Regional pricing

[DJWayne]

Ok here is an interesting observation there are DJ's from all over the country on here and I read a lot of people moaning about the prices not going up people expecting too much for too little and i got to thinking is this a regional issue?

I say this as i noticed a lot of the Disco's from the south of england on here appear to quote prices that seem to have kept up with inflation where as in other areas people seem to be having a harder time of it.

This is not a moaning thread and I dont want it to become one its just a matter of interest.

So just as an experiment I don't know if it will work but here goes......

How about posting honestly your average price for the following bookings , no willy waving or fantasy prices as it would defeat the object just your average price to see if there is a big gap between DJ's around the country. Please put your location so we know where you are.

1 a pub booking
2 a private party in a social club / function room
3 a wedding in a hotel

Ok i will start things off :)

My location : Cardiff , Wales

1 a pub booking - £100
2 a private party in a social club / function room £120 - £150
3 a wedding in a hotel £299 - £250

[Tony Scott]

80% of my work is Wedding stuff, never do pubs, occasional social club work.

I have a fixed price policy + 2 extra's charges

Mon-Thurs £160
Friday&Sun £180
Sat £200

Early set-up £30(most weddings)
Extra hours £30 (£15per/1/2 hour)

+ 50p per mile travel outside of area. Dorset.

Not greedy, very busy! :approve:

[rob1963]

Hi Wayne,

I have a feeling quite a few people won't want to put their prices on here, but we'll wait & see.

I'm in Worcester Park, which is 12 miles from central London (heading in a south-west direction).

Pub bookings = I don't really do them.
Private party in a social club / function room = £275-£350
Wedding in a hotel = £275-£350

Extras are £30 for daytime set up and £60 an hour overtime rate.

I could easily charge more, but I feel these prices offer excellent value for money for the service & provide & the experience I have...and It's important to me to offer excellent value for money & have prices which I can easily justify.

Hope this helps.

:)

[groove on discos]

1 a pub booking im 12... :D :D
2 a private party in a social club / function room about £80-£90
3 a wedding in a hotel im 12... :lol:

My location : guildford , surrey

.. im to little :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D :beer2:

[Tom]

Hi Wayne,

I have a feeling quite a few people won't want to put their prices on here, but we'll wait & see.

:)

And I will be one of them.

I charge my amount and I still get under cut by the £100 so called DJ's in my area. :mad:. Oh by the way I do charge more than £100 but I was just saying that as an example.

[groove on discos]

yay im a 80 to 90 pound disco so i dont under-cut:D :D :D :D :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[rob1963]

I have a feeling quite a few people won't want to put their prices on here, but we'll wait & see.


And I will be one of them.

I charge my amount and I still get under cut by the £100 so called DJ's in my area. :mad:. Oh by the way I do charge more than £100 but I was just saying that as an example.

Tom, I didn't think you would be one of the people who declined to discuss your prices here.

The reason is simple...

...your website clearly shows the prices for all your different packages!

:confused:

[Tom]

Tom, I didn't think you would be one of the people who declined to discuss your prices here.

The reason is simple...

...your website clearly shows the prices for all your different packages!

:confused:

I know. Thats all going to change. I dont really stick to the price list. It's more a guide. Anything to get a gig really. Thats how bad it is around where I live. :(

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Sorry, but this is a pointless thread.

There are a lot of other factors to be considered here too as well as area. If you are full time or part time being a big one.

There are people round here who charge half of what I do but also people who charge more.

What about if you are travelling a fair distance to a gig.

What about if you are Vat registered?

[Tony Scott]

Just you & me then Wayne! Although Daz does have a point, for most people there are a lot of variables to consider. :)

[rob1963]

Just you & me then Wayne! :D

Ahem!

:D

[Tony Scott]

Ahem!

:D

Oh sorry Rob! :o

[Have a disco]

Sorry, but this is a pointless thread.

There are a lot of other factors to be considered here too as well as area. If you are full time or part time being a big one.

There are people round here who charge half of what I do but also people who charge more.

What about if you are travelling a fair distance to a gig.

What about if you are Vat registered?

For once Im gonna have to agree on this subjet. too many variables. I could go about this in a totally different way by saying "do you know how much your local rivals charge?" and do you care. I do so heres the local average

1 a pub booking £120 9pm - 1pm
2 a private party in a social club £140 / function room £185 7.30pm - 11.40pm
3 a wedding in a hotel £140 - £250 dependant on location average times

[DJWayne]

Sorry, but this is a pointless thread.

There are a lot of other factors to be considered here too as well as area. If you are full time or part time being a big one.

There are people round here who charge half of what I do but also people who charge more.

What about if you are travelling a fair distance to a gig.

What about if you are Vat registered?

Darren I asked for an average not a specific just to try and gauge if there is a difference across the country

I would say most DJ's are not VAT registered however in your case being a multiple that may be different so would be irrelevant to most on here.

