Under cutting djs are getting me sick to my stomach! (RANT!)

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Hank Davidson said:
To me, the hard truth is that a non-wedding event is getting harder to put together these days. You can get the local hall for $150-$250. You can feed people for the same or have everyone bring something. Someone having a party at home has an even smaller budget. Now tell me how anyone is going to see the logic in spending $500 on music?

As I stated earlier, I can certainly go down the road to one of those parties and turn a profit for $200. I'm am neither a poor DJ or a poor business person. Now, you could simply leave that "nitch" market for the more humble DJs and seek out the wealthier folk, but you can't dismiss its existence.
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I didn't say it was impossible to turn a profit doing an event for $200. What I was implying is that if you can only ever charge $200 for a private event, you are probably not a very good DJ. If you can charge more that $200, but don't, you're not a very good business man. Simply making a profit does not make someone a good business man. If they are leaving money on the table and there's no good positive reason for it, that's my definition of a poor business man. I understand for some it's a hobby and that's different.

I also agree...as I mentioned, that there will always be that $200 DJ. Why? Because there will always be someone looking the get the lowest price, and there will always be someone will to provide the service at the lowest price.

I'm also talking in general terms. To me, a $200 DJ is someone who regularly books private events on saturdays for $200. I'm not talking about unique situations or weekly gigs. Just like I'm not a $2000 DJ because I've done one event at that price.
 
i would like to ask everyone this question do you shop at Macy's or Walmart, if walmart why cause they are cheaper, just like that 200.00 DJ , i live in a small town and i have to travel 50 miles or more to hit a big city so small town USA DOES NOT have alot of money so what i charge i feel is reasonable to me and the client I'm not out to rape people just show them a great time at the price this area can afford. Everyone price shops and as the saying goes you get what you payed for
 
Hank Davidson said:
To me, the hard truth is that a non-wedding event is getting harder to put together these days. You can get the local hall for $150-$250. You can feed people for the same or have everyone bring something. Someone having a party at home has an even smaller budget. Now tell me how anyone is going to see the logic in spending $500 on music?

As I stated earlier, I can certainly go down the road to one of those parties and turn a profit for $200. I'm am neither a poor DJ or a poor business person. Now, you could simply leave that "nitch" market for the more humble DJs and seek out the wealthier folk, but you can't dismiss its existence.
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Such a thing as getting a client to spend $500.00 for an event as you discribed isn't impossible using your logic. It's not all just about the music but what else you can do to make a clients event a hugh success. If all you're doing for a client is playing some music then that would make it more difficult to justify getting paid $500.00 under such circumstances.

To get that amount and more today you've got to deliver more then just music. There was a time when all you had to do was show up with some gear and simply play music and get a nice peice of money for just that. You want to get paid that much and more, you've got to give more. Such as some nice lights and a wonderful personality as an MC along with some great gear and music.

If you're just looking to sell that you provide great music and that's it, then that says to the client of today i more then likely can find a dj to do the same thing for less.
 
redhotdj said:
... and as the saying goes you get what you payed for
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I don't care for that saying. It's always used to chalk up a bad purchase.

It is quite possible to get more than what you pay for. For example, if I find a certain pair of speakers for a few hundred dollars less than the person that didn't look for a deal, do I get a lesser product? No.

There's no blanket formula that equates price with quality. Until you know everything about why the price is what it is or you get a bad result, it's not fair to judge.
 
This has probably been said, and I have no intention of reading this thread, but the people are not undercutting YOU, but just charging less than you do. Unless you know them, and they want to screw you over intentionally. If you can't get what you want out of your business or hobby, get out.
 
Hank Davidson said:
I don't care for that saying. It's always used to chalk up a bad purchase.

It is quite possible to get more than what you pay for. For example, if I find a certain pair of speakers for a few hundred dollars less than the person that didn't look for a deal, do I get a lesser product? No.

