Right or Wrong? - What would you have said?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Had 2 calls today that are so far apart from eachother that it made me laugh. These weren't enquiries but feedback from 2 parties that I have done so far this christmas season.

It's the second call I want to concentrate on as I want you to let me know what you would have done if you were in the same situation but I'll detail both calls anyway.

The first one came from the Manager of the hotel where I did the wedding fayre a month or so ago (the one where theire resident DJ's couldn't be bothered to attend)...Anyway, the hotel gave me 4 christmas parties (instead of the one booking we agreed if I did the wedding fayre)..and on November 28th I did the first one. The Manager said that he had received fantastic feedback overall but wanted to pass on the thanks to myself as I got a mention..."The DJ was very professional, approachable and very accomodating in the fact that he played everything we asked for. Please pass on our thanks..." - Very nice and much appreciated.

Later this afternoon I received another call, this time from my regular hotel. As I have said in the past, this lot are hard work and nothing is ever that easy with them. In the past I have had around 8 weddings from them and at Christmas, around 16 parties originally booked but then some get cancelled and they quibble about leaving it late and having to endure cancellation charges. This year I have had NO weddings at all from them (they are doing the £999.00 wedding deal and using another guy at £185.00) and 12 Christmas Parties (originally 16 but they cancelled 4 in advance to avoid cancellation charges).

I have been supplying the hotel with Disco Entertainment for 4 years. For the first 2 years I had quite a bit of work from them (funny thing is, my price is STILL the same for them) so when it came to their staff party, out of goodwill and a thanks to them for the continued work, I would do their party for FREE. Last year (and even though the bookings were thin on the ground from them), they gave me 4 days notice, phoning me on the Monday to say that their party was on the friday... I could'nt help so they ended up getting someone else (who was apparently rubbish!)...not my fault at all and totally theirs.

Today, they called me and asked if I would be able to do their staff party. They don't have a confirmed date as yet but wanted to ask. Now, I think that they know deep down that they are taking the mick because they have not given me any bookings during the year at all and the other DJ who does it cheap (from what I am told) has had them all - 8 I think?

I said that I wasn't able to provide a free party for them this year as I was too busy already and also that the deal is that they give me the work and I repay them out of goodwill, although it is not set in stone and I don't have to.

I'm not sure what goes through their heads down there. The C&B Manager was obviously narked with my reply.

I think I did the right thing - What would you have done?

I then got an email shortly afterwards from her with some feedback from the party I did on saturday at the venue (NOT the one with the detailed report from friday) which was more or less along the same lines as the above feedback.

Lastly, I have already got it in my mind that from January I will no longer have a contract with them. I think they will totally go for the cheaper option and Mr £185.00 which is no big deal as I am busy anyway. I am not even going to embarass myself and mention the contract at all but what does concern me is that the only time they are really worthwhile working for is at christmas and multiple bookings is good. However, I think the other hotel will go with me for next year...dunno...just thinking aloud now I guess.

Anyway, over to you lot and once again, sorry for the long post.

[Excalibur]

Gary, I'd have said something along exactly the same lines as you, only perhaps not so politely. They're taking the :Censored:

[andyw]

i think you done the right thing gary,i would of been tempted to ask why they don't they get there other dj to do it for them.:)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks mate.
I know they are taking the **** and I think they know they are pushing it too. I actually think that they are under the impression that they have me over the proverbial barrel (which isn't the case at all).

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I would have gone about it in exactly the same way. it must say something about the £185 guy when they are still asking your for their own function.

[StarZSoundS]

Hi all,

Had 2 calls today that are so far apart from eachother that it made me laugh. These weren't enquiries but feedback from 2 parties that I have done so far this christmas season.

It's the second call I want to concentrate on as I want you to let me know what you would have done if you were in the same situation but I'll detail both calls anyway.

The first one came from the Manager of the hotel where I did the wedding fayre a month or so ago (the one where theire resident DJ's couldn't be bothered to attend)...Anyway, the hotel gave me 4 christmas parties (instead of the one booking we agreed if I did the wedding fayre)..and on November 28th I did the first one. The Manager said that he had received fantastic feedback overall but wanted to pass on the thanks to myself as I got a mention..."The DJ was very professional, approachable and very accomodating in the fact that he played everything we asked for. Please pass on our thanks..." - Very nice and much appreciated.

