Sob Story????

[Danieleastwood.com]

Evening all, I trust you all had a good NYE Whatever you did. I thought I'd run this one by you all to see what your opinions would be.

Last week, I have an email from a lady asking for a quote for her wedding at a local hotel. Standard schedule 8-12am, Varied music, etc etc. I reply with a quote, and state that if she wated to continue with a booking, to email me back.

Before I tell you the rest, I must point out that the hotel in question, is £9k a night job, and a £75-£90 per head meal options. A simple round of 2 beers and a coke will set you back just short of £15.In fact, an exclusive use for the weekend will cost you £19000

In her reply, the client told me her husband had just lost his job and were now tightening the budget. She asked me if I could knock £100 off the initial price?

Now I must admit, had she told me that they were having to cut back on everything, I would have reconsidered and come to an agreement, but if the budget is that tight why would she continue to have her big day at such an expensive venue.

She has decided to go ahead with the origional full price now, but I cant help thinking, it could have been a bit of a sob story.

Just wondered what you guys might have done in this respect. After all, I am willing to meet people in the middle if their budget is tight, but it's a bit of a kcik in the nuts when you're being asked to take such a big cut in pay while being asked to perform in the most expensive venue in the area.

[Tony Scott]

You heartless, tight fisted sod...........you should do it for nothing! :D :D

No I would never reduce my fee especially in a case like this. She has a choice to make and it shouldn't effect your income.

[Wayno]

ditto. Well said.

[pagan_flame]

Well done for doing your homework!

I too had such a similar experience - B & G emailed me promising to confirm the booking as soon as I dropped 100 quid on my quotation.

So I looked up the venue - wedding package was 5 grand for the day... oh look they have their own resident DJ. ;)

So I emailed them back to say that my original quote stood, and I was sorry that I couldn't meet their budget; but I'm sure the wedding planner at the venue could help them out with the venue's resident DJ, and gave them the link to the website linked off the venue's site...

http://thepartymancompany.co.uk/Home.html

... they came back to me within 5 minutes to confirm the booking at the original quoted price! :D :beer1:

[yourdj]

Stick to your guns. People will always try it on and if they are not it is not your fault. You would not walk in to your pub for the first time and ask for a 15% discount.

maybe a regular might get favours but not you.

[yourdj]

and gave them the link to the website linked off the venue's site...

http://thepartymancompany.co.uk/Home.html

... they came back to me within 5 minutes to confirm the booking at the original quoted price! :D :beer1:

I can see why :eek: good layout for what it does but not really your average wedding. very cheesy

[nigelwright7557]

Its seems to me you have a choice.
Take their offer, make a compromise or let them ring around and possibly get a better offer.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

I have noticed recently that a lot of people are cutting back and looking at ways of saving money.I think that this year will be much the same.

Many weddings that i have quoted for recently have told me that my price is way to expensive,I then ask them what they are looking for and the reply is the cheapest option.

[nigelwright7557]

I have noticed recently that a lot of people are cutting back and looking at ways of saving money.I think that this year will be much the same.

Many weddings that i have quoted for recently have told me that my price is way to expensive,I then ask them what they are looking for and the reply is the cheapest option.

I had someone ask for a quote for the disco minus the DJ as they were short of money ! They just wanted to plug in their ipod to the disco.

[CRAZY K]

I have noticed recently that a lot of people are cutting back and looking at ways of saving money.I think that this year will be much the same.

Many weddings that i have quoted for recently have told me that my price is way to expensive,I then ask them what they are looking for and the reply is the cheapest option.

Its strange that people will cheapskate on such an important function---if its the local Social club Disco fair enough.

But im not surprised ---people have been this way since the economy fell off a cliff last September--the fear factor of the unknown has kicked in for a lot of people---im still in shock that a National Hotel chain cancelled a £375 booking with us for their Staff Xmas Party---could we reduce the fee :eek:

Plenty more of this coming through in 2009:D

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Just wondered what you guys might have done in this respect.

I would have politely asked the enquirer if the hotel were knocking the same percentage off THEIR charges as she was asking me to knock off MINE!!!!!

I'd be very interested to hear her answer...although probably not surprised!

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

id have done the same, i like to appear flexible, but when they are forking out so much for the venue etc, the DJ is a small drop in the ocean

we are in the same area Daniel, whereabouts was this wedding? (if you dont mind me asking)

[Danieleastwood.com]

I'm of the same opinion as you Rob James.

