How would you have handled this situation?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

MIXMASTERMACHOM

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Oct 16, 2011
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Let me start off by saying this is the first time I've ever had this happen to me. I got a phone call from the client that we're doing the event for this coming Saturday. We were supposed to perform in her backyard again for 5 hours this time. In April we did a sweet 16 for her grand daughter. She liked what we did so much that she has us coming back this Saturday.

Now the issue she was calling about had to do with the price I quoted her for the 5 hours. She said she really couldn't afford that. She changed the time herself to 3 1/2 hours. I told her we could do 4 hours for the same price we charged her to do the sweet 16 since it was 4 hours too. She agreed on that. So we will be there this Saturday. Now for all of those who will ask me what was the price I quoted her for 5 hours was $450.00. I took off $50.00 to do it for 4 hours.

Now my question to the masses here is how would you have handled such a situation? Like I said this is my first time ever dealing with such a situation. Normally a person would try to get me to do the 5 hours and try to get me to come down on the price I originally quoted them. Would you have said that now you can't do the gig at all or would you have forced them to uphold the contract that you both agreed on?

At least 1 thing I'm glad is that at least she was honest about where she was at financially and didn't try to run a game on me. Oh yes and before I get beat up about the price I'm charging her it's only around the corner from where I live and it will probably take me no more then 2 minutes to drive there. So no real expense other then the time spent with us performing the gig.
 
dunlopj said:
What does the contract she signed say about this? You did have a contract...right?

I'm guessing not...
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It's a contract. It says if they cancel we keep the retainer and if we back out they get whatever money they paid us back. Like I said this is my first time having someone do this to me. I decided since they are nice people and the first event went so well to do things this way. At least in my mind she wasn't trying to get us to do the 5 hours for a cheaper price like I know some others would try to do.
 
That is what the contract says? Is this a real contract looked at my someone with legal experience? Sounds like this should eb an intereting party. I will bet after you get there money will still be an isue.
 
You negotiated to salvage a gig. I've certainly done it but can't say I've done it under those circumstances (well after the deal was struck). If you really need the work, then good call. Speaking for myself, clients don't come back and arbitrarily change the price. They'll pay what we agreed to up-front or they walk, period. The one thing you can be certain of is this is a ruined client. She won't be returning with good-paying work and she won't be referring you to others without telling them how she was able to haggle you down, after the fact. Enjoy the gig.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
It's a contract. It says if they cancel we keep the retainer and if we back out they get whatever money they paid us back. Like I said this is my first time having someone do this to me. I decided since they are nice people and the first event went so well to do things this way. At least in my mind she wasn't trying to get us to do the 5 hours for a cheaper price like I know some others would try to do.
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I'm hoping the contract specifies a timeframe they can cancel and not be responsible for THE ENTIRE AMOUNT .. say 30-60 days out? Cancellation within 7 days would almost always be a complete payout as there is little chance to re-book the date.
 
I've never had the client come back and say they couldn't afford it. But, one thing we do to avoid the " Oh , my event is 4 hours now instead of 5 so can i get a cheaper price "? statement is that our contract states that the price is good for " up to 5 hours ". That way they know the price is for your services for anything from 1-5 hours and then we have an overtime charge which for smaller events our contract states additional time added at the event is billed at $150/hour.
 
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Loneavenger said:
I've never had the client come back and say they couldn't afford it. But, one thing we do to avoid the " Oh , my event is 4 hours now instead of 5 so can i get a cheaper price "? statement is that our contract states that the price is good for " up to 5 hours ". That way they know the price is for your services for anything from 1-5 hours and then we have an overtime charge which for smaller events our contract states additional time added at the event is billed at $150/hour.
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Same here on the "up to" wording in the contract.
 
Tosses on the good ol' ODJT DA hat

From another perspective, being that you said "up to" means for 1 to 5 hours (let's say the fee is $1000.00). Do you specify somewhere that "up to" could equate to 1 hour? Someone may decide "up to" means 200 / Hr. Then the client decides to change the event to 4 hours, do you think they will try to subtract 200 bucks? What do you have that says this event costs $1000.00 regardless of the hours? Maybe it should say that price covers from 1 to 5 hours?

FWIW, I say for this event, on this day, during these hours, is this cost. I also say that any and all changes must be agreed to in writing from both parties. Depending on the length of the show (and history of the client), I may decide to provide a break.
 
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rickryan.com said:
You negotiated to salvage a gig. I've certainly done it but can't say I've done it under those circumstances (well after the deal was struck). If you really need the work, then good call. Speaking for myself, clients don't come back and arbitrarily change the price. They'll pay what we agreed to up-front or they walk, period. The one thing you can be certain of is this is a ruined client. She won't be returning with good-paying work and she won't be referring you to others without telling them how she was able to haggle you down, after the fact. Enjoy the gig.
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Sorry but you're wrong on this one and trust me she could have easily found someone in our area to do it cheaper. She was only getting the DJ and gear. That's all. I'll net $200.00 and there really is no expenses as I said I'm only going around the corner from where I live.

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tunes4046 said:
Isn't funny how he disappears from posts when he gets called out
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I didn't disappear. I just got back to my PC.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Sorry but you're wrong on this one and trust me she could have easily found someone in our area to do it cheaper. She was only getting the DJ and gear. That's all. I'll net $200.00 and there really is no expenses as I said I'm only going around the corner from where I live.
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In my eye you never had the gig, no deposit no contract, and she is negotiating the deal now, please grow up and be a real DJ
 
How would I have handle it was your original question, at 7 days from the gig I would have performed according to original contract and expected her to uphold her end, especially over $50, if she's got $400 she 's got 450, then of course it's been many many years since I signed a contract for $450.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I'll net $200.00 and there really is no expenses as I said I'm only going around the corner from where I live.
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Anyone who provides a service and says there are no expenses is either a liar, an idiot, or just not taking their business seriously. Even prostitutes have expenses.

For the DJ: Music, Equipment Upkeep, Insurance, Advertising, Vehicle Maintenance, Office Supplies... these are all expenses associated with every event you perform at. Add them up.
 
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