McDonald-rates and the changes to the quoting system. Thread poster: Williamson
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Williamson 
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:26
Flemish to English
+ ...
Many years ago, I decided that I did not want to work for McDonald-rates.
Calculate for yourself: a typical McDo rate is 0.05*300 words (average on a page)=
15 euros/pounds gross per hour of which you have to pay all contributions, invoices and taxes.
At that rate, say 7-8 euros/£/net per hour, it is better to look for a normal 9-5 job. Chances are that a normal job pays more.
So, in my profile, there is a rate ranging from 0.10-0.20 eurocents/£ per word.
... See more Many years ago, I decided that I did not want to work for McDonald-rates.
Calculate for yourself: a typical McDo rate is 0.05*300 words (average on a page)=
15 euros/pounds gross per hour of which you have to pay all contributions, invoices and taxes.
At that rate, say 7-8 euros/£/net per hour, it is better to look for a normal 9-5 job. Chances are that a normal job pays more.
So, in my profile, there is a rate ranging from 0.10-0.20 eurocents/£ per word.
However, since the introduction of the new system, the rates are not visible. I have to click on "see" to see them.
And what do I see:
Contract German>English
€0.001 EUR to €0.08 EUR per word
Pharmaceuticals
English to Dutch 0.08$, mind you, an outsourcer living in the Eurozone asking to quote in $, meaning that at a rate of 1$=0,0733 eurocent, you get a rate of 0.058 eurocent p.w.
It must be a translation for those fake pharmaceuticals for sale on the internet, because no specialist (M.D., Pharmacist) is going to waist his or her time to translate a text a such a rate.
Wouldn't it be possible to exclude members in the Eurozone, who post translations destined for the Eurozone to post offers in dollars?
Translation from French, no subject
0.05$-0.01$ p.w.
So, the new system of implementing a range does not remedy the scourge of low rates?
A red flag and a warning sign might .
What I don't understand about the new system, is the request to report specific information outside my budget area? What good does it do if most offers are low rate offers? What is the purpose of reporting that to report specific information outside my budget area?
Surely, there must be offers on posted on Proz.com in the 0.10-0.20 eurocent range?
Or do we have all have to look for offers the old fashioned way i.e. yellow pages, contacting your network of people, cold calling, ....?
[Edited at 2010-04-12 07:51 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | PhilippID
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:26
German to English
+ ...
| bottom feeding | Apr 12, 2010 |
I've only seen plenty of bottom feeding via the quoting system. I'm wondering how I get paid proper rates by regular clients even, considering the sheer endless stream of quotes people get on 0.03 usd per word assignments.
| | | | | A note will be added | Apr 12, 2010 |
Williamson wrote:
So, the new system of implementing a range does not remedy the scourge of low rates?
A red flag and a warning sign might .
A note will be added when a job poster specifies a budget range that is below the rates of at least 80% of the ProZ.com community (ie. members).
What I don't understand about the new system, is the request to report specific information outside my budget area?
No, sorry, that is poorly worded. What that is supposed to be asking is that you let ProZ.com staff members know if there is a job posting that has rates data in the body of the posting. (Instead of the dedicated "budget" area.)
| | | | | More clearly defined quality levels - a way forward? | Apr 14, 2010 |
I recently left a large translation company in order to build up my own business, and I have to say that I am amazed over the low rates I see on Proz.com. I cannot even imagine who would be able to translate into Scandinavian languages for rates on 0.05 EUR/USD and lower! The only explanations are 1) the translators live in other countries 2) they don't pay taxes for their income, but let the poor coins go right down into their pockets. Explanation no. 2 may not bother the client's conscience ... See more I recently left a large translation company in order to build up my own business, and I have to say that I am amazed over the low rates I see on Proz.com. I cannot even imagine who would be able to translate into Scandinavian languages for rates on 0.05 EUR/USD and lower! The only explanations are 1) the translators live in other countries 2) they don't pay taxes for their income, but let the poor coins go right down into their pockets. Explanation no. 2 may not bother the client's conscience but it is rather ironic these days when ethical values are more trendy than ever.
Some translation companies try to compete by using project managers in other countries, where salaries are lower. Naturally these PMs are used to lower translator rates and they compare the translation costs on a global level. The bad thing for the money hunters is of course that the best translators are the in country translators.
However, this has all been said before. After 20 years in the localization business, my guess is that we are going towards a more polarized market, where translators and clients more clearly should communicate what kind of quality level is expected in each case. The financial pressure is very hard also on good companies and agencies, and if translators and clients can meet in a more open discussion on expectations there may still be a future in this business. ▲ Collapse
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