Are Translation Services A Commodity?

The question is “are translation services a commodity?” By this question we mean, are translation services differentiated by things other than the price of services?

If translation services were a true commodity then consumers of translation services wouldn’t need to consider anything other than the cost of services. If the output of translation services was essentially the same no matter the translators or their processes, then the vendor selection process with be much easier. Simply seek out the lowest priced service provider and go with them.

Example Commodities

For those not familiar with the concept of commodities, examples of commodities might be wheat, corn, sugar, and other standardized items. Is there one kind of wheat that’s better (or more something) than another? If wheat is wheat, then buyers of wheat need only focus on finding the lowest cost source.

How Translation Providers Differentiate Services

Translation services then are to any knowledgeable consumer of them not a commodity at all. Translation companies routinely attempt to favorably differentiate their services (make it clear that their services are not a commodity) by  any number of means. Differentiation methods might be in the qualifications or experience levels of translators. Some companies offer a variety of language services while other specialize in only one (and thereby position themselves as specialists). The customer service experience of arranging for translation services and carrying out projects can be another differentiation area. Analytically reviewing the process of purchasing translation services, successfully performing projects, and ultimately creating satisfied repeat clients, will reveal numerous ways to set apart an organization’s delivery of translation services.

In that case then, what’s wrong with the question “how much” with no other follow-up questions?