You HAVE to laugh.....sometimes!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

It's happened twice over the past two weeks so I thought I'd mention it. A few years back I may have buckled and dropped my price but not these days. If it was quiet for me then maybe a slight discount....not sure?

First Scenario - Someone phones me up. They've been given my number by a works colleague who I have known for years and done a number of functions for (including their wedding). They praise me big time and say I come highly recommended = Good! They go on to say that they want to book me for a 40th Birthday party = Good! (seeing as they haven't even asked about pricing yet). Apparently, I am the DJ that they are looking for as they want an 'Alternative' theme to the evening = Good! Right up my street.

So, after a conversation that is really promising and enthusiastic, I end up with a provisional booking. I confirm all of the details during the call in an email and leave it at that. The following day I receive a reply which more or less says that they can't believe the price and it is double what they were expecting to pay for a DJ. They ask if there is anything I can do about the price. I politely inform them that the price quoted is the price it will stay. I've heard nothing back and have written it off.

Second Scenario - I get an email via the enquiry form on my website asking about pricing for an Alternative Wedding near Christmas. Apparently the person enquiring was present at a wedding I did a couple of months ago (I actually recall the girl asking me for a card and asking about availability). Same scenario really as the first one but the difference is that this girl has actually seen me do my thing as it were. Same outcome too. A few emails exchanged following a quotation and then nothing so I have written that off too.

The reason I have titled this "You HAVE to laugh...." is because I find it funny.
Firstly, it's all about the price obviously. I am not expensive at all. I'd say I am probably mid-range. I don't inflate my price just because these are specialised or specific music bookings.
The first enquiry came via a recommendation. You'd think that it would count for something? If you are looking around for a DJ that does something a little different from everyone else or specialises in a certain kind of music (ok, like Martin and Steve too), you'd think that if you found one, they were recommended and available, you'd book them as long as it's not TOO high a price (and mine isn't!). Just goes to show that there are still people out there that do not know about pricing etc...

Yes, I DID explain what they got for their money and although I don't think I HAVE to justify why I charge what I charge, I DID on both occasions because I felt the need to for some reason.

The second enquiry appears to be more laughable to me because the girl was actually at a wedding I was DJing at which had an Alternative theme. She came up more than once complimenting me on the music and asked for a card. She went out of her way to enquire yet my price is too expensive? Strange!

I KNOW we all get stuff like this from time to time and it's not a big deal. I just thought that 2 enquiries for Alternative Discos and both not going for it was worth mentioning. I must admit, most enquiries I get for Alternative stuff do end up booking me.

As I said, I've written them off. I do not save dates for people and I don't discount unless I really need to.
A lot has changed for me over the years.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Its all very true what you are saying Gary. I have also came across the same situation before. I sometimes cannot understand why the price barrier when they can clearly see for themselves the excellent service and entertainment that we provide. Why would they go looking elsewhere if someone has recommended us, or even better if they have been at an event where we were providing the entertainment.

It is getting more and more difficult these days to convince an enquiry that we are worth our fee.

[HeartandSoul]

I guess you choose a price you think you are worth, rather than sell yourself short. Ultimately the market will dictate if this is sustainable. If you are busy at your price, then the market has indicated your marketing, price/service offering is ok. There will always be people in the market looking to get a deal, fair enough, I have also found a number of them are shopping only on price. Sometimes despite being wooed by all the extra benefits of choosing us over a competitor, it still comes down to how much they are willing to spend, and I suspect whatever your price point you are likely to get some of these customers. If you were charging £200 instead of £500 guaranteed there will be someone wanting to pay £150, and a dj out there who will do it for that.

Customer might get a surprise though when their cheap booking turns up......

[musicologydisco]

I agree. The time to think about your pricing is when they're saying you're too expensive and you're not getting any bookings.

[funkymook]

Even in our niche market Gary there's price shoppers - not so many as the mainstream market as the enquiries aren't as frequent and most of the people wanting us realise we're different from most mobile DJ's so are prepared to pay for us. But the more enquiries we get the more it's going to happen.

[DJ Jules]

...it gets funnier when they call up a week before the event to see if you're still available...

