Budget cutbacks hit me two days in a row

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MBM

MBM

New DJ
Dec 23, 2007
3,063
1
67
Huntsville, AL
www.music-by-mike.com
Last night I found out a client that I am doing the ceremony and reception let me know they decided to not have me setup for their rehearsal dinner, never had gotten a contract to them for the rehearsal dinner, was still waiting on confirmation. Today just got off the phone with a groom, I had booked back in January for a reception in May. Money was tight for them them but they still wanted to book a decent package. I let them book with only a $100.00 partial retainer instead of my normal 1/3 of total. The bride has had her hours cut back at work and other things so they decided to not have a DJ at their reception. It is at a small church gym, and I guess I always had a feeling it might not happen. I was really about their only expense other than the decorations for the gym. The food was going to be brought in by the members of the church, which BTW I was looking forward to. Oh well I sent out a termination form to him. Still booked 1 job each weekend for the rest on May.

Between the two jobs it would have been about $1500.00, maybe I'll rebook the Friday night it's not until July.
 
CMWAT said:
as time moves along budget cutbacks will only get worse,we have to brace ourselves.
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Absolutely. We haven't seen the last of it. State workers are going to be hit hard in time to come.
 
I have spoke to many DJs who in fact have had their fair share of cancellations. I too had two recently in fact one was an NSF Booking Fee that I was attempting to collect, I was to gain the fee Saturday enroute to my gig and she phoned Saturday morning explaining the wedding is off. I lost 7 dollars and meeting time from that one. My first ever in Canada. the second one I atleast held a booking fee for as it was only one month away. We have to become more creative in what we do to win over the current malaise.Im currently working on several projects to weather the ensuing storm. I wish all well in the coming days.
 
Cancellations have been rare for me in the past. However, I have had two cancellations so far this year, both for Spring wedding receptions in the month of April. Both clients were late on their 90-day payments and cancelled prior to the 60-day "balance is due in full" clause in the contract.

I kept the non-refundable reservation fee and "ate" the rest of the contract, writing them off as a business loss.

The majority of my business is all word of mouth, so I put my best face forward and let the clients know that I was happy they had selected me to entertain on such an important occasion and hope they will choose me for future events when the economy does pick back up.

Cancellations in this business are a drag, since we book our calendars so far in advance. I'd love to fill those dates, but realize I probably will not be entertaining those nights and have lost a couple $ grand from not working.
 
I feel badly for the B&G, and others, but this is the very reason - current economy- to get your FULL non-refundable date retainer, and a contract. There will certainly be more cancellations to come, but your business comes first. That date retainer isn't just a binder, it's a source of cash flow and income. Get it in full.
 
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