If it was such a dire state of affairs, and the B & G were cutting back on everything, then perhaps, I would be inclined to meet them halfway, but to ask that I drop my fee, so as they can continue with their £20k Wedding is a bit cheeky.

After all, I wouldn't go and get a load of 'finest' range shopping at Tesco, then ask at the checkout that I only be charged 'value' Prices.

[rob1963]

I'm of the same opinion as you Rob James.

If it was such a dire state of affairs, and the B & G were cutting back on everything, then perhaps, I would be inclined to meet them halfway, but to ask that I drop my fee, so as they can continue with their £20k Wedding is a bit cheeky.

After all, I wouldn't go and get a load of 'finest' range shopping at Tesco, then ask at the checkout that I only be charged 'value' Prices.

Exactly.

If they can afford a hotel of the calibre you stated, they can certainly afford to pay full price for the disco!

[par6]

The sad thing,( for us DJ's) is that for most people the DJ is of very little importance in the whole scheme of things at a wedding, coming way behind the colour of the napkins, the sheen of the balloons and the shape of the champagne flutes. A couple of flashing lights and a modicum of sound is all that most require, trust me.
I nearly had a big row with the mother of a bride last year when I asked her for my fee, £175, when she said she was sure it was £140? This was at a wedding costing cica £14k, where they had a chocolate fountain that cost £750 :confused: and she expected me to provide the full evenings entertainment 7 - 1am for £140 :(
For a lot, not all, but a lot, the DJ is of little importance.

[rob1963]

The sad thing, (for us DJ's) is that for most people the DJ is of very little importance in the whole scheme of things at a wedding

That's often the case, but if they get a rubbish one on the cheap, by the time they realise their mistake it's too late.

[Excalibur]

That's often the case, but if they get a rubbish one on the cheap, by the time they realise their mistake it's too late.

Must be a New Year Resolution folks. Rob's decided to only make sensible posts. ;)

[Grahame Case]

That's often the case, but if they get a rubbish one on the cheap, by the time they realise their mistake it's too late.

Ah they'll learn for next time though Rob - we would hope.


I often get "you charge how much???" when asked what my charge is for a normal party Disco 8-12 "i know someone who can do it for £100 less" - well i wish them luck with £60 Sid..

[Excalibur]

im still in shock that a National Hotel chain cancelled a £375 booking with us for their Staff Xmas Party---could we reduce the fee :eek:

Plenty more of this coming through in 2009:D

CRAZY K

Don't think so. I'm not knocking twenty quid off.! :eek: No way am I doing a Disco for £40 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D

PS. Looks like I couldn't keep my resolution not to jest about low pay. :( :(

[rob1963]

Must be a New Year Resolution folks. Rob's decided to only make sensible posts. ;)

That was a New Year resolution long before I joined this forum! :p


Ah they'll learn for next time though Rob - we would hope.

Indeed.

[Corabar Steve]

That was a New Year resolution long before I joined this forum! :p

What happened then?

[Excalibur]

Must be a New Year Resolution folks. Rob's decided to only make sensible posts. ;)


That was a New Year resolution long before I joined this forum! :p
.

Shame you've only just started then. :p :D :D

[rob1963]

Must be a New Year Resolution folks. Rob's decided to only make sensible posts. ;)


That was a New Year resolution long before I joined this forum!


Shame you've only just started then. :p :D :D

:rofl:

[Penfold42]

You heartless, tight fisted sod...........you should do it for nothing! :D :D
You are all heart Tony........:sj:

No I would never reduce my fee especially in a case like this. She has a choice to make and it shouldn't effect your income.

:agree:

[discomobiledj]

I'm getting married in 2010 and I do worry about the dj if the venue "supplies" them. I would be tempted to do it myself. Set the playlist, then just let it go, my brother could add some songs in as the night goes on....

[Grahame Case]

I'm getting married in 2010 and I do worry about the dj if the venue "supplies" them. I would be tempted to do it myself. Set the playlist, then just let it go, my brother could add some songs in as the night goes on....

that is what i'm doing, own equipment and a playlist...

[Shaun]

I'm getting married in 2010 and I do worry about the dj if the venue "supplies" them. I would be tempted to do it myself. Set the playlist, then just let it go, my brother could add some songs in as the night goes on....


that is what i'm doing, own equipment and a playlist...

Save yourselves the hassle and hire someone local who will do a great job. I couldn't imagine anything worse than having to make a playlist and set-up equipment for my own wedding. We all talk about the virtues of being able to "read the dance floor", something that's not possible if you are playing from a playlist.

