I got another last minute call to do a wedding.

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I wanted to know how many are seeing this happen to them? I got a call yesterday from a bride who was looking for a DJ to come do their wedding on April 27th. I had to pass the gig up as we're already booked that day. Such calls don't come but so often. I didn't even have to ask how she got my number. It came from the websites 800 number which I got it going directly to my cell phone.

I really wish I could have said we are available but that's the breaks. Now such calls only happen every so often but they do happen. The thing I was wondering is why do they wait till the last minute to look to book a DJ to do an event? Especially a wedding?

First let me ask this question. To you what do you call last minute in looking to book a DJ? Now what I feel is the reason for the last minute call is for either 2 reasons. 1 they don't see what we do as a big deal and think all we're going to do is just simply play music and how hard could that be? 2 the DJ they had cancelled on them. Some clients I've found out never signed a contract with the other DJ. I've never done this in all my years but some have. Some will cancel one gig to take on another gig paying more on the same day. That to me is sleazy but some don't care.

Roughly how often in a year do any of you get a last minute call? For us maybe 1 or 2 a year. I say a bride looking to book a DJ to do their wedding 3 weeks out is last minute. If we were available and they booked us we could pull it off but for a wedding I like more time to prepare to make sure all goes well.

 

[TheOlogee]

I had 1 last year that I took and it went well. I was contracted 3 weeks prior. The couple bought a package from a wedding planner that included the venue and all services. There was a fall-out between the planner and the couple so they pulled out and did their own thing. Again it went very well and I received some really good feedback afterwards.

I've had a a second so far this year that was 2 weeks prior to the wedding that I passed on because of too many red flags. They didn't want to pay a dime until after the show and kept "assuming" that a ceremony system was included in my basic package. They also wanted to change language in the contract that gave them the right to not pay me if they didn't like the service. They said they were cash strapped and they paid the last DJ in full and he had not responded to any calls are e-mails in the last 4 weeks. I understand the fear but its not my problem....Moved on and wished them the best.

Isn't there 3 of you guys? If so why are you passing this up? I started farming out overflow to DJs I trust and its working quite well so far. Your part of some local DJ org right? Can you give the work to them for a %?

You have partners...put em to work and get paid. They seem to do it to you.

 

[sonic-vision]

MMMM, I don't but much thought into (Why the last minute call). If , maybe it's an event that I may be interested in doing, Than I may ask some questions . One or two times a year is normal for me to get a call. Usually there was no contract, it was a friend that has something else come up or paid better or just not up to doing an event for the little money they said that they would do the event. With all the money you spend , you should be able to pull off two jobs in one day once in a blue moon!! I work on what I can control and it's not people, places and things! Pay in full four week or less before the event!!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

To answer the question about why not take on more then one gig a day. My partner bought a pair of Mackie Thumps and no subs at all. Most know those speakers are junk.

Now I still have Yamaha S215 speakers powered by a QSC 2450 amp. I didn't think we could use those and then cover both events that day. The one issue is if the mini van my partner bought would be big enough to carry the 2 double 15's.

I got to remember that next time. Could have used the dual 15's for the backyard party and the Yamaha powered tops and subs for the wedding. We now have 2 facades. Just use the black one for the backyard and the other one for the wedding.

I'll say this. I totally agree to pass on the wedding where they want to pay at the end. It's not your fault they paid someone in full and got stiffed.

Then they have the nerve to say if they don't like your service they won't pay you. I would never agree to that because I would hate be sitting in jail for murder because they said they didn't like the service they got and didn't want to pay us.

 

[TheOlogee]

To answer the question about why not take on more then one gig a day. My partner bought a pair of Mackie Thumps and no subs at all. Most know those speakers are junk.

Now I still have Yamaha S215 speakers powered by a QSC 2450 amp. I didn't think we could use those and then cover both events that day. The one issue is if the mini van my partner bought would be big enough to carry the 2 double 15's.

I got to remember that next time. Could have used the dual 15's for the backyard party and the Yamaha powered tops and subs for the wedding. We now have 2 facades. Just use the black one for the backyard and the other one for the wedding.

I'll say this. I totally agree to pass on the wedding where they want to pay at the end. It's not your fault they paid someone in full and got stiffed.

