How much do I need to charge...

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Dude Walker said:
A good DJ friend of mine called this evening. He's experiencing what several are in our region. Contracts that are being cancelled for cheaper services... Not better...just cheaper. These people are eating the cost of the deposit and still saving $$ on the end entertainment price. We have hit a critical mass in our market. More DJs than potential events. End result, price war.

I saw this coming... I warned Djs... many scoffed. It's like throwing a piece of meat into a den of hungry wild dogs...all nashing their teeth for just a little taste of the action.

Oh well, I pulled 5 rigs off the road over the past 2 years in anticipation of this growing problem to maintain profitability. The greedy & inexperienced will burn out in time. They'll definitely muck up the market, price wise...perception wise...
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As a rule I turn a pretty high percentage of price shoppers around


And the ones I dont never were my customers to begin with

Heres a completly ridiclous story

I spoke on the phone to a very nice young lady yesterday looking for a price for November of this year. I spent about a half hour on the phone with her knowing full well that no matter what I said I wasnt going to change her mnd. She wanted a 4 hour reception, dinner music (2 hours) no upsells of lights extended sound etc.

She had recieved a quote of $125.00....No contract (thats common in my market I think im the only one using an agreement). She said if I could match it she would much rather have me. I told her I couldnt she thanked me and hung up

1 hour later I recieved a phone call from the same young lady wanting to book her staff christmas party. The first thing I mentioned was price due to our last conversation. She booked at full rate signed the contract and gave me the retainer that day because she wanted to make sure she got me.

And she is still going with the $125 guy for her wedding

I finished yesterday confused Im not sure if she got what I said about value over price or not

I guess the moral of the story is that Price Vs Value only matters when you are footing the bill :sqconfused:
 
On the other hand regardless of how much one charges if you do a great job for the client they will still tip you.......
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Do you tip your Doctor? Dentist? Plumber? Auto Mechanic? Tax Accountant?

Most respectable professions that pay a "liveable wage" don't get tips. About the only job I can think of that does not fall under "poverty" type wages getting tips are the hair stylists.

Yes, I get, and accept tips. Don't request, nor mention them before the event, nor in contract. If it happens, great. If not, oh well.

I find it amazing how many "expect" a tip at the end of the night.
 
Flyingdjdan said:
Do you tip your Doctor? Dentist? Plumber? Auto Mechanic? Tax Accountant?

Most respectable professions that pay a "liveable wage" don't get tips. About the only job I can think of that does not fall under "poverty" type wages getting tips are the hair stylists.

Yes, I get, and accept tips. Don't request, nor mention them before the event, nor in contract. If it happens, great. If not, oh well.

I find it amazing how many "expect" a tip at the end of the night.
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My gauge of WHEN to raise prices.....is when I'm getting gratuities at an abnormally high rate.

Someone like myself, for example......if my base rate is $899 (average) and the customers are giving me 10-15% extra on a regular basis.......that means I'm not charging enough. This allows me to raise rate to $988 (or $999) and collect the "gratuity" as part of the rate.

A couple of years ago, after my last rate increase, I noticed the customers stopped overpaying, as a rule. Lately, I've been noticing a huge increase in the amounts the customers give my "subs" and myself.........meaning "I'm too cheap" I guess....
 
Here is a 10 company comparison relating to Supplies in production costs for fiscal year 2005.

The criteria:

Each company has its name registered with the Secretary State.

Each company filed a 2005 Schedule C.

Each company has at least 1 employee.

Each company has liability insurance.

Each company obtains music via music subscription services like Jones-TM Cent, RPM or ERG.

supplies.jpg
 
Flyingdjdan said:
Do you tip your Doctor? Dentist? Plumber? Auto Mechanic? Tax Accountant?

Most respectable professions that pay a "liveable wage" don't get tips. About the only job I can think of that does not fall under "poverty" type wages getting tips are the hair stylists.

Yes, I get, and accept tips. Don't request, nor mention them before the event, nor in contract. If it happens, great. If not, oh well.

I find it amazing how many "expect" a tip at the end of the night.
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Actually I neither ask for, expect and generally don't accept tips........ for the very reason that I am the owner of the company and set a rate that satisfies my needs. I always turn down the first offer of a tip but never make a scene if they insist.

I don't put tip jars out anywhere including club and bar gigs because I charge a fair rate for my time and experience, Tips are for those who work for tips!
 
Here is a 10 company comparison relating to Insurance and Interest in production costs for fiscal year 2005.

The criteria:

Each company has its name registered with the Secretary State.

Each company filed a 2005 Schedule C.

Each company has at least 1 employee.

Each company has liability insurance.

Each company obtains music via music subscription services like Jones-TM Cent, RPM or ERG.



Insurance.jpg

Interest.jpg
 
This entry isnt necessary.
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I disgree.

The illustration demonstrates the total ambiguity of Dude's "graphs".

So 10 different companies have 10 different results - and when you divide those reults by 10 you get an "average".

Simply amazing stuff ? :sqconfused:
 
Bob its your opinion and unless your a mind reader you only assume. Bypass this thread if you dont like it. Find one you can get happy about.
 
