Cost of Translator Guides

Cost of Translator Guides
Sep 27, 2015 07:41
guest01542	I've traveled to various parts of China and since the Canton Fair is round the corner, would like to contribute to this forum. Perhaps I may say something controversial. There are some translator guides (tend to be young and female) advertising on this forum who charge exorbitant rates for their services. These guides are charging USD 100 (RMB 638) and above per day/8 hours. In my trips to various cities, I have found top notch guides for as low as RMB 350. I don't bargain any lower. They tend to be older (more experienced) and average lookers. Try the guy section. But really, it's not about the money. The problem goes much deeper. When someone comes to me with such a fee, it says to me that this person is out to rip me off and not at all interested in repeat business. Why would I come back once I find out the real rates? And no, I don't judge a book by its cover even though alarm bells are already ringing. I ask a few basic questions and it becomes immediately apparent that these are no business guides, just your regular English tour guide out to make a quick buck. Some basic questions to ask, you can think of your own: 1. What sort of shipping services do you recommend and what are your rates? 2. When did you graduate? 3. How long have you been in business? 4. Is your company registered? 5. Are you a certified tour guide? 6. Can you negotiate? 7. What hotel would you recommend, and why? In my experience, guides who take their job seriously are happy to answer all these question promptly. They will tell you the sort of prices they can get you, how you should bargain. Those who are out to make a quick buck leave the scene pretty quick. They don't like the inconvenient questions. They won't tell you how much are the shipping costs because they make money from that too. Now, if your business needs is about adolescent girls whose expertise is living a few years abroad and that's about it, by all means, have the time of your life. My post is for those like myself, who have invested time and sweat into running a business, with salaries to pay. My business requirement is someone with good connections, sincere, understands business needs and genuinely interested in my business. Charging me as much as possible on account of youth and gender is not in line with my business needs. Anything above RMB 500 is on the high side. I suggest guides post their qualifications, years of experience and rates in this forum. This would be a basic step in separating the men from the boys. All the best for your business.

Sep 27, 2015 07:41

guest01542

I've traveled to various parts of China and since the Canton Fair is round the corner, would like to contribute to this forum. Perhaps I may say something controversial.

There are some translator guides (tend to be young and female) advertising on this forum who charge exorbitant rates for their services.

These guides are charging USD 100 (RMB 638) and above per day/8 hours.

In my trips to various cities, I have found top notch guides for as low as RMB 350. I don't bargain any lower. They tend to be older (more experienced) and average lookers. Try the guy section.

But really, it's not about the money.

The problem goes much deeper. When someone comes to me with such a fee, it says to me that this person is out to rip me off and not at all interested in repeat business. Why would I come back once I find out the real rates?

And no, I don't judge a book by its cover even though alarm bells are already ringing. I ask a few basic questions and it becomes immediately apparent that these are no business guides, just your regular English tour guide out to make a quick buck.

Some basic questions to ask, you can think of your own:

1. What sort of shipping services do you recommend and what are your rates?
2. When did you graduate?
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Is your company registered?
5. Are you a certified tour guide?
6. Can you negotiate?
7. What hotel would you recommend, and why?

In my experience, guides who take their job seriously are happy to answer all these question promptly. They will tell you the sort of prices they can get you, how you should bargain. Those who are out to make a quick buck leave the scene pretty quick. They don't like the inconvenient questions. They won't tell you how much are the shipping costs because they make money from that too.

Now, if your business needs is about adolescent girls whose expertise is living a few years abroad and that's about it, by all means, have the time of your life.

My post is for those like myself, who have invested time and sweat into running a business, with salaries to pay. My business requirement is someone with good connections, sincere, understands business needs and genuinely interested in my business. Charging me as much as possible on account of youth and gender is not in line with my business needs.

Anything above RMB 500 is on the high side. I suggest guides post their qualifications, years of experience and rates in this forum. This would be a basic step in separating the men from the boys.

All the best for your business.

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