Re: rates reply

From: 14tonks (mail.2.14tonks_at_recursor.net)
Date: 07/29/04 

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 01:07:09 -0400

LeAnne, you figure out what to charge for faxes and reprints the same way
you figure out what to charge for everything else; you figure out what the
expense is to you in time, materials, supplies, equipment, etc., and put a
reasonable markup on the service to cover your overhead.

Take the offer for now if you must; there's no point in cutting off your
nose to spite your face. Go looking for other clients, and when you find
them, give whatever notice is required by your contract with your current
clients and go. You are under no obligation to stay longer or to train
anyone for them. Only this time figure out what your true cost of doing
business is and bid for work at a reasonable rate, with reasonable charges
for any extras. If you need help figuring out how to set your business up
on a solid financial footing, look around for a group that provides advice
to small business startups. There is probably one or more of those available
through the city or state government, local chamber of commerce, etc. Try to
get yourself several different clients this time so the loss of any one
doesn't mean the complete loss of your business, and you don't find yourself
back in this same position in a couple of years. You have no leverage for
negotiation if the client knows you need them more than they need you.
Also, if you need to raise rates to keep up with a rising cost of doing
business, do so in small amounts and at regular intervals. No one is likely
to agree to a 20% to 50% increase in transcription costs if they are hit
with it in one jump. They might have agreed to a rise of half a penny a
line after every couple of years you worked for them, though, which would
have put your rates in the range you were asking for by now.

If hassling with price structure, business accounting, client negotiations,
etc., just isn't your cup of tea, then consider taking a position as an
employee rather than working as an I.C. If you are good at what you do, you
may be able to land a job working for someone else at what you are making
now, without the headaches of running your own business. 

-- 
Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.
"LeAnne" <ruacraven@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:YtydnX1VL7Fj45XcRVn-pg@comcast.com...
> Thanks to everybody who replied to my question about rates.  I wish I
would
> have done this a few weeks ago.  I live in Utah and I sent a letter to my
> docs the beginning of July wanting to negotiate a rate increase.  After
> three weeks of dealing with the "Administrator" they came back to me with
a
> $0.01 increase.  I have been charging $0.09 per line and I requested an
> increase to total $0.11 to $0.14.  They love the job that I do and don't
> want me to leave but could only offer $0.10 per line.  I feel lilke I am
> getting ripped off but I don't have any other clients or another job lined
> up.  I have been doing transcriptions for 7 years and have done a good job
> for these guys for 4-1/2 years without ever raising my rates and this is
> what happens?!?.  It is a take it or leave it deal but if I leave they
said
> "will you please stay umtil the end of August so we can find somebody else
> to replace you and may you can even help train her."   I will have to
accept
> the offer but I am desperately looking for something else.  I have been
> doing all of the leg work, picking up tapes, printing reports, and
returning
> them to the office.  I have not ever charged for reprints (What do you
guys
> charge for reprints?) or faxes or anything.  I am frustrated but will
accept
> the offer until hopefully, something else comes along.  Any suggestions of
> where to look or where to go from here?  Thanks so much,
>
>
> LeAnne
>
>

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