BAD WEDDING DJ?

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The bride's only shortcoming is that she didn't meet personally with the DJ or check references.
Otherwise I agree with the bride, and those of you who take issue with her need to do a better self assessment. This is particularly true for any of you who do everything online - as if that insulates you somehow from doing any real customer service.

The DJ solicited a detailed timeline and extensive list of music then didn't bother to bring his requisite instruction manual. WTF? $600 is more than enough to follow instructions and live up to commitments while dressing appropriately. This gig was a cake walk. It didn't have any unusual or extraordinary requirements, so the notion that the price in any way matters is totally lame.
Let me add this. Whatever the price the DJ was to be paid, that DJ should have been more professional than that. The way he dressed was terrible and not having the right music for specific parts is no excuse.

I look at it this way. When at work you're providing entertainment for your client and their guests. You never know who may be in need of a DJ in the future or someone else they know. So you should present yourself as a true professional. Especially when doing a wedding or some other formal event. You never know what business you might get to fall in your lap because you acted and looked the part of a true professional.
 
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Was just thinking more about his attire...i think ive been quite outspoken in the past about my beliefs that a dj should be dressed atleast as well as the best dressed guest...maybe not bridal party...but maybe the father of the bride... that being said... in this case...it was a seaside wedding...the brides were wearing capri pants and tank tops... the dj may have figured it was appropriate... i find it odd that she was dressed like a 90s gap ad and yet felt her dj should be in a tuxedo... a tuxedo that cost 600 more dollars than what she paid him.... but hey... if thats what she wants...he should have complied

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Was just thinking more about his attire...i think ive been quite outspoken in the past about my beliefs that a dj should be dressed atleast as well as the best dressed guest...maybe not bridal party...but maybe the father of the bride... that being said... in this case...it was a seaside wedding...the brides were wearing capri pants and tank tops... the dj may have figured it was appropriate... i find it odd that she was dressed like a 90s gap ad and yet felt her dj should be in a tuxedo... a tuxedo that cost 600 more dollars than what she paid him.... but hey... if thats what she wants...he should have complied

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Do the clothes make the man, or does the man make the clothes??? I don’t own a $600 tux, but I think my $400 tux looks pretty nice... on me!!! I’m pretty sure I WOULD NOT be wearing a tux at an outdoor seaside wedding. But that’s another reason why I don’t do weddings. A suit or sport coat works for most of my events, but I wear a tux if I’m the MC or when the guests are expected to wear formal attire.


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Was just thinking more about his attire...i think ive been quite outspoken in the past about my beliefs that a dj should be dressed atleast as well as the best dressed guest...maybe not bridal party...but maybe the father of the bride... that being said... in this case...it was a seaside wedding...the brides were wearing capri pants and tank tops... the dj may have figured it was appropriate... i find it odd that she was dressed like a 90s gap ad and yet felt her dj should be in a tuxedo... a tuxedo that cost 600 more dollars than what she paid him.... but hey... if thats what she wants...he should have complied

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In all fairness, we can only make assumptions about what was conveyed in expectations on dress. If this was a beach wedding, and assuming the bride didn't specify what he should wear (I've never once had a bride tell me what I should or should not wear) then I have no problem with his attire. The fact that she complains about it, after the fact, is meaningless. When brides decide to gripe on you it's been my experience that you can guarantee they're going to lie their backsides off and wildly inflate even the smallest of details, which they think might get them some sympathy.

I still don't know if the DJ screwed up or not and won't make any assumptions. I do, however, smell a bitchy bride that found a willing patsy "reporter" to do an expose' piece and give her the audience she wanted. In the process, said reporter strong-armed the DJ into giving her a $200 refund. I don't know about you but I can't imagine anywhere it should EVER be acceptable for a reporter to be negotiating a refund like that. It speaks more to his shady character than anything else. I'm just glad he didn't name the DJ on air.
 
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To be fair non of us here knows who that DJ was. So we don't know how long this DJ had been in business when asked to do this wedding. So we don't know that DJs experience at doing weddings at that time.
 
