Do you get asked this question by a client?

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
DJ Freddy

DJ Freddy

Ableton Remixer!
Dec 8, 2006
1,981
485
Miami
www.danceallnightdjs.com
I have noticed recently that more and more I get asked by the caller the following:

"If I hire you from 8-12am and a Mariachi band or a magician or whoever performs at 10pm will I get extra time from you at no additional charge?" many clients are asking this lately.

I explain to them that if I am on location and someone is hired during my time, no extra time will be granted. Some understand, others go elsewhere which is fine by me.

Do you guy's get asked this?
How do you handle this situation?
 
Haven't run across this that I can remember.
 
Around here it involves milking cows. Dairy farmers are a odd bunch. Some will not let anyone milk their cows besides them. So I get asked usually once a year if we can just shut down for a hour or so and continue when the family gets back from milking. Or other forms of "not doing anything" for the time they are gone.

I say no. Contract has start time and an end time. If they want more, they have to add time.
 
I have had the experience.

If it comes up in pre-proposal/pre-contract discussions, it is a negotiable part of the deal. If not, it ain't. A polite "No" has resulted in the most successful results.

Renegotiations are always a possibility, but once I have a signature and initial payment, I have the better part of the lever.

These scenarios are part of the reason I rarely, except for very casual events, quote fees without learning substantial details of what the client's plans and expectations are and how I fit in the equation.
 
I ran into this a lot when I was younger and DJing out near Boston - with Greek weddings. Typically, we'd be there to play during dinner and for the band's breaks during open dancing. To my recollection, my dad quoted his standard rate regardless.

Now, I quote a rate for up to 6 hours for weddings. That rate would hold for a situation like with the mariachi band or magician. Extra time would depend upon the venue's rules and whether guests are hanging around. Of course, this is assuming that the band or magician has their own audio equipment. ;)
 
I haven't been asked that question specifically. I have on the books a wedding in which I will be working with a band. The client understands that any additional time after the contracted end is overtime and is paid in accordance to the contract.

Now I have been asked if I can come in, set up my gear, leave, and come back. That is a different thread.
 
eldjdelcaribe said:
Can you explain what do you do when this happens also?
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me hijacking the thread for it, sure.

Basically I tell them that someone needs to be there with the gear and that person needs to be paid.

Now, I may negotiate the pay rate for this separately with the client and the appropriate wording will be put into the contract for it but, regardless, I will make it politely and politically correctly clear that my gear does not sit unattended. They will either accept that and pay me for the additional time or move on to the next DJ.
 
eldjdelcaribe said:
Can you explain what do you do when this happens also?
Click to expand...

I sometimes do this for my benefit when the venue is real close and I know it well. I go set up early in the day and then come back 15 minutes prior to start time.

I also have a venue where they do some on site ceremonies. I come in, put all my gear behind a big curtain ( like the wizard of Oz) and come back after the ceremony to set up.
 
While I personally have never been asked such a question like Ducky my rates are for 6 hours anything over that is either negotiated before hand or is at the overtime rate!

Like others here once i start it is my game!
 
The key word to use is UP TO X amount of hours. Start to finish...no unpaid breaks. This way you aren't setting yourself up for anything.
 
TommyO said:
I haven't been asked that question specifically. I have on the books a wedding in which I will be working with a band. The client understands that any additional time after the contracted end is overtime and is paid in accordance to the contract.

Now I have been asked if I can come in, set up my gear, leave, and come back. That is a different thread.
Click to expand...

Case by case basis.

I used to have clients that wanted me to arrive early, setup & mill around elsewhere for 3 hrs waiting to start. No thanks.
 
I do quite a few military functions; social hour, dinner, program...more program, dancing. They want me to setup in advance of the social hour and dinner, and then come back near the end of their Program to be ready for dancing.

My reply is my time starts when the Social Hour begins and ends with dancing. Since they want me setup ahead of time, I suggest that they should use my services for the Social Hour and Dinner at a reduced rate...I'm going to be there anyway (watching over my equipment anyway. They can pay me a "waiting fee" or pay the "waiting fee amount" and have music for the 2 hours before the dancing begins. My "sitting" or "waiting" fee is half my hourly rate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back