im in a predicament

[Rowleys]

Well .. got the payment for my gig last night in the middle of the set and it was in a envelope ..

i hate getting the money out and counting it in front for people so just stock it in my pocket

got home last night and there was £20 short ...

would you call them back up and ask for it .. i no its my money really but its the bride .. might be on there holes now :\

[One Vision]

I think its always wise to count it when you receive it, I reckon most people paying would expect you to.
Possibly take this on as a learning curve :)

[Thames Valley Discos]

Learn by your mistake.

[djsteve10]

Personally I would'nt ring up and ask for it because it is your word against theirs.

[CRAZY K]

Well .. got the payment for my gig last night in the middle of the set and it was in a envelope ..

i hate getting the money out and counting it in front for people so just stock it in my pocket

got home last night and there was £20 short ...

would you call them back up and ask for it .. i no its my money really but its the bride .. might be on there holes now :\

I think you have left it too late.

If you dont count it in front of them then im afraid you really have no chance IMHO.

They wont want to admit they cant count--:eek:

Unless anyone on here has managed to get more money in these circumstances????

CRAZY K

[Thames Valley Discos]

IMO i,d leave it and count next tme

[andyw]

take the hit,all you will do is make yourself look bad,they might think you are trying it on and at the end of the day it will be your word against theirs.

[ppentertainments]

Learn by your mistakes. Count money when received and also get money at beginning of night. That way if there is a mistake you have more chance of catching the person and also less alcohol would have been consumed.

[Shaun]

Best to just accept the loss this time. In future, always count the cash in front of them.

[discomobiledj]

Agree with everyone.

[501damian501]

just count it at a gig in your van or whatever means of transport you have, then pop it into a car safe if you have one, cheers damian

[rob1963]

Well .. got the payment for my gig last night in the middle of the set and it was in a envelope ..

i hate getting the money out and counting it in front for people so just stock it in my pocket

got home last night and there was £20 short ...

would you call them back up and ask for it .. i no its my money really but its the bride .. might be on there holes now :\

This shows why you should NEVER accept an envelope containing cash without checking it in their presence...which obviously isn't easy in the middle of a set!

It's one of the reasons why I think cash should only be accepted at the BEGINNING of the evening...so you can check it before they walk off, because after that it's their word against yours.

In the circumstances, I would contact them to say it was £20 short, and see how they react. If they believe you, apologise & arrange to pay the shortfall, that's great. However, if they are adamant it was correct, all you can do is accept the loss, put it down to experience, and make sure you ALWAYS check cash in their presence in future.

[CRAZY K]

This shows why you should NEVER accept an envelope containing cash without checking it in their presence...which obviously isn't easy in the middle of a set!

It's one of the reasons why I think cash should only be accepted at the BEGINNING of the evening...so you can check it before they walk off, because after that it's their word against yours.

In the circumstances, I would contact them to say it was £20 short, and see how they react. If they believe you, apologise & arrange to pay the shortfall, that's great. However, if they are adamant it was correct, all you can do is accept the loss, put it down to experience, and make sure you ALWAYS check cash in their presence in future.

Is there any point contacting them--its just going to cause friction--and make the DJ look unprofessional:eek:

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

put it down to experience ..... learn from it and make improvements because of it.

[rob1963]

Is there any point contacting them--its just going to cause friction--and make the DJ look unprofessional:eek:
CRAZY K

I disagree, Crazy.

I think it's definately worth contacting them, as there's a chance they didn't check the cash & will believe you, in which case you'll get it back.

Surely it's got to be worth it just for the sake of a quick phone call.

I don't think it will cause friction or make the DJ look unprofessional, because if they are adamant the money was right, I said it was best to leave it at that & put the loss down to experience.

[Dragonfly]

for the sake of 20 quid i personally say it sounds a bit petty? and unprofessional that it wasn't checked on the evening.

[gaza]

Well .. got the payment for my gig last night in the middle of the set and it was in a envelope ..

i hate getting the money out and counting it in front for people so just stock it in my pocket

got home last night and there was £20 short ...

would you call them back up and ask for it .. i no its my money really but its the bride .. might be on there holes now :\




At last weeks gig, i was given an envelope and i must admit that i did not count it straight away.
When i did count the money, there was five pounds to much, so i went and gave it back to the client, she was quite happy about that.

