Midweek discount request

[rob1963]

Morning all,

I just received the following enquiry:

query = we are looking to have a DJ for Thursday 1st April for two hours from 10pm-midnight at xxxxx. Set up would be 7pm. Possibly play from 2030 - 2100 as well. Do you offer mid week prices?

I was tempted to reply with something along the lines of "Thank you for your enquiry. I am pleased to confirm that we DO offer midweek prices. They are the same as our weekend prices" :D

However, instead I decided to add this to the beginning of my standard reply:

Thanks for your enquiry about a disco on Thursday 1st April 2010 at xxxxx.

We don't currently offer discounts for midweek discos. This is partly because they involve the same amount of time & work as weekend discos, and partly because we already have residencies on most weeknights (including Thursdays), and would therefore need to arrange for another company to cover this in order to become available for your function.

Do you think I did the right thing?

[Vectis]

Do you think I did the right thing?

Well if that's your policy, then yes - I can't see anything wrong with your explanation. Slightly curt; I'd've probably softened it slightly but it does the job.

There is a definite trend especially for weddings of 'going midweek' to save a few quid; I've had a couple of these and each time I've held the price but thrown in a 'freebie'. That fits with the psychology and wins you the booking. If they've told you the venue, check out what sort of deal they're likely to be getting and then you'll know whether it's worth pursuing.

[rob1963]

Well if that's your policy, then yes - I can't see anything wrong with your explanation. Slightly curt; I'd've probably softened it slightly but it does the job.

The main thing is that it gets over the message that my services are in demand, as I already work most weeknights!


There is a definite trend especially for weddings of 'going midweek' to save a few quid; I've had a couple of these and each time I've held the price but thrown in a 'freebie'. That fits with the psychology and wins you the booking. If they've told you the venue, check out what sort of deal they're likely to be getting and then you'll know whether it's worth pursuing.

I agree there is a recent trend towards more midweek weddings.

Earlier in the year I did my first ever Monday Wedding & my first Tuesday wedding as well. However, neither asked about midweek discounts & both therefore paid the full price.

:D

[mark karaoke]

i've never been offered cheaper lights or speakers on the basis that i don't use them on weekends so on that basis ---NO DISCOUNT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ferks]

Personally, I would have just quoted and told them it was my weekday rate!
Maybe you should have given them your usual going rate as a weekday rate, then told them your weekend rate is week day rate * 1.5 for Sat and * 2 for Sundays!!!

[NKR]

Hmm - Interesting that people are asking for midweek discuounts. Its probably because venues etc are cheaper mid-week,so the knock on effect is everyone thinks everything should be cheaper.

[DJMaxG]

You are a Professional Rob, not 'Sixty Quid Sid' or 'Ten Pence Tim', and it is the same amount of work, so therefore why not charge the same rate(s).

I did notice the Client's clever trick. Firstly asked you to play for a couple of hours, THEN asked for an early setup, and wanted an earlier start time.

I'd be tempted to email back, saying that most DJs in the area would charge £300 - £500 for a function, so they've got a good bargain anyway :D

[PropellerHeadCase]

It ties in with the 'you're a business you can give discounts' for what they perceive to be 'slow days' mentality - as illustrated by Rob, the assumption that it's slow is not necessarily true of DJs/Entertainers whereas it certainly can be for venues (less so for hotels due to conferences and such), venues/hotels are, therefore, likely to drop prices midweek, much as airlines do off-peak.

[rob1963]

Well...I've just received the following response from the enquirer:

Hi Rob,

I have read a majority of that information on your website (besides your reply looks like a cut and paste job - not very personal to my requirements)

can you provide me with a personal quote then (as i dont want you to play for 5 hours - only two hours)

Ps its a shame you cannot offer a mid-week rate as many of your competitors are able to do this!

Cheers.


Ironically, she clearly hasn't read either my website OR my reply to her enquiry very well...as they both state that the prices covers discos for up to 5 hours. There is nothing about lower prices for shorter discos! This is starting to sound like one of those bookings I don't want. Anyway, here is the reply I sent:


Hi xxxxx,

Whilst I appreciate that some people like yourself DO read most of my website before making an enquiry, experience shows that the majority do not, as they often ask questions which are clearly answered on the site. I therefore feel it's important to include most of my basic business details in my reply to all enquiries. After all, I think it's better to give too much information than not enough. This seems to be appreciated, as many enquirers thank me for my helpful & informative reply, and I've never had a negative comment about the way I've replied before.

You are absolutely right in thinking that part of my reply is cut & pasted from a standard template. However, this is amended for each enquirer to ensure that my reply also answers their specific questions. The template is used to ensure that I don't forget to include any of the important basic information, and as far as I'm aware this is common practice in the business world. However, I apologise for the fact that my reply was not personal enough for your own requirements.

A disco for your two hour function would cost £275 for up to about 60 people or £375 for around 60 - 200 people.

I'm very sorry that I am unable to offer midweek discounts. Whilst I fully appreciate that some of my competitors ARE able to do this, I'm sure the main reason is to secure bookings on nights when they aren't usually working, whereas my own services are always in demand, as I already work on most weeknights (including Thursdays) as previously mentioned.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Rob.


No cut & paste jobs in site, so hopefully this time my reply will be personal enough for her requirements!

:D

[NKR]

Well...I've just received the following response from the enquirer:


can you provide me with a personal quote then (as i dont want you to play for 5 hours - only two hours)




Set up at 7:00pm and finish at 12:00 is five hours in my book. What about the other half hour she wants you playing for - is that going to start and finish itself.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just tell her to bog off! :sj:

[NKR]

Just tell her to bog off! :sj:

:agree:

[Steve the DJ]

query = we are looking to have a DJ for Thursday 1st April for two hours from 10pm-midnight at xxxxx. Set up would be 7pm. Possibly play from 2030 - 2100 as well. Do you offer mid week prices?


So all night then really?

I would have quoted her double my usual fee and then given a very generous 50% off as a midweek discount... :loco:

[BeerFunk]

Of course it's entirely your own decision. There are arguments for giving midweek discounts, and against.

Firstly, in my opinion, Friday and Saturday nights are peak time - that's when most people have parties, and go out. So on that basis, you could argue that you will charge more for these times, on top of the standard rate that you charge midweek.

Secondly, it largely depends upon your own circumstances. If you are a full time DJ with no other commitments, I would imagine that a midweek gig would be welcome. However, if you have a job throughout the week, or kids to look after, then it might be actually turn out to be a bigger task than a weekend gig.

Personally, I would offer a slight discount, but like Rob, I am in a position where I can refuse gigs and not lose out.

[Danno13]

I offer discount for mid week, but I probably wouldn't have for this client! Based on her arsey reply, and trying to get the price down for "2 hours" when it clearly isn't, it doesn't sound like somebody I'd like to deal with. I did like your reply though Rob.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Morning all,

I just received the following enquiry:

query = we are looking to have a DJ for Thursday 1st April for two hours from 10pm-midnight at xxxxx. Set up would be 7pm. Possibly play from 2030 - 2100 as well. Do you offer mid week prices?

I was tempted to reply with something along the lines of "Thank you for your enquiry. I am pleased to confirm that we DO offer midweek prices. They are the same as our weekend prices" :D

However, instead I decided to add this to the beginning of my standard reply:

Thanks for your enquiry about a disco on Thursday 1st April 2010 at xxxxx.

We don't currently offer discounts for midweek discos. This is partly because they involve the same amount of time & work as weekend discos, and partly because we already have residencies on most weeknights (including Thursdays), and would therefore need to arrange for another company to cover this in order to become available for your function.

Do you think I did the right thing?

I would take on a midweek gig if it ment I didnt have to sit through Corrie with the other half but wouldnt do a discount as I still have to carry the gear, still have to set it up, still have to pack it away etc.

But this woman sounds a bit aukward and it probably wouldnt be a very pleasent gig.

[Vectis]

Actually Rob having re-read the first part of the original enquiry, a la:



we are looking to have a DJ for Thursday 1st April for two hours from 10pm-midnight at xxxxx. Set up would be 7pm. Possibly play from 2030 - 2100 as well. Do you offer mid week prices?


... it sounds like another DJ on a wind-up.

Why? "Set up would be 7pm". Not very punter-speak is it?

[rob1963]

Just tell her to bog off! :sj:

Sadly I'm way too polite & professional to do that, Darren!


I did like your reply though Rob.

Thanks Danno. It was certainly a lot more polite than I WANTED to be!


Actually Rob having re-read the first part of the original enquiry... it sounds like another DJ on a wind-up.

Why? "Set up would be 7pm". Not very punter-speak is it?

The thought did cross my mind Vectis, although not because of the wording about the set up, but because of the date!

However, there's still a reasonable chance it might be a genuine enquiry, hence my polite & professional reply.

:shrug:

[sleah]

There's something wrong here........:confused:










Everyone's agreeing with Rob :D:D:D:D:D


I agree with virtually all the comments, but to add people need to realise they are paying for your TIME, regardless of whether you are pushing a button/sliding a fader or sat on your jacksie looking after the gear:mad:

[Kernow]

Rob.....has the significance of the date not hit you yet ?? ;)

:D

[rob1963]

There's something wrong here........:confused:

Everyone's agreeing with Rob :D:D:D:D:D


Indeed...and I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts...which will probably be a few minutes!


Rob.....has the significance of the date not hit you yet ?? ;):D

Yes, hence this post:


The thought did cross my mind Vectis, although not because of the wording about the set up, but because of the date!


Ok then...who is going to own up to this wind up?

:D

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Has anyone noticed the obvious in the enquiry..........................

April the first

April fools day!!!!!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Has anyone noticed how many people don't read threads properly and make the same comments....:sj:

[Tony Scott]

I just received the following enquiry....

......Do you think I did the right thing?

If that's your policy Rob then you've definately done the right thing. I charge less for Monday - Thursday anyway so they would have got their discount from me by default but like you have stated in your reply to them you are busy anyway so why budge. I do very little mid-week so any bookings are always a bonus and I'm therefore happy to do them a bit cheaper....:)

Kind of related to this thread; I've recently been asked if I could knock 10% of of the total cost of my services for 2 Saturday nights....I agreed to this as I felt it was a fair request from a client who has used me before, not sure I'd do it for a general enquiry though....

[rob1963]

Come on then guys...who's the wind up merchant?

:D

[Steve James]

I'm with you Rob, same amount of work, same rates. I'd just throw in some uplighters or somthing similar, usually works for me.