BUDGET doesn't handle the job - what do you do?

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What do you do?

  • book it at the lower rate, & upgrade them, free.

    Votes: 19 100.0%

  • turn down the booking, because you might look bad.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • give them what they're asking for, despite how it may turn out.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    19
djrox said:
Very professional approach and practice.

How can a fair and reasonable client expect anything less.

Kudos.
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Thank you.

I do have the advantage that my "small" system (two tops & two subs) will easily handle 250 people in 2500 sqft of space. And, I can bring enough gear to handle 500 people in 5000 sqft of space inside the SUV - (four tops & four subs). So, until the client gets past that point, I don't need to pull a trailer.
 
soundinmotiondj said:
Thank you.

I do have the advantage that my "small" system (two tops & two subs) will easily handle 250 people in 2500 sqft of space. And, I can bring enough gear to handle 500 people in 5000 sqft of space inside the SUV - (four tops & four subs). So, until the client gets past that point, I don't need to pull a trailer.
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What speaks and subs do you use?
 
Steve Sharp said:
Question for Chuck: does your agent have an understanding of your terms? Ie: x hours, up to y people adequately covered, no uplighting for z dollars? Uplighting, more sound, karaoke, additional zones of audio (etc.) all available, at additional costs?
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Yes.... they know what my "basic" system is and how many people it will cover and all that. They know that I can arrange for bigger sound or many times what they do is just hire a sound company to come in and I patch in.... The best example of this is the big events that I do in the Aloha Pavillion at the Ritz-Carlton that can hold up to 2500 people....

And for a note, I don't get paid any less when I don't have to bring sound in.

They know that I do have a price list for up-sells,,, but they also know that I am a team player and that sometimes, in order to make the client happy, I will work with them. This builds a lasting relationship and in the long run makes me more money. It would be short sighted of me to not be flexible sometimes.
 
djrox said:
Did you build em or buy em?
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I have built ten DR200's and ten T39's for my system. I have also built a T48 for a friend.
 
ahoustondj said:
There are clients now who expect the DJ to come with lights or worse yet have lights thrown in for free. Why? Because some DJs added/threw in lights just to get the Gig for the same price as Audio only.
...BLAH BLAH BLAH...
Sad fact is, many DJs are allowing this to happen.
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it's called "offering something your competition doesn't."
it's a common business practice
personally, I started CHARGING more, while TELLING my clients the lights are included

and by the way
you forgot to mention speaker separation.
:trisad:
 
Good point Mike....and one can't keep doing business like it's still 1945.... :triwink:
 
Ausumm said:
it's called "offering something your competition doesn't."
it's a common business practice
personally, I started CHARGING more, while TELLING my clients the lights are included

and by the way
you forgot to mention speaker separation.
:trisad:
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If like you said you are "...charging more while TELLING your clients the lights are included not only are you telling the client a lie but you are setting yourself up for problems. What if they say they don't want lights, how much will you discount to come down to your base price.
Learn to sell and negotiate and you won't have to resort to tricks. Honesty has always been around even since 1945 :triwink:
 
Just because a person decides to add more to their offerings doesn't mean that they are doing something wrong.

You can live in the past while everyone else moves forward...:tritongue:
 
Kirby Ball said:
Just because a person decides to add more to their offerings doesn't mean that they are doing something wrong.

You can live in the past while everyone else moves forward...:tritongue:
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Where did I say someone was doing something wrong? For the record I did state that they are setting precedents that can lead to uphill battles for themselves and others to follow. Read carefully before accusing. :triwink:
 
Kirby Ball said:
Who said I was talking to you? :p
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Your reference to certain words displayed on this thread makes it very obvious to everyone, except perhaps a Moron or Nincompoop, that you were "talking" to me! Lets not play childish games.
I have no argument with you and don't have a problem with discourse. However if everything I state appears to you like I am trying to rule the world then my advise is then "Lead, Follow or get the Hell out of the Damn way! :triwink::tritongue:
 
Chuck The DJ said:
And for a note, I don't get paid any less when I don't have to bring sound in.
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That's when it becomes a game of give and take. I don't mind that when it's all give and no take the problem comes in
 
Jeff Romard said:
That's when it becomes a game of give and take. I don't mind that when it's all give and no take the problem comes in
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I agree!
I now have a better understanding of what Chuck was up against, his client was the Entertainment Agency, so I would say "YES". I can now see (Since more facts have been laid out) that he (Chuck) has an established business relationship with the Agency and being flexible with them would be the sensible thing to do.

With one time clients, nope!
 
We carry all our stuff (2 subs, 2 powered 15s, 2 non-powered 15s) along with all our lights with us to every show, and set up accordingly. We turn down any job where the expected attendance is over 300, and we let clients who put in 250-300 as their expected attendance that are system is designed for up to 300 people, so they know in adavance not to push it.
 
ahoustondj said:
If like you said you are "...charging more while TELLING your clients the lights are included not only are you telling the client a lie but you are setting yourself up for problems. What if they say they don't want lights, how much will you discount to come down to your base price.
Learn to sell and negotiate and you won't have to resort to tricks. Honesty has always been around even since 1945 :triwink:
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I am NOT lying to anyone!
I raised my rates to INCLUDE the lights. It's a package deal!
telling the client there is no extra charge for lights is just a way to separate me from all the guys who DO charge an extra fee for lights.
And in fact, if they say they don't want lights....I STILL get my higher rate.
I just don't bring the lights that they were NOT paying "extra" for to begin with.
 
I own 4 different sized systems. If the client misrepresents or has too low a budget, I pass. I either meet the needs of the event at the fee required, or pass.

I will not try to do a 1000 person event with my 750w mini- nor will I charge the same price for the 5000 watt setup as if I did.

I'm a nice guy, but I do this for INCOME.
 
Ausumm said:
I am NOT lying to anyone!
I raised my rates to INCLUDE the lights. It's a package deal!
telling the client there is no extra charge for lights is just a way to separate me from all the guys who DO charge an extra fee for lights.
And in fact, if they say they don't want lights....I STILL get my higher rate.
I just don't bring the lights that they were NOT paying "extra" for to begin with.
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So let's say you charge $800 for a wedding package and you say it comes with lights. (yup other guys may charge for it but not me :) Client says I don't want lights how much? and you still say $800? As a client I might be thinking "wtf?"
 
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