Best Reply ... anyone!

[simonp]

I was asked for a quote for a wedding at the start of 2011, 7 pm until 1 am.

I replied as normal giving her a quote and also saying I would hold 2010's price if she booked before the end of this year.

I received a reply this morning which I haven't answered as I wanted to see what and how different people on here would reply. Obviously I'm going to let her down, but maybe someone can come up with a reply that won't be half as sarcastic as a composition of my own would be.

Anyway here is the short email I recieved in full

"Hi Simon,

Thank you for your quote. I have shopped around and had a number of quotes from local DJs (all of whom have the certificates and insurances you mentioned - thanks). My only problem with your quote is that I am on a tight budget (hence it being a weekday) and have only budgeted £200 for a DJ.

I am keen to book you, and can do so before the end of the year, if you are able to meet my budget.

Kind regards,

Stacey"

[Shaun]

It really depends whether you are prepared to drop the price to meet her budget or will be standing firm on the price.

It sounds to me like she's stuck firm on price, so my reply would most likely be short sweet and straight to the point.

"Hello Stacy,

Thank you for your email.

Regrettably I will be unable to meet your allocated budget. Thank you for your initial interest in my services, and best of luck with the planning and preparations for your Special Day.

Kind regards"

Nothing more to say really.

[Booche]

:agree:

[andyw]

it really depends how far away from her budget you are and whether you are willing to drop to meet her, it's not as if you haven't got time to fill that date 2011 is a long way off, so time is on your side, also she says she wants to book you,not the other dj's , ask yourself why, are they no good or is she playing games to try and get the price down.

[simonp]

"Hello Stacy,

Thank you for your email.

Regrettably I will be unable to meet your allocated budget. Thank you for your initial interest in my services, and best of luck with the planning and preparations for your Special Day.

Kind regards"

Nothing more to say really.

like that reply to be fair


it really depends how far away from her budget you are and whether you are willing to drop to meet her, it's not as if you haven't got time to fill that date 2011 is a long way off, so time is on your side, also she says she wants to book you,not the other dj's , ask yourself why, are they no good or is she playing games to try and get the price down.

Its a long way from the original quote - in fact so far it may as well be a different continent lol

I personally think with that in mind she's playing games and extracting the urine, hence why I said originally I could only think of sarcasm for my reply

[andyw]

like that reply to be fair

Its a long way from the original quote - in fact so far it may as well be a different continent lol


you've answered the question yourself, if you quoted £220 then it would be worth considering, but if you quoted more then elites reply is spot on

[A1DL]

Shaun's reply sounds much more professional than any sarcastic reply.
Just my 2p.

[simonp]

Shaun's reply sounds much more professional than any sarcastic reply.
Just my 2p.

Absolutely, which is why I threw it on here in the first place :D

[rob1963]

I'd have done a similar reply to Shaun, although I'd also have included something about discounts not being available for weekday bookings due to the fact that they still involve the same amount of work & time as weekend bookings.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think Shaun's reply is perfect and straight to the point.

Rob, I don't think it's worth going over the top and mentioning the whole "no midweek discounts etc" thing. Just keep it straight to the point.

[rob1963]

Rob, I don't think it's worth going over the top and mentioning the whole "no midweek discounts etc" thing. Just keep it straight to the point.

That's fair enough Gary.

We're all different, and Shaun's reply was just a little too short & abrupt for my liking.

[StarZSoundS]

I was asked for a quote for a wedding at the start of 2011, 7 pm until 1 am.

I replied as normal giving her a quote and also saying I would hold 2010's price if she booked before the end of this year.

I received a reply this morning which I haven't answered as I wanted to see what and how different people on here would reply. Obviously I'm going to let her down, but maybe someone can come up with a reply that won't be half as sarcastic as a composition of my own would be.

Anyway here is the short email I recieved in full

"Hi Simon,

Thank you for your quote. I have shopped around and had a number of quotes from local DJs (all of whom have the certificates and insurances you mentioned - thanks). My only problem with your quote is that I am on a tight budget (hence it being a weekday) and have only budgeted £200 for a DJ.

I am keen to book you, and can do so before the end of the year, if you are able to meet my budget.

Kind regards,

Stacey"

We all have the right to bid and I don't think she has been unfair....in fact she has been very polite.

If anybody replies to these letters sarcastically they are doing our profession a disservice.:eek:

[rob1963]

It's worth mentioning that even if you reply saying you can't meet her budget, she might STILL book you anyway, as she's obviously quite keen.

This has happened to me on more than one occasion.

[Penfold42]

Agree with post #2.

[NKR]

I would offer to split the difference as if its the start of 2011 (Jan) then Jan is pants for us anyway. That way she feels she has got somewhere and you are closer to your figure.

