Bad DJs

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
19,244
17,337
59
Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
Today must be the day for bad DJs. Trying to help a bride who has a non-communicating DJ. She booked him thru her photographer (combo package) and now the DJ won't communicate. She was trying to put together a complete playlist. Right after that, I get a call from a guy whose DJ also quit communicating with them. I tell him I may still have a guy available (9/9/17) and ask him what his budget is. He then hedges and wants to know what I charge. I told him $850 for reception and $150 more if they need ceremony sound. He tells me, "Oh, I'm trying to stay at $500." I told him sorry, I couldn't do it for that. The weird part is the DJ is an established player here in town.
 
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Maybe he died?
 
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Threw away from the throw away "pay as you go" phone he had when he first booked the gig. Lots of Bad DJs out there who practice the "Let's not communicate with the client" routine! It's a wonder there aren't more weddings where the DJ doesn't show up!

Here is the email I got the other day from a bride 2 days ago who obviously booked a inexpensive DJ from the get go, and also has lost the deposit to boot!

"Hi,
My name is XXXXX and I found your information on Gigmasters. My fiance, XXXX, and I are trying to find entertainment for my wedding on October 7th of this year at the Clositers Castle in Baltimore. We originally had a DJ lined up, but we had communication issues with him and realized that it wasn’t going to work, so we are scrambling a bit last minute to find somebody. Our ceremony is at 5pm, cocktail hour is from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, and dinner will end around 7:15 with dancing starting after. We want a variety of musical styles from all different eras, including some swing music (we have some avid swing dance friends). Since the layout of the Cloisters requires that our guests be sitting in a different room than the dance floor, we really want someone who can encourage dancing.
In an ideal world, I would love it if we could use your sound system to play music as guests are arriving at the ceremony, and during the ceremony. There is going to be a live performance by some of my friends, and it would be great if we could use some wireless mics for that. However, because of our previous DJ issues, we lost some money, and so we are on a very strict budget. We are hoping to stick to under $800. So if my budget simply doesn’t accommodate this request, I completely understand. The essential hours I need would be 7pm to 10pm.
Please let me know if we you have a DJ available for that day and how much it would cost."

The thing is, this venue costs like $5,900 for a Saturday in season wedding. They spend a lot on the venue, then set strict budgets for most everything else.




...I emailed her...I have 1 DJ left available, I am booked. I gave her a pretty darn good price for a Saturday, so if she doesn't respond to my quote, then best of luck to them. Problem with this venue is it really takes multiple speakers to cover it since the layout of the Castle has multiple rooms.
 
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Those stories never cease to amaze me. You hired a bottom-feeder DJ, he stiffed you and took your deposit and now you (for whatever reason) expect me to step in and accept the same cut rate? And then you berate me because I can't do it for the same rate as the other guy? Hey lady, YOU GOT STIFFED BECAUSE YOU WENT CHEAP!!! Hello! McFly!
 
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I see two examples of possible micro-management type clients.
She was trying to put together a complete playlist.

And this doesn't sound too good...
the Cloisters requires that our guests be sitting in a different room than the dance floor...
I would love it if we could use your sound system to play music as guests are arriving at the ceremony

However, communication is of utmost importance if one wants to be known for having good customer service.

It sounds like something happened to the DJ in the OP. If he didn't die, he might be in jail or in the hospital. On vacation?
 
Have either party said how long they have been out of touch? One is a month out, the other 2. Or could be that they are on a week or 2 vacation and plan to check in when returning with 3 weeks before the wedding. (Or a month and a half for the other...just a thought)

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
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Yea, I saw the "complete playlist" thing. I gave her my speech about it and told her what will, and will not work on a dance floor. I suspect my advice went in one ear and out the other. As for the DJ being on vacation, I don't consider that a valid reason. I might take a day or so to get back, on rare occasion, but even on vacation you can return a call or email in a timely manner. Then again, this whole thing could be because it's been 4 hours and she's being impatient. Glad it's not MY client.
 
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Ricky, The Cloisters - to do it properly - requires wireless speakers into THREE separate areas and that does not include the ceremony if it's held in that outdoor circle area.

We would not do that venue if the client was not going to pay at least $1,500.00 for all the work. Plus the venue does not allow tape of any kind to be used on the floors, so wireless speakers are your only option....to do that venue justice.

But we've had great events there....when we were allowed to setup properly...
 
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dunlopj said:
Ricky, The Cloisters - to do it properly - requires wireless speakers into THREE separate areas and that does not include the ceremony if it's held in that outdoor circle area.

We would not do that venue if the client was not going to pay at least $1,500.00 for all the work. Plus the venue does not allow tape of any kind to be used on the floors, so wireless speakers are your only option....to do that venue justice.

But we've had great events there....when we were allowed to setup properly...
Click to expand...

I agree. Many clients won't know, or know about the need for multiple speakers, but still go way less expensive.

Also, not to mention, you pretty much have to carry everything into the venue because of the way the doorway is, and the amount of people involved with other vendors walking in/out during load in.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
However, because of our previous DJ issues, we lost some money, and so we are on a very strict budget. We are hoping to stick to under $800.
The thing is, this venue costs like $5,900 for a Saturday in season wedding. They spend a lot on the venue, then set strict budgets for most everything else.
Click to expand...

rickryan.com said:
You hired a bottom-feeder DJ, he stiffed you and took your deposit and now you (for whatever reason) expect me to step in and accept the same cut rate? And then you berate me because I can't do it for the same rate as the other guy? Hey lady, YOU GOT STIFFED BECAUSE YOU WENT CHEAP!!! Hello! McFly!
Click to expand...

The email never says what they were paying the original DJ.
It is saying they only can afford $800, because they already dropped cash for a deposit.
Perhaps he isn't a bottom feeder, just a d*ck.
Besides, $800 isn't a bad deal. (depending on what they want)
 
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So this castle venue to rent it for a wedding on a Saturday night cost $5,900. My question for that area is this a low medium or high end venue?

Ricky you assume because of what she spent on the venue that she went cheap on the vendors.

There's no mention of what she agreed to pay that DJ. So you can't say for sure she went cheap. What would you call a client looking at booking a cheap DJ?

What do you get at that venue for $5,900?

Question to all here and you don't have to post your answers unless you choose to. What is your lowest price you would do a wedding for and what would they get for that price? Just food for thought.

What one DJ has for their lowest price, to another would either be their top price or they wish it was.

There are those out there that a bride offering to pay $500 to a DJ would be a good payday. While another DJ would either look to wish them well and to keep looking or try to convince them to spend more money to get them to be their DJ.

There are those out there out there that if they did a bunch of weddings for $500 would become homeless because they couldn't survive off of doing $500 weddings. There are those out there that this is their only source of income. Even those who have a significant other with a job couldn't do weddings for that price.

The sad part is those DJs who put down other DJs for the price they charge and don't know how good or bad that DJ is. They don't know a thing about that DJs life style. Some have a day job and this is just extra money for them.

Last thing for now. What one DJ offers for their lowest price (which just may be only them as the DJ) another world give the farm away to get that bride to book them.
 
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