Later this afternoon I received another call, this time from my regular hotel. As I have said in the past, this lot are hard work and nothing is ever that easy with them. In the past I have had around 8 weddings from them and at Christmas, around 16 parties originally booked but then some get cancelled and they quibble about leaving it late and having to endure cancellation charges. This year I have had NO weddings at all from them (they are doing the £999.00 wedding deal and using another guy at £185.00) and 12 Christmas Parties (originally 16 but they cancelled 4 in advance to avoid cancellation charges).

I have been supplying the hotel with Disco Entertainment for 4 years. For the first 2 years I had quite a bit of work from them (funny thing is, my price is STILL the same for them) so when it came to their staff party, out of goodwill and a thanks to them for the continued work, I would do their party for FREE. Last year (and even though the bookings were thin on the ground from them), they gave me 4 days notice, phoning me on the Monday to say that their party was on the friday... I could'nt help so they ended up getting someone else (who was apparently rubbish!)...not my fault at all and totally theirs.

Today, they called me and asked if I would be able to do their staff party. They don't have a confirmed date as yet but wanted to ask. Now, I think that they know deep down that they are taking the mick because they have not given me any bookings during the year at all and the other DJ who does it cheap (from what I am told) has had them all - 8 I think?

I said that I wasn't able to provide a free party for them this year as I was too busy already and also that the deal is that they give me the work and I repay them out of goodwill, although it is not set in stone and I don't have to.

I'm not sure what goes through their heads down there. The C&B Manager was obviously narked with my reply.

I think I did the right thing - What would you have done?

I then got an email shortly afterwards from her with some feedback from the party I did on saturday at the venue (NOT the one with the detailed report from friday) which was more or less along the same lines as the above feedback.

Lastly, I have already got it in my mind that from January I will no longer have a contract with them. I think they will totally go for the cheaper option and Mr £185.00 which is no big deal as I am busy anyway. I am not even going to embarass myself and mention the contract at all but what does concern me is that the only time they are really worthwhile working for is at christmas and multiple bookings is good. However, I think the other hotel will go with me for next year...dunno...just thinking aloud now I guess.

Anyway, over to you lot and once again, sorry for the long post.

Like me.....you can be a bit deep Shaker.We are all faced with these vagaries continually.Every week DJ ing is like a year in other peoples lives.

Your post was a bit long to fully work out what was going on.However you seem to have a nice business anyway with a good following so why cowtail to some jumped up little no-mark C&B manager.

Contrary to popular belief I am a really nice guy and vary rarely fall out with anyone(except on this forum).But when I do ...its usually final.Then I leave the venue rueing the day they upset the most proffessional reasonably priced DJ in the county....their loss.

Plenty of work out there....tell her to poke it!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

i think you done the right thing gary,i would of been tempted to ask why they don't they get there other dj to do it for them.:)


I did ask them that Andy but not on the phone. I put it in the reply to the email that they sent me with the feedback as confirmation.

Dear **********

Thanks for your call today regarding the Disco Entertainment for the staff party (date to be confirmed). As I am sure you are aware, Shakermaker Promotions has provided Disco Entertainment for the staff party in the past, Free of Charge and as a gesture of goodwill for the continued work that the hotel gives us. Over the past 12 months the hotel has not provided us with any bookings and therefore we are unable to provide Disco Entertainment Free of Charge. We may be able to offer a reduced rate once the date is confirmed but this is subject to our availability.

Shakermaker Promotions appreciates the feedback that you have forwarded to us regarding last saturday's party and we will endeavour to make sure that the remaining parties are at the same high quality.

Regards
Gary
Shakermaker Promotions

That's what I sent and I can imagine her face when she read it!

[andyw]

That's what I sent and I can imagine her face when she read it!

that statement proves you made the right choice, we have all had dealings with similar people and it feels good when you can finally say " UP YOURS":eek: :beer1:

[NKR]

I would have just said I have a full card for December so can't do it I'm afraid. Leaves a wedge in the door and allows them to make the assumption that maybe they need to scratch your back next year to get a reciprocal back scratch.

[djsteve10]

I have 16 partys from my regular hotel client so I do their staff party for free each year. If they haven't passed me any work and then asked me to do their staff party for free I would think they are trying to take the mick out of me and I would then explain about the agreement of work and the free party at the end.