[rob1963]

for the sake of 20 quid i personally say it sounds a bit petty? and unprofessional that it wasn't checked on the evening.

My advice came from my experience of working in a bank for 24 years.

When cashing a cheque, we had to write down the breakdown of what we gave out on the back. This was to help if we had a till difference. For example, if our till was £20 short & we found a £100 cheque which said 6 x £20 in the back, we would ring the customer to explain the situation & ask if their money was right.

Some would either say they'd put it straight into their purse or wallet with their other money or were adamant that it was right, in which case we could do no more. However, there were SOME people who were honest enough to admit they'd been given £20 extra & they therefore let us have it back.

I discovered a number of till differences this way over the years, so that was why I gave the advice about making the call.

[CRAZY K]

My advice came from my experience of working in a bank for 24 years.

When cashing a cheque, we had to write down the breakdown of what we gave out on the back. This was to help if we had a till difference. For example, if our till was £20 short & we found a £100 cheque which said 6 x £20 in the back, we would ring the customer to explain the situation & ask if their money was right.

Some would either say they'd put it straight into their purse or wallet with their other money or were adamant that it was right, in which case we could do no more. However, there were SOME people who were honest enough to admit they'd been given £20 extra & they therefore let us have it back.

I discovered a number of till differences this way over the years, so that was why I gave the advice about making the call.

But the bride wont have a clue if they have underpaid the DJ surely?

I cant see it personally Rob, even though theres a genuine mistake on both sides--DJ didnt check--client cant count:D :D :D

Its all too late to be credible.

CRAZY K

[BeerFunk]

From the customer's perspective - if they have made a mistake, they most likely won't know it, and may even suspect that you're 'at it'.

However, there is a small possibility that they have noticed that they've underpaid - but were just going to leave it unless you chased it up, in which case they'd be happy enough to pay the extra money :)

Personally though, I'd save the hassle/embarrassment and cut my losses.

[CRAZY K]

I disagree, Crazy.

I think it's definately worth contacting them, as there's a chance they didn't check the cash & will believe you, in which case you'll get it back.

Surely it's got to be worth it just for the sake of a quick phone call.

I don't think it will cause friction or make the DJ look unprofessional, because if they are adamant the money was right, I said it was best to leave it at that & put the loss down to experience.

I cant see it personally Rob, even though theres a genuine mistake on both sides--DJ didnt check--client cant count:D :D :D

Its all too late to be credible.

People hate to admit they are wrong--I went to pick up my fee last Burns Night and the customer of several years was sure she had paid a deposit--nope I had the Contract on me which clearly showed FULL fee on night--in cash:eek:

She got a bit uppity about it--she was wrong you see--I have not been booked for next January---it can cause problems--not for me im working somewhere else for more money

:beerchug: :beerchug:

Yee-ha!

CRAZY K

[andyw]

agree with crazy,the client might pay up or might not pay up,either way they might spread the word round how the dj tried it on afterwards to get more money out of them.is it realy worth the damage that could cause to your bussiness for £20 ,it's not worth it in my opinion. take the hit and learn from it .

[Excalibur]

I think you have left it too late.

If you dont count it in front of them then im afraid you really have no chance IMHO.

They wont want to admit they cant count--:eek:

Unless anyone on here has managed to get more money in these circumstances????

CRAZY K
Me. :D However, I declined to count it in front of the customer, who suggested I did, and she was not amazed to find it was wrong. They were regular and valued customers. ;)


take the hit,all you will do is make yourself look bad,they might think you are trying it on and at the end of the day it will be your word against theirs.


Learn by your mistakes. Count money when received and also get money at beginning of night. That way if there is a mistake you have more chance of catching the person and also less alcohol would have been consumed.
All good advice.


People hate to admit they are wrong--I went to pick up my fee last Burns Night and the customer of several years was sure she had paid a deposit--nope I had the Contract on me which clearly showed FULL fee on night--in cash:eek:

She got a bit uppity about it--she was wrong you see--I have not been booked for next January---it can cause problems--not for me im working somewhere else for more money
:beerchug: :beerchug:

Yee-ha!

