Opinions
- Thread starter nextgen1
- Start date
As to the integrity and scruples I can't waste my time worrying about whose naughty and whose nice. I just have to behave in a way that suits my own values.
I agree that on short notice either prospect may book elsewhere in the meantime. That's to be expected however, because they do have a very real sense of urgency. Each time "availability" is in question people get more anxious. They will naturally keep calling around until that anxiety is quashed.
It still doesn't change the way I want to treat people. My contracts also have a 14 day expiration period after which I can choose to accept the job but, am no longer obligated (offer rescinded.) Weddings and that type of event are usually being booked very far ahead so the conflicts tend to be rare unless you've just done a bridal show or some other marketing draw.
It is a service and selling point to allow customers 14 days to decide. Like Nextgen, I use a no pressure approach. It is also the approach that works best with large corporate event clients. Corporate event contact usually begins when the event is still in the conception stage - and the final sale comes much later. There are committee meetings, board review, etc. and the whole approval process takes time.
If you pull on a car lot and ther is one Cadillac there that you want do you think they are going to hold it for you until you make a decesion?
Dates are your stock and you have to move them. If they ask me I will call them on the event of another inquiry but at that point they would have 24 hours tops to sign or I would have to move on
Dates are your stock and you have to move them. If they ask me I will call them on the event of another inquiry but at that point they would have 24 hours tops to sign or I would have to move on
Well I do have to respect other people's morals, scruples, business practices so if others want to do business their way that is fine with me. However, being in sales all my adult life, I have been thought to instill a sense of urgency (Even with corporate customers) in my prospects mind. I don't want them coming back on the "Be Back" Bus. It sometimes crashes on the way back or gets hijacked. LOL
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Dave, put yourself in the first couple's shoes for a moment and ask yourself, " how you would want to be treated?"
I don't really see the difference in our approach. To me, 14 days IS urgent, especially if they've got the contract and now want to meet with me before signing. Two weeks is not a lot of time for a working person to accomplish all of this and simultaneously shop others as well.
There's a fine line between "urgent" and "desperate" and too much urgency is a warning sign for many people.
Just a question - Do you ever call them on day 11 or so and remind them that the window of time is closing? Or, have you ever turned down an urgent booking that came your way while that 14 day window was still open on another pending contract?
I like the 14 day option idea, BTW.
I hear ya, and I think I run my business using the Golden Rule. I guess I'm kinda thinking of a situation where it's been a number of days, to a week after I've talked to Prospect 1. If I told them at the end of that conversation that the first person that commits to signing a contract and giving me a deposit gets the date, and a number of days, or a week or two later somebody else calls and is ready to book on the phone, then I have to do what is best for me and my family and book the date and not leave a customer that is ready to give me money hanging out there while I attempt to contact another potential customer that hasn't tried to contact me since we last talked and I told them that money talks.
DaveHoyt
You have to apply it within whatever framework of resources you are currently under.
As a multi-op I allowed people through an open house program to meet and request a specific DJ. If by the time they closed the deal that DJ was no longer available (first come first serve) I recommended a DJ with a similar style, and the booking is confirmed though the process of selecting a preferred DJ continues.
Now, as a single-op I still have a network of other free-lancers and (with an availability check) can still accept bookings that I can not perform myself. I would retain these jobs and sub-contract with the DJ they click with.
If you are a single-op with limited labor resources you're just going to have to come up with a pocess that you can live with. I think losing a gig is a small price to pay for for having a clear conscience.
BTW & FYI:
In real eatate, a seller can accept a less than desirable offer from a buyer with a contingency. For example, if a buyer doesn't yet have financing or can't be ready to close the deal with immediacy, the seller can accept the offer contingent on a 48 hour notice. What this means is - that if the seller receives a better offer he will give the first offeree 48 hours to commit to the sale, otherwsie the seller will accept the new offer and the first buyer's deposit is returned and the deal rescinded.
You could apply some variation of this in a DJ deal - but, I think 14 days is such a short window anyway it simply doesn't matter very much.
The only time I really remember this as a common problem was in college and between night clubs. Different college groups would want you to be the guy on their party - and they would get in a bidding war to get you. Clubs too, would always want you for a specific prime night or shift, and of course you can only be in one place at a time.
With the exception of Bar Mitzvahs and especially the emcees - I don't find that situation with most mobile events. The needs of the event seem to override the popularity or talents of any one specific DJ.
In real eatate, a seller can accept a less than desirable offer from a buyer with a contingency. For example, if a buyer doesn't yet have financing or can't be ready to close the deal with immediacy, the seller can accept the offer contingent on a 48 hour notice. What this means is - that if the seller receives a better offer he will give the first offeree 48 hours to commit to the sale, otherwsie the seller will accept the new offer and the first buyer's deposit is returned and the deal rescinded.
You could apply some variation of this in a DJ deal - but, I think 14 days is such a short window anyway it simply doesn't matter very much.
The only time I really remember this as a common problem was in college and between night clubs. Different college groups would want you to be the guy on their party - and they would get in a bidding war to get you. Clubs too, would always want you for a specific prime night or shift, and of course you can only be in one place at a time.
With the exception of Bar Mitzvahs and especially the emcees - I don't find that situation with most mobile events. The needs of the event seem to override the popularity or talents of any one specific DJ.
Agreed. My integrity is for sale for any amount over 14 digits, US currency only. I have tried to book a few jobs in that range, but Solydra canceled the party. Maybe the next congress will come through for me.
If a potiential client comes to me and asks for information and then says that they have to check on a couple of things before booking and ask about holding the date. I tell them If someone calls for their date I will call them back and give them what I call first right of refusal. which means that they will have to decide right away if I call them.
I will hold the date when the contract gets signed. First deposit gets the date. Thia is just the way I do it.
Maybe it's just too early....or maybe it's just I am a little dense....but don't you get the deposit when the contract is signed?