For the first time, someone questioned my policy

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I know some of you have a similar policy and others don't. I require payment 14 days prior to the wedding reception. Have been doing that for about 5 or 6 years. Today, the wedding reception that the payment is due this Saturday, called and questioned why I do this.

Kind of threw me for a loop because we just had our meeting 2 weeks ago to go over everything and I mentioned the due date to them. The bride asked but I thought she was joking, "With us paying in advance, how does that give you the inititive to do a good job?" or something like that.

I told her that doing a good job is what keeps me in business. If I do a bad job, I don't get referrals. Never thought anymore about that until my phone rang tonight and it was the groom asking me why I had the policy.

I told him that I adapted it because of bad checks I had recieved in the past. I had to track down the people and it took time to get the money from them. I also mentioned that instead of me tracking them down at the end of the night to pay me, they should be saying goodbye to their guests.

Don't think they liked my answer but he said they would send the check tomorrow.

In my contract it says that if they don't pay, I don't have to show up. And yes, they initialed that section along with all the others and signed the contract. I don't understand why people don't ask these questions before signing things.

Just my rant. Thanks for reading.
 
I too have had the same responses: "Why should we pay you in full before our event?" or "If we have any remodeling done or our car repaired, Etc. ...we may pay 1/2 upfront, and pay the remaining balance once the job is completed". I actually had a client refuse to pay the balance before the job was completed.

I can see it from their side too.
 
So far, I've allowed for clients to pay on the day of the event, but I've been debating a change to that policy. Most of my clients are for weddings anyway, so when they ask, I tell them that they can pay at the reception but that they may find it more convenient to take care of all that beforehand. I'd say at least half of our wedding clients pay in advance now. After hearing so many stories of bad checks, I think I might just start a pay in advance policy.
 
I started doing this last year, and before I did I was ask a couple of times if it was ok to pay me early so they didn't have to worry with it the last couple of weeks and definitely didn't want to worry about remembering a check book the day of.
 
You are correct Bill, but ;), you have a contract that states your policies and once they sign and initial that's it. One needs to read what they sign. With automotive work it can be 50% up front or some recieve payment when the car is delivered. Bounced checks with people out of town for X amount of days or weeks becomes a problem, and then when they get back they usually have spent all of their money.

The contract protects both of you as it outlines the responsibilities of both parties and if someone doesn't like it they don't have to sign it. I think people hear horror stories about DJ's not showing up or doing a lousy job and bad news spreads like a wildfire good reputation travels but definitely not as fast as the bad news.

References is what may help the customer feel a little bit less apprehensive than handing $XXXX.XX not knowing how they have performed with other customers.
 
Bill Kexel said:
I too have had the same responses: "Why should we pay you in full before our event?" or "If we have any remodeling done or our car repaired, Etc. ...we may pay 1/2 upfront, and pay the remaining balance once the job is completed". I actually had a client refuse to pay the balance before the job was completed.

I can see it from their side too.
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What did you do in that case? Just suck it up and played anyway?
 
Esoteric said:
Yeah, you guys are lucky. Most people I know do not get paid until a job is done. Sometimes I am not sure if you all know how lucky you are.

Mike
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Its not really luck Mike if you want to do it you can too
 
I think I might have been "burnt" for the first time.

I took a check last saturday night, and cashed it into my bank on tuesday. I called their bank to see if there was funds available since this was a starter check. Tuesday they said it wouldnt have cleared, wednesday, the same thing..not enough funds in account, and the check didnt come through. So both me and the bank assume the check will be in tomorrow, and hopefully it will clear...crossing fingers even though it does not look good, =(

I don't know what I should do. I know a majority of my clients would never ever pay before an event....EVER!!!! The only way I think would work for me is to take 50% as a holding date fee. Even this would turn people away..=(

This really is a no win situation for me.
 
the best policy is what I have in place... this is only a part of whats there

2. No Booking can be confirmed until a DEPOSIT has been returned with the Booking Form.

3. This Document Records a Legally Binding Contract that exists between the above Mentioned CLIENT and PERFORMER(s), Whilst all due care and skill will be taken, any loss or damage suffered by the CLIENT, whatsoever caused by the PERFORMER; is not liable for; A>: any breech of this Agreement; B>: the negligence of the principal, agents, employee or servants; C>: any negligence or breach of this contract by any performers engaged; D>: any injury suffered by the CLIENT or guest or guests of the CLIENT in the performance of this agreement.

4. Deposits: Paid under this agreement are strictly non-refundable. But can be transferred, only for a 12-month period. The total fee is payable for the function the subject of this agreement, shall remain payable unless the Client provides with 30 days written notice of intention to cancel the agreement, prior to the date of the function. Remember Full payment is Due 14 to 21 Working days before the Function.

5. The Client agrees to pay for any willful Damage caused to Equipment Eg: (CD’s, Records, Console, Speakers, ETC..) or Stolen Whilst at the function Venue or in the process of being moved to and from the transport Vehicle. Any such action by the Client or Guests of the client is the Responsibility of the Client. (The Company will take all Necessary Care)

6. PAYMENT: In default of non-payment the Client agrees to pay all costs incurred in the recovery, plus interest at the rate of FOURTEEN (14) percent flat per fortnight or part thereof in Book Keeping Fees and Legal Costs....
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have a look and ask about that in your contract
was drawn up by a lawyer in oz so I am not sure if you guys can do that too
check and see
 
Karl Langford said:
I told him that I adapted it because of bad checks I had received in the past. I had to track down the people and it took time to get the money from them. I also mentioned that instead of me tracking them down at the end of the night to pay me, they should be saying goodbye to their guests.
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First of all, I respect everyone's policies and anyone who agrees to them should be held to holding them up.