There's no blanket formula that equates price with quality. Until you know everything about why the price is what it is or you get a bad result, it's not fair to judge.
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sorry but i disagree , i went to kmart and bough a pair of waterproof insulated hunting boots they were 99.00 got home sprayed them with silicone went hunting the flowing week got home my feet were wet, went the next day to the arm navy store bought a pair of Rocky's hunting boots 249.00 for the pair my feet DON'T get wet , you get what you pay for

as for you buying speakers at a better price than someone else this tells me two things, 1 your a smart shopper, 2 you are price shopping just as everyone does
 
redhotdj said:
i would like to ask everyone this question do you shop at Macy's or Walmart, if walmart why cause they are cheaper, just like that 200.00 DJ , i live in a small town and i have to travel 50 miles or more to hit a big city so small town USA DOES NOT have alot of money so what i charge i feel is reasonable to me and the client I'm not out to rape people just show them a great time at the price this area can afford. Everyone price shops and as the saying goes you get what you payed for
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Does anyone in your area own a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus or is there a Dealership that sells one of those three cars? If so, did they get it at a cheaper price? If the answer is no then why discount or go for cheap?
Going to a Macy's or Walmart for a product is not a fair comparison to a DJ service. One is tangible and the other is not. A tangible item is one you can see, feel touch etc before you buy. At an event, Wedding etc, it is too late if you made the wrong decision on a DJ choice.
 
Hank Davidson said:
I don't care for that saying. It's always used to chalk up a bad purchase.

It is quite possible to get more than what you pay for. For example, if I find a certain pair of speakers for a few hundred dollars less than the person that didn't look for a deal, do I get a lesser product? No.

There's no blanket formula that equates price with quality. Until you know everything about why the price is what it is or you get a bad result, it's not fair to judge.
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Hanky, even looking for a deal, the prices of quality items are still relative to each other. Quality items are usually never in the ball park of mid or low quality items - hence 'You Get What You Pay For' still applies. Example, you'll never find an mid to upper end quality vehicle at the price of a cheap car - and there's a reason for that.
 
From the W.P.I.C. Training Maunal (Wedding & Event planner certification course)
"It is important to know the industry pricing standards for your town/city and to NEVER go below those prices. What seems like a way to generate business, actually damages the industry you are trying to make your profession. If you undercut your peers, clients will never pay for the true worth for Wedding Coordinators (of any other vendor type). If clients will not pay what a (enter vendor type here), no one will be able to sustain their business."

I added the Your vendor here parts. Which I believe 100% to be true. Do you sell on price and gear or do you sell on the quality of your product?
I see a lot of new DJs think they are selling on the names of their gear... Name dropping of sorts.

If you have a product and you stand behind it, then do so. Know your local market and treat your competition as peers, for there is more than enough work out there for any business of quality.
 
ahoustondj said:
Does anyone in your area own a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus or is there a Dealership that sells one of those three cars? If so, did they get it at a cheaper price? If the answer is no then why discount or go for cheap?
Going to a Macy's or Walmart for a product is not a fair comparison to a DJ service. One is tangible and the other is not. A tangible item is one you can see, feel touch etc before you buy. At an event, Wedding etc, it is too late if you made the wrong decision on a DJ choice.
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Macy's or walmart is a far comparison its like a 15 year veteran DJ to one that is just starting out, or the DJ that charges 500.00 for a birthday party to the new guy who charges 200.00 .When you go to Macy's or walmart and buy a pair of blue jeans Macy's 100.00 pr or walmart 25.00 pr they both do the same thing except one drains your wallet alot more than the other. If people do there home work, check references and ask question there is NO reason to get a bad DJ for there wedding
 
Let's try to keep in mind that each of us have may have events that we WOULD cut prices for. As someone suggested earlier, this could have been an experienced friend helping out. Price alone means nothing. The person on the other side of that pricing means everything.

The person you spoke to could have also told you it was 200.00 and it could have realistically been more (some people price shop like this) - thinking again about the car world and people bouncing from dealer to dealer and pitting the dealers against each other.
 
ittigger said:
Hanky, even looking for a deal, the prices of quality items are still relative to each other. Quality items are usually never in the ball park of mid or low quality items - hence 'You Get What You Pay For' still applies. Example, you'll never find an mid to upper end quality vehicle at the price of a cheap car - and there's a reason for that.
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You're right in that comparison. Apples and oranges are quite different.

However, the OP was talking about a difference of $200. I'll bet folks have saved more than that on gear with Ben. Everyone has different operating costs. Again, I'm not talking about weddings here. I can give the same service for $200 that I can give for $400. It just depends on the circumstances.

The realization to be made lies here...
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
When will these djs learn to stop hurting themselves and us as a whole?
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The fact is that we are NOT a whole and who are we to say (or care) who's hurting themselves?

