My all new transport-with a twist.

[Charlie Brown]

For a few months now, Dad has been moaning about the amount of work I'm taking on, and how "it is taking over his life." This is because he is my main source of transport and the guy who helps set up and take down my rig.

Two nights ago, we found out Dad was unable to take me due to work commitments, which is fine as Mum could take me. Then for the first time, the Galaxy broke down! I wasn't worried, but knew I needed to sort something out fast! I phone my local taxi firm, who are more than happy to help. They find me a driver with an 8 seat mini-bus. I then speak to the driver directly, who seems a really nice guy.

So to cut the story short, the driver takes and picks me up, and also helps pack and un-pack the mini-bus. This cost me £65 (including a tip) for what was a 1 hours work on his behalf. Very pricey but a great help. I certainly think I will be using him again if not every week. It will become quite expensive but I will have to make sure the gig money will cover it. It all depends on the distance as well, so we will have to wait and see.

Do any of you use taxi firms or any other means of transport? I have also used a public bus up before as well!

[djsteve10]

For a few months now, Dad has been moaning about the amount of work I'm taking on, and how "it is taking over his life." This is because he is my main source of transport and the guy who helps set up and take down my rig.

Two nights ago, we found out Dad was unable to take me due to work commitments, which is fine as Mum could take me. Then for the first time, the Galaxy broke down! I wasn't worried, but knew I needed to sort something out fast! I phone my local taxi firm, who are more than happy to help. They find me a driver with an 8 seat mini-bus. I then speak to the driver directly, who seems a really nice guy.

So to cut the story short, the driver takes and picks me up, and also helps pack and un-pack the mini-bus. This cost me £65 (including a tip) for what was a 1 hours work on his behalf. Very pricey but a great help. I certainly think I will be using him again if not every week. It will become quite expensive but I will have to make sure the gig money will cover it. It all depends on the distance as well, so we will have to wait and see.

Do any of you use taxi firms or any other means of transport? I have also used a public bus up before as well!


You must be charging a fair bit for your discos if you can afford £65 every week and if you have 2 functions a week for 1 month solid thats £520 spent on transport every month, Think about it logistically, Why not offer your dad £30 - £40 and see what he says because im sure he could do with the extra beer money. I also think that it looks un-professional the DJ turning up in a private hire minibus unloading his gear and then at the end of the night "I can't go anywhere yet because my minibus hasn't arrived". What do you do on the busy nights when the minibus doesn't turn up because he has a found it easier to drop 8 people in the city centre and go back and go another run rather than load your gear and take it to the venue and unload it when he can be making quick cash.

Just my opinions on this.

[ppentertainments]

Or do you not have an older friend who can drive and roadie. Money towards running his/her car will be much appreciated I bet.

Well done as well for working through your problems when your transport broke down - I bet many would just ring up and cancel.

[theoloyla]

Like the others say well done Charlie for coming up with the solution to your problem but like the others say it should really be regarded as a short term fix and you need to plan for an acceptable long term solution.

[Adam_F]

I have also used a public bus up before as well!


How on earth did you take a disco rig on a public bus?

[Charlie Brown]

You must be charging a fair bit for your discos if you can afford £65 every week and if you have 2 functions a week for 1 month solid thats £520.

Just my opinions on this.

Yes and no, it could be more or less depending on the distance, but yes your right, it will take away a lot of my profit. At the moment I am slowly increasing my prices to 150 from 120. I agree as well about the professional side. Regards to my dad, he is 45. He lives life to the full but loves his own time and space. Most nights he will sit out in the garden, on this decking thing he designed under a white canvas marquee, with fairy and rope lights and Buda’s surrounding him. Hahah you must think he is a right one, but that is what he does, and listens to pink floyd on his wireless headphones. He doesn’t work as much as he did, and because I'm out either on a Friday or Saturday or both, then that’s his both "main nights" of the week taken up.



Or do you not have an older friend who can drive and roadie. Money towards running his/her car will be much appreciated I bet.

Well done as well for working through your problems when your transport broke down - I bet many would just ring up and cancel.

Yeh sure, there are a few but its a case of fitting it all in a box standard car, and thanks.


Like the others say well done Charlie for coming up with the solution to your problem but like the others say it should really be regarded as a short term fix and you need to plan for an acceptable long term solution.

Yes Theo, you right, but it could mean I have to pack it in all together untill I can drive, if it carries on as it is.

[Charlie Brown]

How on earth did you take a disco rig on a public bus?

Haha with a lot of help from others. No taxi could pick us up for quite a while and we couldnt leave the equipment there as the landlords where going on holiday early the next day. Dad had a bit too much to drink so was over the limit (family party) so we all took it on the bus. We had to pay for the amount of seats we took up, and the goalpost was the hardest as it nearly went through the buses window!

