First enquiry for 2010... What a laugh!!!

[KaraokeDJ]

Right now I'm happy to get new bookings for 2009 so when I got an enquiry about 2010 I was surprised. I quoted based on 2009 prices for the usual times. Afternoon set-up, disco 7-12 etc.,

I was then told that I was the 10th 'disco' she'd phoned and I was the most 'expensive' - that the majority of the ones she'd spoke to were quoting £120 - £150 (less than half what I get for most weddings). I didn't even bother to get into the debate or even bother to sell my services - I just couldn't believe that she is convinced that the prices quoted are the correct going rate...

I just said sorry, can't and won't even try to compete if she wants a cheap disco. Flipping fuel might be £120 a night by 2010..!!!

[theoloyla]

I am sure Alan will comment on this one. He is paranoid about quoting in advance for gigs.

[rob1963]

Being more expensive doesn't ALWAYS work against you.

Yesterday, I had a phone call with an enquiry about a wedding next year.

He already knew the price from my website, and then asked if I could reduce the price at all, as he'd already had a couple of quotes, one for £75 less than me and one for £100 less.

I thought "I'm not being messed about" so I told him I'm a professional and that my prices already represent very good value, so I'm not able to offer any reductions.

He said "Ok then...well we'd still like to go ahead & book you" :eek:

[theoloyla]

Being more expensive doesn't ALWAYS work against you.

Yesterday, I had a phone call with an enquiry about a wedding next year.

He already knew the price from my website, and then asked if I could reduce the price at all, as he'd already had a couple of quotes, one for £75 less than me and one for £100 less.

I thought "I'm not being messed about" so I told him I'm a professional and that my prices already represent very good value, so I'm not able to offer any reductions.

He said "Ok then...well we'd still like to go ahead & book you" :eek:
How true that is. It has happened to me a few times over the years too.

[Sam]

Being more expensive doesn't ALWAYS work against you.

Yesterday, I had a phone call with an enquiry about a wedding next year.

He already knew the price from my website, and then asked if I could reduce the price at all, as he'd already had a couple of quotes, one for £75 less than me and one for £100 less.

I thought "I'm not being messed about" so I told him I'm a professional and that my prices already represent very good value, so I'm not able to offer any reductions.

He said "Ok then...well we'd still like to go ahead & book you" :eek:

Exactly.
Stick by your prices.
It shows that you service is better.. in most cases anyway.

I like the up-market gigs so high prices suit me. As it is the people with larger budgets who tend to book me.

[ppentertainments]

Agree, stick to your prices. I have 4 bookings for 2010 and have increased my prices for then. As you say - how much will fuel be by then ???

[discomobiledj]

Fuel will be gold dust by then! We'll all be riding round on Harley's with a sidecar!

[wensleydale]

this shouldnt be too much of a surprise though- weddings are often planned over a year in advance- why should the disco be any different?

[Candybeatdiscos]

Fuel will be gold dust by then! We'll all be riding round on Harley's with a sidecar!

nah this will be you lol

[KaraokeDJ]

this shouldnt be too much of a surprise though- weddings are often planned over a year in advance- why should the disco be any different?

I wasn't so "surprised" about the advanced enquiry, I was pointing out the silly low quotes the person had received.

[JAMdisco]

You do right in sticking by your prices, I've recently found out the hard way when a guy bartered me down to a silly price for his daughters 16th birthday.
As it was a Sunday and I wasn't working anyway I thought I'd do it.

He was very pleasant on the night and even went over the road to get me a beer from the local pub (in a plastic 'glass'). He also took a load of business cards and said he reckoned he could get me a lot of local work. I told him not to tell anyone how much he paid :p

Hopefully something might come of it but I won't hold my breath. The only thing is, doing birthdays is quite good advertising as all their friends will probably want disco's if they've had a great time, so more chance of repeat business.

[Your Big Event]

Got an enquiry, and a verbal OK for a gig in November 2011, and have three confirmed bookings for 2010 already.

[theoloyla]

I wasn't so "surprised" about the advanced enquiry, I was pointing out the silly low quotes the person had received.
Understood. 12 months in advance for booking a wedding is not at all unusual. I've got bookings as far ahead as September next year.

[ppentertainments]

Understood. 12 months in advance for booking a wedding is not at all unusual. I've got bookings as far ahead as September next year.

Can beat that. Am almost full for october 2009. This october not too busy yet though.

[Have a disco]

Got a booking in July 2009 for someones 16th still awaiting paperwork to be returned so cant confirm it with them till they do. I will have to write to them again to remind them to send it back LOL Joy of internet bookings LOL

[ppentertainments]

Got a booking in July 2009 for someones 16th still awaiting paperwork to be returned so cant confirm it with them till they do. I will have to write to them again to remind them to send it back LOL Joy of internet bookings LOL

Must say thats early to be booking a 16th. Weddings I can understand but am lucky to get a couple of months notice for a birthday.

[KaraokeDJ]

Must say thats early to be booking a 16th. Weddings I can understand but am lucky to get a couple of months notice for a birthday.

Me too. I find the birthday parties with 2 or 3 months notice are useful for filling the odd available Friday / Saturday night.

[DazzyD]

this shouldnt be too much of a surprise though- weddings are often planned over a year in advance- why should the disco be any different?

Totally agree. But I've found the current trend is to be booking 3-6 months in advance. This is still enough time to offer the consultation service that we do but I wish people would book a bit more in advance. I've an empty diary after June '09!

Having said that, with prices rocketing at the rate they are, I'd find it hard to set prices for 2010 right now. I'm only just working on our price rise for September this year. I'm holding off as long as I can to see how fuel prices and the cost of living pans out.

[ppentertainments]

Having said that, with prices rocketing at the rate they are, I'd find it hard to set prices for 2010 right now. I'm only just working on our price rise for September this year. I'm holding off as long as I can to see how fuel prices and the cost of living pans out.

Am having serious doubts about my prices for next year. I do travel quite a distance to a lot of hotel weddings and the fuel prices are starting to get ridiculous.

[Tony Scott]

Had a couple of bookings for 2009, just charged them my current prices.

The only enquiries I get where they ask for a price are through Yell.com/yellow pages, I don't advertise anywhere other than my website but obviously everyone gets the free YP thing.

I have never had a booking from an enquiry that has been generated by Yellow Pages, even at my fantastic rates.

It's always: "£200!! Ok thanks, I'll call back".........yeah right, of course you will!! :D
It's a different story if they've seen my website, about 90% of the email enquiries I get follow up with a booking. I suppose they have already made their minds up before the enquiry?

Seems to only be only the ones I don't respond to quickly enough I loose & they are normally those that end up in my Junk folder for some reason.

[theoloyla]

Nothing for New Years Eve again though yet.