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Poll: Have you ever contacted end clients directly? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Mary Worby United Kingdom Local time: 16:07 German to English + ...
But only when asked to do so by the agency. Sometimes it's easier to liaise directly with the end client on terminology, etc. On other occasions, time has been so tight I've been asked to deliver straight to the client. | | |
I think I misunderstood the question... I though it was meant as in offering your services and work directly with them, but then I guess it would have said direct clients??? | | |
Mary Worby wrote: But only when asked to do so by the agency. Sometimes it's easier to liaise directly with the end client on terminology, etc. Indeed. Although the agency probably shouldn't "give up" like this. | |
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I think the question is talking about | Jun 14, 2012 |
by-passing the agency, when an agency is involved. Implicitly, the "end client" is not your immediate client. Susana González Tuya wrote: I think I misunderstood the question... I though it was meant as in offering your services and work directly with them, but then I guess it would have said direct clients??? | | |
Depending on my relationship with the end client and depending on the instructions. Yes: I had a project where the agency PM put me and a representative of the end client in touch, because it was a job that needed to be done partially on an online platform of the end client. Yes: I have a client that happens to be my former employer as well. While I was working in-house for them, I got to meet their clients personally and have really good and friendly relationships wi... See more Depending on my relationship with the end client and depending on the instructions. Yes: I had a project where the agency PM put me and a representative of the end client in touch, because it was a job that needed to be done partially on an online platform of the end client. Yes: I have a client that happens to be my former employer as well. While I was working in-house for them, I got to meet their clients personally and have really good and friendly relationships with most of them. Usually my client just informs me that there is a project to be done for his client X and then we communicate directly. No: If there are no instructions to do so, I would never contact an end-client for any reason. Sometimes this is specified in NDA's or other agreements, but even with no NDA signed, I don't see any logical and fair reason to contact an end client. It doesn't matter what kind of issue you have, the only person to contact is your client. In fact I believe that such actions could be easily considered as unfair competition practices. ▲ Collapse | | |
Interlangue (X) Angola Local time: 17:07 English to French + ...
Mary Worby wrote: But only when asked to do so by the agency. Sometimes it's easier to liaise directly with the end client on terminology, etc. On other occasions, time has been so tight I've been asked to deliver straight to the client. | | |
Susana González Tuya wrote: I think I misunderstood the question... I though it was meant as in offering your services and work directly with them, but then I guess it would have said direct clients??? That's what I understood too. So I answered yes. | |
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Pascale Pluton Netherlands Local time: 17:07 Member (2005) English to French + ... Misunderstood too.... | Jun 14, 2012 |
Paula Hernández wrote: Susana González Tuya wrote: I think I misunderstood the question... I though it was meant as in offering your services and work directly with them, but then I guess it would have said direct clients??? That's what I understood too. So I answered yes. Besides, I would not contact the end client unless the agency agrees with it. | | |
Michael Harris Germany Local time: 17:07 Member (2006) German to English
Mary Worby wrote: But only when asked to do so by the agency. Sometimes it's easier to liaise directly with the end client on terminology, etc. On other occasions, time has been so tight I've been asked to deliver straight to the client. | | |
Patricia Charnet United Kingdom Local time: 16:07 Member (2009) English to French
It's usually the agency who is contacted by the end client. I've got my own clients. I don't mind going through the agency. The problem arises when the client wishes to contact you directly. That opens a can of worms so I'm happy to transit via the agency. Everything is clear cut and no messing because your professionalism and reputation is at stake then. Too dangerous to deal directly with the client I think. Unless there a solid trust with the agency b... See more It's usually the agency who is contacted by the end client. I've got my own clients. I don't mind going through the agency. The problem arises when the client wishes to contact you directly. That opens a can of worms so I'm happy to transit via the agency. Everything is clear cut and no messing because your professionalism and reputation is at stake then. Too dangerous to deal directly with the client I think. Unless there a solid trust with the agency but even though I see it as a dangerous situation in my opinion. ▲ Collapse | | |
I was asked by the PM to contact the client directly about a terminology issue... | |
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Yvonne Gallagher Ireland Local time: 16:07 Member (2010) French to English + ... always via the agency | Jun 14, 2012 |
On rare occasions a PM will ask for direct contact with end client about terminology, especially where in-house terms are used. Otherwise I would never contact an end client without the agency's agreement and knowledge. Teresa Borges wrote: I was asked by the PM to contact the client directly about a terminology issue... | | |
Yes, many times | Jun 14, 2012 |
Oliver Lawrence wrote: Mary Worby wrote: But only when asked to do so by the agency. Sometimes it's easier to liaise directly with the end client on terminology, etc. Indeed. Although the agency probably shouldn't "give up" like this . I have contacted end clients by agreement with the agency on numerous occasions. I don't regard it as 'giving up'. Often it has cleared up the issue fast, because when I could talk to the right person on the phone, we could give each other extra details and check the finer points. Unless the question is very simple, going back and forth by mail through a PM would simply cloud the issue and waste everybody's time. On other occasions I have talked to the client in answer to a query or 'complaint', when the translation was not as expected, especially when we are sure it is not an error! Again, it is often far easier to explain on the phone, although it is a usually a good idea to send a mail afterwards with a summary of the results set out in logical order. The personal touch should ensure that the client does not lose face. If we can tell them something they did not know and showcase our expertise, then they don't rush off to another agency next time! Doing it the right way reassures the client, and good communications are what translation is all about after all! | | |
I would only do so if given the ok by the client, but it hasn't come up as an issue. I usually ask the agency if there are any questions for the client and that works. THere hasn't really been the need to contact a client directly. The only time I did that was because of a scammer. I tried to contact an end client to see if I could get some kind of payment...another victim of this scammer told me she'd done so and had gotten partial payment because they didn't know she was a scammer. Howev... See more I would only do so if given the ok by the client, but it hasn't come up as an issue. I usually ask the agency if there are any questions for the client and that works. THere hasn't really been the need to contact a client directly. The only time I did that was because of a scammer. I tried to contact an end client to see if I could get some kind of payment...another victim of this scammer told me she'd done so and had gotten partial payment because they didn't know she was a scammer. However, in my case, they never returned my emails and I had to write it off as a bad payer. ▲ Collapse | | |
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