G
No Power
- Thread starter ahoustondj
- Start date
In many cases if you were inside a venue & the power went out (no lights, etc) The venue may not allow you to play even if you have backup power.
I'm sure there are liability issues involved if people were dancing & due to the lack of appropriate lighting someone gets hurt, there could be problems.
I'm sure there are liability issues involved if people were dancing & due to the lack of appropriate lighting someone gets hurt, there could be problems.
That's not something the venue has control over. Only a total ass would demand payment in that instance. I'd commiserate over a beer and reschedule.
If the night was in progress when power went away, I'd prorate to percentage of time done. And reschedule.
You would be surprised to learn that this subject of backup power has been brought up before. There are some DJs who profess they carry a generator with them in case of power failure. They want to be the hero who saved the gig.
I myself cannot understand that thinking because like you said, the venue usually shuts down everything. The exception would be an outdoor gig where it was only the DJ that needed ac power.
I'm not sure what i would do, i myself almost had that happen to me, pulled in to the venue it looks kinda dark i walk inside no lights the power has been out for 30 minutes or so this is 5 O'Clock the reception starts at 7 , me nor the venue can do anything, they cant cook, no lights and the wedding starts a 7 long story short power come on a 6:59 all is good . It wasn't my fault nor the venue, blame mother nature for the storm
Kewl. That was a smart thing to do. Especially if you were going to request some sort of compensation. However, can you imagine if you didn't and then the power came back on before 7.00 but yet you were not ready in time! They would have blamed you for being late.
I get 50 % down, The rest when I get there before I unload. So if I didn't unload and set up I would take the 50% down. But if I set up I would keep it all since it was not my fault if they had no power.
I did a Wedding Reception last summer in Kzoo and the new Reception hall had not got the air hooked up in time. It was a HOT Humid day, 95-98 inside. Nobody could dance in the heat, most people just ate and left. When they ask for a refund I told them to get it from the owner of the Hall, because it was not my fault.
I did a Wedding Reception last summer in Kzoo and the new Reception hall had not got the air hooked up in time. It was a HOT Humid day, 95-98 inside. Nobody could dance in the heat, most people just ate and left. When they ask for a refund I told them to get it from the owner of the Hall, because it was not my fault.
I would possibly offer them money off for a future gig. But no return of money.
Not part of the poll, but I did a wedding near Cedar Point 2 years ago. There was a tornado warning in the area, the power was out in the hotel...and everywhere else. We were not able to leave the building.
Talking with the hotel manager, he said he has several generators in the basement. We got the party running and they had a great time.
Not part of the poll, but I did a wedding near Cedar Point 2 years ago. There was a tornado warning in the area, the power was out in the hotel...and everywhere else. We were not able to leave the building.
Talking with the hotel manager, he said he has several generators in the basement. We got the party running and they had a great time.
Scott, you are correct. That option should have been part of the Poll. I too would have done the same (I did that before). Get full payment and 40% discount on a future gig within the next 12 months.
SemiRetired DJ
Mac Daddy DJ
Someone said that only a total ass would demand full payment.
OK, I'm the total ass. A contract is a a contract and your contract should have a clause like this:
The power failure is beyond my control, the venue's control (maybe), and the client's control.
You are running a business even if you might consider yourself a hobbyist so run it like a business and enforce your contract.
Now, I'm not a total hardass! Business is business but, that does not mean that I cannot do somersetting on a personal level. That means that any compensatory will not come from the company but from me personally. That means my contract remains in tact and I have settled my conscience as well.
OK, I'm the total ass. A contract is a a contract and your contract should have a clause like this:
The power failure is beyond my control, the venue's control (maybe), and the client's control.
You are running a business even if you might consider yourself a hobbyist so run it like a business and enforce your contract.
Now, I'm not a total hardass! Business is business but, that does not mean that I cannot do somersetting on a personal level. That means that any compensatory will not come from the company but from me personally. That means my contract remains in tact and I have settled my conscience as well.
Not always the case, and I HAVE saved the day. They have continued on backup lighting, manual registers, candlelight, etc....
Not only did I save the night, I usually got extra compensation, as well as referrals for it.
Well that is interesting! If you are talking outdoors I can accept however if you are referring to running a generator indoors you are asking for trouble. The gases emitted are poisonous and trying to "Save the day" can cause more harm than good!
Houston...up here, when we run off a generator, it sits outside, even if the party is inside. Last even we did on a gen was a homecoming in WI in October. Now, it required a sizely pickup to tow the generator...and the smallest connections on it were camlocks (it was a 3 phase gen). ran the entire system without much trouble....it kept up ok. Wouldnt want a smaller one.
Also, it is possible to have a backup gen in the utility room/basement that does not require to be outside and is perfectly legal/safe.
Also, it is possible to have a backup gen in the utility room/basement that does not require to be outside and is perfectly legal/safe.
Val,
That is pure common sense. You would be surprised to know how many people get poisoned because they did not know. It happened here (at homes, after Hurricane Ike).
I would safely guess that if power went and alternate backup power was not already in place, then it would be the end of said event.
If you lived here you will uinderstand. :triwink:why does everything have to be big in Texas...