I love it. This has turned into a classic ODJT thread! :cheers:


ITTIGER: I don't know what American Legions you are referring to, but my we have performed in many american legions over the years, and my own wedding was in one. ...EVERY American Legion I know of requires the payment in full before the wedding. MOST of them ask for a $100 deposit (or $150) to book, and remaining balance is due 14 days before the event. ...Now they are use to clients paying the balance late, or right before a event (comes with dealing with lower budget clientelle sometimes), but they ALWAYS make sure the client pays in full, otherwise their event does not happen there. They are a non profit, and whie they are cheap, they are serious about the money.

...MAybe you knew a commander, or someone on the committee at their own legion who could pay afterwards, but with regular members, or the public, they are always paid in full beforehand. ....That goes for every location I know of.

....As for getting payment before hand vs. after deejaying an event. ...I will say this. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

As for collecting payment after at the end of reception because it increases your chance of a TIP. ....You shouldn't be thinking about tips so much! Charge enough for your service, and tips won't be of a concern!

...And I will say that I still get tipped CASH from happy clients at the end of the reception even with collecting payment before hand. ...Does it happen as often...For the most part. There may have been a small decline in cash tips, but the decline was small. Not that noticebale, and I'm satisfied with my pricig as is. A Tip included is just a bonus. If you are concerned about tip money, raise your price $100 to $150. Problem solved. ...And you will still have some people tipping you if you are doing a great job, and worthy of the tip!
 
I do know lots of people in various places. I am not a celebrity though.

Better safe than sorry? What happened to trust is a 2 way street - which you stated you believe in? Exactly which part of it do you believe in if you don't trust your customer - yet you expect them to trust you?
 
I do know lots of people in various places. I am not a celebrity though.

Better safe than sorry? What happened to trust is a 2 way street - which you stated you believe in? This is what someone says of people they state they trust? Exactly which part of it do you believe in if you don't trust your customer?

IF, I have a wedding client who states they will only pay the balance on the date of the their wedding at the event. I will tell them I am flexible, and can arrange that, BUT payment will need to be handed to me in Casheir's Check, or CASH PRIOR TO THE RECEPTION STARTING. ...I am there and set up. I have already likely provided music and microphones for the ceremony. Cocktail hour has happened. ...The best Man, FOB, MOB...or someone needs to stop by with the balance payment.

I did that arrangement at 2 weddings in 2018...Both of which were booked by another DJ, and in those instances I at least got most of my pay quickly instead of waiting 3 to 4 weeks for that DJ to pay me what he owes me.


....With my own clients, I have not had any one in recent years complain about my policy of asking for the balance 10 days before their wedding. Some miss the payment date, no big deal. They know it when we have our final phone call, and usually send me the balance via PayPal that night or next morning.

Last minute events. I quote them with the entire balance due at booing. They can pay with credit card, or send me a check. Makes payment easy, and out of the way. ...I bring my Credit Card reader with me just in case they owe me a balance still due to over time, or for whatever reason at the party.
 
I offer the same - and they can pay up to the day of the event. If you somehow forget your payment, I'll bill you. There is no one size fits all - and you have to adapt or miss out. Working as a subcontractor is no different. If the prime does not get paid until the day of, then you most likely aren't getting it for a few days or weeks.

As for collecting at an event booked by someone else, if the prime is not good with you collecting at the event, then I can't see how this is positive for anyone. If they don't care, then so be it - but unless you're collecting the full amount owed on behalf of the prime, it's probably not good practice. The prime has to claim that money as income. I would be rather miffed if my subs went around me to collect what I agreed to pay them - simply because they couldn't wait a few days.
 
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I personally do get paid before hand, but was just pointing out an example of why I do get paid in full before. Plus, the accused is assumed to be the innocent one and the DJ would have the burden of proof if he’s accusing the client of not paying.
When was the last time you were in a courtroom?

