Contract advice needed

[Mister Musicman]

Advice would be appreciated from those of you who have regularly worked for agents, as I have just verbally agreed to a lucrative offer for a NYE booking at a top notch venue.

This is the first time I have accepted work from a Management Agency, but considered the offer was too good to miss out on. I have checked this agency out as much as I can, and they seem to be on the level. They now want me to return a signed (downloaded) contract which does not include and nasty obligations not mentioned in the telephone conversation.

My usual procedure is to have my own contract signed by the customer, and I was wondering if I should ask them to sign this also as it demands a deposit to be paid prior to the event. Their contract states that the full amount due to me will be payable on the evening of the function.

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

[Vectis]

Your contract will be with the agency, not with the end-user.

If you wish to recover a deposit/booking fee, this needs to be included in the arrangement with the agency and not pursued via the end-user. If the agency wish to recover the deposit from the end-user, that's their prerogative.

Personally, if it was a legit agency I'd take a punt.

[Javlingames]

Your contract will be with the agency, not with the end-user.



This is not always true, If your contract is with the agency it means that the end user is paying a different price to which you will be receiving. eg client pays £1000 to agent, agent pays you £800, he takes £200, this is called a nett deal. If your contract is between you and the client, the client pays you £1000, you pick up £1000 and send the agent the agreed commission (normally 15%). Every agent works differently

They should also send you their terms of business, which will include all the nasty do's and donts etc, they have to send this to you by law.

[Mister Musicman]

Thanks guys, I have taken your advice which was invaluable. Please accept these five stars as a gesture of my esteem:
:5star:

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

[Vectis]

Please accept these five stars as a gesture of my esteem:
:5star:


:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: would've been better appreciated! :p

[Mister Musicman]

:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: would've been better appreciated! :p


If we ever meet, I promise to get one in:beerchug:

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

[theoloyla]

The Agency I do lots of work for take a booking fee from the client and than I pick up my fee on the night. Their contract clearly shows how much they are taking and I am receiving.

[CRAZY K]

Advice would be appreciated from those of you who have regularly worked for agents, as I have just verbally agreed to a lucrative offer for a NYE booking at a top notch venue.

This is the first time I have accepted work from a Management Agency, but considered the offer was too good to miss out on. I have checked this agency out as much as I can, and they seem to be on the level. They now want me to return a signed (downloaded) contract which does not include and nasty obligations not mentioned in the telephone conversation.

My usual procedure is to have my own contract signed by the customer, and I was wondering if I should ask them to sign this also as it demands a deposit to be paid prior to the event. Their contract states that the full amount due to me will be payable on the evening of the function.

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

New Years Eve is the one night of the year when Bands and Discos dictate terms--not the agency!!!

Sadly not true for Barn Dance Callers--thats the 4th July:D

Firstly I would carefully look at the cancellation conditions.

Personaly I would want 30 days full fee cancellation terms--in the case of the 4th July I insisted the agency make it 60 days--:beer1:

I would also think a non refundable booking fee would be useful.

Have you asked yourself--why are they asking me--they must have hundreds of other DJs on their books--unless you came highly recommended ?

My only 2 agency jobs in the last 12 months have been by an agent Internet search for a specialist act and a Disco agency we worked with recently who wanted a Caller.

In fairness the last small agency I worked for got me my cheque at least 7 days before the event--but the big agency I worked for in July promised payment 30 days after they got paid :eek:

I really wouldnt want to be mucking about on NYE chasing someone for money and hoping the cheque doesnt bounce.

Payment in advance is a must for a lot of DJs on Weddings--wouldnt you expect it for NYE?

If its cash fair enough--does it clearly state method of payment in the contract?

Think you need to dictate terms on this--after all-theres going to be lots of enquiries for you between now and Xmas.:D

CRAZY K

[Mister Musicman]

New Years Eve is the one night of the year when Bands and Discos dictate terms--not the agency!!!

Sadly not true for Barn Dance Callers--thats the 4th July:D

Firstly I would carefully look at the cancellation conditions.

Personaly I would want 30 days full fee cancellation terms--in the case of the 4th July I insisted the agency make it 60 days--:beer1:

I would also think a non refundable booking fee would be useful.

Have you asked yourself--why are they asking me--they must have hundreds of other DJs on their books--unless you came highly recommended ?

My only 2 agency jobs in the last 12 months have been by an agent Internet search for a specialist act and a Disco agency we worked with recently who wanted a Caller.

In fairness the last small agency I worked for got me my cheque at least 7 days before the event--but the big agency I worked for in July promised payment 30 days after they got paid :eek:

I really wouldnt want to be mucking about on NYE chasing someone for money and hoping the cheque doesnt bounce.

Payment in advance is a must for a lot of DJs on Weddings--wouldnt you expect it for NYE?

If its cash fair enough--does it clearly state method of payment in the contract?

Think you need to dictate terms on this--after all-theres going to be lots of enquiries for you between now and Xmas.:D

CRAZY K

Well thanks for the advice Krazy K, there are still a few things you have mentioned that I am still concerned about but most looks OK.

As for the cancellation conditions, they do include a 30 day full fee payment so I would have a month to source another booking. The Agent requested my business card whilst attending a wedding party in a Marriott Hotel recently so I know how he knew of my existence, and also he knows what sort of Disco I supply.:Rock on:

Payment is to be in advance of the performance, but I take your point about bouncing cheques and may insist on cash beforehand. I agree that we MUST dictate the proceedings on this one night of the year, but we must be careful not to spoil it for any future bookings we may get from an agent during the following year because he seems to have some very good contacts.

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

[CRAZY K]

Well thanks for the advice Krazy K, there are still a few things you have mentioned that I am still concerned about but most looks OK.

As for the cancellation conditions, they do include a 30 day full fee payment so I would have a month to source another booking. The Agent requested my business card whilst attending a wedding party in a Marriott Hotel recently so I know how he knew of my existence, and also he knows what sort of Disco I supply.:Rock on:

Payment is to be in advance of the performance, but I take your point about bouncing cheques and may insist on cash beforehand. I agree that we MUST dictate the proceedings on this one night of the year, but we must be careful not to spoil it for any future bookings we may get from an agent during the following year because he seems to have some very good contacts.

Rob (Mister Musicman)
www.mistermusicman.co.uk

You said pick up balance on the night??---however thats fine as long as the cheque has time to clear--dont mention this to Daz--re our joint gig last Friday

:sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: :sofa:


CRAZY K