Oh brother here we go again. Proper advise is being disseminated and then the "you do yours my way and I do mine my way" attitude takes over. Coming from a Jack of all trades.PERHAPS your definition of the legal status is accurate, but that doesn't make the practice "stupid". Taking a retainer is customary in the wedding industry and I have never had a client come force me to give back a deposit. In fact, I've had a number of events where they lost their deposit and I was able to re-book the date. Now perhaps you or others here might not think that's fair business practice but this is clearly spelled out in the contract, which the client agrees to and signs up front. That "stupid" practice has put a significant piece of revenue onto my books. Feel free to run your business the way you see fit. I'll run mine my way.
The Term "Liquidated Damages" is a key factor in getting to keep deposits as it pertains to DJ type business. It is a term I have always used in my Agreements (I do not call mine Contracts). It is in the best interest to start the ball rolling by means of Phone Calls, Communications, Site Visits etc as related to the booked Event. This way one can show work actually done and therefore a justification for payment if the Client decides to cancel. I hope that some would take the time to really speak with their CPA so they can be on the straight and narrow when it comes to their individual State and Federal Laws.
Why do DJs always try to reinvent the wheel?
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