Every time someone does something for less in this business, others start pointing fingers and making assumptions. I guess if it makes them feel better, whatever. If someone has a high end vehicle to sell, they shouldn't display it at the used car lot.
 
That's why I added this:

Let's try to keep in mind that each of us have may have events that we WOULD cut prices for. As someone suggested earlier, this could have been an experienced friend helping out. Price alone means nothing. The person on the other side of that pricing means everything.

As you said 'It just depends on the circumstances.'

:)

I think what some of these people get upset about - and rightly so - is a person who consistently is a low baller. You're right that we each have different operating costs (and your pricing can be based on that).
 
redhotdj said:
sorry but i disagree , i went to kmart and bough a pair of waterproof insulated hunting boots they were 99.00 got home sprayed them with silicone went hunting the flowing week got home my feet were wet, went the next day to the arm navy store bought a pair of Rocky's hunting boots 249.00 for the pair my feet DON'T get wet , you get what you pay for
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Sorry, but you missed my point. If you buy the same exact item for less somewhere else, is it a lesser product? If someone else got the Rocky' boots for $189.00 are they a sucker?
 
TJtheDJ said:
From the W.P.I.C. Training Maunal (Wedding & Event planner certification course)
"It is important to know the industry pricing standards for your town/city and to NEVER go below those prices. What seems like a way to generate business, actually damages the industry you are trying to make your profession. If you undercut your peers, clients will never pay for the true worth for Wedding Coordinators (of any other vendor type). If clients will not pay what a (enter vendor type here), no one will be able to sustain their business."

I added the Your vendor here parts. Which I believe 100% to be true. Do you sell on price and gear or do you sell on the quality of your product?
I see a lot of new DJs think they are selling on the names of their gear... Name dropping of sorts.

If you have a product and you stand behind it, then do so. Know your local market and treat your competition as peers, for there is more than enough work out there for any business of quality.
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Devils advocate here, how y'all doin'... ok right. ;)

I believe what was stated above is partially right on certain levels... but, here's the problem I have with the above quote: It is not the individual venders position to maintain a certain price level in order to maintain the value of the profession for other vender's benifiet. Each vender's sole purpose for their particular price point is to drive their market share up and only theirs.... trust me it's everyone for themselves. The above quote makes it sound like we are all in some sort of Coop.... not true... if I come to your city and want to charge what I feel is fair value for what I offer and it's less than or more than the average vender's price point that's my perogative and screw the rest of you....

Thanks for reading....
Devils Advocate General
Satin's Spawn
 
jokerswild said:
......... if I come to your city and want to................that's my perogative and screw the rest of you....
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:yoohno: Oh no! yer ain't screwing me! :yoNo: Keep dem practices up in Elkhart! yorofl:yorofl:yorofl:
 
How do you justify doing 5.5 hours for $400??? I think THAT is insane! Now, you have every right to charge whatever you want, but you can't blame the $200 DJ for getting the work. If he is willing to do that - more power to him. Was she happy with the service? Problem is - you are priced too close to the bottom feeders. The people who hire your services don't know the difference between you and the $200 DJ. If you are lucky for a client to call you, you need to "educate" and "sell" yourself so that they don't even consider the $200 DJ.
 
Welcome to a free market society. If the DJ wants to do gigs for $200 that is his choice. If he makes money so be it, if not oh well, his choice. If he goes bankrupt loses his house, car, wife divorces him for losing it all.......OH WELL. His perogitive. I have seen this discussion over and over and over on here. I have seen tons of debates about quality of gear, cables, professionalism, legality, etc...... Most customers honestly can't differentuate or care about brands or processing used, etc, etc. They just want to have fun and enjoy their time together. If you can make your system sound as good as the average car radio with good coverage most will be completely satisfied. If you insist on going out and buying the latest greatest gear etc... then you raise your operating cost by your choice.

20 years experience or 2 years experience....you either have the knack or you don't....time in trade does not always mean skill......I have seen many in different trades that have practicing their craft for years and at best they are mediocre at it, but they still get by.

If you raise your operating costs to a point that you can't compete in the general market then you need to find your niche market that will pay or give it up.

One thing that I know you can't sell is Ego I see that getting confused with experience and skill in here a lot.
 
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