What would you do II?

[Jonathan Ford]

So, here's my situation:

I've been booked for a surprise birthday party this weekend, but, the lady who booked me has left only her home address and home telephone number as contact details. I've been trying to contact her for ten days to finalise details, as have the hotel. However, every time I've called her home number, there's either been no answer, or her husband has answered. The hotel have managed no contact either - they don't even have buffet choices or final numbers.

It looks very much like she's decided she can't be bothered with the event, or has booked it elsewhere, and not had the cherries to tell either myself or the hotel.

So, do I a) turn up at the agreed time, and risk losing money and wasting a rare Saturday night off?

or b) toss it off, assume that since neither the me or the hotel have heard a word from her, she's tossed it off?

or....c)...over to you!

[discomobiledj]

Do you have a signed contract with her? Really you should still go.

[Mark Wild]

Do you have a signed contract with her? Really you should still go.

:agree: If the contract is signed and a deposit has been paid, I'd turn up.

[mark karaoke]

if the contract is signed --- you would be able to claim "loss of earnings"and other incurred expenses through the small claims court,so turn up and if need be have an early night.
happened to me on easter saturday,was booked for a morrisons staff party--- they cancelled without bothering to tell me!!!
got my money plus travelling expenses back!!

[Jonathan Ford]

:agree: If the contract is signed and a deposit has been paid, I'd turn up.

I know I *should* go. The thought of loading the car, setting up, packing down etc. for no reason is pretty unappealing, though. She's paid a deposit etc. (after I followed advice given here some months ago and started using T&C's. contracts etc.), but the outstanding balance is due on the night before my performance begins.

I suspect I'll probably be led by the hotel on this, as they're in the same boat, and I have a very good relationship with them. Afterall, if they don't set up the room or prepare a buffet, no disco is the least of their worries!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Haven't we done this thread a couple of times recently?

[rob1963]

If she's signed your paperwork & paid a deposit, you MUST turn up.

If it's a no go, it won't be long until you're home again, and presumably as an absolute minimum you'll get to keep the deposit under your terms & conditions.

[Jonathan Ford]

Haven't we done this thread a couple of times recently?

Perhaps. I suppose the slight variation here is the contact difficulties (i.e.: next time her husband answers the phone, do I tell him who I am and leave a message, potentially scuppering the surprise aspect).

[Pe7e]

Perhaps. I suppose the slight variation here is the contact difficulties (i.e.: next time her husband answers the phone, do I tell him who I am and leave a message, potentially scuppering the surprise aspect).

Get your wife/girlfriend to phone up (key in 141 first) and if hubby answers pretend to be a long lost school friend or similar.

[ppentertainments]

Send a recorded next day delivery letter. Yes costs a couple of quid but get your skates on and it will be delivered (and signed for) tomorrow so at least you will know. If they sign for it and don't bother getting in touch I would not turn up, however as it stands I think you may need to turn up.

It is suprising the amount of people who still try to phone me up say 'yes thats fine we will book you, tell me the date and venue' then put the phone down. :confused: :confused:

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Defo turn up....

Also, how the heck have you been justifying phoning when speaking to her husband?

[Penfold42]

I understand your dilema but......


b) toss it off, assume that since neither the me or the hotel have heard a word from her, she's tossed it off?

....is this the attitude of people who wish to raise the bar? :confused:

I personally get feed up with the comments of - "DJ's are a waste of time and are really unreliable."....hardly surprissing when people do this.

Turn up or go pay a visit.

[Jonathan Ford]

Just to put an end to this, it kind of ended in a compromise for me, and it was led by the hotel as I suspected - NO SHOW!!

Having had no contact from the client, the hotel decided not to set up a room for the event, prepare a buffet etc.. I decided, that as I had been booked and a deposit paid, I would attend - so I did, but didn't set up. I just sat in the hotel lounge, had a couple of glasses of mineral water and read the paper for an hour - working on the understanding that in the unlikely event the party did arrive, I'd have more than ample time to set up while the hotel laid a room for her.

[Penfold42]

Well done for sticking to your end of the bargain....so...


outstanding balance is due on the night before my performance begins.


....have you changed the T&C's or are you going for the 'big kill'?

:D

[rob1963]

Having had no contact from the client, the hotel decided not to set up a room for the event, prepare a buffet etc.. I decided, that as I had been booked and a deposit paid, I would attend - so I did, but didn't set up. I just sat in the hotel lounge, had a couple of glasses of mineral water and read the paper for an hour - working on the understanding that in the unlikely event the party did arrive, I'd have more than ample time to set up while the hotel laid a room for her.

Well done Jonathan...that's exactly what I'd have done.

:thumbsup:

[Spirits High]

Just to put an end to this, it kind of ended in a compromise for me, and it was led by the hotel as I suspected - NO SHOW!!

Having had no contact from the client, the hotel decided not to set up a room for the event, prepare a buffet etc.. I decided, that as I had been booked and a deposit paid, I would attend - so I did, but didn't set up. I just sat in the hotel lounge, had a couple of glasses of mineral water and read the paper for an hour - working on the understanding that in the unlikely event the party did arrive, I'd have more than ample time to set up while the hotel laid a room for her.

well done you, exactly how I would have played it.

Out of interest what was the hotel concerned??

[Charlie Brown]

Well done...good choice :approve:

[Jonathan Ford]

Thanks guys.

Paul, it was the Lion at Belper. I really feel for them here. They've recently had a change in management, and have inherited some slightly dodgy bookings from the previous team....this being a perfect example.