CRAZY K

And I thought I was a mercenary git! :eek: Can you actually sleep at night? :confused: :D

[Have a disco]

All good advice

Simple rule really get paid at the point of your arrival before you set up if possible, check the amount is right according to the booking paperwork you sent.

In other sense grin and bear it you should have checked the amount infront of the customer set or no set

[DazzyD]

Something similar happened to me last year. I wasn't paid short but I was paid in (part) funny money. The cash was paid in an envelope at the start of the night but I quickly counted the corners to make sure it was all there. I should've looked at the cash properly as, under a decent light, it was blatantly obvious that something wasn't right. But it wasn't until I tried to spend it in ASDA the next day that my mistake came to light. And, of course, trying to spend funny money is very naughty so I had to explain what had happened to security and pay for my shopping with other real notes :(. Lesson learned. I always check everything properly in front of the customer now.

[Ace DJ]

Why does anybody work ''cash on night'' in the first place????
Ace

[ppentertainments]

Why does anybody work ''cash on night'' in the first place????
Ace

Better than doing it for free :D :D :D

Seriously though I am starting to do less and less where I get paid on the night. Weddings especially are now nearly always paid in advance. I suppose its changing peoples attitude, where for so long it has been cash on the night. For most, and as I have said before to some, Dj's and customers, even booking forms, deposits (sorry booking fees) are still something new when it comes to hiring a disco.

[rob1963]

Why does anybody work ''cash on night'' in the first place????
Ace

Maybe because like me they think it's better to give customers the choice...rather than dictating how & when they will pay.

[Corabar Steve]

What? like petrol stations that don't take cheques or shops that don't take cards? Or takeaways that only deal in cash? Get into the real world Rob.

[rob1963]

What? like petrol stations that don't take cheques or shops that don't take cards? Or takeaways that only deal in cash? Get into the real world Rob.

I AM in the real world, Steve...and I can't think of too many businesses that don't accept cash!

Therefore, I don't understand what's so wrong about us giving our customers the option to pay on the night at the beginning of the evening in cash if they want to.

Maybe you can explain it to me?

:shrug:

[Corabar Steve]

Surely it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms & if the terms are advance payment then it's cheque or card.

Could you imagine going on holiday & there being an option to pay in cash when you board your plane? Crazy!

[ppentertainments]

I think it is 'suppliers preference' here. Personally I don't mind cash as long as it's at the start of the gig. There are many people who have been let down by the dj not turning up so may be hesitant at paying in full when they have no guarantees. I know the same applies to other businesses but I think with the bad press Mobile Discos often get, customers can be wary. I am finding less and less problems, and people often asking to pay in full before the gig, as most my gigs come from reccomendations. It's when people book you from an advertisement they could be wary.

[rob1963]

Surely it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms & if the terms are advance payment then it's cheque or card.

Of course it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms, but I guess some suppliers just base the terms on that THEY want while others also take into consideration what some of their CUSTOMERS might want.


Could you imagine going on holiday & there being an option to pay in cash when you board your plane? Crazy!

Indeed.

And could you imagine hiring a plumber to do some work in your house & there being an option to pay him in cash at the time? Crazy!

[CRAZY K]

Of course it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms, but I guess some suppliers just base the terms on that THEY want while others also take into consideration what some of their CUSTOMERS might want.



Indeed.

And could you imagine hiring a plumber to do some work in your house & there being an option to pay him in cash at the time? Crazy!

Im not running an Airline or a Plumbers--so Cash is fine with me and my customers---in fact the last booking I took they were actually WANTING to pay in cash--no its not the Builders Xmas party:D

CRAZY K

[JAMdisco]

I've always dealt with cash (with the exception of NRBF) and it's always been fine. Some have orffered to pay upfront and I don't have a problem with this either. I give them the option (on the booking form).