Then they have the nerve to say if they don't like your service they won't pay you. I would never agree to that because I would hate be sitting in jail for murder because they said they didn't like the service they got and didn't want to pay us.

What about your association. Can you rent something to cover or get a referral for a fee so long as its someone you can trust. Don't leave any money on the table Bro.

 

[steve149]

Plans change, but the likely answer is, yes, their DJ found a better gig .. or maybe they "thought" they had him booked but their was no up front payment to secure and the DJ booked someone else.

Either way, you seem to have enough equipment that with a simple rental of a sub and a simple light setup (or use one of the old ones), you could have done both. At minimum, you should have a network of DJs to refer to .. I assume that is a reason for the NJDA to exist. I'm sure there are "roadies" you can hire for minimum cost to help load/unload for both.

 

[drzinc]

I did a reception on 4 days notice early this year. Went well.

 

[ittigger]

I wanted to know how many are seeing this happen to them? I got a call yesterday from a bride who was looking for a DJ to come do their wedding on April 27th. I had to pass the gig up as we're already booked that day. Such calls don't come but so often. I didn't even have to ask how she got my number. It came from the websites 800 number which I got it going directly to my cell phone.

I really wish I could have said we are available but that's the breaks. Now such calls only happen every so often but they do happen. The thing I was wondering is why do they wait till the last minute to look to book a DJ to do an event? Especially a wedding?

First let me ask this question. To you what do you call last minute in looking to book a DJ? Now what I feel is the reason for the last minute call is for either 2 reasons. 1 they don't see what we do as a big deal and think all we're going to do is just simply play music and how hard could that be? 2 the DJ they had cancelled on them. Some clients I've found out never signed a contract with the other DJ. I've never done this in all my years but some have. Some will cancel one gig to take on another gig paying more on the same day. That to me is sleazy but some don't care.

Roughly how often in a year do any of you get a last minute call? For us maybe 1 or 2 a year. I say a bride looking to book a DJ to do their wedding 3 weeks out is last minute. If we were available and they booked us we could pull it off but for a wedding I like more time to prepare to make sure all goes well.

Considering you have 'partners', I don't know why you didn't take it. That equates to more money for everyone.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

We did one once on a days notice and they got what we could give them. The DJ they picked cancelled the day befor. The DJ didn't provide them with a contract. We kicked butt!

 

[ittigger]

Still doesn't explain why you didn't. You technically "were" / are available. I'm pretty certain that you don't "need" any more than ONE person at most of your shows.

 

[DjDennis]

I get them all the time

but they pay up front, then i'll do the show

I have had no hassles that way either

closest was 3x days before the show!

 

[Ausumm]

The reason they call last minute doesn't matter.
In fact, many times it's usually not something they are happy about...so it's probably best to NOT ask why.
But you can pretty much assume it's...
1- DJ and client did not get along...and neither was willing to compromise.
2- Client waited till the last minute, and now is in a panic.
3- DJ bailed at the last minute...for reasons unknown.

But if you're booked, you're booked, Mix.
Just stick to the commitment you've already made...
and if you don't feel you guys can handle TWO gigs on the same day...pass on the job!
Word of mouth is still the most effective advertising, but it works both ways.
Don't get a reputation for dropping gigs OR taking on work you cannot handle.

 

[rickryan.com]

20+ days' notice is not what I'd call "last minute". That said, I get a handful of these calls per year, mostly from single-ops who claim they never missed a gig but yet they bailed on this particular bride. Late-booking events are usually an opportunity to really be thought the hero although I'd spend just as much time trying to interview them before accepting. I had one on 9 days notice last year. Full lighting job. The groom was so relieved and proclaimed "You're really saving my bacon." yet when his fiance got involved it became clear that I'd made a mistake. She was horrible and it ended up with the worst review I've had to contend with online. She was a nightmare. Don't let this happen to you.

 

[Ausumm]

The groom was so relieved and proclaimed "You're really saving my bacon." yet when his fiance got involved it became clear that I'd made a mistake. She was horrible and it ended up with the worst review I've had to contend with online. She was a nightmare. Don't let this happen to you.

