What if your wife pressured you to lower your price for one of her friends?
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
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You guys are perfect for each other!
I believe it is going to perpetuate the notion that D.J.s are (or at least can be) streetwalking whores, at least as it pertains to price. I wouldn't feel good about it, and because of it, likely pass on this event. But, that's me.
I did a party for my wife's friend. I gave her a good rate. When she wrote the check after the event it was $100.00 short. My wife gave her another discount which I did not know about. I was p*****! It still makes me mad just thinking about it.
Chuck, do you still like DJing? Because it seems like the money may not be the issue here.
People on this board and other DJ boards seem to be VERY focused on the money aspect of what we do. I really wonder how many people just do it for the money? I actually enjoy performing and I really like that I get paid to do it. I enjoy being in front of people showing my talent and skills and consider it part of my pay to see them having fun and having a good time . I smile, joke around and socialize. I drink a couple beers and have a good time. Y'all see this as just another job, even drudgery. It's a whole different attitude towards performing.
I would much rather be out somewhere entertaining and having fun and making some money than sitting at home watching TV or sitting at the computer for hours. They wanted you to do it for $450. The difference between you and them is not that much, but the thing is, you don't need the money. That's the bottom line, you're not hungry. You're comfortable financially and you're not really all that excited about DJing hence $100 per hour means nothing to you.
Here in my area, people do weddings for $450, even less. A regular party you can get $200-$300. Talented people who can play a guitar and sing at the same time or play the keyboards and sing at the same time work for $100 or $150 for the evening. They would crap in their pants if they were offered $450. People here host Karaoke for $100-$150 a night.
You don't need the money and you're not eager to DJ. That's the bottom line.
People on this board and other DJ boards seem to be VERY focused on the money aspect of what we do. I really wonder how many people just do it for the money? I actually enjoy performing and I really like that I get paid to do it. I enjoy being in front of people showing my talent and skills and consider it part of my pay to see them having fun and having a good time . I smile, joke around and socialize. I drink a couple beers and have a good time. Y'all see this as just another job, even drudgery. It's a whole different attitude towards performing.
I would much rather be out somewhere entertaining and having fun and making some money than sitting at home watching TV or sitting at the computer for hours. They wanted you to do it for $450. The difference between you and them is not that much, but the thing is, you don't need the money. That's the bottom line, you're not hungry. You're comfortable financially and you're not really all that excited about DJing hence $100 per hour means nothing to you.
Here in my area, people do weddings for $450, even less. A regular party you can get $200-$300. Talented people who can play a guitar and sing at the same time or play the keyboards and sing at the same time work for $100 or $150 for the evening. They would crap in their pants if they were offered $450. People here host Karaoke for $100-$150 a night.
You don't need the money and you're not eager to DJ. That's the bottom line.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
trouble is no matter what in business you dont have friends or family
my father always drumed it in my head when dealing with one you treat all the same and no matter what stick to your guns and charge what you normally charge
or you may as well give up what your doing altogether
once one gets a cheepy job done word gets out and thats it your on bunkruptcy street......
my father always drumed it in my head when dealing with one you treat all the same and no matter what stick to your guns and charge what you normally charge
or you may as well give up what your doing altogether
once one gets a cheepy job done word gets out and thats it your on bunkruptcy street......
Wiz, I wouldn't DJ without the money, though I don't need the money. I love to DJ and that is why after a 15 year layoff, I am back DJing for the last 3 years.
No one is telling you to DJ for free. $450 for a few hours "work" is far from working for free. There are people who make that amount for a week's pay. You say you really like, love, enjoy Djing, somehow I'm not believing you. If that was the case you could find a compromise with this "friend" of your wife's. After that party you could have a nice long talk with your wife. If she did it again, then you would have something to really complain about because she's not respecting your wishes.
Either you like doing it and want to do it or you don't. Are you making $100 per hour at your job? No? Then what's the problem? You set an arbitrary price and the customer is telling you they can't afford it or they value it at a different amount that is still reasonable by MANY peoples' standards. You love DJing so much that you'd rather sit at home and watch TV or be on the chat boards than make $450 for a few hours work. You don't enjoy it as much as you say you do, believe me. Otherwise you'd be eager to do the party.
Either you like doing it and want to do it or you don't. Are you making $100 per hour at your job? No? Then what's the problem? You set an arbitrary price and the customer is telling you they can't afford it or they value it at a different amount that is still reasonable by MANY peoples' standards. You love DJing so much that you'd rather sit at home and watch TV or be on the chat boards than make $450 for a few hours work. You don't enjoy it as much as you say you do, believe me. Otherwise you'd be eager to do the party.