[jamesh]

This cost me £65 (including a tip) for what was a 1 hours work on his behalf. Very pricey but a great help.

That's not bad... I pay my Roadie £50 per night and still have to do all the driving!

[mike8863]

Charlie, I take my hat off to you young man. In the face of adversity, you've reacted and thought on your feet, very professional, and a very admirable qaulity not always displayed these days in someone so young. As pointed out, most would cancel or arrange another DJ for the client. And as for the bus story, no one could write that script, very funny, and how many times did people say, "well you are a mobile disco aren't you!!!".
Well done.

[Charlie Brown]

Charlie, I take my hat off to you young man. In the face of adversity, you've reacted and thought on your feet, very professional, and a very admirable qaulity not always displayed these days in someone so young. As pointed out, most would cancel or arrange another DJ for the client. And as for the bus story, no one could write that script, very funny, and how many times did people say, "well you are a mobile disco aren't you!!!".
Well done.

Hahah thank you very much, there were 12 of us and even Granddad managed to carry the "lead" box! Thanks again, means a lot:) Anyhow, I can’t understand why somebody could cancel. The lady had 200 people turning up including caterers and she had paid for the room! It would be very un-professional for me to say "I’m sorry it’s off, dad’s car has broken down!" I just couldn’t have done it! I had to get there one way or another, and that seemed the best option...:)
Also I didnt mind too much about the money, I love the 50ths so I was more determined than ever! lol

[DJWilson]

Well done, good thinking. You could have used a wheelborrow :)

[Charlie Brown]

Well done, good thinking. You could have used a wheelborrow :)

Hahahah LOL just trying to imagine myself doing that! Back and forth!

[DJWilson]

Hahahah LOL just trying to imagine myself doing that! Back and forth!


You've tried the bus and taxi, why not :)

[Charlie Brown]

You've tried the bus and taxi, why not :)

Hahah exactly! Lol, you never know, I may just give it a whirl!

[djsteve10]

Well done, good thinking. You could have used a wheelborrow :)

Come on stop willy waving your Wheel Barrow :D :p :D

[KaraokeDJ]

Well done as well for working through your problems when your transport broke down - I bet many would just ring up and cancel.

Exactly what I was thinking when I read the post. Calmly working through problems is a key ingredient to running a successful business - if that's your nature at only 15, the sky's the limit for you in years to come.

However, as others have said - there must be a more reliable and affordable way to solve the problem long-term. Think beyond your immediate family - think, older mates, cousins, etc., A few quid for the transportation and help may tempt one or two to go on your list of 'available roadies'.

All the best to you.

[Charlie Brown]

if that's your nature at only 15, the sky's the limit for you in years to come..

Why thank you :) but I hope folks aren’t getting the wrong impression. I didn’t post this to get a load of compliments. Far from it, I was just stressing an idea...I was expecting "this is why you shouldn’t be DJ'n at your age, you can’t rely on other people and there vehicles?" etc [/QUOTE]



However, as others have said - there must be a more reliable and affordable way to solve the problem long-term. Think beyond your immediate family - think, older mates, cousins, etc., A few quid for the transportation and help may tempt one or two to go on your list of 'available roadies'.

All the best to you.

Yeh your right.....I will have to start thinking....but in the end I may as well get a taxi....but yeh I agree

[Kernow]

What an inspiration you are Charlie, and a fine example in dedication & customer service. :thumbs_up:


I wouldn't take any bookings for Humberside though or you'll join those already 'heading for Hull in a handcart' :D

[Charlie Brown]

What an inspiration you are Charlie, and a fine example in dedication & customer service. :thumbs_up:


I wouldn't take any bookings for Humberside though or you'll join those already 'heading for Hull in a handcart' :D

Hahaah thank you matey:) Things like that keep me motivated and even more determined.

[KaraokeDJ]

Yeh your right.....I will have to start thinking....but in the end I may as well get a taxi....but yeh I agree

Downsides of using a taxi compared to a family or friend:

The taxi won't wait around for you so you have to wait for IT.
The taxi won't necessarily be there exactly when you're ready to go.
The taxi won't wait ouside the gig so you can store your cases and empty bags in.
The taxi won't wait outside with your spare cables and adapters in case you need them.
The taxi might not be able to be there earlier if the gig winds up early.
... or later if the gig runs over...
A taxi doesn't look very professional - it shows you got there no matter what but...
Good as a last resort but for similar (or most likely LESS MONEY) you could get a more reliable and flexible assistant within the people you already know.

[Shaun]

Charlie,

Good on you for going the extra mile to make sure you delivered the service to the client. Keep up the good work.

[KaraokeDJ]

for going the extra mile

Yes, but that extra mile was another £2.10 to the taxi driver...

Bad joke I know but hey - I'm having a long day! :sorry: I'll get my coat...

I think I can safely say we all applaud Charlie's thinking. :clap2: