6 minutes of work!!

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Scott Hanna

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Oct 25, 2006
8,593
13,536
57
Cleveland, OH
www.djincleveland.com
Just got off the phone with an inquiry. She had already received a quote and had some questions. She inquired about music for the ceremony. 3 hours before the reception and about 45 minute drive.

I have her the quote for the ceremony. She said, but I only need 2 songs played. You are charging me hundreds of dollars for 6 minutes of work?

I laughed and said, "No, not at all. Those 6 minutes are free. Your paying for the equipment, my drive time, my set up time, sound check, mics, tear down time, my time back, And for me to hit play and stop at the right time. But the 6 minutes of music are no charge"

She didn't find it informative or amusing apparently because she hung up on me.
 
Some people are like that. You said 3 hours for the ceremony. Who has a ceremony that long?
 
Some people are like that. You said 3 hours for the ceremony. Who has a ceremony that long?
No, he said the ceremony was 3 hours BEFORE the reception. But even if it was only 30 minutes long, add all the times up and you get 60 min prep and pack + 45min (travel)+30min (setup)+60min (wait beforehand)+30min (ceremony)+20min (breakdown)+45min (travel) = almost 5 hours (minimum) .. then he'd have to perform at the reception.
 
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Just got off the phone with an inquiry. She had already received a quote and had some questions. She inquired about music for the ceremony. 3 hours before the reception and about 45 minute drive.

I have her the quote for the ceremony. She said, but I only need 2 songs played. You are charging me hundreds of dollars for 6 minutes of work?

I laughed and said, "No, not at all. Those 6 minutes are free. Your paying for the equipment, my drive time, my set up time, sound check, mics, tear down time, my time back, And for me to hit play and stop at the right time. But the 6 minutes of music are no charge"

She didn't find it informative or amusing apparently because she hung up on me.
Some people are like that. What I don't understand is why is the time between the ceremony and reception 3 hours? That's a lot of time in between ceremony and reception. My guess is that time will be used for the couple to go to a destination to get pictures taken.

I'm on your side as for what you quoted her which was hundreds of dollars. I just wonder how much did she have in her mind to pay someone to do this? You're right it's not just about it only being 2 songs. It's about your time, gas and knowing what to do for that time including gear used.
 
No, he said the ceremony was 3 hours BEFORE the reception. But even if it was only 30 minutes long, add all the times up and you get 60 min prep and pack + 45min (travel)+30min (setup)+60min (wait beforehand)+30min (ceremony)+20min (breakdown)+45min (travel) = almost 5 hours (minimum) .. then he'd have to perform at the reception.
Sorry Steve I caught it after I hit post.
 
She wants a $500 or less DJ to do everything. I guarantee it! People who have more realistic budgets don't act like that.
 
She wants a $500 or less DJ to do everything. I guarantee it! People who have more realistic budgets don't act like that.
You're guessing of course. I would say if you're wrong you're not that far off. What happened to the DJ she books to do the reception doing the ceremony as well? She hung up because she has no idea what it takes for a DJ to do the ceremony. Especially having to drive for 45 minutes to get to the location the ceremony is taking place.

She better hope she finds someone around the corner desperate for the work and small pay.
 
She said, "but I only need 2 songs played. You are charging me hundreds of dollars for 6 minutes of work? "

To which I'd reply (if I were electing to be polite, as I do 99% of the time), "It may seem like that but you are seriously underestimating the full & total amount of time required to deliver those 6 minutes of music, professionally and perfectly timed.

What are your expectations for delivery of a professional service for the important musical component of your wedding ceremony?"

(if I were being addressed disrespectfully, rare but it happens), I'd reply, "Regrettably, the service you require doesn't conform with the standards and practices by which I perform. Best of luck finding someone to help you with your needs."


You're guessing of course...She better hope she finds someone around the corner desperate for the work and small pay.
Finally, you post with some relative authority and qualifications.
 
Funny. We hear about couples who are not afraid to use their home stereo system...
and play songs off their phone for the entire reception....
but this bride can't figure out how to play two songs for her ceremony.

I'll venture a guess that this girl is smart enough to figure out how to get 2 songs played for her ceremony. The problem is, she likely has a sense of entitlement and thinks that, just because this is her wedding, the stupid DJ should be thrilled to spend all that extra time and energy and for nothing. She thought that by berating Scott, he'd be falling all over himself to bow to her demands. When he charged he appropriately, she decided to feign outrage. It played out exactly as one would expect and kudos to Scott for not bowing down and taking it. She's the one who missed out.

Now in hindsight, Scott was a bit of a smart-a (I'd likely do the same thing). He probably could've salvaged this situation by humbly explaining to her the time involved and why he was charging. Even then, she might have blown him off but it would've probably been a smarter business move.
 
