In my book, my system is THE most fair for all parties involved. If you (the client) want my services on a particular event, put your money down and execute the contract. First one to the finish line wins and it was your choice to slow-walk the process, losing the offer of my services. My method also gives a very effective sense of urgency. We don't do verbal holds, period. Money talks. Bullspit walks.
Except if all participants send their deposit and contract on the same day?
Do you then turn to which envelope you opened first?
Sorry..."first come-first served" may work to pressure clients into action...
but it has a very good chance of backfiring.
1- you could accidentally double book yourself
(you tell someone you're available, and THEN you received a signed contract for the same day)
2- you will certainly piss off someone who followed all of your "rules"...but was 5-minutes too late.
(they finally found a DJ they wanted, made the commitment, sent the check, only to be told the date is booked)
Neither of those scenarios are FAIR for all of the parties concerned.
If I have a verbal commitment, and a second client is interested in the same date....
I will go back to the original client and ask for the deposit/contract right away.
The second client does not get a YES or a NO until a decision is made by the first client.