Now here's my take on the above points:


*Bad checks can still happen with early payments. I don't believe it to be malicious. Most times it's because thousands of dollars are going out to many things all at once. It's hard to time the deposits (we've all been there). The odds that someone is actually trying to screw us are tiny.

*I've had to chase down a couple of checks in my time, but not enough to have to penalize everyone.

*Saying goodbye to their guests? That's true, but in my experience, they're just as eager to shake hands and hug ME on the way out. That' usually when the tip comes too.


Most times I'm paid by someone when I arrive. If not, the client or a family member pays me half way through the event. It's by then they are convinced of the value they're getting. I see every event date as a pay day. I work and I get paid. A legal contract assures me that I'm entitled to payment and that's good enough for me.

For me, it's about showing the client that doing the best job I can for them is my first priority and passion. The money isn't the reward, it's just that necessity we all have to come by.

Life in this society requires all of us to earn and pay. However, earning, paying and society are not all there is to life.
 
We ask for the deposit/contract within 7 days of our first meeting. If both are not received, the date remains open. We ask for the balance the day of the wedding before we start in either check, cash or money order.

I've only had one person that I had to go after and it was actually a colleague that I worked with. After three months, a certified "we'll be contacting our lawyer" threat letter later and payments, I finally received payment in full. What was unfortunate was that he died from a heart attack a year later after being married at the age of 33.
 
Request Line Productions said:
First of all, I respect everyone's policies and anyone who agrees to them should be held to holding them up.


Now here's my take on the above points:


*Bad checks can still happen with early payments. I don't believe it to be malicious. Most times it's because thousands of dollars are going out to many things all at once. It's hard to time the deposits (we've all been there). The odds that someone is actually trying to screw us are tiny.

One time it was malicious: She wrote me a check from a closed account. I talked to the venue, they were paid in cash.

*I've had to chase down a couple of checks in my time, but not enough to have to penalize everyone.

Not a penalty. I have I bet 50% pay ahead of time anyways and like I said, this is the first time anyone has questioned the policy.

*Saying goodbye to their guests? That's true, but in my experience, they're just as eager to shake hands and hug ME on the way out. That' usually when the tip comes too.

I don't expect tips so if they planned on tipping me, I am sure that if they were paying me, it wouldn't make "THAT" big of difference in the amount of people tipping.


Most times I'm paid by someone when I arrive. If not, the client or a family member pays me half way through the event. It's by then they are convinced of the value they're getting. I see every event date as a pay day. I work and I get paid. A legal contract assures me that I'm entitled to payment and that's good enough for me.

No one is there but the venue staff when I arrive. I see the venue manager or video or photo guy pulling client or family to the side during some events to get paid. I can't do that. I always felt stupid having to go up to the B and G after I was all loaded and ask for money if I wasn't already paid. A contract yes, but if they don't pay, you have to go through channels to get paid.

For me, it's about showing the client that doing the best job I can for them is my first priority and passion. The money isn't the reward, it's just that necessity we all have to come by.

Life in this society requires all of us to earn and pay. However, earning, paying and society are not all there is to life.
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Just the feeling I got talking to these 2, it seems that if I would have let them wait, they would have found any excuse to NOT pay me. Didn't like that song, too loud, missed a request. I still would not doubt that they will hold a grudge about paying ahead of time.
 
Making It Real Simple!

My Clients are eager to pay upfront.....know why? I offer a discount for payment in full before the date. That discount will vary depending on how far ahead they are paying. They usually jump to it. I learned that from my Art Business whenever I took Special Orders.
You have now "given" them something in return and they view it as such!
 
I've never had anyone question my policy of 50% Booking Fee with balance due 30 days prior to the event date.

If asked it's quite simple.... I'm paid in full and you don't have to worry about any additional costs other than should we go into overtime, period. Unlike the venue or catering where there could be additional costs such as an open bar, there aren't any such hidden or additional costs to be inccured. Why not save the time and effort of remembering to pay us at the event when you can just come and enjoy your evening like you should?
 
Here's what my contract says:

The client may request to pay the remaining balance on the day of the event. This request must be received in writing by Good Knight Entertainment no less than 30 days prior to the event. If such request is granted, the remaining balance must be paid by cash, bank (cashier's) check, or money order and must be paid prior to Good Knight Entertainment staff setting equipment up. If such request is granted, and the remaining balance has not been paid 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the event, Good Knight Entertainment staff will leave the venue and the client will still be responsible for paying the remaining balance.
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Here's the form they have to fill out:

Good Knight Entertainment
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Agreement to Accept Payment​
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]on the Day of The Event[/FONT]​

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I, [Client], agree to pay Good Knight Entertainment personnel the balance of [balance] on [date] in the form of cash, bank (cashiere's) check, or money order. I or my representative will be at [venue] at [time] to present payment.[/FONT]

If the remaining balance has not been paid 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the event, Good Knight Entertainment staff will leave the venue and the client will still be responsible for paying the remaining balance.​

Good Knight Entertainment personnel will not unload equipment until the balance has been paid.

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Client Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________[/FONT]​

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]GKE Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________[/FONT]​
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[/FONT]
 
Just to reiterate, this is the first time anyone has questioned it.

I feel that some, not many but some will use you and not pay after the event. Any excuse will suffice to them. This couple seems like that.

Thanks for the replys.
 
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