Nothing is "assumed" and it matters not if you are the plaintiff or the defendant - you each have to show your evidence. The DJ must show he performed the work and the client must show that they made payment. Your word counts for nothing.

If the client claims to have paid you they are admitting that you did the work to their satisfaction. The first thing the judge is going to ask them for is "proof of payment." Claiming they gave you cash without getting a receipt and without a credible disinterested witness to corroborate - won't fly.
 
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...but it is still just our speculation and opinions.

No, you're just not that bright.
There is a reporter who followed up and researched the story. It was true enough that he got the woman 33% of her money back.

The story wasn't about the specifc DJ it was about how the woman was duped by the online process that with all it's detail functioned like the "confidence man" in a con game. This is TRUE regarding a LOT of DJs who use "online planning tools" that feign detailed customer service.

The level of detailed information requested is how the scam sucked her in - whatever dope ultimately fulfilled the job isn't important.
 
Was just thinking more about his attire...i think ive been quite outspoken in the past about my beliefs that a dj should be dressed at least as well as the best dressed guest...maybe not bridal party...but maybe the father of the bride... that being said... in this case...it was a seaside wedding...the brides were wearing capri pants and tank tops... the dj may have figured it was appropriate... i find it odd that she was dressed like a 90s gap ad and yet felt her dj should be in a tuxedo... a tuxedo that cost 600 more dollars than what she paid him.... but hey... if thats what she wants...he should have complied

A service tux (what you find on an upscale hotel concierge) cost about $200-$250, and can be rented for about $60 (just over 1/4 of what was refunded!) That's all that would have been needed to make good on that specific promise. The music list, itinerary, and timeline could have been printed out at an office supply store for about $0.07 per page.

This is what you are completely missing about this story - that multiple representations were made in writing and not delivered upon. The amount paid and what anyone thinks about the dress code has no bearing on the failure to honor the contract.

Giving her $200 back was a gift, because in court a lot of state laws would have allowed her to claim upt $2400 for those misrepresentations. Doubt that? I guy in my area charged $1,000 for DJ+ MC (wedding) and after working alone to do both roles he was sued - having to pay the customer $3,000 in damages along with a full refund.

If you write a consumer CONTRACT and fail to abide by it - it's a special kind of F** up, and most sates have very specific remedies regarding a breach of consumer law.
 
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IF, I have a wedding client who states they will only pay the balance on the date of the their wedding ... payment will need to be handed to me in Casheir's Check, or CASH PRIOR TO THE RECEPTION STARTING.

This kind of thing is such a huge red flag to buyers. If you are this paranoid about getting paid it speaks directly to your client and business history. I would move on to a disc jockey better established and more reliably positioned.

I've passed over many sub-contractors for this very reason. They are financially unstable and as a result, equally unreliable due to their lack of resources.
 
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I think there's a lot of DJ's on this board who identify with the kind of service described in the report, and therefore find it necessary to cast doubt on the reporter, bride, and anyone except the DJ.

She booked this service online and so, EVERYTHING is in writing. DJs here who are implying some sort of ambiguity are merely speaking to the cloudy nature of their own integrity.
 
I think there are alot of DJ's on this board that know there is more than 1 side to any and all stories - and without hearing that other side, any judgement is invalid. This is why you have 2 (or more) parties in a court hearing. If you only needed 1 side, there would be no need for more than 1 party. While we're at it, let's remove trial jury's too - as we only need one side of a story to prove facts. The DJ is guilty on all counts! Burn him at the stake!

In this age of media manipulation, you somehow believe the news media is being correct in this one instance?

Quite often, people speak and reflect off their own ideals - guess what this says about you?
 
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I do know lots of people in various places. I am not a celebrity though.

Better safe than sorry? What happened to trust is a 2 way street - which you stated you believe in? Exactly which part of it do you believe in if you don't trust your customer - yet you expect them to trust you?
What happened is plan and simple. Some people are out to see what they can get away with. Not everyone is honest decent people. It's not a personal thing I tell people, it's business.

Once you play any music you can't take it back at the end of the event if they don't pay.