Simultaneous translators in Poland

Have been looking for simultaneous translators for a weeks work but ran into a problem - contacted 3 big agencies and said that I would like to meet the translators and give them a half hour audition before signing up. I even offered to pay their time for this audition.

The reason I wanted to check them before hand is that over the years here I've encountered plenty of bad (and good) translators and that qualification does not always tally with practical experience.

However all 3 of them took umbrage at this suggestion and said that while they are available for the job they would not participate in any such audition - even if I came into their office to do it !

Any way around that or does anybody know any agencies that might be more commercially astute ?

Jesus. It's the typical arrogance here "I have a title and I won't do it because you should trust the paper".

Where about are you looking for one? If it's Poznan, I might be able to send someone your way for an audition - she's quite good, and wouldn't have any issue with auditioning first.

I do know a few translators who would certainly agree to such a test. Why pay an agency who'll take a cut when you can just go direct to the translators?

Thanks for replies - would be within 50k of Poznan in some hotel/conf centre and we would either provide transport each day or the person could stay over if they have no family commitments.

Reason I went for an agency is because I did what most people would do if their boss asked them to find a simultanaous translator - stuck it into google and went for the ones who looked most experienced. It does of course protect you again being let down by an individual who gets sick etc.

So if anyone has any good contacts PM me and I will wing a bottle of vodka or wino over.

Try these guys, getit they have a very good database.