How do you handle getting paid so close to the event date?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

MIXMASTERMACHOM

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Oct 16, 2011
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I got a phone call from our 1-800 #. I got the call from my email and called the 800 # to retreive the message. It was a lady saying she needed a DJ immediately. The date she needs the DJ is June 9th. She gave me an email address and I sent her an email. She responded back asking how much is our hourly rate. Not much more details then she needs a DJ and wanting to know how much do we charge?

I just sent her an email letting her know that before I can quote her a price I need more details. Such as the type of event? Where is it to be and how many hours will they need a DJ? Also if they want the DJ to provide video or uplighting? I told her that would would make a difference in the price.

She wanted to know if we accept cc payments? I told her no. That we only accept checks or cash. I got to check our site. I do believe there is a link to pay through Paypal. I'm not sure. What is you policy for receiving payments on such short notice?

I would prefer cash but will accept a check so long as there's enough time to make sure the check clears. This might just be a scam artist. Not sure but I tried to setup a meeting with this potential client. I left a phone # for her to contact me. We'll see what happens. Now let me check the site.
 
Per our contract, the full fee is due 7 days prior to the event. That gives our bank enough time to clear the check.
 
Well, I only collect 1/2 prior to the event..... in 500 events, I had ONE issue. And eventually I was paid for that too.

By June 2nd, you could easily have a check.

And I would laugh at any contractor who demanded full payment before the day of the event, or completion of work. I don't work that way as a customer, and if you as a contractor don't like it, tough cookies.
 
There is plenty of time to get and clear a check. If it gets close, you can always have them get either a money order from the USPS or a certified bank check at the bank. Your website did offer PayPal, and even if not, you could set up a personal account and accept a paypal payment via credit card in time .. the cost is around 3% of the transaction.
 
Unless I know who you are or where I can find you then you will have to pay me in full. Even my agency pays me in advance. Its so much easier than having to deal with "forgotten checkbooks", "Client left and forgot to pay", Bill Me" etc.

(Did the Client fill out a credit app? United Airlines is a huge company and yet won't let me make a reservation without paying, so why should I risk having a stranger string me along.)
 
ahoustondj said:
Unless I know who you are or where I can find you then you will have to pay me in full. Even my agency pays me in advance. Its so much easier than having to deal with "forgotten checkbooks", "Client left and forgot to pay", Bill Me" etc.

(Did the Client fill out a credit app? United Airlines is a huge company and yet won't let me make a reservation without paying, so why should I risk having a stranger string me along.)
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Protect yourself. Contracts...contracts....contracts.....And make sure when creating your contract it is looked over by your attorney. Then you won't have any worries. In over 10 years i've never not been paid by the client.
 
Here's another way to think about this:

I buy lots of stuff from Amazon. They do not charge until they ship. Seems fair enough.

So, why should I have a problem if the people want to pay on the spot?

Sometimes I would get paid after the event is over, sometimes when I was loading in. It's a business, and you have the folks name, address and phone number. Forcing people to pay you weeks up front, makes you look like a fly by night operation, IMHO.
 
SoftJock Rick said:
Here's another way to think about this:

I buy lots of stuff from Amazon. They do not charge until they ship. Seems fair enough.

So, why should I have a problem if the people want to pay on the spot?

Sometimes I would get paid after the event is over, sometimes when I was loading in. It's a business, and you have the folks name, address and phone number. Forcing people to pay you weeks up front, makes you look like a fly by night operation, IMHO.
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I have customers where I get paid afterward because I have known them for a long time and a level of trust has been set.

With your Amazon example, Amazon doesn't actually ship until it charges you, whereas you have already shipped yourself (at least partially) to the performance with the possibility of non-payment .. Amazon NEVER does that.
 
steve149 said:
I have customers where I get paid afterward because I have known them for a long time and a level of trust has been set.

With your Amazon example, Amazon doesn't actually ship until it charges you, whereas you have already shipped yourself (at least partially) to the performance with the possibility of non-payment .. Amazon NEVER does that.
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Perhaps Amazon was a bad analogy on my part...


Let's try something different:

You start a new job (I assume some of you have actually had one of those at some point). You don't get your first paycheck until after you have worked a week or two. Did you expect them to pay you up front...?

I've done a bit of contract work as well in my lifetime -- I get paid when the job is done in most cases. Depending on the length of the contract, I might get paid on a regular basis, or get a deposit. I wouldn't expect a client to pay weeks up front, for a job that hasn't even started, let alone been finished.

That's not the way businesses work.
 
True .. but a B/G isn't a static business and therefore needs to be approached differently. No one is saying you WON'T be paid .. just saying the type and severity of issues climbs once the work has been done and no payment has been made and it is prudent, given that the payer (B/G) may be gone for a week or 2 after the event and will normally be in left field during the event, to get paid prior.
 
I'll go ahead and throw in our reasoning for being paid in full 7 days prior. It's one less thing for a couple or the parents to stress over. Our clients love the fact that by the time the wedding and reception comes around, they don't have to worry about if the DJ has already been paid, etc.

I know when we got married, it was so nice not to have to worry about if everyone has been paid or not.
 
SoftJock Rick said:
Sometimes I would get paid after the event is over, sometimes when I was loading in. It's a business, and you have the folks name, address and phone number. Forcing people to pay you weeks up front, makes you look like a fly by night operation, IMHO.
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SoftJock Rick said:
I've done a bit of contract work as well in my lifetime -- I get paid when the job is done in most cases. Depending on the length of the contract, I might get paid on a regular basis, or get a deposit. I wouldn't expect a client to pay weeks up front, for a job that hasn't even started, let alone been finished.

That's not the way businesses work.
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This may sound harsh and brutal but I have to say it. Who are you to preach to anyone how a business works when YOUR business has you to the point that you have to state on this Forum that you don't know if your rent would be paid? Just asking!
Any astute businessperson would tell you that the sooner you get paid the sooner the money is in the bank!The less headaches to follow!

I would love to see a client like you come to me and special order a Limited Edition piece of Art for $6,000.00 and me telling them that they don't have to pay a dime until I Pay for it up front and then deliver it to them. Yeah Right! Even the part timers got you on this one! Go back to writing software my friend. This one is out of your league!
 
Loneavenger said:
Protect yourself. Contracts...contracts....contracts.....And make sure when creating your contract it is looked over by your attorney. Then you won't have any worries. In over 10 years i've never not been paid by the client.
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I do a lot of Gigs without contracts. Even when paid up front, the money is in my pocket in cash. If something happens, (it never has,) I am prepared to refund the client their money right there and then and continue playing with whatever I have. (Unless the venue has ticked me off to the point where there is no compromise.) That is how I roll. Written is nice but verbal contracts will stand up in a Texas Court of Law.
 
ahoustondj said:
I do a lot of Gigs without contracts. Even when paid up front, the money is in my pocket in cash. If something happens, (it never has,) I am prepared to refund the client their money right there and then and continue playing with whatever I have. (Unless the venue has ticked me off to the point where there is no compromise.) That is how I roll. Written is nice but verbal contracts will stand up in a Texas Court of Law.
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Well, you keep rolling in Texas -- the rest of US will deal with business in the real world.
 
My contract states full payment to be received 3 weeks prior to the event. The last thing the B&g should be thinking about is paying vendors on day of service. But what do I know, I'm just a deejaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
 
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