Kharkov interpreter costs

[Aussielion]

What is the rate for interpreter services in Kharkov? My lady says it is $20 an hour. That sounds rather steep.

[erudite]

Check this site out. You will not find a better lady to deal with in Kharkiv.

http://www.mila-interpreter.com/Welcome

[Jack]

Aussielion, feel free to PM me.  I know several really good interpreters in Kharkov for $8 to $10 an hour.

[ML]

Try to keep in mind that many pensioners here in Kharkiv are receiving only 600 grievna per month.   The FX rate is about 8 to 1; so that is less than $100 for the entire month.

I think it is totally obscene when those in the tourist business and 'girl' business ask such ridiculous prices relative to what ordinary people are earning.  And this silliness is only furthered when we readily agree to pay such silly numbers.

The fact that we can pay is not relevant.  What is relevant is what their appropriate price should be compared to other citizens working in the city.

Apartment owners are the worst of all.  They try the logic that such and such an apartment would rent for $120 a day in USA, so we should be happy to pay $100 day.  But that is not the relevant comparison.  The locals are paying $10 day or less for these apartments.  That is the appropriate comparison.

Same for interpreters.  They will work for $10 dollars ALL DAY in their local jobs.

We westerners are our own worst enemy concerning the price appreciation of services in FSU.

[ace131]

it is business. simple economic rule about the Demand and Support. the bigger demand the bigger Support. that is all.
as for the costs about of an interpreter i can not agree that somebody will  work for 10 us dollars daily. probably all these prices are formed also by the economic situation in the country. 10 US dollars is nothing here. Expensese are extremely high.

this forum is for discussion and everyone has his/her right to express the opinion.
if you study in the University for 5 years and you pay education fee, plus during these years  extra expenses like book, dormitory and food and etc.

when one goes to see a doctor because something bothers you.
of course the doctor cannot work for 10 US dollars dayly as he studied for 8 years.
of course, you cannot compare doctor with an interpreter.

and when we get retired and if we get retired  we might get our pension not more then 100 US dollars.

[Kuna]

it is business. simple economic rule about the Demand and Support. the bigger demand the bigger Support. that is all.
as for the costs about of an interpreter i can not agree that somebody will  work for 10 us dollars daily. probably all these prices are formed also by the economic situation in the country. 10 US dollars is nothing here. Expensese are extremely high.

this forum is for discussion and everyone has his/her right to express the opinion.
if you study in the University for 5 years and you pay education fee, plus during these years  extra expenses like book, dormitory and food and etc.

when one goes to see a doctor because something bothers you.
of course the doctor cannot work for 10 US dollars dayly as he studied for 8 years.
of course, you cannot compare doctor with an interpreter.

and when we get retired and if we get retired  we might get our pension not more then 100 US dollars.

As USD$10 "is nothing here",  may I ask how many times you walk down the street and tip a babushka selling flowers $10?

Let's be honest... a westerner in Ukraine should expect his guide will be (at least) trying to fleece him at some point during the stay. A WM's level of comfort with that is probably the inverse of his ability to marry a good RW.

[ML]

as for the costs about of an interpreter i can not agree that somebody will  work for 10 us dollars daily. probably all these prices are formed also by the economic situation in the country. 10 US dollars is nothing here. Expenses are extremely high.

when one goes to see a doctor because something bothers you.
of course the doctor cannot work for 10 US dollars daily as he studied for 8 years.
of course, you cannot compare doctor with an interpreter.

This is total BS and you know it.  Most of the ladies I know and their parents and all relatives work for less than $300 (sometimes much less) for the entire month.  And medical doctors are at the bottom end of the salary schedule here.  Yes, a few of them who work as surgeons and have made a name for themselves by operating on prominent politicians etc, (but most of those go to Switzerland, etc.) earn more.

The highest paid people in Ukraine are businessmen who bought their firms at a penny on a dollar; and those who work with westerners in any capacity as interpreters, guides, apartment helpers, etc.

A taxi from airport to center of city costs 45 grievna or between 5-6 USD.  Yet those who are 'helping' westerners charge us $30-40 and are not a bit embarrassed about it.

[Boethius]

This is total BS and you know it.  Most of the ladies I know and their parents and all relatives work for less than $300 (sometimes much less) for the entire month.  

Which is why they wish to emigrate.

A taxi from airport to center of city costs 45 grievna or between 5-6 USD.  Yet those who are 'helping' westerners charge us $30-40 and are not a bit embarrassed about it.

