Payment

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J

jeffjams

New DJ
Mar 2, 2009
21
0
49
Totally Dumb question,

In my contract it states "Payment of Performance Fee is Due at the time beofre the Event, NO EXCEPTIONS." Further down it states "in an event of non-payment, we have the right to obtain the balance through a court system or a collection agency". Well the lady who booked me said she would pay me at the end of the night, well no problem. How ever when it came time for the event to be over. She split. I called her and I was like so.... wheres my payment", she stated "Oh I must of forgot, I will mail you a check".

Almost a month later and two invoices sent I have yet to see my money. (Sounds sad but, I ran a background check on her and, she has a tendancy of not paying her bills, there was probably a dozen claims against her).

I guess my question is should I go ahead and pursue legal action against her at this time or should I wait till the first of the year and maybe she will pay.

The 10 years I been in busy, there was one other person who pulled this, I got my money 6 weeks after the date of her event, and thats only I called her and said, If I don't recieve money in the next week I will forward you to a collection agency.

Sorry about my blabbering lol.

Thanks for all your guys help, your awesome.
Jeff
 
This is a good example of why you should collect in advance of the event date, be it a week, 2 weeks or even a month out. I have been doing it that way from day 1 for private one shot events such as weddings, birthday parties etc. Corporate is different as most have to have a check cut from their respective accounts payable departments and so with them payment or final payment is expected when I arrive to setup.

BTW I moved this to the "Grow Your Business" forum because it fits here better. ;)
 
Yeah, 99% of my clients are really good about paying me. Just that 1% its pretty difficult. After the first time I started being a little more stricter with my payment.
 
With this thread you're going to hear a lot of "No Pay, No Play" posts. They are right for the most part on that.

The key is communication. Talk with your clients, be very clear in wrighting especially and of course verbally as well. When I sit down with a client I go over my contract point by point to ensure they understand what is expected of them and what they should expect from me.

I would consider re-working your contract so that it's crystal clear when and how you expect to be paid.
 
It is pretty clear it states purchser must pay performance fee before the event. in an event of non payment no services will be rendered.

I kinda broke my own rule on that one and went ahead and did it.
 
jeffjams said:
It is pretty clear it states purchser must pay performance fee before the event. in an event of non payment no services will be rendered.

I kinda broke my own rule on that one and went ahead and did it.
Click to expand...

Well there is nothing wrong with trying to be the "nice guy". Without adding insult to injury, this sometimes comes around to bite ya in the ass.... know what I mean?
 
jeffjams said:
It is pretty clear it states purchser must pay performance fee before the event. in an event of non payment no services will be rendered.

I kinda broke my own rule on that one and went ahead and did it.
Click to expand...
Yes you did. And as a result you may lose when you go to court.


You're going to hear a lot of comments to collect weeks or even months before the event.

I take an approach similar to yours.

My contract states that the final payment can be paid earlier, but is due at the end of the event.

It states that if I don't get paid, and am forced to go to collections or court, the client is liable for all collections, court and legal fees. Quite frankly, I'm not sure how well that part will hold up ... I've never had to find out.


I've had many cases where the client voluntarily paid ahead of time, as well as many times where I got it as I was loading in.

In my 27 years, I've had only three cases where I hadn't been fully paid by the end of the event. Once, when reminded, they sent the check, along with a souvenir, postmarked from their honeymoon location. Once they responded when they got home and I got it a couple days later. And once I had to chase it, but got it less than a month after the event.


Bottom line, since there are so many DJ horror stories, I believe it is up to the DJ to trust the client more than the client to pre-pay and trust the DJ.
 
I say, Go to her address with your boys and demand your money, you know what I mean.
One Love
 
We used to say payment in full is due at the event. We changed that about a year or so ago (business has been around 3 full years now). We never had anything bad happen to us, it just started to rub us the wrong way having to go and remind a client about paying us before the night was over.

So now we stipulate payment must be made in full 1 week before the event. We find that our clients tend to like this better because everything is paid up and all they have to do that night is have fun.

