Hiring amateurs

[CRAZY K]

I have just heard a last minute gig for a week Saturday isnt going ahead because ticket sales are slow and some bright spark on the Committee knows someone who does it for nothing.

I have pointed out the implications of the Committee hiring someone with no PLI or PAT should there be an accident---the guy who contacted me wants to use me --but hey people who charge nothing are much better value.

The way the financial meltdown is going I guess there will be plenty more of this happening :eek:

I am beginning to wonder whether its worth taking bookings for events relying on ticket sales, perhaps concentrating on Parties, Weddings, Corporate and Celebrations is the way forwards next year.

CRAZY K

[wensleydale]

I have just heard a last minute gig for a week Saturday isnt going ahead because ticket sales are slow and some bright spark on the Committee knows someone who does it for nothing.

I have pointed out the implications of the Committee hiring someone with no PLI or PAT should there be an accident---the guy who contacted me wants to use me --but hey people who charge nothing are much better value.

The way the financial meltdown is going I guess there will be plenty more of this happening :eek:

I am beginning to wonder whether its worth taking bookings for events relying on ticket sales, perhaps concentrating on Parties, Weddings, Corporate and Celebrations is the way forwards next year.

CRAZY K
just up your booking fee

[rob1963]

just up your booking fee

Some of us don't take a booking fee though.

:(

[Tom]

I did a disco at a local school. They had 110 people turn up at £2 a ticket. I got all the ticket money. :). It's not much but at the end of the day I am doing something I love doing plus getting paid for it. :)

[CRAZY K]

just up your booking fee

Unfortunately that doesnt help here because they havent sent me one yet---just said they are not hiring me.

Certainly an idea to put people off cancelling, the problem is some of these events are selling tickets (like Charity events) and if they cancel the organisers dont always have the funds to pay me out their own pockets immediately.

Often very badly organised or just one person doiing all the work.

I have already decided im not taking any more Charity events.

CRAZY K

[Andy Westcott]

I've recently had a NYE booking cancelled due to poor interest this year, although the client thinks maybe things may change closer to the time. We'll see...

I'm quite happy to pop out somewhere with the family this year for a change, so I'm not overly bothered, although NYE does contribute nicely towards some of the business running expenses!

[wensleydale]

Some of us don't take a booking fee though.

:(
non refundable deposit or whatever you call it.

Unfortunately that doesnt help here because they havent sent me one yet---just said they are not hiring me.

Certainly an idea to put people off cancelling, the problem is some of these events are selling tickets (like Charity events) and if they cancel the organisers dont always have the funds to pay me out their own pockets immediately.

Often very badly organised or just one person doiing all the work.

I have already decided im not taking any more Charity events.

CRAZY K
But then is the gig really confirmed until you have the deposit?

[rob1963]

Some of us don't take a booking fee though.
:(


non refundable deposit or whatever you call it.


That's the one!

:D

[CRAZY K]

non refundable deposit or whatever you call it.

But then is the gig really confirmed until you have the deposit?

Non refundable booking fee--No, im just making the point that we may have to put up with even more people taking the cheap options as the recession gets worse and people get even more obsessed with getting the cheapest price.

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

Is it true to claim that the other provider is being "hired" if they're doing it for free?

[/pedant_mode] :D

[Tony Scott]

I am beginning to wonder whether its worth taking bookings for events relying on ticket sales, perhaps concentrating on Parties, Weddings, Corporate and Celebrations is the way forwards next year.

CRAZY K

I believe Weddings are the gigs to aim for.........I've found that Weddings are pretty much recession proof, they want their day and that's it, it's one of the things that either the B&G or their parents are prepared to put themselves into debt over and some will still be paying for it years down the line. Either that or they have been saving for it for years so have the cash.

Even though it's hugely important to have great evening entertainment the cost of the DJ is a relatively minor component, especially compared to other things: Dresses at £800 - £1000 are common, cakes up to £800+, the Wedding breakfast £££££.......so it's weddings for me all the way! :)

[nigelwright7557]

Is it true to claim that the other provider is being "hired" if they're doing it for free?

[/pedant_mode] :D

Surely if someone is not charging they are doing it at a loss to themselves ?

Even if they have all the right gear there is still the cost of time.

[CRAZY K]

Is it true to claim that the other provider is being "hired" if they're doing it for free?

[/pedant_mode] :D

Well if it all goes belly up and a speaker falls on someone they will blame him no doubt even if he isnt charging--:D :D :D

How they can hire people like this with no PLI or PAT is beyond me.

I have told them I think they would be in breach of H and S if they dont check him for PAT --but with some people they are so thick it just doesnt register.

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

Could you not toddle along and engineer an accident? :)

Might be fun...

(actually that's the kind of thing I'd do on a grumpy day :D)

[ppentertainments]

Had similar last week. Have done a football team xmas fundraiser for past 9 years. I always just take 50% of the takings as a fee. Some years you win some you loose but always like to support local youth groups. The place it was in has everything set up so its a case of mixer and cortex plugged in and away. This year they have asked me to quote them a fee instead. Which I did (very low one) and guess what they have found someone else cheaper.

Its a real shame as you see the same group every year and they are always up for a great night. If they were stuck for funds they know I would help out as I have done a couple of free fundraisers for them. I do their presentation night as well so will have to see what happens.

[Corabar Steve]

Well if it all goes belly up and a speaker falls on someone they will blame him no doubt even if he isnt charging--:D :D :D

How they can hire people like this with no PLI or PAT is beyond me.

I have told them I think they would be in breach of H and S if they dont check him for PAT --but with some people they are so thick it just doesnt register.

CRAZY K

How will they be in breach of H&S if PAT isn't required by law?

Did they actually tell you that he had no PAT or PLI, or is this just an assumption based on the fact that he's doing it for free?

How much do you know about this interloper? For all you know he could do it full time & just be donating his time for free to this event.

I do a freebie every March for NABD at the Ace Cafe, does this mean I have no PAT or PLI?

[Dragonfly]

Think this depends on the gig and you can't really judge unless you know the full facts , does someone doing something for free mean they haven't got pat pli pro dub etc??? no of course it doesn't .

it might be a member of the committee calling in a favour and someone just waving their fee because of this or ... shoot me now ... but someone new to the scene that has agreed to do a freebie for a friend in order to get a foot in the door???

I think its always important to look at the bigger picture or try to some you win some you lose , annoying but thats what makes this ride called life fast fun and interesting isn't it?

I had 4 gigs cancelled last xmas due to poor ticket sales so its not necessarily financial melt down could be bad marketing , high pricing etc.

if someone called me and said they wanted a disco for the spina bifida association or a fund raiser for british wheelchair rugby i'd probably give my time for free as i'd gladly help either as i have got alot from one and am involved with the other.

non refundable booking fee is advisable though if the gig is based on ticket sales alone ...... infact they are a good idea full stop.

[benlewis2004]

I always take a deposit to confirm the booking of 50%. The balance must have arrived no less than 14 days before the event. If they cancel, thats OK, but the deposit is non-refundable, except in extreme circumstances, the balance can be refunded, however not in the 14 days before the event.

I don't do charity events in general, as more often than not they want a reduced rate which I am not prepared to give. I do NSPCC stuff for free every year, and thats it, I wont reduce my rates for any other organisations, and the same payment rules apply.