| Pagine: [1 2 3] > | Poll: How often do you ask clients for advance payment? Iniziatore argomento: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you ask clients for advance payment?".
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| | | | Michael Harris 
Germania
Local time: 05:11
Membro (2006)
Da Tedesco a Inglese
never had to and will probably never want to.
Either the customer is a reliable payer, or I leave it
| | | | Julian Holmes
Giappone
Local time: 12:11
Membro (2011)
Da Giapponese a Inglese
And, only partial payment maybe half (not all) only if the customer is new and the amount of money is fairly substantial -- i.e. there is greater risk of the customer defaulting. 
Also, with larger, well-established companies, you are basically provided with a Supplier's Agreement or the like in advance which outlines all contractual details and gives you no leeway for negotiating advance payment.
Small ad... See more And, only partial payment maybe half (not all) only if the customer is new and the amount of money is fairly substantial -- i.e. there is greater risk of the customer defaulting.
Also, with larger, well-established companies, you are basically provided with a Supplier's Agreement or the like in advance which outlines all contractual details and gives you no leeway for negotiating advance payment.
Small addition
[Edited at 2012-12-11 09:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spagna
Local time: 05:11
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
In my worldview, that would be like having "I trust noone and all that matters to me is your money" stamped on my forehead.
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XXXphxxx (X)
Regno Unito
Local time: 04:11
Da Portoghese a Inglese
+ ...
| Never and always | Dec 11, 2012 |
Never to existing clients, always to new clients if the job is over 2500 words.
| | | | Tim Drayton
Cipro
Local time: 06:11
Da Turco a Inglese
+ ...
I usually require direct private (as opposed to corporate) clients to pay in advance, but I offer a ten per cent discount for this.
| | | | Thayenga
Germania
Local time: 05:11
Membro (2009)
Da Inglese a Tedesco
+ ...
Michael Harris wrote:
never had to and will probably never want to.
Either the customer is a reliable payer, or I leave it
My thoughts exactly.
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But I always ask overseas clients for advance payment.
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tradu-grace
Italia
Local time: 05:11
Da Inglese a Italiano
+ ...
| quite same opinion | Dec 11, 2012 |
Lisa Simpson, MCIL wrote:
Never to existing clients, always to new clients if the job is over 2500 words.
almost always to new clients.
| | | | John Cutler
Spagna
Local time: 05:11
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
Michael Harris wrote:
Either the customer is a reliable payer, or I leave it
That's the way I look at it too. Anyone who doesn't pay within a reasonable period is simply crossed off my list of potential clients.
| | | | | I will have to from now on | Dec 11, 2012 |
after quite an unpleasant experience with a new corporate client. He has not yet paid quite a sum 10 months after I delivered of the texts according to the deadline. It is not like "dollars shining in my eyes" of course, it is a usual advance payment for goods or services that are being done especially for the client.
| | | | | Always for new private clients | Dec 11, 2012 |
The point is that you don't know if someone is reliable and trustworthy if you've never dealt with them before.
If the potential client has a reputation to maintain in the translation industry (if they are an agency or they need translations frequently), then it is in their interest to treat their suppliers well. So, for a translation agency with good feedback on Payment Practices, the Blue Board, etc., there is probably no need for advance payment.
Private clients who ... See more The point is that you don't know if someone is reliable and trustworthy if you've never dealt with them before.
If the potential client has a reputation to maintain in the translation industry (if they are an agency or they need translations frequently), then it is in their interest to treat their suppliers well. So, for a translation agency with good feedback on Payment Practices, the Blue Board, etc., there is probably no need for advance payment.
Private clients who may never need translation again, on the other hand, have no such stimulus to behave properly. Hence, it can be in our interest to protect ourselves from bad debts by asking for advance payment. I sometimes also do this when approached by potential clients with poor BB ratings. It can be more discreet than just declining to work for them outright. ▲ Collapse
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| We would but we don't | Dec 11, 2012 |
I definitely would if we took work from individuals or small businesses, but we only work with banks etc who we know are good for it.
One-off customers just aren't worth the hassle anyway.
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For large jobs and for jobs which involve running up expenses, I always ask for, and get, 30% upfront.
The definition of "large job" will vary from client to client. "Running up expenses" has a stretchy definition too. It includes travel and hotel expenses which have to be paid in full. This mainly arises for interpreting jobs. If the client is slow to pay the balance, I am not out of pocket in the meantime. Further, clients who are notoriously slow to pay, then they fall into the ... See more For large jobs and for jobs which involve running up expenses, I always ask for, and get, 30% upfront.
The definition of "large job" will vary from client to client. "Running up expenses" has a stretchy definition too. It includes travel and hotel expenses which have to be paid in full. This mainly arises for interpreting jobs. If the client is slow to pay the balance, I am not out of pocket in the meantime. Further, clients who are notoriously slow to pay, then they fall into the "running up expenses" category. Work you are doing for a client who is slow to pay is time you could be spent working for someone who pays quickly. That's an "expense" to my mind! If Id' wanted to get into the lending business, I'd have the label "bank" or "shark" on my headed paper... and I don't!
Clients who pay the 30% upfront are those who pay the balance on time anyway.
[Edited at 2012-12-11 11:31 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Diana Coada (X)
Regno Unito
Local time: 04:11
Da Portoghese a Inglese
+ ...
Oliver Lawrence wrote:
Always for new private clients
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