| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you require a purchase order before starting a project? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you require a purchase order before starting a project?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 09:38
Member (2010)
French to English
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I have one very good client who never sends a PO (and not even a wordcount) but he has never disagreed with my wordcount (for over 4 years now) and always pays at 30 days with no problem so I'm not going to insist on a PO when it's obviously unnecessary.
However, if there has ever been a problem regarding wordcount/payment terms in the past with a client I insist on getting a PO first and I ALWAYS insist on one with new clients.
Nevertheless, an actual PO isn't absolut... See more I have one very good client who never sends a PO (and not even a wordcount) but he has never disagreed with my wordcount (for over 4 years now) and always pays at 30 days with no problem so I'm not going to insist on a PO when it's obviously unnecessary.
However, if there has ever been a problem regarding wordcount/payment terms in the past with a client I insist on getting a PO first and I ALWAYS insist on one with new clients.
Nevertheless, an actual PO isn't absolutely necessary if everything is spelled out in the e-mail.
[Edited at 2015-04-06 08:26 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Diana Obermeyer 
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:38
Member (2013)
German to English
+ ...
| depends on the client | Apr 6, 2015 |
I mostly work with direct clients. We don't use formal POs, but the email exchange definitely confirms that a project has been assigned.
However, I also work with agencies which appear to be "deliberately disorganised". Here, I will insist on a PO. I have send out notes along the lines of "If you still want me to deliver by the agreed deadline, I will need the PO by X o'clock. If I receive it any later, I will need to charge my rush surcharge of 40%. I'm sure you will understand that I may... See more I mostly work with direct clients. We don't use formal POs, but the email exchange definitely confirms that a project has been assigned.
However, I also work with agencies which appear to be "deliberately disorganised". Here, I will insist on a PO. I have send out notes along the lines of "If you still want me to deliver by the agreed deadline, I will need the PO by X o'clock. If I receive it any later, I will need to charge my rush surcharge of 40%. I'm sure you will understand that I may accept other projects in the mean time and no longer be available for the assignment we discussed." ▲ Collapse
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I've been doing business with some customers for so long that we know each other well enough that a formal PO isn't required and good old-fashioned trust is all we need. For new direct clients, I always send an e-mail stating price, delivery date and payment conditions and they reply accepting my terms. For new agency clients I've never had to ask for a PO. All of the agencies I work for send a PO.
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Andrea Munhoz
Brazil
Local time: 05:38
Portuguese to English
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All my clients have their own platform. My dashboard there displays the files, the PO, delivery, invoicing, etc. Very convenient.
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 10:38
Member (2006)
German to English
I do not require one, but I do not do any work until I actually get one, or at least a confirmation that the project can go ahead.
I find it a matter of normal business practice
| | | | Diana Coada (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:38
Portuguese to English
+ ...
dianaft wrote:
I mostly work with direct clients. We don't use formal POs, but the email exchange definitely confirms that a project has been assigned.
Email exchange and project confirmation is still a PO, so I would never start a translation without a firm ''go-ahead'' from the client.
[Edited at 2015-04-06 11:42 GMT]
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With direct clients - email is sufficient
With agencies - some do, some don't, but most seem to want a P.O. for paper records
With new clients - always
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| | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 10:38
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| In some cases | Apr 6, 2015 |
TB CommuniCAT wrote:
With direct clients - email is sufficient
With agencies - some do, some don't, but most seem to want a P.O. for paper records
With new clients - always
My thoughts, my procedures.
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With some clients it isn't necessary, usually the email is enough, with word count or hours expected.
Many clients will send one anyways, since they require it for records etc. I don't mind, as it does help me keep track of projects as well.
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houtberg wrote:
E-mail is enough.
Agreed.
[Edited at 2015-04-06 20:37 GMT]
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 09:38
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Emails constitute a binding contract | Apr 6, 2015 |
I state my terms and conditions. Those (or whatever comes of negotiations) are the important ones. I always ask clients to confirm they accept them. If an agency then sends a PO I have to check it very carefully. Several times I've found discrepancies. Simple error or a way of manipulating things in their favour? Hmm... So, I don't encourage POs but I do accept them.
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 17:38
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
As Sheila says, e-mails constitute a binding contract. However, a lot of my customers do issue Purchase Orders or an Order Cord or something along those lines. I require some kind of clear notification with all details attached before I go ahead and start a job.
From experience, I've found that trouble will occur down the line if you start a job with contractual details left fuzzy and ambiguous (i.e. open to different interpretation) at the outset.
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Any project begins with something in writing outlining what is to be done, by when, for what fee. That can be in e-mail form. Purchase orders are not any kind of guarantee. My biggest non-payment involved a purchase order, and it is still outstanding to the tune of $2,000.00.
It also depends on the type of client. I work for a lot of end clients. When an elderly farmer needs some personal documents to be translated, you don't require a purchase order from him.
I wo... See more Any project begins with something in writing outlining what is to be done, by when, for what fee. That can be in e-mail form. Purchase orders are not any kind of guarantee. My biggest non-payment involved a purchase order, and it is still outstanding to the tune of $2,000.00.
It also depends on the type of client. I work for a lot of end clients. When an elderly farmer needs some personal documents to be translated, you don't require a purchase order from him.
I would say that among all the business have done over several decades, maybe 1% of them involved formal purchase orders, including my non-payer. ▲ Collapse
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