...or maybe she is simply un/ill/under informed/educated, aka ignorant (not stupid).

Alternatively, she don't know, ya know

Try informing first then, failing that, politely remove yourself from consideration.

36982
 
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Never in my life have i dealt with any professional business via phone ..email...or in person...(even when i had dumb questions...or complained about something i was "ignorant" of and thought i knew better)....and received the sort of bizarre smart azz responses that comes from some of you guys...

If any one of you called "idjnow" or "pssl" to ask a dumb question and they treated you the way you treat your inquiries... you would have a 20 page thread on here bashing them as fast as lightning.

I cant even fathom treating an inquiring /possible client with any form of disrespect... obviously there are times when they are ridiculously off base... or i know deep in my heart that they will never book my services when they hear the price.... but theres a certain amount of self gratitude and professional prowess in delivering a calm intelligent answer...and planting a possible seed ... they will remember the professional manner in which they were treated and at the very least not spit on the ground if a friend brings your company name up.

Create a network of positivity around your companies... referrals and word of mouth are like precious metals... they come in all sizes... some are dusty with dirt.. but all have worth....

cc

ps- not meant for Scott... although there are other options for handling it...you did show restraint...lol
 
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Never in my life have i dealt with any professional business via phone ..email...or in person...(even when i had dumb questions...or complained about something i was "ignorant" of and thought i knew better)....and received the sort of bizarre smart azz responses that comes from some of you guys...

If any one of you called "idjnow" or "pssl" to ask a dumb question and they treated you the way you treat your inquiries... you would have a 20 page thread on here bashing them as fast as lightning.

I cant even fathom treating an inquiring /possible client with any form of disrespect... obviously there are times when they are ridiculously off base... or i know deep in my heart that they will never book my services when they hear the price.... but theres a certain amount of self gratitude and professional prowess in delivering a calm intelligent answer...and planting a possible seed ... they will remember the professional manner in which they were treated and at the very least not spit on the ground if a friend brings your company name up.

Create a network of positivity around your companies... referrals and word of mouth are like precious metals... they come in all sizes... some are dusty with dirt.. but all have worth....

cc
Additionally, The sales process is not a debate.

The sales process is a relationship, some fleeting and some more meaningful, but a relationship nonetheless.

Rude reactions and unnecessary defensive attitudes typically are reflective of the character of the or and not the ee.
 
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My goal in a sales situation is to get past the major objections up front. If you are going to get a "no", you might as well get it early in the process. In this case, as soon as they said they wanted me for just two songs, I would have said why don't you just play them off your phone with a $100 Bluetooth speaker? Then I would let them tell me why they wanted something more elaborate. Maybe they want a mic too... Oh, you can get a $200 speaker at Costco with a wired mic. Then if they tell me they want wireless, I can point them to a $300-400 speaker that comes with a wireless mic. They either like one of my "cheaper" suggestions or they work themselves up to the point where they realize a typical DJ fee is reasonable. If they choose a cheaper suggestion, I may then remind them that they may want 2 speakers, and maybe some stands, and some extension cords, and maybe an XLR cord between the speakers, and maybe someone designated to operate all of this...
 
My goal in a sales situation is to get past the major objections up front. If you are going to get a "no", you might as well get it early in the process. In this case, as soon as they said they wanted me for just two songs, I would have said why don't you just play them off your phone with a $100 Bluetooth speaker? Then I would let them tell me why they wanted something more elaborate. Maybe they want a mic too... Oh, you can get a $200 speaker at Costco with a wired mic. Then if they tell me they want wireless, I can point them to a $300-400 speaker that comes with a wireless mic. They either like one of my "cheaper" suggestions or they work themselves up to the point where they realize a typical DJ fee is reasonable. If they choose a cheaper suggestion, I may then remind them that they may want 2 speakers, and maybe some stands, and some extension cords, and maybe an XLR cord between the speakers, and maybe someone designated to operate all of this...

Perfect tactic! You are tactically helpful opening up the possibility of a booking devoid of any resentment.

cc
 
My goal in a sales situation is to get past the major objections up front. If you are going to get a "no", you might as well get it early in the process. In this case, as soon as they said they wanted me for just two songs, I would have said why don't you just play them off your phone with a $100 Bluetooth speaker? Then I would let them tell me why they wanted something more elaborate. Maybe they want a mic too... Oh, you can get a $200 speaker at Costco with a wired mic. Then if they tell me they want wireless, I can point them to a $300-400 speaker that comes with a wireless mic. They either like one of my "cheaper" suggestions or they work themselves up to the point where they realize a typical DJ fee is reasonable. If they choose a cheaper suggestion, I may then remind them that they may want 2 speakers, and maybe some stands, and some extension cords, and maybe an XLR cord between the speakers, and maybe someone designated to operate all of this...
You must be in sales ...