Just make them the offer. If they are not 100% sold on YOU they will naturally balk!
How do you handle getting paid so close to the event date?
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
This is not about when you get the money. It's about letting the B&G enjoy their day without having to worry about bringing their checkbook and you coming up at the end of the night asking for money. mmmkay?
I got married. I brought several checks... no big deal. I just had my best man hand out the checks.
It's not a big deal until a check bounces. You got to pay the fee for the bounce check and whatever else. Papa Duce you're an honest nice guy. Everybody isn't that type of person.
This is how a lot of the weddings we do are handled. We often get paid by the best man or sometimes the parents of the bride and groom.
Let me just say it looks like the phone call was a scam. It looks like they wanted cc info from me and they were going to send some fake info. I sent several emails and got one response that they need a DJ and nothing else. No other info given. So I can move on.
When did they ask for credit card information, during the phone call, or the one email reply?
A non-refundable retainer of 50% is due at the time of signing the contract to reserve their date (cash, cc, money orders, personal checks). Outstanding balance is due 2 weeks prior. I also think it's extremely tacky to track down the client during an event for them to pay up. Imagine following up with them an hour into the party (and they forget to write the check), until an hour before the end and this time they start avoiding you, then again right before they leave. It is a hypothetical situation, but it is still awkward... I'd rather save them face. Another reason I don't like taking payment at the event, is because that is handled by our office staff ONLY. When someone from your staff (who does not understand or quote packages) has a client hand them over $2,000 towards the balance on a DJ/Lighting/Drapery package, they might start thinking, "Hey I should start my own company!" Obviously they don't have any clue about what it takes to get 300 events a year, all they see is the green. In my book talent retention is critical, so I would rather cover all my bases and kill 3 birds with one early payment (getting burned on the payment, annoying the client by asking multiple times, loosing talents).
I won't lie, I have about 5% of our clients that would rather make their final payment the night of. I will make that accommodation and this tends to be on smaller packages. Now that I am thinking about it, I have NEVER had one of our larger packages question paying upfront (they will usually pay off their balances sooner). If someone is trusting you with a larger package, they:
a.) Know EXACTLY what they want
b.) qualify you hardcore!
c.) are too busy to worry about details due to their busy lifestyle
After jumping through a bunch of hoops you're now credible in their eyes, and it's all about sticking with your system and over exceeding expectations. IMO, a majority of our clients feel more comfortable going with us because we have a process for EVERYTHING. To each their own.
Another tip, don't accept wooden nickels.
I won't lie, I have about 5% of our clients that would rather make their final payment the night of. I will make that accommodation and this tends to be on smaller packages. Now that I am thinking about it, I have NEVER had one of our larger packages question paying upfront (they will usually pay off their balances sooner). If someone is trusting you with a larger package, they:
a.) Know EXACTLY what they want
b.) qualify you hardcore!
c.) are too busy to worry about details due to their busy lifestyle
After jumping through a bunch of hoops you're now credible in their eyes, and it's all about sticking with your system and over exceeding expectations. IMO, a majority of our clients feel more comfortable going with us because we have a process for EVERYTHING. To each their own.
Another tip, don't accept wooden nickels.
The thought of having to go up to a couple and ask for money during their wedding is a brutal one. Not that that would be the case most of the time, but there is a reason this thread was started and that is specifically DJ's getting burned, and or the stress that comes with accepting payment the night of.
There is not one logical reason to take money on the night of. Not one. With this being said do I care if someone else decides to take payment the night of? No. No I do not
There is not one logical reason to take money on the night of. Not one. With this being said do I care if someone else decides to take payment the night of? No. No I do not
Some of you are mixing up Business Decisions with Emotional Responses. I will ask for my money whenever and where ever! I do ask and get all my money up front but if it came down to the day and the Client was supposed to pay beforehand but did not, then that is their fault! Give me my money.
Just got paid in cash for a July 14th wedding. First time someone's done that. I'm glad the bank is before the bar on the way home lol
I will be getting paid in full for the gig I just booked for July 21. My month now expands to 9 events.
Normally, my policy is 50% at time of booking, and 50% 7 days prior to the event. I actually ran into a last minute booking not too long ago, where the wedding was 2 weeks away. I required them to pay 100% at time of booking. You really should offer your client the option of paying with CC.