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View Full Version : Back up.


Babybob
08-03-2009, 12:15 PM
Ok we all know how important it is to have some sort of back up whether it be amps, music playout systems, speakers etc, and that some members have better back up's than others main systems. But how many have suffered car or van breakdowns on their way to a gig, how do you get around these breakdowns etc....do you have your wife driving behind you in your back up Estate car...haha.
I realise most people will have AA or Rac cover etc but are there any horror stories out there you have got regarding this.
:)
djsteve10
08-03-2009, 12:28 PM
Well I always make sure I am covered by the RAC, Also make sure you have the venue contact details and the function managers name with you so you can inform them if you are going to be late ect.
In the event that I cannot make it to the function I have a good contact list of Dj's that I can send in replacement of myself and I would make an appearence later on in the evening or something.

Or if my car broke down during the day I would just hire a van and the show must go on no matter what.
Vectis
08-03-2009, 12:35 PM
Well I'm in the enviable position that the furthest venue on the island from my house is just 18 miles away. The majority fall within a 5 or 6 mile radius of VV central.

We have two of our own regular cars and my in-laws live a few miles away and they have a 4x4 SUV and an estate car.

There's a van hire firm within 2 minutes drive of my place who are open 24x7 as they also do most of the recovery work around here.

I have RAC too, just for good measure.
:beer1:
soundmaster mobile disco
08-03-2009, 12:51 PM
A few years ago when i was djing at a wedding i stopped of at a supermarket to buy a bottle of water.When i came back out the van would not start.The starter motor had jammed.Pannick attack.................

I phoned the venue to inform them of what had happened.They sent 2 guys round in a car (about 10 mins drive away) to help me out.We managed to rock the van to start it so in the end i was not late for the gig.Bit of a rush unloading and setting up though.
501damian501
08-03-2009, 01:35 PM
A few years ago when i was djing at a wedding i stopped of at a supermarket to buy a bottle of water.When i came back out the van would not start.The starter motor had jammed.Pannick attack.................

I phoned the venue to inform them of what had happened.They sent 2 guys round in a car (about 10 mins drive away) to help me out.We managed to rock the van to start it so in the end i was not late for the gig.Bit of a rush unloading and setting up though.

its just the gizmo got stuck, easy to be honest, get a pole from your deck stand :D give the starter motor it a forceful bang where it enters the engine, not the motor itself but the shaft, and it will pop out :D :D
DeckstarDeluxe
08-03-2009, 02:15 PM
Touch wood ive not had this proplem before and hopefully never will. The thing with being covered by the rac/aa is that they might not get to you for an hour
spin mobile disco
08-03-2009, 02:46 PM
Hopefully i will never have this problem. But i am an RAC member and also luckily my local peugeot dealership is only a 40 minute walk of 5 minute taxi ride away and they do replacement vehicles while they pick up yours. Not ideal but a plan if I got desperate.
501damian501
08-03-2009, 03:29 PM
Hopefully i will never have this problem. But i am an RAC member and also luckily my local peugeot dealership is only a 40 minute walk of 5 minute taxi ride away and they do replacement vehicles while they pick up yours. Not ideal but a plan if I got desperate.

where i use to live in my city, was dealership heaven :D , even had an jaguar dealership within a 5minute walk from the front door, now thats what i call dealerships :D :D
DeckstarDeluxe
08-03-2009, 03:32 PM
where i use to live in my city, was dealership heaven :D , even had an jaguar dealership within a 5minute walk from the front door, now thats what i call dealerships :D :D

Not much use when you drive a fiesta ;)
Dynamic Entertainment
08-03-2009, 03:40 PM
The RAC is my backup. Once im at the gig ill sort out how to get back. :)
Solitaire Events Ltd
08-03-2009, 03:43 PM
Do the RAC allow members from the entertainment industry? I'm sure I read that they weren't allowed?
ppentertainments
08-03-2009, 03:55 PM
I phoned RAC out when doing a gig just before Xmas. The van would not idle and they could not fix it. Instead of getting them out again to take me home later (they did offer) I just drove the van home. When he was out the mechanic never mentioned anything about cover - but think I will now check as my trusty 13yr old vehicle may decide to go on strike some day ;)

As well as RAC cover I can (just) get all the basic kit in the car (MG ZS). If needed I would make one trip with essentials and if neccesary my wife could do a second trip. Both vehicles are covered for business use.
Solitaire Events Ltd
08-03-2009, 04:01 PM
Both vehicles are covered for business use.

