There are various reasons as to why a translator may not wish to work with a particular client.

Situation:

In this situation you increased your rates a while back, above what your long-time client is prepared to pay; but they still contact you offering translation work at your old rate. For the purpose of this article we’ll assume that, other than the rate, you had no problems with this client. Interestingly, this is a scenario that does occur quite often with translators.

Response: 

This issue needs to be dressed directly, but politely. You might say something along these lines: ‘Thank you for your inquiry. As you know, I have raised my base rate to X cents per word, and while I really appreciate the offer of translation work and have certainly enjoyed working with you in the past, I must decline your offer. If you should have any projects in the future which would allow for a budget of X cents per word, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll be more than happy to consider your project’.

Situation: 

A regular translation client has become difficult to work with. In this instance, we’ll assume that they don’t owe you any money, but working with them has become very stressful and you’ve made the decision to not work with them in any capacity.

Response: 

Your first option is to be brief and to the point: you might say: ‘Effective immediately, please remove me from your list of available freelancers. I no longer wish to be considered for translation assignments from your agency’. Remember that if you use this approach you’ll never hear from this client again, but you’ll certainly be making your point very clear.

Your next option is similar to the first, but perhaps a little more professional. You might say: ‘Because we’ve experienced differences in our work styles in the past, it’s my decision to focus my attention on my other translation clients. I would appreciate it if you would remove my name from your list of available translators. Kind regards’.

Situation: 

You’ve decided to raise your translation rates and you have a translation client that you really enjoy working with; however, their budget doesn’t allow them to pay any more than you’re currently charging.

Response:  

This can be a difficult one, particularly if you’ve worked with the client for quite a while. Our advice is that you don’t close the door permanently on working with this client in the future. Be clear that, for the time being, you’re terminating the relationship, but that you’re always prepared to renegotiate with them in the future. You might say: ‘I’ve always really enjoyed working with your agency and would love to work with you again in the future. I do understand that my new rate of X cents per word is beyond what you’re paying translators at this time. If, in the future, you’re able to consider higher translation rates, please let me know and I’d love to work with you again’.