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Poll: How do you deal with criticism from clients?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Oct 17, 2024

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you deal with criticism from clients? ".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 00:47
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
N/A Oct 17, 2024

I haven’t had any criticism for a long time (fingers crossed!). I tend to be a perfectionist, but I’m far from perfect. I admit I don’t handle criticism well, unless it's deserved, in which case I take it constructively, hasten to apologise and correct the mistake…

Lieven Malaise
Josephine Cassar
Lajosné Parti
expressisverbis
Rachel Waddington
Yuri Larin
Robert Rietvelt
 
Justin Peterson
Justin Peterson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 01:47
Spanish to English
+ ...
It depends if the criticism is justified Oct 17, 2024

If they're right, and I made a mistake, I apologize
If they're wrong, I tell them why, politely
If they insist that they're right, when they're clearly not, particularly if they're trying to show off their English level by correcting the professional translator ... that does not end well.

writeaway
Liena V.
Robert Rietvelt
Rachel Waddington
Sean O'Byrne
Rabie El Magdouli
Elaine Ruby
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:47
Dutch to English
+ ...
Don't panic Oct 17, 2024

1. Send them a polite email saying I'm sorry they weren't happy/found a problem/whatever
2. Have a look at what the issue is
3. Decide whether they are being reasonable and what the best course of action is
4. Communicate this to the client calmly and professionally

Above all, try not to take it personally. Disputes are a normal part of doing business and are bound to happen from time to time.

Liena V.
Robert Rietvelt
Sean O'Byrne
Justin Peterson
Michele Fauble
Philip Lees
Angie Garbarino
 
AllegroTrans (X)
AllegroTrans (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:47
French to English
+ ...
Sometimes... Oct 23, 2024

...when your translation is into your own native language and it's clear that the person criticising you is not of your native language, you need to be forceful. On one occasion, I offered to submit the translation to an independent translator (insisting he was an English native speaker) and I heard nothing more from the (end) client. Fortunately the agency supported me and was paid.
It doesn't always end that way and it's just a case of shxx happens occasionally.

Rachel Waddington
 


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Poll: How do you deal with criticism from clients?






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