Are you a Business Person or a DJ?

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DJMC

DJ
Oct 19, 2006
2,875
7
72
Northern California
In another thread, on another board.......the issue came up over collecting balances due from brides who cancel.

This post intrigued me:

There are those that are a Business Man first and a DJ second and then there are those that are a DJ first and a Business Man second. I prefer to be the latter and tend to offer my views from that perspective. I would never take anyone to court over the monetary figure associated with a event, the negativity associated with that is not worth the hassle, time, expense, ill will and possible repercussions and damage to my DJ service.

I'm in this Business to entertain people on their special days. I am not in this Business to write threatening letters, visit lawyers, gather evidence, set aside times to go to court and do battle with people that came across hard times or are just unscrupulous.

Life's too short to spend your time chasing after money you haven't earned, but if you must, More power to you.
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I cannot disagree with this statement.

Even more amazing is the person who wrote it......LOL
 
With no context or scenario, I can't say if I agree that the money in question hasn't been earned. This factor, and the amount of money in question determined whether legal action is warranted, to me.
 
I've been in this business 26 years. Never had a problem where I was inclined to go to court.

If I ever got into such a situation, I might feel inclined to agree with that person.

He may be right. It might just be more of a hassle than it's worth.



I'll let you know what I decide if the situation ever comes up.
 
We had a wedding cancel yesterday morning for yesterday evening we got a call from the hotel around 9:30am. The client was paid in full. I have costs associated with events this close in including the fact that I really should pay the dj and roadie as they both could have worked their other jobs in lieu of the cancelled wedding with notice.

I am a career dj have been doing this since i was 12 and love it more than anything in the world however Im not going to refund this particular person.

Now I wouldn't go to court over it though and probably wont have to
 
Well... my reading of Matt's quote above and a buck twenty-five will get yas a cup of coffee, lol. ;)

From my interpretation, I get the impression that the writer is taking the high road. This is a business decision. It's neither right nor wrong. For good or for bad it's the best decision for the company's owner.

As a sole prop, we have no qualms with refunds for cancelled shows. A sole prop has a bit more flexibility. There again, we don't have employees who have to be paid. If we did, things would be different. When you promise to pay employees, you've got to pay them. The cancellation of a show isn't their fault.
 
good points Fred but your other post of the weekend gives me good grounds for example...

Nascar weekends are huge for 1st Carolina djs we will do between 10 and 15 sponsor parties, a cook out here, client appreciation there, a PA rental for a show car here, another schmooze event there, big big bucks for djs during May and October...

So say you ran the sponsor circuit up there in Dover.

And this weekend you could take 3 or 4 good paying sponsor dances
but you booked a $1500 wedding package and the bride cancels friday week of like the day before yesterday.

Are you like "let me tell you what im going to do so i dont look bad wolfie is going to give you a refund because its the kind thing to do even though i took your wedding and turned down a comparable amount of business"

what about New Years Eve.

For Fred or all you single ops, new years eve is our night what if you took a wedding new years eve that got cancelled are you going to sit at home and have given money back on a night you could hollar out the window and get a decent paying gig?


Kyle
 
Thanks, Kyle.

If a local DJ company is involved with the NASCAR madness in Dover I am unaware of it. Most of us would just as soon travel the other direction or stay at home, lol. No one does squat around here on race weekends.

Come to think of it, Ed Price and I did a grad party in Maryland on the first race weekend this year. We took the back roads to the venue.

We're a sole prop. That makes it easier. Our service agreement gives the client a refund of fees paid if cancellation is done 15 business days before the event date. We don't have to refund the retainer but we've done it upon request, considering the circumstances.

Same policy applies regardless of the date. We don't upcharge for NYE nor December dates. We never have. If a NYE client cancels, they cancel. We'll have the night off for a change and won't have to be stopped by every county cop for miles around while driving home.

Money ain't everything, my friend. :)
 
I can only assume that although you're a single proprietor, if you were full time this would be different?

Money is definitely not everything however if it got out you could bring me to the breaking point give me blue balls on a gig and id give you the money back my contract would not have a leg to stand on. right?
 
The answer to the thread title is YES, since I'm both. The original post included "...I'm in this business..." , and that's what it is.

If someone reserves a date with me, a non-refundable date retainer ( rather than a deposit) must be paid up front. Unless the fault is mine, this retainer will NEVER be returned. On the other hand, I wouldn't bother sueing for the balance due to cancellation. Two reasons: 1) I would like to think that I might get future business from this customer, 2) In NJ, anything under 2500.oo is relegated to small claims court, which is non-binding. You may never get the money, and cause bad advertising in the process...
 
