time a sense with who you should demand a pay in advance, and with who you can trust.
Post #1088
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 Posted 4/24/2007 2:29:44 PM
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I have had clients that paid by electronic bank transfer and had no problems with it. It was unethical of your client to withdraw after he had already offered you the job.
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 Posted 2/15/2008 3:39:26 AM
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according to chinese laws, he must at lease pay for the part which you have finished!
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 Posted 3/31/2008 1:34:57 PM
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Next time ask for at least 50% up front, or a deposit. Use PayPal - almost everyone has a PayPal account now and work in the 3% fee into the cost of the project. Then your client can pay with echeck, credit card, or through their paypal account. This is much easier. As a business owner, I would never send an electronic funds transfer, this seems complicated. If I can throw it on the credit card or pay through PalPal, I"m familiar with that and good to go. But don't be modest or shy about approching him for partial payment and to ask why he decided to go with someone else. I would have definitely asked immediately and requested partial payment for work completed.
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 Posted 7/14/2008 5:16:40 PM
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Dear Krista;

That's, unfortunately, what we experience time to time. And you are lucky that at least he/she got back to you, generally they never do so no matter how hard you try and how many messages you sent.

My advices for the situation are as follows:

First: You should ask your new clients to make a certain amount of upfront payment. You should ask 1/3 upfront payment, for example, if you do not like them to push to pay a big amount. And through time, you will develop an understanding and for certain clients you will not ask them to make an upfront payment.

And second: You should accept PayPal and Moneybookers. They are so practical, and almost all clients have a PayPal account. Yes, some clients will pay via electronic transfer, but it will always be easier to pay by two clicks. Afterall, it's so easy to get your money from PayPal, via credit card or bank account in US.

Thanks;

Songul Dogru

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 Posted 7/27/2008 4:05:21 PM
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Dear Krista,

Send them your invoice for the job finished before the client cancelled. And why not open a Paypal and include that on the invoice.

No way would I spend two days on something that I had an okay for but that was cancelled. Uh-uh. No way, José.

I always make sure I have all agreements in writing. Some companies don't work with PO's, but if you have an e-mail stating your agreement - there is no getting out of it.

Do you have any correspeondence in mail format?

Go get'em!

MONICA

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 Posted 9/12/2008 10:43:55 PM
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What about western union, is it recommended for payments?
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