New Venue Charge.

[ahoustondj]

A DJ friend of mine just called me to tell me about his Wedding Gig this past Saturday. He said the Venue charged him $25.00 for use of their Skirted Table. I bet this will become a trend. So for those who require a table, you may be better off carrying your own table and matching linens. If you use a facade you may not need the linens.

 

[DJCC]

It's already a trend in a lot of markets. In Kansas City venues ask the client if the DJ needs a table and then adds that cost onto their bill.

 

[steve149]

A good reason to update those contracts to lay out exactly what you need in there. Assumption may cause you $25.

 

[ahoustondj]

It's already a trend in a lot of markets. In Kansas City venues ask the client if the DJ needs a table and then adds that cost onto their bill.

Well in this case it looks like they are trying to lessen the charge to the Client by making the DJ pay them direct. Either way they get their money. God helps the DJ who shows up and does not have the money to pay.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

My guess is the reason some venues are doing this is because of some of the DJ's who might perform there. Some like to leave things a mess. We use a facade and I have my own table. So no need to look to charge me a thing. That is messed up to find out when you get there that there is a charge to you for using their table. I wouldn't make a fuss then and there but would pass the word on to other DJ's and people looking to book their event at that venue that this is what they are doing. So that way they get the bad publicity and certainly cost them business.

 

[ahoustondj]

My guess is the reason some venues are doing this is because of some of the DJ's who might perform there. Some like to leave things a mess. We use a facade and I have my own table. So no need to look to charge me a thing. That is messed up to find out when you get there that there is a charge to you for using their table. I wouldn't make a fuss then and there but would pass the word on to other DJ's and people looking to book their event at that venue that this is what they are doing. So that way they get the bad publicity and certainly cost them business.

Why should the Venue get bad publicity? They are not the DJs provider. If a DJ needs a table, he/she should consider it as part of their gear and thus bring one. It is not the Client's or venue's responsibility to accommodate the DJ's ineptitude.

 

[dunlopj]

Venues are getting to be like airlines with these add-on's.

 

[TwinSpinDJ]

In my contract it is spelled out that DJ will be provided (1) 8-ft banquet table w/Skirting. I bring a Skirt with me just in case...and I have had to use it at least 2 out of 5 times. Must not be making myself clear tot he Client...LOL!

I do see the other point of view, however. That's why I bring my skirt and two different size clips.

 

[DJCC]

per my contract...

7.5 The client is responsible for any and all fees and charges imposed upon the DJ, by the Venue including, but not limited to, performance fees, use of electric power, parking, extended use of the venue for load in/load out and set-up/tear down of equipment.

I also supply my own tables and covers.

 

[ahoustondj]

For those who are so conscientious about pleasing the Venue, there is no better choice than to bring your own gear and not have to ask them for anything. Some of them consider DJs a PITA anyway and if they forget to set up your table and have to go get one, they get irritated. It is nice to let them know that you are Self Contained with your own (Table/Racks & Facade). They tend to like you even better.

 

[tunes4046]

Why would a person not know this ahead of time, I always have at least phone consult with the venue manager, and am more likely to actually visit the venue in person with my client so we are all on the same page with where everything will be at the venue

 

[ahoustondj]

Why would a person not know this ahead of time, I always have at least phone consult with the venue manager, and am more likely to actually visit the venue in person with my client so we are all on the same page with where everything will be at the venue

Because there are many who just show up on the day of the event and ask "Where do you want me to setup?" Usually there is a Table waiting for them in a corner.

 

[Patrick]

After this weekend, we will only be using our own table from now on at any gig....if they have a table already set up for us, we will be asking them to take it down. We have a skirt for our table and the table it the perfect fit for what we use.

The table we had this weekend was not properly skirted because they did not have enough clips on it so we had to continually fight with it from the skirt falling all (plus the skirt and clothe were way to big for the table).

Spend the $100 bucks an amazon for the table and covering and just be done with it.

 

[tunes4046]

Because there are many who just show up on the day of the event and ask "Where do you want me to setup?" Usually there is a Table waiting for them in a corner.

Ah yes, the unprepared unprofessional, who probably doesn't have insurance or pay for music either, thank god for them and their screws ups, or I wouldn't be able to command the rates that I do

 

[Patrick]

Because there are many who just show up on the day of the event and ask "Where do you want me to setup?" Usually there is a Table waiting for them in a corner.

This has NOTHING to do with it!

It has everything to do with venues trying to find new revenue streams and nickel and dime the client every way they can.

We tell every client we all we need is electricity, and most of the time they will still ask if we need a table, and we tell them no, and yet we show up and still there is a table there for us.

Even venues who know us and have worked with us many times have the table there.

 

[ahoustondj]

This has NOTHING to do with it!

It has everything to do with venues trying to find new revenue streams and nickel and dime the client every way they can.

We tell every client we all we need is electricity, and most of the time they will still ask if we need a table, and we tell them no, and yet we show up and still there is a table there for us.

Even venues who know us and have worked with us many times have the table there.

My answer was in reference to what what tunes4046 said. A slight deviation to the subject matter and taken out of context of the conversation.

 

[Proformance]

Never heard of that before, and I would probably crack up laughing at anyone who tried that upon my arrival.

My polite response would be - "I'll be fine sitting on the floor and working from there. What would you like me to tell people when they ask me why this room doesn't have enough furniture?"

I have never met anyone who, when reminded that they stand alone to answer for their definition of professional conduct didn't change their mind about an unreasonable demand.

 

[ahoustondj]

Never heard of that before, and I would probably crack up laughing at anyone who tried that upon my arrival.

My polite response would be - "I'll be fine sitting on the floor and working from there. What would you like me to tell people when they ask me why this room doesn't have enough furniture?"

I have never met anyone who, when reminded that they stand alone to answer for their definition of professional conduct didn't change their mind about an unreasonable demand.

LOL. Many years ago in the mid 80s, I had a Gig at a Hotel here in Houston. After doing the site visit etc weeks beforehand, I arrived to find that they had left me NO place to setup and they were acting like they just did not care. When I realized that there was nothing I could do I told the Banquet Manager that he could explain to the Client when she arrived why there was no music, especially when arrangements had been premade. When they realized that I was not bluffing you should see how fast they started moving. He asked me, "What do you want me to move?". Someone told the Client when she arrived and she was livid. She apologized to me for the inconvenience. I believe at that time they had forgotten to provide something else that she had requested.

 

[rickryan.com]

God helps the DJ who shows up and does not have the money to pay.

And hence, the reason why a 6-footer (and draping) lives in my van. If it ever becomes an issue here it will obviously be added to the contract as another rider.

- - - Updated - - -

This has NOTHING to do with it!

It has everything to do with venues trying to find new revenue streams and nickel and dime the client every way they can.

We tell every client we all we need is electricity, and most of the time they will still ask if we need a table, and we tell them no, and yet we show up and still there is a table there for us.

Even venues who know us and have worked with us many times have the table there.

And this exactly why I ditched the facade. 90%+ of the time, I show up and there's a table already setup so it ends up being more work (and risks ticking off the venue) to take down the table they provided. I do have to add though that I like pro's approach.

 

[ahoustondj]

And hence, the reason why a 6-footer (and draping) lives in my van. If it ever becomes an issue here it will obviously be added to the contract as another rider.

Good for you! I think it stands to common sense that my quote will refer to those who did not have a table with them and was depending on one to be provided to them for free.