Is there an industry that demands more from it's clients then the DJ industry?

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Jeff and others...There is a difference between renting a car/sound system and hiring a DJ...With the former you are relinquishing an asset to someone else. As a DJ you are in control of your equipment at the event.

Maybe there's an easier way to word this......With contracts, retainers, conditions, demand do some clients perceive it as a hassle to hire a legitimate Dj versus hiring the guy on the "dark side" (here you go, Steve); the guy that will give you everything you want, minus jumping through the hoops?

Let me ask another question?

Are we as an industry, pricing ourselves out of business?

Frankly, looking at my own contract, I wonder.

Steve, I didn't delete any posts, did you.....perhaps it's in the "much ado about nothing" part...

Steve; it did and didn't. Scott Hannah posted a great response as did Steve Miller, while others seem to take the question as somewhat personal and got somewhat snippy....

I thought and still think it was something that could be tossed about.....but as it seems with a lot of threads; this got off track.....

Maybe it's the salad I had for lunch.....the romaine lettuce, bacon bits and croutons....
 
Are you arguing that we shouldn't be legitimate businesses (the kind with contracts), because if we are, we'll drive people to "the black market"? Look, if I could trust everything that everyone says, I wouldn't even take deposits or booking fees, but that's simply not how the world is.

My contract is one page. Read one page that delineates what we've agreed to, sign one check as a retainer, and I'm yours for the night (or day)! I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing a reason for angst or worry, here.
 
Jeff and others...There is a difference between renting a car/sound system and hiring a DJ...With the former you are relinquishing an asset to someone else. As a DJ you are in control of your equipment at the event.

Maybe there's an easier way to word this......With contracts, retainers, conditions, demand do some clients perceive it as a hassle to hire a legitimate Dj versus hiring the guy on the "dark side" (here you go, Steve); the guy that will give you everything you want, minus jumping through the hoops?

Let me ask another question?

Are we as an industry, pricing ourselves out of business?

Not snippy and no offence taken here

OK so there is a difference in renting a car and hiring a DJ but is there a difference in hiring a caterer, videographer, photographer, decorator, etc. Ive seen some of thier contracts and they are alot more demanding than we are and they also charge alot more. I'm not looking for the green M&Ms or peeled grapes just normal common sense stuff unfortunatly common sense isn't as common as it used to be.

I probably lose some clients by using a contract there is no doubt. I am, to the best of my knowledge, the only one in my market that uses one. I also gain clients by using a contract. Sometimes I don't use a contract if the situation deems it. ducks quick

As for pricing ourselves out of business it's true and happening both ways. There are those that price too low and aren't really making any money and those that go to high and are in the same boat

Using this logic

Maybe there's an easier way to word this......With contracts, retainers, conditions, demand do some clients perceive it as a hassle to hire a legitimate Dj versus hiring the guy on the "dark side" (here you go, Steve); the guy that will give you everything you want, minus jumping through the hoops?

Why don't we just start downloading music and using Radio Shack gear. All they want is someone to play music right?

It's no more a hassle to hire a DJ than other vendors and in some cases less hassle. I've seen pics of your setup Steve I know you jump through hoops to perfect your clients day shouldn't they hop one or two to make sure you are protected?
 
ThatMusicGuy:

to answer your question: THERE IS NO IMPACT among intelligent people

my contract is one page & no smaller than 10 point type.

It covers situations like stairs, being outdoors, and other typical stuff like electrical issues. Can't tell you the number of times it saved my arse (clients paid extra for helpers, provided shelters, and even (at times) generators).
 
If the impact is: those who don't want a contract which protects their interests as well as mine, go elsewhere. I'm fine with that, even though it to the best of my knowledge, it has never happened to me.

Why anyone planning something as important as a wedding would deliberately (meaning they didn't know better, somehow) choose no contract is beyond me.

I will happily discuss or even alter terms of my contract with a client (not some other DJ who might think my terms are somehow "bad"), provided 1) they aren't jerking me around (missed deadlines, etc.), 2) the alterations make sense to me. I can count on one hand instances where this has occured.

How's that yoga going, Steve?
 
likely the reason its getting more response Steve

the obvious pantie fetish you are revealing.:sqwink:
On the up side though, this gets more views and replies than my usual crap......
 
Themusicguy
Are you going to tell Julie on the day of the event........You know Julie; it's pretty hot today...The humidity may affect my laptops. If it does I may have to shut down.....Sorry but it's not my fault....see clause 67 (w) (xxii) part 7 G in the contract you signed..

I know, this scenario is exaggerated (or is it?)......But do we drive people to the "dark side" because sometimes we're just too concerned about us and not them.....?
Aha!

The concern and contract provisions is not about me, nor is it about them, it is about it!

It is the event, it's duration to completion.

The client is being made aware of all the usual things that could or have gone wrong, what will be needed to prevent them, and why.

Now the client has the information needed for them to make an intelligent and informed decision.

Consider the contract as an insurance policy. Consider it as an instruction manual. Consider it as a warranty. Consider it as a training session.

The Consumer's insurance policy, warranty, instruction manual ,and training guide for all things that will be needed so that "it" happens without delay and without fail, beyond their expectations.

All in all, it's a pretty good thing, don't you think, or do you prefer something different, and if yes, what?