1cdj said:
I can only assume that although you're a single proprietor, if you were full time this would be different?

Money is definitely not everything however if it got out you could bring me to the breaking point give me blue balls on a gig and id give you the money back my contract would not have a leg to stand on. right?
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You presume correctly, Sir. If I had to make a living from this biz around here, we'd be living under a bridge. :)

I'm not sure I understand the second part of your letter but I will try: I have never (and never will) bring a client to the breaking point, nor will we give the blue balls. :D All a client has to do is call and tell me she wants to cancel. That's good enough for me. Send me an email or letter expressing the wish to cancel and she's off the hook. So are we.

Does this help?
 
Fred
sort of what i meant was more of a girl who calls off the wedding when you're half way down the street, unloaded at the venue etc. thats all no big C-esque debate here.
 
1cdj said:
Fred
sort of what i meant was more of a girl who calls off the wedding when you're half way down the street, unloaded at the venue etc. thats all no big C-esque debate here.
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In this scenario, all fees are paid in advance and are non-refundable in accordance with our service agreement.
 
btw if u want to work a race event next spring (is dover on twice next year) im sure i could get you in touch with some people.

There is a company called MSP (motorsports promotions) my contact there is always asking where i know other dj companies this year she didnt ask me about dover, but they do stuff like Dewalt demos where they want rock and country played all afternoon.

I did a cheerios eating contest for them and one year we did this Craftsman band thing on Friday afternoon where they brought out oil drums and tools and made a hella racket but it paid well $750 and suite passes.



usually you can get like $750 or so out of the job and complete race passes which you may enjoy.
 
Dover Downs sponsors two NASCAR cup races every season.

I don't follow racing but we're always up for big engagements. We've got the FOH for it. ;)
 
Oh Fred you dont have to follow racing to have an upscale redneck kick ass party... i'll see what i can find out for you during the break, you know where to find me. Id love to go to the dover race and meet you.

You dont have to like racing to love the race its like the circus i could give two craps about a llama some clowns and horses but its still fun.

You'd be surprised at the celebs that the dover race brings from the midatlantic region.
 
Indeed. They park their private jets at the civilian side of the Dover AFB. The old Sunroc plant was across the road from the Civil Air Terminal.

We used to give 'em tours of the manufacturing plant. :)
 
Ok.....I was ok with letting my clients cancel, and they owe me nothing.

However...three issues later.....all my clients will pay a non-refundable deposit to "hold" their date. If my clients are serious about the date, they will be seriously wanting to pay me as soon as possible to lock the date in.

I was the nice guy for two and a half years, and its time to run my business like it should be.

I had to put my foot down about a month ago, when an argument ensued about how much I would accept for an extra hour. $100 is what I now charge, and the grooms dad was only trying to settle with $50. He argued with me for 15 minutes....and needless to say, I got my $100. I felt bad for putting my foot down, but theres a point where I need to get some balls, and quit being "extra nice" Being nice is cool, but getting taking advantage of is horrible.

So....I am my clients friend, but they understand this is how I make a living.

I personally think to be a successful dj person, is to know how to handle any types of situations.

So....yea...business is business, and then we can work on the variables.

Thanks.....
 
Matt,

Let me ask you this, if you were the business owner and sole provider of your family would you still let something like that slide?

I for one don't, yes each situation is different, but if it comes to the point that I cannot re-book an event due to a cancelation, I will not just sit there with my arms crossed, my bill still need to get paid.
 
DJMN said:
Ok.....I was ok with letting my clients cancel, and they owe me nothing.

However...three issues later.....all my clients will pay a non-refundable deposit to "hold" their date. If my clients are serious about the date, they will be seriously wanting to pay me as soon as possible to lock the date in.

I was the nice guy for two and a half years, and its time to run my business like it should be.

I had to put my foot down about a month ago, when an argument ensued about how much I would accept for an extra hour. $100 is what I now charge, and the grooms dad was only trying to settle with $50. He argued with me for 15 minutes....and needless to say, I got my $100. I felt bad for putting my foot down, but theres a point where I need to get some balls, and quit being "extra nice" Being nice is cool, but getting taking advantage of is horrible.

So....I am my clients friend, but they understand this is how I make a living.

I personally think to be a successful dj person, is to know how to handle any types of situations.

So....yea...business is business, and then we can work on the variables.

Thanks.....
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Adam be their friend after the job before and during can just lead to too many misunderstandings and broken promises.


**others if i win the powerball this year, than i can ease up and dj because i truly love it (which i do) do a bunch of volunteer and philanthropic events and endeavors and if Mr&Mrs Jones to be get caught cheating the night before, just give them their money back ;)
 
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