Have you asked which business?
Disco Leisure UK
08-03-2009, 04:05 PM
its just the gizmo got stuck, easy to be honest, get a pole from your deck stand :D give the starter motor it a forceful bang where it enters the engine, not the motor itself but the shaft, and it will pop out :D :D


Give the starter motor a forceful bang....with a deck stand pole..:eek: :eek:
ppentertainments
08-03-2009, 04:23 PM
Have you asked which business?
Sorry Daz, I have mentioned to the insurance company which is what I meant by covered for business use.

RAC never asked questions about use etc when I took out cover and the mechanic before xmas never said anything. Going to give them a ring after dinner as knowing my luck I will break down in the middle of nowhere and not be covered :bang:
Solitaire Events Ltd
08-03-2009, 04:26 PM
Sorry Daz, I have mentioned to the insurance company which is what I meant by covered for business use.

RAC never asked questions about use etc when I took out cover and the mechanic before xmas never said anything. Going to give them a ring after dinner as knowing my luck I will break down in the middle of nowhere and not be covered :bang:

It was either RAC or Green Flag that says they don't cover the entertainment industry. To be honest, who is going to ask at 3am on a Sunday morning..
501damian501
08-03-2009, 04:32 PM
Give the starter motor a forceful bang....with a deck stand pole..:eek: :eek:

yup, just the shaft sticking or getting stuck thats all. :D
Dynamic Entertainment
08-03-2009, 05:04 PM
Ive never been asked by them when i signed up or renewed, and i have checked regarding having a trailer full of gear and they said fine, just as long is i notify them i have a trailer if i break down.
Bouncy Dancefloor
08-03-2009, 05:30 PM
i have used RAc and AA in association with the entertainment trade, never had any problems

although i find the people who come out late at night dont care anyway, as they are sub'd in to provide late night cover and merely send an invoice to the relavant company




Sorry Daz, I have mentioned to the insurance company which is what I meant by covered for business use.

slightly off topic, but i used to sell car insurance, whilst the computer would allow me to input jobs which were in the entertainment trade, (disc jockey, singer etc). It would even put a hefty amount on the premium. Then when the documents came through, it would all seem to be in order, if you read the small print, it would state that they do not cover people in association with the entertainment trade. You can even do this on confused.com etc, the details are correct, but the small print still doesnt cover you!!!
nigelwright7557
08-03-2009, 06:29 PM
I realise most people will have AA or Rac cover etc but are there any horror stories out there you have got regarding this.
:)

Make sure you service your vehicle at the recommended mileages.
A good mechanic will pick up on most problems before they become a problem.
ppentertainments
08-03-2009, 06:42 PM
slightly off topic, but i used to sell car insurance, whilst the computer would allow me to input jobs which were in the entertainment trade, (disc jockey, singer etc). It would even put a hefty amount on the premium. Then when the documents came through, it would all seem to be in order, if you read the small print, it would state that they do not cover people in association with the entertainment trade. You can even do this on confused.com etc, the details are correct, but the small print still doesnt cover you!!!

I had heard about this and now go through an insurance broker who ensures both vehicles are fully covered.
Bouncy Dancefloor
08-03-2009, 11:10 PM
which company is that by the way? Thanks
rob1963
08-03-2009, 11:16 PM
I've had my van break down a day or two before a gig, in which case I just hired a van for the weekend. No other option in that situation, as my mechanic was unable to get to me and/or sort the problem in time.

As for breaking down on the way to a gig, it's never happened in 25 years...so I think it's unlikely to happen in the next few.
nigelwright7557
08-03-2009, 11:31 PM
In all the 33 years I have been DJing for other people and for myself I havent had a breakdown yet.
Got stuck in the snow on the way home once but just turned around and found a different way home.
Shaun
09-03-2009, 12:01 AM
I've had my van break down a day or two before a gig, in which case I just hired a van for the weekend. No other option in that situation, as my mechanic was unable to get to me and/or sort the problem in time.


Happened to me just over a week ago, the power steering pump packed in a day before the gig. Visit to the local van hire centre...sorted!