Planners and Your Contract

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Bob, that's the problem - the CLIENT specified that they DID NOT want this. He was doing as instructed and obligated. The planner and the client are NOT one in the same. The client is NOT obligated to pay for services the planner decides to put in place without their permission.
 
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ittigger said:
Bob, that's the problem - the CLIENT specified that they DID NOT want this. He was doing as instructed and obligated. The planner and the client are NOT one in the same. The client is NOT obligated to pay for services the planner decides to put in place without their permission.
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I think it's more likely that the client was dodging paying for the extra speaker and using the planner to try pressure him into providing it. That, or the planner told them that she'd take care of it, thinking she would twist his arm into giving it away. Either way, he did EXACTLY the right thing and stood his ground. Perfect play.
 
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Planners can be difficult or pleasure to work WITH. However, if it isn't in my Contract and there has not been an addendum to said Contract, it ain't happening. But, if last minute B&G call and decide they want to have the extra system, they pay in advance of the event. However, YOU know your client best. Matter of trust on both ends. Some DJ expect all payment up front while others will accept full payment at end of event, or prior to setting up for the event. I've done all three before. If any changes are directed by the Planner, they are immediately validated with Client, especially the one paying the final bill. As we know, the payer is not always the Bride and Groom.

I like the way it was handled.
 
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Well, the wedding was this past weekend. I was right, this was the first time the planner was lead for a wedding (she had 2 even newer assistants). We got along great and worked well together. This was the most laid back easy going couple I have ever worked with. The ceremony was held on the beach; and the people at the beach house next door got busted for drinking on the beach (made illegal not too long ago on this beach) while it was going on. After the ceremony the bide and groom went and talked to them and invited them to reception and it was a blast.

As far as the extra speaker the coordinator brought a ION Block Rocker and bluetoothed it to her phone.
 
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Ron said:
As far as the extra speaker the coordinator brought a ION Block Rocker and bluetoothed it to her phone.
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Ah, kinda clears up what was going on. Couple turned down paying for the upgrade and put it off on their planner, who thought she'd just twist the DJ's arm into providing it free. Good for you on standing your ground.
 
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I say our of courtesy a client should tell you they are giving a copy of the contract to the planner and see if you're OK with that.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I say our of courtesy a client should tell you they are giving a copy of the contract to the planner and see if you're OK with that.
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You have to actually use a contract for your events before that will be a problem.
 
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Ron said:
The follow up to that story is
Planner: "We need you to arrive earlier and provide a speaker for the ceremony on the beach as well; I do not see that in the contract."
Me: "I discussed this option with the client at our last review a few days ago and they declined that enhancement"
Planner: "Well they told me they wanted that"
Me: "I will be happy to contact them and discuss this option again."
Planner: "I can provide the music; just bring a speaker."
Me: "I will be happy to contact them and discuss this option again."
Planner: "They asked me to take of this"
Me: "OK, no problem. I will send an electronic invoice directly to you; once I confirm this with the client. The invoice needs to be paid before the Saturday event."
Planner: "That's extra!?"
Me: "Yes"

Click.
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..and I would immediately contact my client and inform them of the discussion with the planner and your willingness to cooperate based on your prior offer to provide the additional resources and effort.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
We do. It depends on who the client is. We have some we know very well and don't worry about getting paid.
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You know a contract protects you form a lot more than getting paid... you know things like people being injured, someone damaging your equipment, if something happens to you they dont go after you, requirements for you to perform, the amount of time contracted for (no contract means they can tell you to just keep going), etc. More importantly... without a contract, how will your liability insurance be enforced when you cant provide proof of a contract should you damage or hurt someone... assuming you have liability insurance. But I am sure you knew all this anywaysss
 
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djtaso said:
You know a contract protects you form a lot more than getting paid... you know things like people being injured, someone damaging your equipment, if something happens to you they dont go after you, requirements for you to perform, the amount of time contracted for (no contract means they can tell you to just keep going), etc. More importantly... without a contract, how will your liability insurance be enforced when you cant provide proof of a contract should you damage or hurt someone... assuming you have liability insurance. But I am sure you knew all this anywaysss
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Of course he knows all this. You're just being silly now. He has liability too. He's even worked it out with the lawyers and the insurance company so that he doesn't even need a contract and he's still covered.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
We do. It depends on who the client is. We have some we know very well and don't worry about getting paid.
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mix, mix, mix....
I don't know where you get your (ahem) liability insurance from, but I know ours will not cover us if we do not have a contract. period.
Your contract should protect you from a lot more than just receiving payment....things like Acts of God, overtime, cancellation or rescheduling terms...those types of things are all outlined in your contract. In addition, your contract PROTECTS YOUR CLIENTS. It spells out what they will get, when, what the terms are, etc. THAT's what a contract is for. Only a small portion is in regard to MONEY.
 
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Valerie Hicks said:
mix, mix, mix....
I don't know where you get your (ahem) liability insurance from, but I know ours will not cover us if we do not have a contract. period.
Your contract should protect you from a lot more than just receiving payment....things like Acts of God, overtime, cancellation or rescheduling terms...those types of things are all outlined in your contract. In addition, your contract PROTECTS YOUR CLIENTS. It spells out what they will get, when, what the terms are, etc. THAT's what a contract is for. Only a small portion is in regard to MONEY.
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Blah blah blah, he doesn’t get it and won’t respond, you have to consider the social climate he grew up in, these things just don’t matter to them
 
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The notion that you must have a contract for your liability insurance to cover you is false. While it may say that in your policy - it is essentially meaningless because the mere act of promoting and conducting a business is itself a contract with the public at large. A court would not allow an insurer to escape coverage on such a flimsy technicality. Liability is often irrespective of whether the claimant was an actual customer or even connected with any customer you have. Most claims will have nothing to do with your contract or anyone with any kind of relationship to your business.

The cheap online DJ insurance is being sold sight unseen to a lot of people who's activity does not rise to the level of a commercial business and therefore is vulnerable to a lot of fraud. With no other evidence of any business activity the contract may be necessary to show that you are not simply filing a fraudulent claim (especially around property theft, etc.) When these policies first became available the most common claim was fraudulent equipment loss.

However, if you have a claim resulting from an event and long time client you have been servicing for years - the lack of a written contract would not likley be enforceable as a denial of the claim. This is especially true if you pull an Accord certificate for the event, which as proof of insurance is an affirmation of coverage by the insurer.
 
Proformance said:
Your client hired a planner to look after her interests so, pay attention and be as responsive and accommodating to the planner as you would the client - they are one in the same. Send your invoice to the client - the planner is not responsible to pay you anything, ever.
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Well, you're assuming a lot.
I had a planner who took care of everything, including PAYING the vendors.
She even negotiated the price.

And the planner and the client are NOT one in the same.
They don't always agree, and the client doesn't always know what the planner is planning.
 
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