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

You want HOW MUCH??? (after spending a months salary on a dress that will be worn once )

You do have to laugh mate and I try not to let it bother me. Let them go and find some clown on Gumtree that gets a better offer the week before so let's them down.

It is annoying to think that this isn't just someone doing a bit of shopping around, you've come recommended and the other has actually seen you but there's not much you can do about it. We all have a price we think we're worth and happy to go out for, if someone doesn't see it the same as you then that's their problem.

I got an Amp DJ enquiry in a few weeks ago which went: looking for a DJ for my engagement party. Had one for £160 once and he was terrible so looking to spend £120-140. Somehow this guys thought process is: well it's going to be but I'll have saved myself a few quid instead of thinking maybe that £160 bloke was cheap for a reason.

I sent him an e-mail trying not to be sarcy or anything just explaining that he'll really struggle to get a quality DJ for those kinds of prices. He's probably read it, thought I was a prat and deleted.

[lazersounds]

You want HOW MUCH??? (after spending a months salary on a dress that will be worn once )

You do have to laugh mate and I try not to let it bother me. Let them go and find some clown on Gumtree that gets a better offer the week before so let's them down.

It is annoying to think that this isn't just someone doing a bit of shopping around, you've come recommended and the other has actually seen you but there's not much you can do about it. We all have a price we think we're worth and happy to go out for, if someone doesn't see it the same as you then that's their problem.

I got an Amp DJ enquiry in a few weeks ago which went: looking for a DJ for my engagement party. Had one for £160 once and he was terrible so looking to spend £120-140. Somehow this guys thought process is: well it's going to be but I'll have saved myself a few quid instead of thinking maybe that £160 bloke was cheap for a reason.

I sent him an e-mail trying not to be sarcy or anything just explaining that he'll really struggle to get a quality DJ for those kinds of prices. He's probably read it, thought I was a prat and deleted.

And the DJ he got was probably just as bad, can't win them all.

I often get calls saying Ive been quoted £100, can you beat it. I reply with then why are you ringing me!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I'm adding to this thread again as it's happened again yesterday.
Customer enquiring about a wedding booking that is predominantly Alternative. Praising me for the fact that I am doing something different and pleased (again) that I have availability for the date they require.
Quotation sent and instant reply saying words to the effect of.... "You sound like our perfect DJ and we would love to book you. The only problem is the price as our budget is limited".
I offered a discount on this occasion as the wedding is only a few weeks away and I've had a cancellation for that date but it is a bit out of my way.
They've come back again quickly and asked if I could reduce the price a bit more. I've said unfortunately I am unable to discount it further as it would not be viable for me to do so.

I have a feeling they might book me but we'll see.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I'm adding to this thread again as it's happened again yesterday.
Customer enquiring about a wedding booking that is predominantly Alternative. Praising me for the fact that I am doing something different and pleased (again) that I have availability for the date they require.
Quotation sent and instant reply saying words to the effect of.... "You sound like our perfect DJ and we would love to book you. The only problem is the price as our budget is limited".
I offered a discount on this occasion as the wedding is only a few weeks away and I've had a cancellation for that date but it is a bit out of my way.
They've come back again quickly and asked if I could reduce the price a bit more. I've said unfortunately I am unable to discount it further as it would not be viable for me to do so.

I have a feeling they might book me but we'll see.

That REALLY gets me.

You're doing your best to help them out and come to some sort of compromise and they're still trying to haggle you down more. Unless you're a large multi-op, every quid you drop your price comes directly out of your pocket, do people not realise this?

The last time this happened it was actually through a friend of my girlfriends. I'd given them a really good price because I was going to be at the party anyway and might as well be there making a bit of dough

She asked if I'd drop it which I did then came back and asked if I'd drop it any more because "I've found this DJ George guy who'll do it for £150"

Cue DJ George's website which is literally a picture of him on a night out in a pub (I mean he's actually sitting at a table surrounded by people with a drink in his hand) and DJ George - for all your DJing needs, phone this number xxx-xxxx

I told her there's a reason why he's charging that and my price was set. She booked me but I still felt a bit put out that she was trying to get me to compete with this clown when I'd done her a turn in the first place.