Is it practical to ask a new client for a 100% fee upfront?

Lingua 5B wrote:

Perhaps I am missing something, but it seems you are not a verified site member yet? Have you been through ProZ identity verification process?

If not, as an unverified member, you want to ask for payment in advance? Sounds surreal.

Lingua 5B wrote:

You are missing basic risk management. Which client will consider paying a user without verified identity in advance?

I don’t get what you are saying, I can see a verified badge on your profile, this does not apply to you. Not quite sure what you meant by that comment.

[Edited at 2022-10-10 14:18 GMT]

Supriya Dixit wrote:

The client is free to ask for verification from me, my details, and my ID, and I'll be happy to share it with them.

Supriya Dixit wrote:


I did try to do it, but there's no such way for me to do so as of now that does not involve money. Could you suggest something, please?

Secondly, I submit my samples or undergo an unpaid test for the service to build trust with the client and to help them get an idea of what quality of work they can expect. What can I expect from them in order to safeguard my part of the deal? Don't I have a right to minimize my risks?

Thirdly, I am not talking particularly about Proz.com members. Clients contact me through various channels. Social media profile, LinkedIn, and Google Business listing to name a few. So unless I have money to spend on each site, I have no right to think about safeguarding my rightful money. Now that sounds surreal to me.

Lingua 5B wrote:



No serious/sane client will send a random person on LinkedIn payment in advance, sorry to dash your dreams.

Mr. Satan wrote:



Please be careful with such requests. Your personal data can be misused for nefarious purposes.

Lingua 5B wrote:

You are missing basic risk management. Which client will consider paying a user without verified identity in advance?

I don’t get what you are saying, I can see a verified badge on your profile, this does not apply to you. Not quite sure what you meant by that comment.

[Edited at 2022-10-10 14:18 GMT]

Supriya Dixit wrote:

Wow, you're really very lucky, and may you continue to be. What I was wondering is that just because some individual has approached me for the first time with an assignment, I can't assume that he won't be paying, unless he does something suspicious. But then, I can't blindly trust them too, right? So what, in your opinion, should be the best way to work with them while keeping yourself safe from possible losses? Of course, I send them a contract and everything with all the terms and conditions, but how can I make it more foolproof?

Kay Denney wrote:

For private individuals, they are surely asking for small translations like their CV or birth certificate? I expect you could ask them for payment upfront, or at least half upfront and the remainder on delivery.

Kay Denney wrote:
I expect if you ask for payment upfront, you'll also have to put a "satisfaction guaranteed" clause in your contract because otherwise, how can they trust you to do a good job?

Christine Andersen wrote:

It is impossible to set up a situation in which neither you nor the client runs at least a small risk. It takes time for you to produce a translation, so either you have to do a couple of pages on trust, or the client has to pay you up front, without knowing what they will get in return.

If you do not want to work with private clients because you cannot check them out, then go for agencies. I have had a few private clients, mostly for one-off jobs, but once they agree to my price, they pay without problems.
I know the market may be different here in north Europe, but I do know a little about India, and you can trust most people there too.

Being open and ready to give just a little extra to make a bargain work out will help you find good clients, and it really pays off in the long run. I would start by getting my ID verified - but if that really means skipping a meal or something, then I understand.

I have been desperate too - and I know many people have difficulties one way and another in the world today, but you have to take a leap of faith - or at least a little hop, or you will never get anywhere!

Best of luck!

Supriya Dixit wrote:

Mostly the jobs are small to medium, but sometimes high-volume assignments also turn up. For instance, an author just approached me a couple of months ago for proofreading his manuscript through LinkedIn.

Kay Denney wrote:


If it's more than a month's work, I would suggest you deliver in batches, billing each separately. You can ask for a downpayment too, but it's important to not work for too long without being paid.
I'm currently waiting for a big job to land. I gave a rough estimate based on their draft, and it was looking like a good 2½ month' work, and they were going to be adding bits and pieces to the final version too. I negotiated to whatever I had managed to complete by the end of each month, and bill each time, so I'm sure of getting some money each month. If there are payment problems, I will down tools until they are resolved, otherwise I might find myself with very little income and not much time to take on other jobs.
Private individuals wanting help with manuscripts can be pretty flaky, IME. They have no idea how much a translator's services might cost, and no idea of the time needed. In 25+ years' translating, I've only once worked smoothly on a full manuscript for a private individual, and that went smoothly because it's a very dependable friend who asked me to do the job!