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Alibianbieter

English translation: token bidder/token contender

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Alibianbieter
English translation:token bidder/token contender
Entered by: Juliet Dawnay

08:41 Dec 19, 2013
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general) / Sales
German term or phrase: Alibianbieter
Can anyone think of a term for a company that is asked to submit an offer but is not seriously going to be considered for the job for a variety of reasons? I can't think of one right now.
This sentence is taken from a training course: Wie teste ich, ob ich eine Chance habe oder nur Alibianbieter bin?
Juliet Dawnay
Local time: 03:46
token bidder/token contender
Explanation:
Something like this might work:

Am I just a token bidder/contender? Is it merely a token RFP? A token invitation to tender?

Example:
"Token invitations to tender - on the increase?"
http://www.skillfair.co.uk/newsletter/token_invitations_to_t...
Selected response from:

Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:46
Grading comment
I also liked 'making up the numbers' but decided to go with the the idea of 'token' for my context. My thanks to everybody!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6token bidder/token contender
Thomas Pfann
3 +5make up the numbers
John Hein-Hartmann


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
make up the numbers


Explanation:
i.e. only being asked to make an offer so it looks better, but not being taken seriously.

Usually used in a sporting context - google "there to make up the numbers"

Example sentence(s):
  • ...stand a real chance or am simply making up the numbers
John Hein-Hartmann
Portugal
Local time: 02:46
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Diana Obermeyer: In the given sentence this sounds good and fits the tone.
18 mins
agree  Alison MacG: This works. Also-ran(s) might be another option, e.g.: "... ‘also rans’ included in bid races to ‘make up the numbers’. http://thought-leadership.top-consultant.com/UK/FullArticle....
1 hr
agree  Madalena Ribeiro
1 hr
agree  philgoddard
5 hrs
agree  Gudrun Wolfrath
7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
token bidder/token contender


Explanation:
Something like this might work:

Am I just a token bidder/contender? Is it merely a token RFP? A token invitation to tender?

Example:
"Token invitations to tender - on the increase?"
http://www.skillfair.co.uk/newsletter/token_invitations_to_t...

Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:46
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 10
Grading comment
I also liked 'making up the numbers' but decided to go with the the idea of 'token' for my context. My thanks to everybody!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michael Martin, MA: "If he has no plans at all, and I perceive myself as the token bidder, I will decline." http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-14319...
4 hrs
agree  jccantrell: This is how I would understand this in the USA, too.
7 hrs
agree  Gudrun Wolfrath
7 hrs
agree  Derek Ferrari-Frankland (X): good solution
7 hrs
agree  Johanna Timm, PhD
10 hrs
agree  gangels (X)
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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