New Venue Charges

[maestro]

It is a Hilton thing. The charge is for them to supply a 'separate' feed, just let them know that you are OK with the wall power and there should be no extra charges. I did a winter formal this past November at a local Hilton and they charged the school $100 for a power feed. I told the school principal who hired me that we didn't need it but he said, "It's only a hundred dollars." So they'll spend $100 on something they don't need but ***** and wine about a DJ that charges $100 more than the other guy. WTF? Here is a photo of the panel they provided. Notice how the main wire enters the box with no conduit fitting? I didn't even use the box, just one plug on each side of my riser. The outlets were all tagged so I was sure they were on separate circuits. My set-up is very energy efficient, even my Le Maitre hazer only draws 140 watts max.

 

[DjDennis]

Tell ya - if that started happening here

well you wouldnt see the same hotels open after that show again thats for sure

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I just wonder how such a thing will affect vendors coming to do their job? What I mean is this. It's one thing to have a client get charged an additional $100.00 (which I say they shouldn't have to pay a thing). That may not change their thinking when looking to book vendors to do an event for them. Now a client getting charged an additional $500.00. Will that have a client look to save money on vendors to do their event?

Will they be looking for a cheaper DJ, photographer, caterer or florist because of this additional charge? That's my concern for us all. Will that mean they will look to go with a competitor that charges much less then you do?

 

[DjDennis]

As I said walk in with a Portable Generator and ask where you can place that to use for POWER
then you dont get that $100.00 Charge!!

 

[steve149]

As I said walk in with a Portable Generator and ask where you can place that to use for POWER
then you dont get that $100.00 Charge!!

Then you'll get the $250 noise abatement charge. Or the $175 charge to use their premises to run a generator and lay cable ... They shall get you one way or another.

 

[DjDennis]

tell them send it to the venue - because they wanted to charge for power when you dont use more than $0.20c worth an hour total $10 if they really want a check
especially when thier bay-mare warmers cost 4x times what you charge to run on one night!!

 

[Ausumm]

But WHY make it an EXTRA charge?
Just raise the cost to rent the room...
and no one will ever question it.

 

[steve149]

Because they can offer a lower price initially. Same reason the airlines charge $25 for a checked bag. Start low and nickel and dime them to death.

 

[Ausumm]

True... but:

1- an extra hundred bucks isn't that much, when you're adding it onto the price someone is paying for the whole room.
(I don't think a hundred dollar savings is gonna seal the deal when you're spending THOUSANDS)
2- a hundred bucks IS a lot of money for an "extra charge"...compared to a $25 extra bag.
3- if you add something as an "extra charge"...you need to explain it, and rationalize the extra cost.
(if it's in the total price, there are no questions)

what I'm saying is this is a ridiculous charge, because you would EXPECT electricity to be included.
when you buy something, you EXPECT to pay sales tax...
when "RE-STOCKING FEE" shows up on your bill, you want an explanation!

 

[steve149]

True... but:

1- an extra hundred bucks isn't that much, when you're adding it onto the price someone is paying for the whole room.
(I don't think a hundred dollar savings is gonna seal the deal when you're spending THOUSANDS)
2- a hundred bucks IS a lot of money for an "extra charge"...compared to a $25 extra bag.
3- if you add something as an "extra charge"...you need to explain it, and rationalize the extra cost.
(if it's in the total price, there are no questions)

what I'm saying is this is a ridiculous charge, because you would EXPECT electricity to be included.
when you buy something, you EXPECT to pay sales tax...
when "RE-STOCKING FEE" shows up on your bill, you want an explanation!

Some folks here are content to use what is provided and make do (I count myself in there) .. some have it laid out in their contract that they need "x" dedicated circuits, or non-shared neutrals/grounds, etc and I guess they ask for the $100 or $150 to cover the cost of an electrician should they need a special drop.

or .. it's to make money on a service they know you need ... one or the other.

 

[ahoustondj]

Some folks here are content to use what is provided and make do (I count myself in there) .. some have it laid out in their contract that they need "x" dedicated circuits, or non-shared neutrals/grounds, etc and I guess they ask for the $100 or $150 to cover the cost of an electrician should they need a special drop.

or .. it's to make money on a service they know you need ... one or the other.

There are a couple Hotels here in Houston which as a standard gives the DJ/Band a large stage about 25' wide plus Dedicated outlets or a Distro. As far as I know there was no extra charge to the client.