Proformance said:
I disgree.

The illustration demonstrates the total ambiguity of Dude's "graphs".

So 10 different companies have 10 different results - and when you divide those reults by 10 you get an "average".

Simply amazing stuff ? :sqconfused:
Click to expand...

Yes, you get an average.

You also see some extreme variations in the individual companies numbers.

You could compare these results to your own numbers and see where you fall in with this information.

You might find your numbers don't quite jive with these.

Which could make you take a look at your production spending and see if maybe you are going over board, or under spending in some areas.



OR

You could just make fun of them, and get your boxers in a wad.
 
Here is a 10 company comparison relating to Telephone in production costs for fiscal year 2005.

The criteria:

Each company has its name registered with the Secretary State.

Each company filed a 2005 Schedule C.

Each company has at least 1 employee.

Each company has liability insurance.

Each company obtains music via music subscription services like Jones-TM Cent, RPM or ERG.

telephone.jpg
 
You could compare these results to your own numbers and see where you fall in with this information.
Click to expand...

But there is no relevant basis for which to do that. Even Dude's "criteria" is completely unrelated to his "data".

Mathematics is not opinion, and that is the point of "% Boxers".

Is the secret to harmonious "discusssion" to eliminate any intellignet dissent?

Peter Merry, Steve Miller, ...these are people who don't shrink from content or contention. What say of you?
 
I haven't been paying attention....

What's with all the pretty graphs and charts?
 
All the charts show are what the production costs for those 10 companies are they really have no relevance to anything else

For example...I use Supreme gas. Its currently $1.22/litre or roughly $5.00/gallon. My fuel expense as a percentage is much higher on the same amount of events locally than say Dude or Bob

Lets take the telephone expense for Example. Company J has a higher percentage than Company C but without real numbers percentages mean nothing. If Company J took in $30,000 last year and Company C took in 1,000,000 then you can see the difference and who runs more efficently

Without real numbers the graphs are pretty pictures
 
Perhaps Bob you arent in fact a mind reader

which would put flaw in your opinion. If you in fact have such skills then I apologize for doubting. Otherwise assumption can flaw any mathematical equation. If its the lack of understanding direction we might sit back and see the end results to remove all doubt for the need for the Boxer Graph to pull Dudes story together here. :sqwink:
Proformance said:
But there is no relevant basis for which to do that. Even Dude's "criteria" is completely unrelated to his "data".

Mathematics is not opinion, and that is the point of "% Boxers".

Is the secret to harmonious "discusssion" to eliminate any intellignet dissent?

Peter Merry, Steve Miller, ...these are people who don't shrink from content or contention. What say of you?
Click to expand...
 
Jeff we only see the graphs Dude has shared not knowing where this leads. This is what confuses us and makes for naysaying as to the point in all of this. We have two choices. Read on and guestimate where it leads or leave it behind believing in the no gain theory atleast for this long winded effort.
 
Tuck, Pardon me for being blunt, but are you drunk?

I'm trying to read your mind - but it's a little foggy. :sqconfused:
 
Bob your opinion of course as always is welcomed thanks for the concern but Im only drunk on love for humanity and thoughtful sharing amongst friends. FRIEND!
DUDE the interest ship is taking water. Perhaps a navigational push might bring focus and meaning to the voyage.
 
Jon,

There are only a few more comparisons remaining before we can wrap this matter up.

In the meantime, if a person were to go back to post #299 and reference the production budgets, there is little mystery as to what is being expended in each category.

I find it comical that a rather small group that is taking issue with a focus on production costs has yet to share valid information to the contrary...on any of these allegedly ambiguous issues.

Percentages, not specific dollars amounts can be referenced directly against a persons own financial data.

Look back to post #308. Proformance proclaimed that he has consistently spent more on postage than on music. I am willing to take him at his word. The graphs also support the position that he alleged. Not in dollar amount but by comparison in disparity between percentages. Whether or not Proformance's actual percentages are higher or lower than those in the graphs remains to be seen. However, the graphs in post #308 reflect a similarity to what Proformance actually did share.

I chose percentages as opposed to specific dollar amounts to alleviate the search & destroy a specific dollar amount mentality. Each company may experience different dollars amounts, however, there is a general ballpark that 10 companies have experienced. Would comparison be more valid with 100 MDJs...1,000 MDJs...??

The insipid campaign against a benchmark is ill conceived. It is a part of the worthless movement. The "who are you to judge me" diatribe. When in reality, a benchmark is merely a reference point for self improvement.

What is so dangerous about sharing relatable knowledge with those that may find a use for it.

I guess I'd be more concerned about stifling an idea...and not a dissenting opinion. One has value by example...the other seeks fault in example without a supporting position to prevent what...??


Here is a 10 company comparison relating to Travel & Payroll Related Expense and music in production costs for fiscal year 2005.

The criteria:

Each company has its name registered with the Secretary State.

Each company filed a 2005 Schedule C.

Each company has at least 1 employee.

Each company has liability insurance.

Each company obtains music via music subscription services like Jones-TM Cent, RPM or ERG.

travel.jpg

payrollrelatedexpense.jpg
 
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