The Client Wants YOU..$$ is a factor.

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Nov 5, 2006
1,202
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58
Schenectady, NY
You own a multi op company. Your rule of thumb is to book your guys first. A client calls and her date you have wide open. She say you at a reception last year and wants YOU..No dis to your guys, but she wants you personally..

She gives you all of the details. $$ is a factor..You are significantly more than your DJs..She doesn't understand why you can't DJ the event under their price..You try to explain, but it ain't working so far..

Since you are *way over* what she had planned, she is gonna talk to her fiance about their finances..

We have discussed all of the details, time, place, etc..etc..

WWYD???
 
Do whatever you are comfortable with, in the end you only have to answer to yourself.

Most will probably say to stick to your guns. If they want you that much, they will find a way to make it work...as long as the price for you is not completely unreasonable. They know the value in the price difference as they have seen you perform, they just have to decide if it is justified.

The real question is WWPMD?
 
A client calls and her date you have wide open.
That's completely irrelevant, but I suspect you mentioned it because it may influence your decision.

She say you at a reception last year and wants YOU.
She already say you and wants you. She will find a way to pay your price. If not, then she was merely being a kiss-ass trying to get you to lower your price.
 
If you were a single op, would you drop your price because she wants you? I would not think so. At least not as much as she apparently wants you to drop.

You could:

1. Offer her a payment plan (in writing of course) so it makes it more affordable.

or

2. Give a slight discount but not break the bank. $50 to $75
 
Think about it this way...

When you go to Target for a pair of shoes, would you expect a discount from the manager because you want "that" pair? You might if you went to a street market vendor. She wants "you" and only you... that cost more.

Point is, you display your true professionalism by how you react to "offers" for your service. If you are willing to "barter" or discount to get the gig, then are you charging what you are truly worth in the first place?

Offer her the discount on one of your employees (to show her your good faith) but don't budge on yourself. In a sense, you're raising the bet and hoping to get called. If you feel guilty about "sticking to your guns", then give her the break. I suspect you already know what you want to do, you just want a little moral support.
 
Tim - There is a reason that you are priced as you are. You know what the market will bear, and if you are priced correctly for the Capital Region (and I believe that you are...)

If they want you, they will find a way to make it happen. If $$ is truly the determining factor, then they probably weren't your client to begin with. Stick to your guns. You will fill the date at your price.
 
A client calls and her date you have wide open.
That's completely irrelevant, but I suspect you mentioned it because it may influence your decision.
Then again, WHY is that date wide open? Is it merely far in the future, where you haven't gotten any inquiries yet, and you will probably fill the date? Then no discount. Is it an off-date? Holiday? Winter? Then a discount is acceptable.

I.E. Is there something about the date itself that is causing it to be unbooked? If so, then it's probably a date you would (or should) discount anyway. In that case, offering her an extra discount is not the end of the world.

For example, I offer a $100 discount for winter (1/2 thru 4/15). If this client were interested in one of those dates, yeah, I could be convinced to give a $200 or maybe even $300 discount.
 
Agreed. If the client specifies that she wants YOU and no one else, there is a reason for that.

Also in full agreement with the offer of a payment plan. This reduces the "sticker shock" that many clients experience. Work with them. You'll find a way. :)
 
The real question is WWPMD?

I don't care who you are, that there's funny.

Okay, she's checking in with the fiancee. Wait to see what he says. He might be willing to pay what you're asking.

Now, let say he doesn't, I'd find out what they're willing to pay, but, then again, I believe everything in life is negotiable.
Kevin Lomax: Are we negotiating?
John Milton: Always.​
 
So...

Then again, WHY is that date wide open? Is it merely far in the future, where you haven't gotten any inquiries yet, and you will probably fill the date? Then no discount. Is it an off-date? Holiday? Winter? Then a discount is acceptable.


So all of your dates till the end of next year of booked???? Some dates for next year are wide open.
 
So all of your dates till the end of next year of booked????
That's not what I meant. But let's look at it from that perspective.

Let's say every weekend date for the next couple years is completely booked, for you AND your other DJs - except this one date. 'Wide open' means neither you or any of your staff are booked.

If it seems like a normal day, and you can't figure out why it's open, then it's merely a fluke and no discount.



Some dates for next year are wide open.
Sounds like this is one of those dates. Therefore, sooner or later, it should get booked. Therefore, no discount.
 
firstly--if you're a multi-op then some of your guys have been specificly requested by a client to do a gig...they will understand!!
secondly--your price is your price..stick with it!!
last year, i had a choice of booking DAVID ALLAN COE or JEFF BATES....i wanted DAC so i paid the higher booking price, plain and simple..
 
Many times its not really about the dollar
How many times have you put aside a certain amount of money for something in particular
You shop, you bargain, you negotiate, you buy....................

Then you go spend the rest of the money you set aside
 
things that make you go hmmm!

I'll bet the caterer, the facility, the wedding dress, the floral arrangements and the photographer are still making more than you. Did she get a discount from them too? Stick to your guns...thx