Perhaps you now KNOW why the original DJ didn't work out!
Actually kinda funny.
You'd think that losing your DJ, just 9 days before your wedding day would make you more accommodating.

 

[rickryan.com]

Perhaps you now KNOW why the original DJ didn't work out!
Actually kinda funny.
You'd think that losing your DJ, just 9 days before your wedding day would make you more accommodating.

The groom was a great guy (my point of contact). The bride was a nightmare. What really gets me is, quite likely, her main beef was during the ceremony when her bridesmaid missed her entrance on a song she wanted to sing. The Judds, "Momma He's Crazy". The little acoustic entrance doesn't have a strong entry point and she missed it. We backed it up and she missed it a 2nd time, but tried to keep singing. We got accused of not telling the singer where to stand, how to hold her mic, and were called "very un-professional" for re-starting the track to give her a 2nd shot. The rest of the gig went downhill including when they wouldn't turn off the flourescent lights in the reception hall (uplighting gig). Chicka railed on me the next week, demanding a refund and threatening "If you don't give me a refund I'll go public". I stood her down and she gave it her best shot.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Rick I would say if a bride is looking for a DJ to do their wedding and it's less then 30 days away that's last minute. I'm not saying we can't pull it off but why do some wait so late to try to find a DJ. My thought is that the bride should look for a DJ at least 6 months in advance to plan for things properly. Also so that both you and the client remain on the same page.

Rick in all my years I've never had a client ever ask for a refund. I guess I'm just lucky and need to thank God.

 

[Ron]

I had the mother of a groom contact me yesterday in a panic... she thought the bride and bride's family were handling all the wedding preparations; and then found out they have done nothing. They want a September wedding and she called me and went on for like 5 full minutes, about that until she told me her name and asked what dates I had open in September. I have honestly never had a potential client go on for five minutes about her future in-laws before giving her name and getting around to actually asking the question. Then she got embarrassed after she realized she went on for so long. It actually turned into a great ice breaker.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I had the mother of a groom contact me yesterday in a panic... she thought the bride and bride's family were handling all the wedding preparations; and then found out they have done nothing. They want a September wedding and she called me and went on for like 5 full minutes, about that until she told me her name and asked what dates I had open in September. I have honestly never had a potential client go on for five minutes about her future in-laws before giving her name and getting around to actually asking the question. Then she got embarrassed after she realized she went on for so long. It actually turned into a great ice breaker.

So did she book you to do the wedding?

 

[rickryan.com]

Rick I would say if a bride is looking for a DJ to do their wedding and it's less then 30 days away that's last minute. I'm not saying we can't pull it off but why do some wait so late to try to find a DJ. My thought is that the bride should look for a DJ at least 6 months in advance to plan for things properly.

So a bride's DJ cancels on them a week out. That's her fault?

Dude, get a clue. The more you're prepared to spring into action and make an event happen, even on a moment's notice, the more you'll prosper. This isn't about assigning blame to a client whose situation has them calling you. It's about meeting a need and fulfilling a service..............for pay. Of course if you're going to continue to insist on having to have your crutch/partner(s), then you'll never understand what being a service provider is all about.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

So a bride's DJ cancels on them a week out. That's her fault?

Dude, get a clue. The more you're prepared to spring into action and make an event happen, even on a moment's notice, the more you'll prosper. This isn't about assigning blame to a client whose situation has them calling you. It's about meeting a need and fulfilling a service..............for pay. Of course if you're going to continue to insist on having to have your crutch/partner(s), then you'll never understand what being a service provider is all about.

Dude where did you see me say it was the brides fault if a DJ cancelled on them? I said I feel if a bride is looking for a DJ to do their wedding in 30 days or less to me that's last minute.

Now what I've found to be true is that a lot of times a bride will look to book a DJ last. At least some will. They don't see that as a top priority. Now I guess all vendors feel that way about the service they provide for a wedding. Now did you read the post where I said we did a wedding on a days notice. That's no time to go over any details. All I could do was get the retainer and buy a CD with a song they especially wanted played at their reception. When we did this wedding we weren't using computers to DJ with.

Now without going into details it was the sickest wedding I've ever done. Since then I heard the groom died.