On a side note, if someone asks us about it, we'll accept payment in pieces instead of the booking fee and then the final payment. Sometimes it just helps folks with budgeting if they can give us $50 or $100 each time they get paid instead of one large chunk of money.
 
I wouldn't bother threatening her with collections
by the sounds of it, she's probably very good at playing that game!
go straight to court, where she'll HAVE to do something about it
 
You can try court...but a judgement still needs to be collected.

You might also contact the police about theft of services. That might get her attention.
 
I always ask for 1/2 down to book an event. I then have in my contract must cancel in writing no less than 60 days prior to the event or you forfeit your deposit.

However contract also states final payment must be made before setup. I don't move equipment in unless I have full balanced paid or your an approved client with credit. :-D
 
DJ J Mac said:
We used to say payment in full is due at the event. We changed that about a year or so ago (business has been around 3 full years now). We never had anything bad happen to us, it just started to rub us the wrong way having to go and remind a client about paying us before the night was over.

So now we stipulate payment must be made in full 1 week before the event. We find that our clients tend to like this better because everything is paid up and all they have to do that night is have fun.

On a side note, if someone asks us about it, we'll accept payment in pieces instead of the booking fee and then the final payment. Sometimes it just helps folks with budgeting if they can give us $50 or $100 each time they get paid instead of one large chunk of money.
Click to expand...

What Mac said... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
My clients pay in two parts: the initial payment with the contract to cover everything that happens before the event (1/3 of the total), and the final payment due on the day of the event (2/3 of the total). I have been using those terms for more than 15 years.

I have not been paid three times in 15 years...it's just a cost of doing business.

Frankly, I never pay in full, in advance for a service from a small business. I don't pay a house painter, or mechanic, or carpenter, or barber in advance. I certainly would not pay a DJ in full, in advance....I guess I know too many of them. ;P
 
soundinmotiondj said:
MyFrankly, I never pay in full, in advance for a service from a small business. I don't pay a house painter, or mechanic, or carpenter, or barber in advance. I certainly would not pay a DJ in full, in advance....I guess I know too many of them. ;P
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We had a potential client last year try this line of reasoning with us. We flipped the tables on the groom and asked him well how do we know your check won't bounce?


We declined to work for that couple. Ashamed too, because the bride and us were getting along quite well.
 
DJ J Mac said:
We had a potential client last year try this line of reasoning with us. We flipped the tables on the groom and asked him well how do we know your check won't bounce?
Click to expand...

Think about how many $1000 (as a working number) services you pay for in advance.

There are not very many "pure services" that cost what a DJ charges....I can't think of any single transaction I had last year that cost $1000 and did not involve physical goods.
 
To each their own.

I have chosen to NEVER demand the remaining balance of payment before my services are rendered and have NEVER been stiffed with non-payment or a bounced check.

Maybe that's why I keep booking paying customers?
 
In almost 30-years
I have NEVER been completely stiffed
and I have used every variation of payment you can imagine
(no down payment, half down, partial down. etc.)
I've had a few late payers
a few "Oops, I forgot my checkbook" payers
even a few who wanted to debate the final balance.
but in the end, I got what I was supposed to get!
 
Jeff I would also go get wording from a lawyer and collection agency regarding the non-payments and how you are to get it back

jeffjams said:
Totally Dumb question,

In my contract it states "Payment of Performance Fee is Due at the time beofre the Event, NO EXCEPTIONS." Further down it states "in an event of non-payment, we have the right to obtain the balance through a court system or a collection agency".

Thanks for all your guys help, your awesome.
Jeff
Click to expand...

of which I have on mine, that I will also be charging them 14% interest flat per fortnight there partof in bookkeeping and recovery fees

not quoted that way but its worded from a lawyer and collection agency and I cant put it 100% online sorry

but anyway ask about the interest as it can be collected for you waiting for your payments

only had to use it once and never been stiffed again....

hope you get paid
 
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