wedding tomorrow.. no payment yet

[Cap Capello]

Rick : For the first time in our long long relationship, there's a major philosophical disagreement.

DJs are completely unique, so unique in fact that nothing can be universally agreed upon at any level.

But that's another topic for another day.

 

[Bryan Durio]

Bride calls, says there's going to be several couples planning to get married at her wedding. All are looking for the "right" DJ. If you just did the reception for free, you would get access to all of them. She swears up and down youll get several referrals if you just did her wedding gratis....

Would you?

I had a bride call me last spring with that exact scenario.

I told her something that I think Cap once said: Book me at my price and I'll pay you $100 for every couple that books me from your reception.

I never heard from her again. Gee, wonder why!

 

[groovielou]

I told her something that I think Cap once said: Book me at my price and I'll pay you $100 for every couple that books me from your reception.

Here's my reply...
Heck, that's only eight bookings for my basic package, and you just know there's going to be at LEAST eight that want to reserve my services right? I require 30% to hold the date, and the balance is due two weeks prior. But, you'll get all that back as soon as your guests book me!

Groovielou

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Rick : For the first time in our long long relationship, there's a major philosophical disagreement.

Nah, we're both just too old to remember the rest...

DJs are completely unique, so unique in fact that nothing can be universally agreed upon at any level.

The only unique thing I've found about the DJ business, is how many DJs actually "think" they're unique -- I chalk that up to the rampant egos, and that probably explains why no 2 can agree on anything

Honestly, I run every business the same, regardless of what type of business it is. The only other service business I've dealt with, where they ask for full cash payment up front, was bankruptcy lawyers -- the logic behind that, is fairly evident...


So, for debates sake, since when is a DJs time worth more than anybody else's, and why do they require complete payment up front, since that is not the norm in any service business...?

Perhaps you can trace that to the worth movement... Thoughts?

 

[jokerswild]

So, for debates sake, since when is a DJs time worth more than anybody else's, and why do they require complete payment up front, since that is not the norm in any service business...?

Perhaps you can trace that to the worth movement... Thoughts?

For starters unlike other service related industries the client isn't usually so snookered by the end of the provided services that they can't find their wallet.... I've also seen people leave early what then... you're playin and your money just went out the door.

Bottom line people are flacky....

The other issue is time... we get paid the same whether we play 6 hours or 1hrs.... try getting your full pay after the service is rendered and you only played 4 hours because of some situation occured or everyone left etc....

Now here's the convo you might get....

"Hey since ya didn't play the full 6 hours do we get a discount?"

or they assume they get a break and pay ya what they think they should based on some magical mathmatic equation they came up with and send a check without asking.

or

"I'm not paying you sucked", despite the fact that everyone danced all night long and the brides maids want to have your children because ya played Crank That four times in a row for them. Yet they don't want to pay for services rendered...

Now you have to go to court and get your pay. No upfront payment is the only good way to go.

I'll give this analogy again but use Rick as the example: If I contact Rick for his Rockit program he isn't going to send me a fully functioning version of the software with out me first paying for it... I might get a demo but certainly not the full version.

So, if I can't get a full version of his software without payment, why should a bride get a full show without full payment prior to delivery?

 

[SoftJock Rick]

So, if I can't get a full version of his software without payment, why should a bride get a full show without full payment prior to delivery?

Actually, off topic aside, you do get a fully functional version, just a time limit per session. The only reason that's even there, is cause DJs are cheap bastards

Now you have to go to court and get your pay. No upfront payment is the only good way to go.

If that is yer only good argument, then it should apply to any service business.

If you call yer plumber, then you need to pay full price up front, before he even takes his truck out of his garage.

If you need a lawyer, cause you just got pulled over for DUI, then full payment should be made before he comes to the courtroom.

You pay for your meals and tips at a restaurant, before they cook and bring the food out.


See how ludicrous that sounds...?

 

[Harryoke]

No policy in my world is set in stone. I understand Cap's point completely...if you want to totally avoid the risk of being ripped off, get paid in advance. I am one of the masses that allow clients to pay me afterwards. Now that choice is made in consideration that in my planning stages, I get a feel for a few things...like how flaky the people are, whether their initial payment clears the bank or not, whether they are local or long distance: ie, if they scam me how hard is it going to be to find them or contact them?

Since I dont have language in my contract about the final payment, I can change it event to event. There have been times I needed to get paid in advance, and asked to be paid that way, and other events where I was very comfortable getting paid after the event. I do have language in my contract that says that if I am not paid, fees may be assessed or prosecution may be likely.

So, I am right down the middle on the debate...I just do what FEELS right. Hardline advocates of advance pay will tell me that changing my policy will eliminate any risks, but experience has shown me that the risks really are minimal if you assess the situation correctly, and professionally in the advance stages; that also includes getting an advance deposit or "booking fee" large enough to cover expenses, so that if the balance is lost to whatever reason, I am not actually out any money on the deal, just may not be as profitable.

 

[jokerswild]

Actually, off topic aside, you do get a fully functional version, just a time limit per session. The only reason that's even there, is cause DJs are cheap bastards



If that is yer only good argument, then it should apply to any service business.

If you call yer plumber, then you need to pay full price up front, before he even takes his truck out of his garage.

Sure they could just for the service call and that wouldn't be unheard of... the thing with a plummer is there are the cost of parts not just labor.... not the same.

If you need a lawyer, cause you just got pulled over for DUI, then full payment should be made before he comes to the courtroom.

Still not the same thing... some lawyers do ask for up front fees called a retainer and then more even before going to court. More to file paper work... some do require upfront payment.

You pay for your meals and tips at a restaurant, before they cook and bring the food out.

Sure McDonalds, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Arby's, Taco Bell, should I go on?

None of the above involves drunk guests or shady people trying to skip... it happens believe me. I've not experienced it, thank God, but I've heard the horror stories and I plan to avoid them.

So no I don't think it sound ludacris at all to ask for payment upfront to avoid the pitfalls of the drunk who can't find enough balance to stand up muchless their wallet to pay you.

 

[Papa Deuce]

As some of you know, I got a bad check in September.... my first bad one ever. As a result of that, I have a new policy.... payment in 3rds...

1/3 at contract signing.

1/3 at 30 days out.... ( I send a reminder )

1/3 at the event.....

I was going to ask for total payment prior to the event, but then on the night I actually do all the heavy work, it would feel like I was working for free.

 

[DJ Puma]

.

Well like I said I did the wedding and felt that I did a very good job. I received an email from the bride last night.

Hi Robert!



I just wanted to thank you for the WONDERFUL job that you did on our wedding! It was MORE than perfect—everyone complimented you (through me) on your emcee skills and the songs! We will definitely pass the word along to people that need a DJ!



Jamie *********


Jamie *********

**************

I thanked her for taking the time to write me ths email.

-Puma-

.

 

[ncognito66]

Time to send her a card!

Oh wait, that's another thread.