When Do They Pay.....

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When Do You Require the Balance of the Payment?

  • 4 weeks before the event

    Votes: 10 100.0%

  • 3 weeks before the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 2 weeks before the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 1 week before the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Day before the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Beginning of the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • During the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • End of the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • After the event

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    10
The retainer is given upon signing the contract, with the balance due seven days prior to the event.
 
Just changed our contract recently to have client pay 1 week in advance.

Used to have them pay that night, but after getting lots of DJ's feedback, decided to change it.

:thumbsup:
 
Two weeks,,, the first gig I did on Maui a couple from Nevada stiffed me and I never got paid, I was out $900.00 so I never made that mistake again...
 
I have only been ripped off once--by another DJ company.

I ask to be paid by set-up time, but I have been paid in advance, and I have also been paid weeks later (that is the case for companies, where the person who hires me probably waits till the last minute to submit a request to a secretary, who probably waits till the last minute to submit a request to somebody higher up...and so on, and back down again until somebody mails it out to me).

If a DJ ever subcontracts me again, it's full payment and a half at least one month in advance. :p
 
Resevation Fee is due at the time of contract signing, balance is due 30 days before the event.
 
I've always accepted 1/2 down as per reserving the date, which can be applied to a date, however if you give a weeks notice you can cancel and recieve your retainer back, anything less than seven days is credit which can be applied to another available date if your unable to make that date. The other half is due promptly after the event. Of course I don't use that terminology to the clients, still looking for a easier way to get the point across.

Having me accept the check afterwards allows me to get a overall feeling of how the evening went from the eyes of the payee.
 
ncognito66 said:
Gee, maybe we need a new section just for newbie questions.
Click to expand...
I thought that was what the Wildcatter's Lounge was for. :D

Two weeks in advance here. Retainer fee is to be paid upon contracting. Overtime to be paid to the disc jockey before the scheduled end of the engagement.

That said, SNAFUs happen. People forget. The 2 week lead time allows 'em time to be reminded and get the check in the mail.

Some clients cannot pay in advance. Corporates, non-profits and many businesses will not pay for a service two weeks in advance. With this in mind we've accepted a check for full payment on the night of. Our stipulations are clear: the truck is not unloaded until we get paid.
 
I tell the client to pay when they feel comfortable. Generally this happens in the first hour of the function but sometimes at the end of the night

The one I did last weekend was paid for 6 months in advance thats the exception rather than the rule

A couple of times I had to wait for money from corporates but thats been rare. One tme it was 90 days from a non profit (that was before I used contracts)

Ive only came close to being ripped off once it was from a non profit. Well actucally it was a sleaze bag that worked for a non profit took the money and spent it before hand. He gave me the forgot the cheque routine and it took 3 weeks and a threat of legal action and his job but I got paid.

They still book me to this day and pay when I walk in by thier choice. He dosent work there anymore
 
Fred Stewart said:
I thought that was what the Wildcatter's Lounge was for. :D
Click to expand...

Then maybe we need a thread explaining to us newbies what Wildcatter means! :sqbiggrin:

Or maybe a DJ glossary! :sqwink:
 
I ask for a retainer at signing and full balance seven days prior. Unfortunately everytime some unethical company rips some one off the local businesses pay for it.

For example recently in Orlando there were 300 couples that paid in advance for video and the company didn't produce.

After stunts like that it is evident quite a few refuse to pay in advance in fear that we won't show up. If they are adament then I except final payment the day of.
 
Carolyn said:
I ask for a retainer at signing and full balance seven days prior. Unfortunately everytime some unethical company rips some one off the local businesses pay for it.

For example recently in Orlando there were 300 couples that paid in advance for video and the company didn't produce.

After stunts like that it is evident quite a few refuse to pay in advance in fear that we won't show up. If they are adament then I except final payment the day of.
Click to expand...

Theres a couple of DJs like that in my area thats one of the reasons I get paid when the client is comfortable
 
I haven't had any issues with the retainer (I require $100.00 within 2 weeks of booking). I've never pushed the balance aspect....Some have paid me before, during and after. That being said I usually have to go find the groom/best man....That's what I's like to avoid.
I don't imamgine that the caterer/photographer has to chase the groom around for his money....
 
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