Regarding the incorrect fee (original topic) I always count it in front of them - sometimes they give it to me and say 'can you check it'. I don't know any reason why anyone wouldn't want you to do this - do you check your change at a shop - there's usually a sign saying mistakes cannot be rectified afterwards and shops always count the money you give them! :)

[rob1963]

Im not running an Airline or a Plumbers--so Cash is fine with me and my customers---CRAZY K

Mine too!

By the way, Crazy...my plumbers comment was sarcastic & completely untrue!

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Surely it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms & if the terms are advance payment then it's cheque or card.



Agreed.

[rob1963]

Agreed.

I agree too.

I just think it's a bit strange for a business not to accept the balance by cash, when it's the most widely used & accepted payment method worldwide by a MILE.

:shrug:

[ppentertainments]

In the economic changes that are afoot at present, less and less people will probably actually have access to a cheque book or credit card :D

[CRAZY K]

Mine too!

By the way, Crazy...my plumbers comment was sarcastic & completely untrue!

:D

WELL IM BLOWED;)

Knock me over with a feather duster:cool:

CRAZY K

[andyw]

In the economic changes that are afoot at present, less and less people will probably actually have access to a cheque book or credit card :D

or cash:eek:

[Corabar Steve]

Of course it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms, but I guess some suppliers just base the terms on that THEY want while others also take into consideration what some of their CUSTOMERS might want.

Do you take card payment Rob?

[rob1963]

Of course it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms, but I guess some suppliers just base the terms on that THEY want while others also take into consideration what some of their CUSTOMERS might want.


Do you take card payment Rob?

No Steve.

Over 99.99% of my customers are happy to pay by cheque or cash, or they'd presumably be asking if I accept any OTHER payment methods, which they don't.

I can only recall ONE occasion where someone asked whether I accept payment by card...and I'm not about to change the way I operate based on a question asked by one customer in 24 years!

[501damian501]

card payment is helpful to be honest, but theirs a payment service by mobile phone now, i saw it as an advert the other week, but i have totaly forgotten the company name.

[rob1963]

card payment is helpful to be honest

That's fair comment Damien, so if more clients start asking about it, then I'll consider it again.

At the moment, the vast majority send back my request form two or three weeks before the gig, and they usually just pop a cheque in the envelope as well.

Simple!

[501damian501]

but how does the cheque get to the bank ?

[Corabar Steve]

That's outrageous! I thought you were all about giving your customers the choice?

I'm gobsmacked!

(around 90% of our customers pay by card)


I may have given the impression earlier that we point blank refuse cash, this is not the case. Our terms & conditions do state the Cheque or Card bit that I pointed out earlier in the thread, but if anyone shows concern about this then cash can be accepted but only by prior arrangement, to be paid before any equipment is set up & it's counted in front of the customer.

[501damian501]

to be honest, card payments are the future, taking cash in hand at a gig, is like the old dell boy trotter way, to be honest with you it doesnt make us look professional, just makes us look like, oh their he is, "cash in hand payment" no tax being paid, just a good website to rope people in, you,ll be suprize what foughts run through peoples heads, i know you have to pay to use online payment, but am sure you can get the fees back, am i currently going onto the drawing board and adding all the 21st century features to my business and hopefully things will take effect in the new year, depending on bookings for 2009/2010.


[Admin Note: The only reason this post hasn't been deleted for Damian's constant use of U rather than you (ie using text speak) is because I agree with the first half.]

[A1DL]

I agree too.

I just think it's a bit strange for a business not to accept the balance by cash, when it's the most widely used & accepted payment method worldwide by a MILE.

:shrug:


Why Rob? As an ex-banker, you are no doubt more than aware of the security and cost advantages of alternate means of payment. In the dark ages many businesses paid their employees' wages in cash and a security wagon would predictably roll up every Thursday with tins of notes and bags of coin. Armed robberies were frequent.

You also no doubt know of the high charges applied to businesses to pay in cash or change coin over the counter.

In my opinion, cash is very much an old fashioned form of payment. Neither of my two companies accept direct cash payments from our customers, we don't have the facilities nor the resource, and certainly not the budget to pay a cash collection agency for weekly pickups to operate a service that would add absolutely zero to the P&L. It is not what our customers need/want, and of the very few people who "can" only pay in cash, they may take their cash and payment form to any UK bank and do so over the counter, without incurring the company any additional charges.