Funny thing is they are using this cheap guy for their work so why doesn't he do the staff party for free lol.

[rob1963]

I have been supplying the hotel with Disco Entertainment for 4 years. For the first 2 years I had quite a bit of work from them (funny thing is, my price is STILL the same for them) so when it came to their staff party, out of goodwill and a thanks to them for the continued work, I would do their party for FREE. Last year (and even though the bookings were thin on the ground from them), they gave me 4 days notice, phoning me on the Monday to say that their party was on the friday... I could'nt help so they ended up getting someone else (who was apparently rubbish!)...not my fault at all and totally theirs.

Today, they called me and asked if I would be able to do their staff party. They don't have a confirmed date as yet but wanted to ask. Now, I think that they know deep down that they are taking the mick because they have not given me any bookings during the year at all and the other DJ who does it cheap (from what I am told) has had them all - 8 I think?

I said that I wasn't able to provide a free party for them this year as I was too busy already and also that the deal is that they give me the work and I repay them out of goodwill, although it is not set in stone and I don't have to.


Hi Gary,

I'd have done exactly the same as you.

If they expect another free staff xmas party when they've given you no discos this year, that's taking the mick.

I also think they were taking the mick last year, as they only gave you 4 days notice for the party!

Stick to your guns!

[Charlie Brown]

Garry, as ever you stuck to your guns and made the best decession. :approve:

[Creature]

shakermaker From what you have posted you have behaved and responded ina professional manor. Far better that I would have done.

My moto in life is a sone door closes another opens - so refuse to do there party and move onto the new hotel were you seem far happier with there setup and attitude

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks guys for the feedback.
It must be the 'Nice Guy' in me but no matter whether I did the right or wrong thing, I always seem to feel guilty as I do not like letting people down.
Yes, I think they ARE taking the mick but it's not the staff's fault is it and I get on with the majority of the staff really well. There is a big turnaround in staff in the hotel industry and this hotel is no different but there are people there who have been there since I started supplying the Disco Entertainment. They have been at the staff parties I have done and seen me in action but also been to the ones that the other DJ has done aswell and whether it's loyalty or not I'm not sure but the feedback isn't great.

I tell them that there's nothing I can do about it. The hotel can charge £150.00 a night to stay in a room and charge £3.65 for a pint of Becks along with outrageous prices on food and snacks etc but they would rather pay peanuts when it comes to Disco Entertainment. They get the hump when they find out that people are bringing in their own drinks to get round the inflated prices.

I'll see how things progress but I would say that I won't be there in the new year. I don't want to mention any contract at all and see if they mention it but then part of me wants to get in there first if you know what I mean.

"Sorry Gary but we've decided to go with the other DJ for 2010"... "Oh, that's a coincidence because I was actually going to say that I am unable to supply you with Disco Entertainment for 2010" - That kind of thing.

[Jonathan Ford]

Reading through the thread Gary, I think you've done the right thing. Mickey takers everywhere!!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Just an update to this thread as I don't want to start another one (that's going to be music to the ears of some people on here).

I have been backwards and forwards DJing at both hotels (my regular one and the one where I did the wedding fayre and got the excellent feedback) and it's been fun but also very knackering.
Anyway, an update. Last night I was in the other hotel again and I set up in the afternoon. When I got there I saw the C&B Manager who sent me the feedback from the previous week. She gave me a quick squeeze and said "Well done Gary, the feedback has been excellent and we've received more". I was chuffed. She then disappeared and the Manager popped in to see me. I thanked him for the feedback and told him that usually, with the other hotel, I would have to ask if everyone enjoyed themselves and if there was any feedback and they would say "Oh yes, we did get some and it was very good".... The Manager gave me more of an insight into it yesterday and said that when they received it initially, the Area Manager was in the building on a visit. Apparently, any feedback received (good or bad), the hotel have to notify the Area Manager and their Head Office.

I was told yesterday that the Area Manager had commented "Who is this DJ? Grab hold of him and keep him". I said to the Manager that if they were happy with what I was doing then would they consider me for next year on a more regular basis subject to availability etc etc and he said that he had no doubts whatsoever that it would be the case.