Can't understand why anyone would choose to do such a thing on their wedding day.

[rob1963]

Save yourselves the hassle and hire someone local who will do a great job. I couldn't imagine anything worse than having to make a playlist and set-up equipment for my own wedding. We all talk about the virtues of being able to "read the dance floor", something that's not possible if you are playing from a playlist.

Can't understand why anyone would choose to do such a thing on their wedding day.

I couldn't agree more.

I'd have thought they already had enough to think about!

[nigelwright7557]

Can't understand why anyone would choose to do such a thing on their wedding day.

I did a wedding gig in August and they just wanted to use their own IPOD.
They said they didnt want a DJ either to keep costs down and have full control over what was played.

[rob1963]

they didnt want a DJ either to keep costs down and have full control over what was played.

My clients always have full control over what's played.

They are paying me, so I do exactly what they want!

[Shaun]

I did a wedding gig in August and they just wanted to use their own IPOD.
They said they didnt want a DJ either to keep costs down and have full control over what was played.

I know the iPod wedding (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NXj4P3iz2yg) is becoming more popular, especially in the States. They'll never replace a good professional entertainer though. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. :-/

[nigelwright7557]

My clients always have full control over what's played.

They are paying me, so I do exactly what they want!

Well I do take playlists and requests anyway.....

They just picked tracks off the IPOD as they went along.
It was poor DJing as there were big gaps between songs.

[rob1963]

Even with the ipod wedding, they still have to hire the gear and set it up.

If they're happy to have no DJ / announcer & gaps between the songs just for the sake of reducing their wedding budget from £20,000 to £19,800 then good luck to them.

Fortunately, it seems most people aren't that naive.

[nigelwright7557]

Even with the ipod wedding, they still have to hire the gear and set it up.

If they're happy to have no DJ / announcer & gaps between the songs just for the sake of reducing their wedding budget from £20,000 to £19,800 then good luck to them.

Fortunately, it seems most people aren't that naive.

To be honest it was a farce.
The groom didnt tell the bride there was gonna be no DJ and she hit the roof when she found out.
When I set up for them I put on a cd quietly and the bride went mad saying it wasnt loud enough and didnt sound right ! All it needed was turning up and for her to stand in front of the speakers and not behind them !
It seriously put me off doing wedding gigs in the future.

Oddly everyone had a very good time despite the amateur DJing.

[Grahame Case]

when i said i would "do it myself" that wasn't strictly true - although i like the idea,

I will probably end up calling on one of our fine Edinburgh or Fife based forum members to do it for us.

[rob1963]

To be honest it was a farce.
The groom didnt tell the bride there was gonna be no DJ and she hit the roof when she found out.
When I set up for them I put on a cd quietly and the bride went mad saying it wasnt loud enough and didnt sound right ! All it needed was turning up and for her to stand in front of the speakers and not behind them !
It seriously put me off doing wedding gigs in the future.


Hopefully you won't get another one like that!

[Corabar Steve]

I did a wedding gig in August and they just wanted to use their own IPOD.
They said they didnt want a DJ either to keep costs down and have full control over what was played.
I seem to recall you mentioning it once or twice, or three times or maybe four, or was it five, does this make it six?

[DazzyD]

To be honest it was a farce.
The groom didnt tell the bride there was gonna be no DJ and she hit the roof when she found out.
When I set up for them I put on a cd quietly and the bride went mad saying it wasnt loud enough and didnt sound right ! All it needed was turning up and for her to stand in front of the speakers and not behind them !
It seriously put me off doing wedding gigs in the future.

Oddly everyone had a very good time despite the amateur DJing.

Ah, the magic of alcohol! Like the old poster said: "Beer - making poor discos sound good since 1965!"

[Excalibur]

My clients always have full control over what's played.

They are paying me, so I do exactly what they want!
Now there's another concept I'll have to pinch from you Rob. Doing what the customer wants. Hmmmm, you know I reckon it could catch on. :approve: :sarc:


I know the iPod wedding (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NXj4P3iz2yg) is becoming more popular, especially in the States. They'll never replace a good professional entertainer though. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. :-/
Looks like Rob's ahead of the game then. Shame they get him as well. :p


I did a wedding gig in August and they just wanted to use their own IPOD.
They said they didnt want a DJ either to keep costs down and have full control over what was played.


I seem to recall you mentioning it once or twice, or three times or maybe four, or was it five, does this make it six?

Clickety click? :confused: