returning a booking fee and booking form

[Pazz]

Hi all, I just wondered what you fellow dj's thought of my newly implemented booking system. I have finally decided to ask for booking fees which will be 25% of the total cost of the booking. I send my usual invoice/booking confirmation out along with my t&c's, a booking form which the client needs to sign, print their name and return along with a pre-paid addressed envelope enclosing a cheque for the booking fee. I indicate that I need to receive both the booking fee and the booking fom within 14 days of it being issued otherwise the date will become available again for booking. What do you think of this booking procedure? I have only just launched it and only issued 2 booking forms so far. If I do not receive the booking fee back within the 14 days I am not sticking rigidly to my t&c's but would be looking at giving the client a phone call as a chaser for the booking fee say after 21 days. Do you think this is fair practice?

Also, If I have a late booking within the 14 day period I will likely be providing my address over the telephone for the client to then send a booking fee straight away with the booking confirmation/invoice/t&c's to follow afterwards. Any comments on this would be appreciated just so I can get your opinions and experiences from possibly using similar booking systems.

Cheers :)

[Danno13]

Sounds good to me. Although for last minute stuff, consider sending the booking form by email for them to complete. Just google for free PDF makers, and you can send everything across to them, for them to sign and send back with a booking fee. Personally, I take payment 14 days in advance, so for real last minute they'd have to pay in full by card over the phone with a booking form to be posted (or scanned/emailed/faxed), but I appreciate this facility isn't feasible for everyone.

[rob1963]

I agree with Danno.

It seems fine to me, except for short notice stuff.

:)