Why should they be?  They work in Europe for pennies on what a European gets paid.  You don't think they see that?

Overcharging foreigners (even from other republics) has always been the case in the FSU.  Furthermore, there are many places in Europe where foreigners are overcharged.  It is still a bargain for you, is it not?

[Gator]

Aussielion,

You have done your due diligence.  This inflated rate is another nail in the coffin.

Start a new search.  One day hopefully you will meet a woman who gives you no doubt about her sincerity. 

A question not to be answered here, yet you should think about it and file it away:  In routine life in Australia, due you have an issue with trust, or do you consider yourself normal?  If the former, RW may not be for you.  Even with sincere RW, there is so much that you can not know.

[tim 360]

Aussielion,

You have done your due diligence.  This inflated rate is another nail in the coffin.

Start a new search.  One day hopefully you will meet a woman who gives you no doubt about her sincerity. 

A question not to be answered here, yet you should think about it and file it away:  In routine life in Australia, due you have an issue with trust, or do you consider yourself normal?  If the former, RW may not be for you.  Even with sincere RW, there is so much that you can not know.

Yeah Aussie,  for her to give you a $20 per hr price stinks of something.  Sure, some terp may charge you that price if you will pay it but you will find better pricing.  Somethings not right here.

[GoodOlBoy]

My lady says it is $20 an hour.

Yeah....$10. for your lady's pocket and $10. for the interpreter.

If I may ask......How exactly were you suppose to pay this "$20. per hour fee"?

GOB

[possum]

I don't know about the country in question here, which is Ukraine (not to be confused with the entire FSU), but in Russia $10 US IS nothing.. In fact, it's less than nothing, it won't even buy you a day's worth of groceries.. It might get you a short cab ride in a mid-size city or a beer in a fake Irish pub, but how many people do you know, or better yet, how many of YOU would work all day just for a chance to take a cab home at the end of the day?.

If you think it's wise to save on communication, that's fine by me, but don't sit here insulting mine and everyone else's intelligence with statements such as some of you have made..

[SANDRO43]

it is business. simple economic rule about the Demand and Support. the bigger demand the bigger Support.

Ace, the economic expression is "Supply and Demand" . Not Support - nor Suppository, although some may get buggered by certain operators .

[Daveman]

Well,the rates suggested are $10usd per hour, not per day.

$10 per day x 5 days per week equates to roughly $200 per month... isn't that about what has been stated that teachers make over there?

[possum]

Well,the rates suggested are $10usd per hour, not per day.

$10 per day x 5 days per week equates to roughly $200 per month... isn't that about what has been stated that teachers make over there?

Keep in mind that translation work, especially in the MOB industry, is not a 9-5 job.. There's only so many hours one can put in each month.. And no, I don't think anyone makes $200 a month anymore.. Might have to get Nat to confirm, though..

[Jumper]

Dave- yes some poster certainly  implied $10 per DAY. (not per hour)

and honestly I would love those speaking about the low salaries, to go live on that there.
(you know inflation has driven prices for food etc daily living way up in ukraine(kharkov where aussie's girl is)


Those pesioners mentioned either get help ,or are in a terrible state of affairs.
someone making monthly $200 to $300 is having a rough time as well.


If you have a skill, and can get $15 to $20 per hour , you are going to charge it.
(and in the MOB scenario, how often does the job come up? daily or 3 times per week ? for example?)

The comparison being made here, frankly is stupid.

A 'terp in the west , doesn't need to work for minimum wage,and they wont.
No where even close to it.


Why would a terp in FSU work for the lowest salary average "posters"  here dig up?
 

if they are skilled ,they won't.


possum-
I agree with you..
a  'terp isn't going to hire out for $10 a day..it would be completely pointless.It's ridiculas


Certainly many will indeed work for anywhere from $8 to $20 (or more)per hour.
The low end of that scale is normally college students, still studying, and  willing to work less for experince?
higher end is going to be already graduated and currently working terps,
Who may be doing legal document translations for business.


Anyway the cost of any kharkov 'terp seems weird in this circumstance?
 since he already is pretty sure  'his lady"
mislead him about her VK profile vs EM profile information..


After 3 months, and now  a lot of doubt , he doesn't seem to have called her yet?
(wouldn't that answer ,or clear up, a lot of his questions?)


this could be legit, but without a simple phone conversation  with her,
he is  likely better off chasing butterflies...?

[facetrock]

  I agree with Possum. I havent met anyone in Ukraine or Russia that makes 200$ per month, ever. The people I have met all seem to make close to 1k per month.
  As far as 10$ per day. I dont think its possible and would be insulting to anyone there. Pay the 10 to 15 per hour. Dont be greedy.

[XMan]

http://kharkovinterpreter.com/

Used her services a couple of years ago. 
$10 per hour. 
Does excellent work, and is a nice person (always a plus). 

She is highly skilled. 
More than $10 per hour is simply too much to pay. 

[erudite]

Aussielion,
You have gotten all kinds of answers here, but I will say this.............if you want someone that is reliable, trustworthy and will help you when you need help (genuinely) and who can smell a scammer a mile or two away, you will not go wrong with Mila Lobunko.  As in a lot of things these days, you get what you pay for.  

PS: I will be there in November with my fiancee. Take some warm clothes and don't get off the plane in shorts.

[Faux Pas]

I have never used a interpreter. Never needed to. However, from my vantage point I would think an interpreter would be worth a minimum 10 bucks an hour with a minimum number of hours per day. Quite honestly, for 10 bucks an hour don't be surprised and expect the English to be somewhat limited.

Any interpreter would be worth what the market bears. If you need an interpreter and there is only one available well, that one is worth a whole lot more than 10 bucks an hour. It's all relative. I will say this, spending a dime to save a nickle doesn't make a lot of sense especially where you need expert translation in communication with possible future mates. Do not hesitate to spend 20-25 bucks an hour for nothing less than expert translation. Don't leave these type logistics to chance needlessly IMO

[Jack]

FP, under the situations you discussed I would agree.  If you only had one choice of interpreter their services would be priceless.

In Kharkov men have many choices, many good choices.  I know of very qualified ladies whose English is excellent, they help many foreign men each year.  The prices per hour, $8 to $10 an hour. Sure they would like to get paid $15-$20 an hour but this is not where the market is priced today in Kharkov.  If a man wants to pay an interpreter $15-$20 an hour, by all means, he can do so.

If ALL things are equal, the level of the ladies English, her ability to spot a scammer a mile away (as those I know can and do), reliable, trustworthy, why would a man pay $20 an hour if he could pay $10?   If he wants to, so be it, he can.  Most guys would prefer to pay the lesser amount without sacrificing quality.

In Kharkov today men have many good choices of interpreters for $8 to $10 an hour.  And if a man is going to work an interpreter for several hours, for several days, often a lesser price can be negotiated.

[Faux Pas]

If ALL things are equal, the level of the ladies English, her ability to spot a scammer a mile away (as those I know can and do), reliable, trustworthy, why would a man pay $20 an hour if he could pay $10?   If he wants to, so be it, he can.  Most guys would prefer to pay the lesser amount without sacrificing quality.

In Kharkov today men have many good choices of interpreters for $8 to $10 an hour.  And if a man is going to work an interpreter for several hours, for several days, often a lesser price can be negotiated.

I agree with you Jack however, I think you missed the thrust of my point. That being, "you get what you pay for" and perhaps pinching pennies on an interpreter isn't such a good idea. I don't know how much a good one cost. As I said I've personally never needed one. But for guys who are venturing over alone, I can see where a good one would be invaluable.

Personally, I wouldn't hang out with two strangers so they could converse for 10 bucks an hour but, I haven't worked a 10 bucks an hour job in over 30 years and I'm not trying to eek out a living in Ukraine. Thus, my position of observation may not be worth very much 

[Vinnvinny]

  I agree with Possum. I havent met anyone in Ukraine or Russia that makes 200$ per month, ever. The people I have met all seem to make close to 1k per month.

I must be dating in the cheap end of the market then because the ladies I have held relationships with were on average earning around $300 to $400 pm maximum.

[facetrock]

  I'm sure your right Vinny. Maybe its just the luck of the draw. Never know who you will meet.

[Vinnvinny]

  I'm sure your right Vinny. Maybe its just the luck of the draw. Never know who you will meet.

I don't think its luck ... I think I'm a dating average girl's (financially) and you must be dating 'rich' ones.

There's an American guy somewhere else in cyberspace who lives in Ukraine and is married to a 'very senior anesthesiologist', He recently stated that his wife earns less than $400 pm and he also stated that nurses in his wife's hospital earn less than half that amount.