Even if you can't split the difference you could offer a notional discount to at least be seen to be flexible. That way if they have any friends in the future who are not on as tight a budget, you may still get the call.

[simonp]

If anybody replies to these letters sarcastically they are doing our profession a disservice.:eek:

As are mobile DJ's stuck in the 70's :p ;)


I would offer to split the difference as if its the start of 2011 (Jan) then Jan is pants for us anyway. That way she feels she has got somewhere and you are closer to your figure.

Even if you can't split the difference you could offer a notional discount to at least be seen to be flexible. That way if they have any friends in the future who are not on as tight a budget, you may still get the call.

Yeah, worth a shout that one - at the mo, I'm going to use shauns reply with a bit of yours thrown into the mix at the moment. I'm not going to officially reply until after 6 anyhow - so room for more suggestions

Oh and Martin, I was having a laugh with post above :D

[DazzyD]

Shaun's reply is the way to go but now I also think that's a good point about January being traditionally quiet so there may be some room for negotiation.

Always keep it polite and professional, though!

[Penfold42]

Shaun's reply is the way to go but now I also think that's a good point about January being traditionally quiet so there may be some room for negotiation.

Always keep it polite and professional, though!

It maybe January but time is money and costs still don't change.

[StarZSoundS]

As are mobile DJ's stuck in the 70's :p ;)





Oh and Martin, I was having a laugh with post above :D


Simon....you are a Pussycat with me.....compared to some;)

[NKR]

It maybe January but time is money and costs still don't change.

Nope and time on you bum is not covering costs. I wasn't suggesting dropping his pants, but even if they can't get to his reduced level he has shown on openess to negotiate, which may prove important for word of mouth.

The bride or groom may say to their friends "We couldn't afford Simon, but he looked really good and was at least willing to try and make it work for us."

you never know he might knock £50 off and get the job as Aunty Flo says, "Go on love I will make the difference up for you so you can have who you want."

My price is my price closes a door. A minor movement keeps the door open and puts the ball in their court. If they still can't do it you are back to point A - not doing the job, but you kept it alive and more importantly to them you were interested in trying to do the job.

[Penfold42]

Nope and time on you bum is not covering costs. I wasn't suggesting dropping his pants, but even if they can't get to his reduced level he has shown on openess to negotiate, which may prove important for word of mouth.

The bride or groom may say to their friends "We couldn't afford Simon, but he looked really good and was at least willing to try and make it work for us."

you never know he might knock £50 off and get the job as Aunty Flo says, "Go on love I will make the difference up for you so you can have who you want."

My price is my price closes a door. A minor movement keeps the door open and puts the ball in their court. If they still can't do it you are back to point A - not doing the job, but you kept it alive and more importantly to them you were interested in trying to do the job.

So you would rather run you company at a loss rather than profit?...and when word of mouth spreads about that if you ask for a discount you get it because my best friend got it for that .......round and round we go!

I'm not saying it's right and i'm not saying it's wrong.....just my take on it.
Might be because i've a second job and don't rely on doing a gig to put bread and butter on the table......:)

[NKR]

So you would rather run you company at a loss rather than profit?...and when word of mouth spreads about that if you ask for a discount you get it because my best friend got it for that .......round and round we go!

I'm not saying it's right and i'm not saying it's wrong.....just my take on it.
Might be because i've a second job and don't rely on doing a gig to put bread and butter on the table......:)

Neither do I rely on it to put bread on the table, but £50 reduction for a midweek job in January that has a base level minimum of £200 is not running at a loss my friend. I would suspect a £50 reduction will put Simon on £350 for a midweek job in January (just a guess but probably not far off). I know I couldn't feed my familly on that either! That is not running at a loss. If it comes off and someone else wants the reduction on a Saturday in August there are reasons why they can't have it, but you are having the conversation rather than not (if you get my drift)

[Vectis]

Try ringing Dynarod and 'negotiating' their callout charge and hourly rates because it's Tuesday evening and there are plenty of other drain clearing companies in the yellow pages who will do it for less.

See what the answer is... :)

Then ask yourself why is Dynarod the first company your average Joe will think of when asked to name a drain clearing firm? ... and that's despite their top-of-range pricing :zip:

[NKR]

Try ringing Dynarod and 'negotiating' their callout charge and hourly rates because it's Tuesday evening and there are plenty of other drain clearing companies in the yellow pages who will do it for less.

See what the answer is... :)

Then ask yourself why is Dynarod the first company your average Joe will think of when asked to name a drain clearing firm? ... and that's despite their top-of-range pricing :zip:

Yes but your house doesn't fill up with :Censored: if you don't book a disco.

[Excalibur]

Nope and time on you bum is not covering costs. I wasn't suggesting dropping his pants, but even if they can't get to his reduced level he has shown on openess to negotiate, which may prove important for word of mouth.

