| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Have you ever raised your rates for a regular client? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever raised your rates for a regular client?".
This poll was originally submitted by Letra. View the poll results »
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I have been working as a full-time freelancer for over 30 years...
| | | | Alexandranow 
Romania
Local time: 07:25
Romanian to English
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I tried several times, because my rates were very low, and I saw I barely survive. The translations were not easy, academic level, but each time I raised the topic, I got a no for reply, and the opportunity not to do the work...so after the third time, I gave up trying, for the client said if once more I try we will fight, and close the collaboration...
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If they are regular, they must like you, so they should stomach a rate increase as long as you are reasonable.
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 06:25
Member (2006)
German to English
I always weigh this up. I have extremely good customers where I have not asked to raise the price for quite a few years now because they are extremely good payers and really good to work with and in some cases, that is more important than "just money".
In other cases, also good customers, I have cautiously asked if I can increase my rates, and no problem at all.
@Alexandranow - They do not sound like such a good customer if they have that sort of attitude,... See more I always weigh this up. I have extremely good customers where I have not asked to raise the price for quite a few years now because they are extremely good payers and really good to work with and in some cases, that is more important than "just money".
In other cases, also good customers, I have cautiously asked if I can increase my rates, and no problem at all.
@Alexandranow - They do not sound like such a good customer if they have that sort of attitude, dont you have any other way of getting newer customer and tell them to, yes, well, you know what?? ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 06:25
Spanish to English
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Although they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into it...
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I've been a full-time freelance translator for over 20 years. It would be a sad state of affairs if I were still charging the same rate 20 or more years later with all the cost of living increases that have occurred during that time.
Good clients have never objected to an occasional and reasonable rise and continue to send me work with the same frequency, I'm happy to say.
| | | | John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 06:25
Spanish to English
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| Why wouldn't I? | Aug 28, 2012 |
I made an agreement with my main direct client years ago that I would raise my rates based on the government's annual cost of living rates (always an increase). It occurs every January and they don't bat an eyelash about it.
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| Goes without saying | Aug 28, 2012 |
Otherwise you would earn less every year due to inflation.
| | | | Anne Bohy
France
Local time: 06:25
English to French
| Of course, but always in a targeted way. | Aug 28, 2012 |
I raise my rates once in a while, not necessarily in January, actually mainly when I update my resume.
Once I've updated my rates, only new prospective customers see it, as I do not systematically upgrade the rates of my old customers. Which means that after a while, old customers get a nice rebate, compared to new customers (which I let them know, when I have the opportunity to).
Once the difference is too high, I may raise my rates, but I target one customer at a time, and did not ... See more I raise my rates once in a while, not necessarily in January, actually mainly when I update my resume.
Once I've updated my rates, only new prospective customers see it, as I do not systematically upgrade the rates of my old customers. Which means that after a while, old customers get a nice rebate, compared to new customers (which I let them know, when I have the opportunity to).
Once the difference is too high, I may raise my rates, but I target one customer at a time, and did not get into trouble up to now.
If you have some really low paying clients, try to get new customers, and once in a while, target an old customer you could afford to lose, and raise your rates. Wish him good luck to find the same quality at a lower rate, and see what happens. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Yes but not as often as with others | Aug 28, 2012 |
Most of the responses say yes - as I expected; and for essentially the same reason - increase in cost of living. z
Nevertheless 'good' clients who provide a reasonable amount of work regularly and pay promptly are quite obviously likely to get better rates; with the kind of inflation in my country one is tempted to raise ones rates at least twice a year just to keep up. This is not for the 'good' regular clients though
... See more Most of the responses say yes - as I expected; and for essentially the same reason - increase in cost of living. z
Nevertheless 'good' clients who provide a reasonable amount of work regularly and pay promptly are quite obviously likely to get better rates; with the kind of inflation in my country one is tempted to raise ones rates at least twice a year just to keep up. This is not for the 'good' regular clients though
Just this morning I got a mail offering me work at a rate which I wouldn't have taken up even 10 years ago. I refused of course, but don't know whether to cry or...
As for colleagues who are unable to get their regular clients to give a reasonable increase even after several years, I do hope they are trying to get other clients as well. It would be quite sad if we language professionals are short changed in this manner.
Jenny Forbes wrote:
I've been a full-time freelance translator for over 20 years. It would be a sad state of affairs if I were still charging the same rate 20 or more years later with all the cost of living increases that have occurred during that time.
Good clients have never objected to an occasional and reasonable rise and continue to send me work with the same frequency, I'm happy to say. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 06:25
English
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Michael Harris wrote:
In other cases, also good customers, I have cautiously asked if I can increase my rates, and no problem at all.
We are self-employed business people. Surely we don't need to ask our clients if we can raise our rates... I just politely tell them a month or 2 in advance, that as of a certain date, my rate is going up.
No one has dropped me. In fact, no one has said anything at all. The just continue sending work.
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I have lost some customers, kept some, and got new ones at my new rate (or more, so that they stay on the same rate at my next rate increase).
My "oldest" agency client (12 years) has undergone maybe 5 increases, including FRF to EUR, the last of which was 1st July. They hadn't seen any increase for the past... 6 years!
I have the feeling that increasing rates just before the summer season makes the bad news easier to digest, because there is usually a shortage in trans... See more I have lost some customers, kept some, and got new ones at my new rate (or more, so that they stay on the same rate at my next rate increase).
My "oldest" agency client (12 years) has undergone maybe 5 increases, including FRF to EUR, the last of which was 1st July. They hadn't seen any increase for the past... 6 years!
I have the feeling that increasing rates just before the summer season makes the bad news easier to digest, because there is usually a shortage in translators, at least in my pair, and therefore less "alternatives" available.
Philippe ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 06:25
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Says it all. | Aug 28, 2012 |
Jenny Forbes wrote:
I've been a full-time freelance translator for over 20 years. It would be a sad state of affairs if I were still charging the same rate 20 or more years later with all the cost of living increases that have occurred during that time.
Good clients have never objected to an occasional and reasonable rise and continue to send me work with the same frequency, I'm happy to say.
Though I've not been working as a freelancer for 20 years... yet.
All service providers (just think gas/gasoline stations) frequently raise their rates.... just like some supermarkets, e. g. four 5 - 10 cents' increases since January.
If the costs of living went down, I'd even consider lowering my rates, too.
| | | | | yes, for rush job | Aug 28, 2012 |
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