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It's a matter of what you value.
Perhaps he values not being screwed with. How much is respect worth to you?
Perhaps he values not being screwed with. How much is respect worth to you?
Something else. Let's say you make $80,000 per year and work 40 hours per week. That works out to about $40 per hour. From that you have social security, FICA and other stuff withheld so you actually making about $32 per hour. So if you work an 8 hour shift you're make between $320-$256, that would be $160-$128 for a half day. So how does making $450 for half an 8 hour shift suck so bad? Especially since you love DJing so much.
Correct Steve... what I value more than money or DJing is my family. I work nights, my wife works days, and I hardly see my kids or my wife. Money is not an issue for me as far as day to day things, but missing my family is.
Why are you pissed off? I didn't say it sucked. I am saying that some things - like family and free time - can be much more valuable than money. I love my family more than I love DJing. and more than money.... but it doesn't mean that I don't love DJing.
Dude, I'm not pissed off and nothing I said indicated I'm pissed off. I'm just trying to make a point here and it's making you mad. I would love to have the luxury of looking down my nose at $450 to do something I enjoy anyways. People pay a lot of money to play golf. They're not getting paid to do something they enjoy, they're PAYING to do it. Money doesn't mean anything to you because you have it. You don't have to struggle or worry. You don't even understand the mentality of people who struggle and hustle and work hard just to get by. I see this here in my area all the time. I respect people who work hard.
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How many posts does it take you to make whatever point you're trying to make? Your repeated posts trying to nail home the same point might appear as anger, to some. Might, that's all.
So.. because Chuck doesn't work the way you do in his hobby, or his second job, he's lazy? If you love your job, you don't deserve to be compensated for it? On the contrary, if you love your job, I tend to think your enthusiasm helps make you BETTER at it, and therefore worth MORE money.
If you want Chuck to give you this cheap gig, stop beating around the bush and ask for the referral.
So.. because Chuck doesn't work the way you do in his hobby, or his second job, he's lazy? If you love your job, you don't deserve to be compensated for it? On the contrary, if you love your job, I tend to think your enthusiasm helps make you BETTER at it, and therefore worth MORE money.
If you want Chuck to give you this cheap gig, stop beating around the bush and ask for the referral.
I guess for me It all depends. Because I do value our services quite highly. I would be more inclined to do a free event rather than a paid one. I'm fairly lucky because I have done this before and I do not have a family that takes advantage of others nor are my friends much like this either.
For me if I do the event for free I tell them my services are worth more than the amount they want to pay. But given there status in my life I would do it for them for free but just for them no one else. Then if and when they tell there family and friends. They would tell them of my value but because of there status in my life they are getting it for nothing.
That way no one in the future including there family or friends would say " But you did it for so and so at this price". At this point I have held my value and suddenly become there best friend. Others around would know your costs and know there was no lower price. Plus in the future someone would be much less inclined to ask for a free event as opposed to lowering your price quite a bit.
I hope I'm making sence to some here. Again this is just me My idea may not work for everyone. I have done this before a coupld of times and everytime I have done something like this. Others around the person getting this free event considered that person highly lucky. I have a similar situation going on right now. This person is someone I'm not the closest friends with but I see him everyday at work. He would give his right arm to help me and has done so everyday for a few years and asked nothing. I'm inclined to do his wedding for free even though he does not know it yet.
For me if I do the event for free I tell them my services are worth more than the amount they want to pay. But given there status in my life I would do it for them for free but just for them no one else. Then if and when they tell there family and friends. They would tell them of my value but because of there status in my life they are getting it for nothing.
That way no one in the future including there family or friends would say " But you did it for so and so at this price". At this point I have held my value and suddenly become there best friend. Others around would know your costs and know there was no lower price. Plus in the future someone would be much less inclined to ask for a free event as opposed to lowering your price quite a bit.
I hope I'm making sence to some here. Again this is just me My idea may not work for everyone. I have done this before a coupld of times and everytime I have done something like this. Others around the person getting this free event considered that person highly lucky. I have a similar situation going on right now. This person is someone I'm not the closest friends with but I see him everyday at work. He would give his right arm to help me and has done so everyday for a few years and asked nothing. I'm inclined to do his wedding for free even though he does not know it yet.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
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I imagine to his detriment.
He should marry it and have children with it, he wuvs it soooo much!!!!
Nice dodging o' the bullet dere Papa!!!