I have been burned a couple of times so now I will not unlock the doors of the ftrailer until final payment has been made. My contract states 2 weeks prior if paying by check.
How do you handle getting paid so close to the event date?
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
MixMasterMachoMachoMan.. If you get in touch with this person. Set up a meeting at said venue and tell her you need 50% of the payment, since it's so close to the event date.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
25% non-refundable retainer, balance due 10 days before event. Even if it's a last minute booking, that's our policy and what's in our contract. We used to collect the balance on the night of the event but changed that about 5-6 years ago and haven't looked back and we've not had any issues with with this policy.
The only exception is corporate where we know that they only cut checks at a certain time and that is also noted and initialed in our contract with them. Never an issue there either as it's all spelled out in our written agreement (contract) with our clients.
YMMV
The only exception is corporate where we know that they only cut checks at a certain time and that is also noted and initialed in our contract with them. Never an issue there either as it's all spelled out in our written agreement (contract) with our clients.
YMMV
I've been trying to setup a meeting. I don't even know what the event is for or any other details.
One thing i know once you've done the job you can never take back the music you played once the job is done if you don't get paid. All we're saying is better to be safe then sorry. I learned that lesson the hard way. This is busine4ss nothing personal.
Mix,
I don't usually get stiffed -- my name ends in a vowel. While I try to stay out of that stuff, the stigma follows me.
I couldn't care less if you want to pay me a month later -- what I care about, is you pay me in the agreed time frame.
I haven't done a gig without a contract in the last 6 years....To each their own but you should always protect yourself.
All i can say is you're setting yourself up for trouble. You said you usually don't get stiffed. To me that says you have been stiffed before and once is to many for me. I've had it happen where i won't get paid all the money and i just learned from that lesson. Good luck with what you do. I just would do things different. Unless i truly know you, have worked with you several times and know where to find you, then i don't trust you.
Mix,
I wouldn't make that claim so broadly. We collect a $500 down payment, and the balance at the event (most often after we're done). In over 20 years, we have NEVER been left unpaid. Perhaps your clients are a different demographic than mine...do what works for you and I'll do what works for me.
Same for Rick. I'm certainly not going to tell him he's doing it wrong. It's his problem if it becomes a problem, but some of us set ourselves up for NOT having a problem instead of spending energy trying to protect against "what-ifs". Just different strokes...I'm not going to tell anyone their wrong for collecting payment up front, it's just not my way of doing business.
if your not getting any gigs its pretty much moot and likely one doesnt have much of value to say in regarding the topic at hand. We collect for most of our gigs 30 days prior as it works for us. I have had other vendors ask why DJs collect at the end the night of since most of them all collect in advance. Florists, Banquet Halls, Photographers. Most all others.
Thinking of the original title:
"How do you handle getting paid so close to the event date?"
As long I get paid; I handle it well.
LOL sorry had to go there.
"How do you handle getting paid so close to the event date?"
As long I get paid; I handle it well.
LOL sorry had to go there.
That's funny right thar xf
If you never get stiffed or screwed -- you never learn who to trust. Once you learn to look into someone's eyes, or listen to their voice, you start to pick up signs -- it's kinda like playing poker. I'm fairly handy at poker.
Once you learn the "language", you can pretty much figure out whether yer gonna get screwed or not.
I don't like getting screwed, but I'm not gonna stop my business because there are a few assholes out there. And since cousin Joey took over for Uncle Vinny, I don't have many issues
I do plenty of gigs for people that I never met face-to-face until the day of the gig.
And why get stiffed at all? You certainly have the chance to avoid it.
If I know them, or they are a friend-of-a-friend, and the gig is booked late....I may let the deposit slide.
Otherwise, I get half in advance.
We roll like this: 50% at contract. Remaining 50% due 10 days prior to the event. Gail and I don't like chasing folks for money the day of, we feel this is really tacky, especially at a wedding. We also offer a 10% discount if paid in full at contract signing. This works! People like a deal. Roll anyway ya want, that's how USDJ does it. Also, no contract, no gig!
Best,
Paul
Best,
Paul
We take a 50% retainer, and we ask 50 % due 2 weeks before event. Every once in a while, people ask if they can pay the balance that day. I have never had a problem when someone has done that. We take cash, cc, checks. I've had 2 checks bounce and both where made good with fees paid.
If it's a last minute gig, we ask that the whole balance be paid by CC.
But, we are flexible in most situations
If it's a last minute gig, we ask that the whole balance be paid by CC.
But, we are flexible in most situations
All I was saying Rick it's better to be safe then sorry. You admitted since you got some people handling things you don't have many issues. One issue of not getting paid all the money due to us or only partial payment is too many.
Says who?
Why don't you wait until your "customers" download Rockit and start using it before billing them, ....see what happens. 
Paul, I like the discount if they want to pay upfront. What percentage of people actually do that?
again, I would never demand to be paid in full before the event, but I might take it if the offered. I also might not. I like the feeling of money in my hand when the event is over.
again, I would never demand to be paid in full before the event, but I might take it if the offered. I also might not. I like the feeling of money in my hand when the event is over.
I know. I used to mostly be a DJ for corporate events. I am talking private events.