[discomobiledj]

Why would people think you're avoiding tax just by taking cash on the night?

It gives people time to save the money rather than just shoving it on the card and paying it off later and paying interest on the money. In this recession that we are having every penny is counted for and if you can pay cash on the night rather than paying 12% - 25% interest on a credit card spread over x amount of time could infact cost the payer double.

[rob1963]

That's outrageous!

What's outrageous?

The fact that (like most discos) I don't accept cards? :confused:


I thought you were all about giving your customers the choice?

I am indeed.

They can either pay by cash or cheque.

Isn't that giving them a choice?


I'm gobsmacked!

About WHAT? :confused:


(around 90% of our customers pay by card)


And around 90% of MY customers pay by cheque.


I may have given the impression earlier that we point blank refuse cash

You certainly did, so thanks for the clarification.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, Steve, but I believe you recently stated that in future you'd refrain from commenting on my business practices, but looking at your post above, it seems you have a very short memory!

:shrug:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It gives people time to save the money rather than just shoving it on the card and paying it off later

There is a thing called a debit card which is convenient and costs nothing. You must investigate.

Why are some people stuck in the 20th century still?

[501damian501]

Why are some people stuck in the 20th century still?

who knows

[CRAZY K]

Why Rob? As an ex-banker, you are no doubt more than aware of the security and cost advantages of alternate means of payment. In the dark ages many businesses paid their employees' wages in cash and a security wagon would predictably roll up every Thursday with tins of notes and bags of coin. Armed robberies were frequent.

You also no doubt know of the high charges applied to businesses to pay in cash or change coin over the counter.

In my opinion, cash is very much an old fashioned form of payment. Neither of my two companies accept direct cash payments from our customers, we don't have the facilities nor the resource, and certainly not the budget to pay a cash collection agency for weekly pickups to operate a service that would add absolutely zero to the P&L. It is not what our customers need/want, and of the very few people who "can" only pay in cash, they may take their cash and payment form to any UK bank and do so over the counter, without incurring the company any additional charges.

Depends on the size of operation.

A larger operater clearly doesnt want DJs picking up cash---

Small one man bands like Rob and myself can cope perfectly well and customers dont have a problem with it.

HORSES FOR COURSES.

CRAZY K

[501damian501]

its the 21st century now, people dont want to be roaming around with x amount of cash in their pockets as most places nowadays accept debit cards/credit cards

[ppentertainments]

its the 21st century now, people dont want to be roaming around with x amount of cash in their pockets as most places nowadays accept debit cards/credit cards
No problem with that with 'Up North' discos as they don't have to carry that much to pay us :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

As an ex-banker, you are no doubt more than aware of the security and cost advantages of alternate means of payment.

If you're referring to cards, I'm not too sure about the security advantages.

If I pay someone in cash, the chances of them emptying my bank account are nil.

What about when I use my card?


You also no doubt know of the high charges applied to businesses to pay in cash or change coin over the counter.

I certainly do...that's another reason why I like it when I'm paid in cash.

Not only does it save me a trip to the bank, but by not paying the cash into my account I avoid paying bank charges on it, which in MY book is a good thing!


In my opinion, cash is very much an old fashioned form of payment.

If you mean old-fashioned as in it's been around for ages, you're right.

You then have to ask WHY it's been around for thousands of years.

Will cheques be around in thousands of years? I doubt it.

What about cards? Who knows.

Cash? I'd say so!


Neither of my two companies accept direct cash payments from our customers, we don't have the facilities nor the resource.

If you don't want to accept the most widely used payment method, that's your decision.

As for not having the facilities, do you not have a hand & a pocket? :confused:


Why would people think you're avoiding tax just by taking cash on the night?

I have no idea.

I'm currently paid in cash four nights a week...soon to be five.

Does that mean I'm not paying tax on that money?

:confused:

[Excalibur]

There is a thing called a debit card which is convenient and costs nothing. You must investigate.

