Poll: A client asks you for additional hard copies. Do you charge them the same as the original printings? Initiator des Themas: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "A client asks you for additional hard copies. Do you charge them the same as the original printings?".
This poll was originally submitted by Veronica Rodriguez. View the poll results »
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Lieven Malaise Belgien Local time: 22:51 Mitglied (2020) Französisch > Niederländisch + ...
I almost had to look up the meaning of 'hard copy'. Who still works with hard copies these days? | | |
Was never asked | Mar 15, 2023 |
however, if it would mean sending hard copies by the post that would cost a lot extra. | | |
It just happens that I did a sworn translation two weeks ago. A few days later, I was told by my client that he had made a mistake on a number. I was more than happy to correct it without any additional charge. Under different circumstances, I may charge… | |
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Lieven Malaise wrote: Who still works with hard copies these days? Sworn translators... | | |
Lieven Malaise wrote: I almost had to look up the meaning of 'hard copy'. Who still works with hard copies these days? Presumably, some clients who worry about security, and some translators who care about quality. I print out all jobs for checking if I can. I will always find something I missed on screen. Haven't delivered on paper for years, but no I wouldn't charge extra, we're talking pennies so it would be petty. | | |
I would charge for postage | Mar 15, 2023 |
The postage or courier might cost quite a lot, so I would certainly charge for that. It very rarely happens, as I normally send everything by e-mail or upload a file to a server, and clients can print as many copies as they want. However, a client did ask me a couple of years ago to produce a translation with a seal and handwritten signature (as a Chartered Linguist). As the translation itself was very small, I charged for postage and for handling time. It did not take ... See more The postage or courier might cost quite a lot, so I would certainly charge for that. It very rarely happens, as I normally send everything by e-mail or upload a file to a server, and clients can print as many copies as they want. However, a client did ask me a couple of years ago to produce a translation with a seal and handwritten signature (as a Chartered Linguist). As the translation itself was very small, I charged for postage and for handling time. It did not take me long to go down to the post office and send it as Recorded Delivery, but the time was not covered by the fee for the words!
[Edited at 2023-03-15 16:46 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | |
Be fair to clients, they’re people too! | Mar 15, 2023 |
I charge the client the certification fee plus postage. (This kind of situation only ever happens with certified translations, and those are rarely long enough for print costs to make a substantial difference.) Two translations are not the same as two copies of one translation. Charging for two translations would seem awfully unprofessional to me if I were the client. Being upfront with the client and only billing for the work you actually do is much better business practice… | |
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jyuan_us Vereinigte Staaten Local time: 16:51 Mitglied (2005) Englisch > Chinesisch + ... Depends on the costs | Mar 15, 2023 |
If the labor and material costs are less than $5, it won't make any sense to ask your client to pay for it. | | |
This has just happened to me | Mar 15, 2023 |
Costa Rican law sets forth that each hard copy of an original translation must be charged ar 50% of the original one. We have to issue original documents; photocopies are not accepted. I have just made a translation and my client asked for an original and four additional printings. | | |