The bride or groom may say to their friends "We couldn't afford Simon, but he looked really good and was at least willing to try and make it work for us."

you never know he might knock £50 off and get the job as Aunty Flo says, "Go on love I will make the difference up for you so you can have who you want."

My price is my price closes a door. A minor movement keeps the door open and puts the ball in their court. If they still can't do it you are back to point A - not doing the job, but you kept it alive and more importantly to them you were interested in trying to do the job.
Oi. Stop it. I find myself in total agreement with you, and that's bad for my image. ;) :o :o :o


So you would rather run you company at a loss rather than profit?...and when word of mouth spreads about that if you ask for a discount you get it because my best friend got it for that .......round and round we go!

I'm not saying it's right and i'm not saying it's wrong.....just my take on it.
Might be because i've a second job and don't rely on doing a gig to put bread and butter on the table......:)
It's a midweek in January, for heavens sake. If she goes to £250, I'll take it!


Yes but your house doesn't fill up with :Censored: if you don't book a disco.
No. But it does if you book a :Censored: disco. :D :D

[simonp]

There was no way on this earth I was going to come all the way down to £200, and there was too much distance between that and the original quote. There is also no way I am going to get into a bartering match - if it was the odd 20 quid here and there, maybe.

The bottom line is I'm not going out to do a Wedding for £200 no matter what time of year or what day of the week, simply because I don't need to - I'd even think twice about going out for a couple of hours 13th Birthday party for that money.

Anyway, I sent her this reply

Hi Stacey

Thanks for getting back to me.

Regrettably I cannot meet your allocated budget, but I do hope you manage to find an appropriate Disco & DJ within that budget.

Could I also direct you to SEDA (South Eastern Discotheque Association) (http://seda-online.com/). Along the top navigation bar is 'Find A DJ' - click on there and then on one of the subsequent areas that come up and it will give you a list of Mobile Disco's & DJ's. I don't know what prices each Disco charge but they may be worth a try.

Thanks for your initial interest in Floorfillerz and my services, and best of luck with the planning and preparations for your special day.

Kind Regards

Simon Pridmore
Floorfillerz

[Corabar Entertainment]

I dunno.... you could've pointed her towards MDD, at least :p

[simonp]

I dunno.... you could've pointed her towards MDD, at least :p

LOL you're welcome to her email address if you like

[Corabar Entertainment]

No - not our area. Just taking the mickey about the fact that you pointed her to SEDA rather than this directory. ;) ;)

[simonp]

No - not our area. Just taking the mickey about the fact that you pointed her to SEDA rather than this directory. ;) ;)

Didn't think really, It's just a standard thing that I do if I'm already booked etc, i always point them to SEDA as a rule. I'll start doing both in future :D

[StarZSoundS]

Nope and time on you bum is not covering costs. I wasn't suggesting dropping his pants, but even if they can't get to his reduced level he has shown on openess to negotiate, which may prove important for word of mouth.

The bride or groom may say to their friends "We couldn't afford Simon, but he looked really good and was at least willing to try and make it work for us."

you never know he might knock £50 off and get the job as Aunty Flo says, "Go on love I will make the difference up for you so you can have who you want."

My price is my price closes a door. A minor movement keeps the door open and puts the ball in their court. If they still can't do it you are back to point A - not doing the job, but you kept it alive and more importantly to them you were interested in trying to do the job.



Gallery......This is me......


See NKR's wheels.


My moneys on him for business advice!!

[NKR]

There was no way on this earth I was going to come all the way down to £200, and there was too much distance between that and the original quote. There is also no way I am going to get into a bartering match - if it was the odd 20 quid here and there, maybe.


Can you enlighten me to how far the gap was?



See NKR's wheels.


My moneys on him for business advice!!

Ex wheels as you can't get a baby seat and a pram in a Boxster ;) The new white A4 Avant still has a bit of class about it though and can carry familly and pram.

I would have offered a £50 discount and said thats all you can do for them, but you would like to do the job as you know you are good value for the service.

(saying that I am still doing weddings at £200 :D :D - day job pays for wheels ;) although not quite like it used to for the mean time :( , but markets come back and I'm still working which is good :D )

[simonp]

Can you enlighten me to how far the gap was?

more than £20 ;)

[StarZSoundS]

(saying that I am still doing weddings at £200


Steady on mate....you're gonna ruffle a few feathers:eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Gallery......This is me......


See NKR's wheels.


My moneys on him for business advice!!

Why?

He might have saved for 20 years for that car.

If he was a true business man, he wouldn't be wasting his time in this industry.

[simonp]

Can I just say thanks everyone for their input - I think the case is closed - maybe one of the mods can lock it down.