A discussion about translation services, translators, and translation software

To clients of translation services.  Why did you decide to go multi-lingual in your product literature or in your outreach to clients?  Why did you do it?  How did you select translators?  What was your experience with the translators or translation service?  How was your multi-language effort received by the target audience?  In summary, how big a hassle was it, and was it worth the price?

The answers to these and similar questions will help to begin to rate the services and will provide some guidance for others following in your wake.  Companies do go global, and it will be interesting to see if any report warning signs from their experience.