wedding tomorrow.. no payment yet

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
I am interested in hearing Puma's review of the show and his resolution of the payment issue.

Folks, I know that many of us don't accept last-moment bookings due to the payment and PITA issues. But we've gotta remember that there are a lot of unscrupulous vendors out there who will take the money and run.

For what it's worth we require full payment by ten business days before the engagement date. If there is a problem with that (and there seems to be on occasion), we'll accept a check upon arrival.

Get this: We do not leave the driveway without a retainer fee as confirmed payment. We do not open the doors of the truck without payment in full. Not a thing is taken out of the truck until we've been paid. We run a business and expect to be paid in accordance with the terms of our service agreement (that the client signed). The fact that we drove out to the venue with a truckload of equipment demonstrates good faith on our part.

If full payment is not forthcoming, we will drive back home and the client will be blackballed from booking further engagements.

Sorry 'bout your luck. You were aware of the rules when you signed the agreement. If you don't have the money, say so up front. We'll work out a payment plan. Just don't jack me off. I don't think that's too much to ask. :)
 
.

Ok I got back a little while ago. I arrived and no payment. The mom inlaw was in the bridal party. So I set-up cuz I cant be a jerk and the vibe was all good.

We get the entrances done and still no payment. I am rockin the place and everyone is having a blast. The smiles are flowing and so are the tears.

At the end of the night the mom in law came and paid me in cash. Everyone thanked me and said I done a great job. The photographer wanted some cards and another lady took my card and asked if I would travel to where she lived.

Here are some pics I have more I will post tomorrow.

Tears flowing
DSC_0038.jpg


Girls having fun
DSC_0043.jpg


Cha Cha slide
DSC_0047.jpg


all smiles
DSC_0052.jpg


YMCA
DSC_0057.jpg


This guy sang 3 songs and was great
DSC_0072.jpg



Had a great time and made some $$$ while doing it. Gave the bride a reception to remember and she was very grateful at the end of the night.

-Puma-

.
 
Congrats Puma chalk it up for one that worked even in the worst potential scenario. Glad it all worked out. Im actually happy yet shocked it ended up so awesome. It proves you can never tell til the Fat lady sings.
 
Hot damn, what a party. And ya got paid, too. :D

I'm happy to hear. :)
 
I suppose for some of us old dawgs with a tightened jaw Puma is basically saying Touche' however having struggled through a couple in my past I would have to say it would have been a tough situation for me. Congrats on doing it to make a huge group of folks happy and I guess in the end if thats all you gained it was more than a spoiled day for alot of folks. Im humbled considering the options or lack of.
 
I was on pins and needles myself! Wow, congrats! Looks like it turned out well for all involved. From the descriptions you gave of the conversations, I was not too positive about the outcome.

I arrived and no payment. The mom inlaw was in the bridal party. So I set-up cuz I cant be a jerk and the vibe was all good.
Click to expand...

How would you be a jerk for doing exactly what you both agreed upon? She was a jerk for not paying you in the agreed fashion, let alone the fake fading phone call, and the "I forgot I need to pay you" phone call.

You took a risk and it paid off, this time. Next time you may not be so lucky. I prefer not to take that risk.

Groovielou
 
After all the horror stories aout DJs not showing up we hear why would a client be anxious to pay up front...The clients hear these stories too

At the same time I understand why the DJ would want to be paid in advance Once bitten twice shy

About 90% of the time I get paid some time through the night or at the end. The one I recently got stiffed on (NSF) was given to me before setting up

In any case good job Puma
 
Wow,

Puma.. great job!

Like others here have stated, this one really could have gone either way. Glad it turned out ok.

Suggetion... Make sure you do some follow up with this client! Get some referral quotes. Ask the right questions and you shoul be able to get some awesome review for service!
 
Let's take a quick look at this just to help folks ponder possibilities and why a contract that states both the client's and DJ's responsibilities (not to mention timing) of DJ Puma's recent roller coaster ride.

He has a contract and the Bride signed it. Did the Groom sign too?

Mother-in-law has the money.

Bride says empathically "No chicken dance or I'll sue you."

Mother-in-law (at the event) says, "Play the chicken dance or you won't get paid!"

House says, "It's time to cut the cake after the song you're playing is over."

Mother-in-law says, "I want you to play my chicken dance NEXT. I'm paying you! You do as I say."

This is not to say any one of us in DJ Puma's situation would not of have done exactly as he did; play and pray. However it is exactly from personal experiences such as this...the stress, the edginess, the concern shared with his colleagues here, the mental derailing from a successful event game...that should at least set off a small alarm bell in this thread reader's minds. "Do I want this to ever happen to me?"

If the answer is "No, not to me!", get your payments in advance. If your answer is "This has never happened to me and even if it does, so what." then any future incidents likened to DJ Puma's wild ride, there's no one to blame nor complain to but numero uno.

Contract...contract...contract. Is yours tight enough? Are you sure? Ever play the "What if" game? Try it with your contract and have some fun.

Hey, it's Sunday. A little preaching never hurts. Sorry if the wording and tone of this post is a bit direct and pushy however 99% of all the Pay Me posts are direct self inflicted wounds that can be avoided once and for the length of one's career with a fair contract and the cahooties to enforce it.
 
I knew it would work out.......I think some are simply too cynical.....although I guess I've never been burnt, so perhaps I'm looking through rose-coloured glasses.

I insist on the balance prior to the event starting....sometimes I get it then...through or after.....

I haven't been paid for last night's party yet...It's Canadian tire, so I'm not worried.

Great job Puma! anyone ever tell you that you look like Sucre on Prison Break?
 
I think some are simply too cynical.....
Click to expand...
Perhaps that's unfortunately too true.

So, if there are targets in your mind bearing the label of being cynical, allow a brief explanation.

First, age. Watching marrying age customer values and ideologies evolve, there is a historical base to view and evaluate. While being forever hopeful that all peoples are honest, trustworthy, kind, gentle, understanding, and put others first before self, it's unfortunately not moving in that direction.

Second, experience. While many are doing their 15 - 50 engagements a year, consider that many others are doing two or three times more annually. Tack on to that sheer annual volume, those numbers have been ongoing for two or more decades. The more one does, the more likely problems will raise their ugly heads.

Lastly, this is yet another practical example of the philosophical and operational chasm between those who depend on the business for their livelihood versus the extra income/cash modality.

While it is understandable to consider some too cynical, allow a closing rebuttal by recalling Murphy's Law, bring it to the forefront, and think of the warnings and advice given DJ Puma as a business realist's proactive approach to these issues as opposed to reactive.
 
Sometimes we have to weigh the feelings of many versus the outcome for one. Even if just for a second when we pinch our selves to see if we are still human.
 
whoo hoo,, glad it worked out, and if you are one of those who believe in Karma, now your have more!!

It was good Karma for you to do that, knowing you could have been burned,,,, that goes along way in my book...

Yes you could have been a "jerk" by not setting up, but her day would have been ruined, and if you waited to get paid, then set up, even if you "rocked da house" the vibes would have been bad, and the Karma wouldn't have flowed....

I bow to you, glad to hear that there are still a few souls around with some soul.....
 
LOL,, I pinch myself every morning, usually on my naked b..... oh nevermind,,, that's another thread for Da Pub....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back