If you think the thread is pointless then close it but i was just trying to find out some information to see if what I thought is actually the case :)

[Candybeatdiscos]

I aint got a problem posting as wayne says this will be a guide

I aint working as yet, however as aguide my prices will be:

1 a pub booking - £150-£200
2 a private party in a social club / function room - £200-£300
3 a wedding in a hotel - £350 - £500

Again there are some variables but it wont be too far from those guages

[Tony Scott]

I aint working as yet, however as aguide my prices will be.......



Are you just starting out then??? :confused: :)

[Candybeatdiscos]

Are you just starting out then??? :confused: :)

Restarting yes

I have DJ'd for best part of 16 years, and ran Lewnics Entertainments for just over a year, however i made the mistake of giving it up to run a hotel with my mother which unfortuantly didn't work out for me personally, my mother and I no longer talk, she runs the hotel with my sister now.

So I am in the process of building a new company by the name of Kingdom Beats, i am currently building the website, tidying my old gear & getting it PAT tested.
This is proving to be difficult as i have no other work, and am trying to get by on benefits at the moment (wife only works part time), i am trying to get a job but not having much luck, needing to ensure my weekends are free in order to try and build the business.

the next steps wil be to start advertising campaign, obtain my PLI, and start to earn some money in order to upgrade my gear, not that its old, but i want to build up to three or four high quality set ups in order to employee DJ's.

So here's to the next 5 years of building....now where did i leave my trowel/....

[ppentertainments]

To be honest not too happy advertising my prices but to give an opinion on regional pricing - I think it makes a BIG difference. I don't think I am hard done to where I live by any stretch of the imagination but some of the charges you hear are incredible. I do think there is A LOT of 'willy waving' especially on this forum by DJ's claiming they charge £xxx but in reality charge a lot less.

I am not saying pricing is totally down to region though. The biggest factor must be gaining a good reputation and delivering 'the best'. You only need to look at the likes of Daz and his setup to see why people would pay more. (not meaning to crawl here).

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If you think the thread is pointless then close it but i was just trying to find out some information to see if what I thought is actually the case :)

Fair enough.

If I was to close all pointless threads, there wouldn't be many left. ;)

Perhaps pointless was the wrong choice of words then, but it is difficult to gauge something like this without all the variables involved.

[Corabar Entertainment]

You only need to look at the likes of Daz and his setup to see why people would pay more.Which brings us back to presentation! Darren has good equipment - yes, and he has upgraded over the years, obviously.... but he has ALWAYS paid particular attention to the PRESENTATION of the rig. No, it won't make you a better DJ, but it will give a better first impression and if people can see that they are getting 'more', they will pay more.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You only need to look at the likes of Daz and his setup to see why people would pay more. (not meaning to crawl here).

Ah, although that is a nice comment, that is not why people pay more. I sell the service, not the equipment. The gear has to have a certain image and look to match the market we work in and there is a certain standard I would expect from my DJs in terms of presentation, but makes and models of kit are not that important.

My kit is a personal choice for me if you see what I mean?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

it won't make you a better DJ, but it will give a better first impression and if people can see that they are getting 'more', they will pay more.

I've never thought of it like that Ang, but yes, that is true.

[Tom]

So if I buy some RCF speakers and some wicked lighting then I can charge more and get more gigs. :D:D:rolleyes:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

So if I buy some RCF speakers and some wicked lighting then I can charge more and get more gigs. :D:D:rolleyes:

That is all there is to it, yup. ;)

[Corabar Entertainment]

So if I buy some RCF speakers and some wicked lighting then I can charge more and get more gigs. :D:D:rolleyes:Depends how well you tidy your wires Tom! :lol:

[Tom]

That is all there is to it, yup. ;)

Now I know. Cheers. :approve: :D


EDIT


I like my cables very tidy, I just need to make some more custom cabels. :(

[Excalibur]

Which brings us back to presentation! Darren has good equipment - yes, and he has upgraded over the years, obviously.... but he has ALWAYS paid particular attention to the PRESENTATION of the rig. No, it won't make you a better DJ, but it will give a better first impression and if people can see that they are getting 'more', they will pay more.


Ah, although that is a nice comment, that is not why people pay more. I sell the service, not the equipment. The gear has to have a certain image and look to match the market we work in and there is a certain standard I would expect from my DJs in terms of presentation, but makes and models of kit are not that important.

My kit is a personal choice for me if you see what I mean?

Without upsetting too many folk, and needing the sofa, in my opinion, People like Darren have identified their target market, and have tailored their whole service towards this. This allows commensurate monetary rewards. I bet there are "Sixty quid Sids " operating in Darren's area as well, so he is avoiding that type of market( I expect) .

If like me you are an unselective itinerant it is more difficult to charge the rates at the higher end of the market, simply because I'm not geared up for that. (Having said that , I'm one of the dearest in my area, yet dirt cheap compared to some elsewhere )One day perhaps, I may move upmarket particularly if the CD free disco works out, but until then it's G Ratner, Excalibur Mobile Disco. ;) ;) :D :D

PS. There must be a regional price differential, cos Crazy K can't get a gig in Yorkshire! :sofa:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Without upsetting too many folk, and needing the sofa, in my opinion, People like Darren have identified their target market, and have tailored their whole service towards this. This allows commensurate monetary rewards. I bet there are "Sixty quid Sids " operating in Darren's area as well, so he is avoiding that type of market( I expect) .