Why are some people stuck in the 20th century still?
Cos this 21st Century is a very confusing place for some of us old'uns! :D :D


No problem with that with 'Up North' discos as they don't have to carry that much to pay us :D :D :D :D

Quite right. Two twenties and a tenner, no probs. :sofa:

[Dragonfly]

Quite right. Two twenties and a tenner, no probs. :sofa:

ooooooohhhh !!!!! top end of the market are we .... very posh :D :D :D :beer1:

[A1DL]

As for not having the facilities, do you not have a hand & a pocket? :confused:


Rob, that is a flippant and ill thought out comment, especially given your background, i.e. Banker turned W.....edding DJ :p .

I understand Alan's comment about cash payments suiting a sole trader, and don't disagree with him there, however as a large multi-op the scenario is totally different.

If say just 30% of sales were paid in cash, we would need half an FTE to administer it. Bank charges would skyrocket and then there's the security issues.

Tony

[rob1963]

I understand Alan's comment about cash payments suiting a sole trader

As you know, I'm also a sole trader, so cash payments suit me fine too (even though 80-90% of my customers choose to pay by cheque).

[JAMdisco]

I feel a poll coming up :p :D ;)

[discomobiledj]

There is a thing called a debit card which is convenient and costs nothing. You must investigate.

Why are some people stuck in the 20th century still?

But if the people don't have the money available on a debit card, they would use a credit card, unless dj's are now offering a buy now pay later scheme.

[rob1963]

I feel a poll coming up :p :D ;)

Consider it done! :D

[501damian501]

No problem with that with 'Up North' discos as they don't have to carry that much to pay us :D :D :D :D

whys that :confused:

[Corabar Steve]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, Steve, but I believe you recently stated that in future you'd refrain from commenting on my business practices, but looking at your post above, it seems you have a very short memory!

:shrug:My post was in response to something you posted rather than your business practices (I couldn't care less about them. Our catchment areas only overlap slightly & it's not as if you're competition why should I care what you do?). My first post on this subject was with reference to anyone who takes cash on the night & not you in particular. However I was amazed that you didn't take cards, especially after you posted the following. Which I can't help feeling was aimed at me
Of course it's down to the supplier to lay down the terms, but I guess some suppliers just base the terms on that THEY want while others also take into consideration what some of their CUSTOMERS might want.

I find this comment especially odd coming from somebody who offers one less payment method than we do (possibly 2 we accept BACS payment as well, maybe 3, we've been known to take the odd postal order too)

Again not a comment on your practices, just my thoughts on the comment. http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1762.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)


If you're referring to cards, I'm not too sure about the security advantages.

If I pay someone in cash, the chances of them emptying my bank account are nil.

What about when I use my card?
So those of us that accept card payment are fraudsters then?

[summer sounds]

Nip to the loo ...lock yourself in and count at least 20 times!!

[Corabar Steve]

Nip to the loo ...lock yourself in and count at least 20 times!!

& if it's short, what's to stop your customer saying that they gave you the correct amount & you've pocketed it

[rob1963]

If you're referring to cards, I'm not too sure about the security advantages.

If I pay someone in cash, the chances of them emptying my bank account are nil.

What about when I use my card?


So those of us that accept card payment are fraudsters then?

Of course not, but it's quite possible for someone to have their account emptied when paying with their card WITHOUT the beneficiary being dishonest at all, or even knowing what's happened.

It's quite possible that the fraud could be perpetrated by a third party.

I can think of three ways to pay for a disco with your card, and all methods can lead to fraud on your bank account WITHOUT the knowledge of the person you're paying.

Firstly, you could pay over the phone. However, it's not rocket science for someone to bug your phone & therefore obtain your card details when you read them out to the disco company.

Secondly, you could pay online through a "secure" server. However, if you use wireless equipment someone could be sitting outside your house in a van with some very basic equipment & pick up all your card details as you enter them into the "secure" server. If you've seen The Real Hustle on TV, then you will have seen how easy this is.

Thirdly, you could pay for a disco with your card in person. If doing this, it's quite possible to drop it or lose it & for a dishonest person to find it.

My point is that contrary to what someone suggested earlier in this thread, paying for a disco (or any other service) with your card is NOT as secure as you might think when compared to cash. I hope this clarifies what I meant, and I apologise if I didn't make it clear in my original post.