Last nights party there was another brilliant night with a crowd that were totally up for it. At the end of the night the Manager came over to me and thanked me again (it's always nice isn't it) and something happened that could not have been timed better. A group of 4 ladies came over to me on their way out and thanked me and said that it was the best christmas party that they had ever been to. He was stood next to me and heard it all and gave me the thumbs up. As they walked off, a group of girls walked past and said "Thanks Mr DJ, that was excellent".

I've had a text message from the Manager already today thanking me again and asking me to call him.

There you go, for those that are interested.

[StarZSoundS]

Just an update to this thread as I don't want to start another one (that's going to be music to the ears of some people on here).



I have been backwards and forwards DJing at both hotels (my regular one and the one where I did the wedding fayre and got the excellent feedback) and it's been fun but also very knackering.
Anyway, an update. Last night I was in the other hotel again and I set up in the afternoon. When I got there I saw the C&B Manager who sent me the feedback from the previous week. She gave me a quick squeeze and said "Well done Gary, the feedback has been excellent and we've received more". I was chuffed. She then disappeared and the Manager popped in to see me. I thanked him for the feedback and told him that usually, with the other hotel, I would have to ask if everyone enjoyed themselves and if there was any feedback and they would say "Oh yes, we did get some and it was very good".... The Manager gave me more of an insight into it yesterday and said that when they received it initially, the Area Manager was in the building on a visit. Apparently, any feedback received (good or bad), the hotel have to notify the Area Manager and their Head Office.

I was told yesterday that the Area Manager had commented "Who is this DJ? Grab hold of him and keep him". I said to the Manager that if they were happy with what I was doing then would they consider me for next year on a more regular basis subject to availability etc etc and he said that he had no doubts whatsoever that it would be the case.

Last nights party there was another brilliant night with a crowd that were totally up for it. At the end of the night the Manager came over to me and thanked me again (it's always nice isn't it) and something happened that could not have been timed better. A group of 4 ladies came over to me on their way out and thanked me and said that it was the best christmas party that they had ever been to. He was stood next to me and heard it all and gave me the thumbs up. As they walked off, a group of girls walked past and said "Thanks Mr DJ, that was excellent".

I've had a text message from the Manager already today thanking me again and asking me to call him.

There you go, for those that are interested.


Brilliant news Gary....However in this game you are only ever one month away from being taken for granted!!

You are new at this Hotel and you have set the bar very high.The trick is to continue with quality and VARIED nights month on month....year on year!!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

**In Little Britain Stylee**

"Yeh, I know!"

[Babybob]

"Sorry Gary but we've decided to go with the other DJ for 2010"... "Oh, that's a coincidence because I was actually going to say that I am unable to supply you with Disco Entertainment for 2010" - That kind of thing.

A good response but add in that you are mostly fully booked for 2010 with only a few free dates. They may take the statement "unable to supply" a disco as you don't want to work there but if they do ring you at the last minute (because of the few free dates statement) you can hike the price up as recompense for dealing with these people.

From reading any of your posts Gary you always seem to get excellent feedback and handle situations well, now I know anyone can sit at their P.C and type bull ploppings but your detailed posts highlights the facts that you are honest and sincere so keep dealing with these people in your professional manner and your reputation will be intact, theirs however will soon be brought to the attention of the paying public who are not getting their money's worth.

:beer1: :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks for the comments Bob. I am glad you enjoy the posts. All I can do is be honest and that's the way I always am. I don't see the point of supplying everyone with bull as I've always found that the people who give the bull usually get found out one way or another. Some may find the detailed reports a bit boring and that's fair enough. I personally like to read a good review/report because if it's done well, it can generally cut out questions so I try to cover everything as much as possible. It hasn't always been rosy though and I have reported that in the past too.

Someone said to me ages ago that it takes a while to really get going and see the benefits of all the hard work start coming in. I have a really good stack of work already for next year and am looking forward to it big time. The feedback from people and venues keeps getting better and I really think I have nailed it now but it doesn't mean that I am going to start getting big headed etc as it's not my style to be honest. What you've said about telling them I am too busy is spot on and that's what I will do should they want me and if it is the case on the date they give me.

[paull]

Good for you, some people still think that a DJ is at the bottom of the pile and will treat them accordingly. You have done exactly the right thing.