I don't avoid that type of market, it just doesn't come to me and when it does (not very often) I get exactly the same reaction as everyone else about how they can get a disco £100 cheaper etc.

Having said that, I still do the ocassional village hall type function and they are still paying a premium, so it doesn't always ring true that all my clients will have functions in Hotels and golf clubs.

I read a quote recently in Pro Mobile from NADJs Derek Pengelly and he said something along the lines of "Not everyone is your customer" which I thought was quite though provoking.

[Excalibur]

I don't avoid that type of market, it just doesn't come to me and when it does (not very often) I get exactly the same reaction as everyone else about how they can get a disco £100 cheaper etc.
Having said that, I still do the ocassional village hall type function and they are still paying a premium, so it doesn't always ring true that all my clients will have functions in Hotels and golf clubs.

I read a quote recently in Pro Mobile from NADJs Derek Pengelly and he said something along the lines of "Not everyone is your customer" which I thought was quite though provoking.


OK Mr Picky, so you don't avoid it, but you sure as hell don't actively seek it out! :bang:

You can't even give a compliment on here without getting flak! :p

[Paul James Promotions]

Average prices for Dudley, Wolverhampton...

1 a pub booking - £70 - £120
2 a private party in a social club / function room £80 - £150
3 a wedding / corporate event £175 - £400
All for standard 5 hour shows with small show.

Just lost a wedding next month, set-up by 2.30pm, on till 1.00am, 20 miles away, near Birmingham, big show with 8 DMX effects, 3k PA, and starcloth and mirrorball as optional extras. The DJ that they have booked is travalling from Surrey (so probably a 16 - 17 hour day), and providing exactly the same service (or at least they think), for under £300.00, around half my quote. :bang: :bang:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The DJ that they have booked is travalling from Surrey (so probably a 16 - 17 hour day), and providing exactly the same service (or at least they think), for under £300.00, around half my quote. :bang: :bang:

More fool him for doing it.

[soundtracker]

More fool him for doing it.
Agreed !

[rob1963]

The DJ that they have booked is travelling from Surrey (so probably a 16 - 17 hour day), and providing exactly the same service (or at least they think), for under £300.00, around half my quote. :bang: :bang:


More fool him for doing it.

I didn't mean to undercut you, Jamie...but I have to do what's necessary to get the work.

:rolleyes:

[Penfold42]

I didn't mean to undercut you, Jamie...but I have to do what's necessary to get the work.

:rolleyes:

Amazing how light iPods are nowadays......:p :D

[rob1963]

Amazing how light iPods are nowadays......:p :D

:Laugh:

[Sam]

But then Jamie.. if you don't want to lower your prices.. you can't complain if someone comes in now and again with a better quote... :S

[Steve the DJ]

Restarting yes

I have DJ'd for best part of 16 years, and ran Lewnics Entertainments for just over a year, however i made the mistake of giving it up to run a hotel with my mother which unfortuantly didn't work out for me personally, my mother and I no longer talk, she runs the hotel with my sister now.

So I am in the process of building a new company by the name of Kingdom Beats, i am currently building the website, tidying my old gear & getting it PAT tested.
This is proving to be difficult as i have no other work, and am trying to get by on benefits at the moment (wife only works part time), i am trying to get a job but not having much luck, needing to ensure my weekends are free in order to try and build the business.

the next steps wil be to start advertising campaign, obtain my PLI, and start to earn some money in order to upgrade my gear, not that its old, but i want to build up to three or four high quality set ups in order to employee DJ's.

So here's to the next 5 years of building....now where did i leave my trowel/....

Slightly off topic I know but if you have an established brand in Lewnics Entertainment (albeit a years worth), why start from scratch again?


More fool him for doing it.

Agreed.

[soundtracker]

But then Jamie.. if you don't want to lower your prices.. you can't complain if someone comes in now and again with a better quote... :S

Why should Jamie lower his quote to compete with someone who is basically buying the work? There's no sense in working for the sake of it!:bang: :bang:

[Dragonfly]

Amazing how light iPods are nowadays......:p :D

you should know you use 2 of them :D :D :D

[theoloyla]

There are most definately regional variations in prices for discos just as there are for houses. It is to do with supply and demand, quality and affluence of the area. Even in Kent there are big variations. Generally speaking there is more money and higher prices in West Kent and towards London than there is in East Kent. Although I live in Thanet I seldom work here but on occasions I do I still get my full fee which is not typical of prices locally. I charge per evening irrespective of whether it is a pub or a posh hotel. This year I am getting £275 and next year I am getting £280. That is for a normal gig up to about 5 hours. Overtime or early set ups are charged at £40 per hour.
As I have said many times before - if your diary is full you should put your prices up slightly, if it is empty you maybe need to charge slightly less.