Holding off from paying deposit

[scoopd]

Today is the 3rd client I've had this year who have said they wanted to book. Didn't pay their deposit for a week or 2 and then said "Thanks but they were going with a band".
Is it just me or is this getting more common?

I almost feel that If I don't get their deposit that week then they are just saying they want me until they get somebody cheaper!

[Corabar Entertainment]

You'll always get the odd client who strings you along, but if they're going with a band, i doubt it's because they've found someone cheaper!

[Vectis]

Maybe its because the "band" haven't asked for a deposit?

Money is tight for a lot of folks right now. I have one April wedding where the B&G have been dropping off £40 each week in cash "otherwise they'll spend it" :)

[worldofparties]

I got a few customers that were like that, booked didn't pay the deposit, I remember long time ago, I still honored the contract turned up at the venue set-up the equipment the venue, started to do all their preps for the night ahead and no one turned up, not even the client.

They didn't even bother to tell the venue, so from now on when I customer phones to book they must pay a £50 deposit via Credit/Debit card on the day.

[CRAZY K]

Today is the 3rd client I've had this year who have said they wanted to book. Didn't pay their deposit for a week or 2 and then said "Thanks but they were going with a band".
Is it just me or is this getting more common?

I almost feel that If I don't get their deposit that week then they are just saying they want me until they get somebody cheaper!

No.

Must be a cheap Band :confused:

Most DJs wont hold a booking unless there is a signed Contract or a deposit--otherwise NO BOOKING.

You need to tighten up your procedures and join the club.

CRAZY K

[Corabar Entertainment]

You need to tighten up your procedures and join the club.But if a potential client says they want to book, you wait to receive the booking form and deposit. If you don't hear from them after a week or so, you chase it up... which, if I'm reading it correctly, is exactly what scoopd is saying.

What would you do differently?

[rob1963]

Today is the 3rd client I've had this year who have said they wanted to book. Didn't pay their deposit for a week or 2 and then said "Thanks but they were going with a band". Is it just me or is this getting more common?

I've never had a problem with this before, but that's certainly changed in the last month.

In the 5 years that I've been full time, I've only had one occasion where someone requested a disco but didn't send back the booking form or deposit. Despite a couple of chasers, I never heard from them again, so presumably they went with someone cheaper.

However, in the last 4 weeks I've had THREE people do this, which is a bit of a nightmare.

When I spoke to one of them today, she said she wasn't going ahead as she wasn't happy with one of my terms (see other thread for details).

The other two I chased by email, but have had nothing back so far, despite one of them replying to my chaser a couple of weeks ago & saying she'd post the booking form & deposit the next day!

All very strange, and a bit concerning to get 3 of these within 4 weeks, when up until last month I'd only had 1 in 5 years.

:shrug:

[yourdj]

I have one April wedding where the B&G have been dropping off £40 each week in cash "otherwise they'll spend it" :)

That sounds like a real pain in the bum. If they cant afford a wedding then why are they getting married with a reception? i could not be bothered with that.


All very strange, and a bit concerning to get 3 of these within 4 weeks, when up until last month I'd only had 1 in 5 years.:shrug:

christmas present buying in a recession

[Penfold42]

Maybe its because the "band" haven't asked for a deposit?

Or the band do a DJ set or know of someone related to the band. :bang:

:)

[yourdj]

Or the band do a DJ set or know of someone related to the band. :bang:

:)

When you think about it i don't know why more bands don't bring along a laptop. that way they can do first dance and as you say a DJ set. If they are musicians they will be used to reading crowds.

[Penfold42]

When you think about it i don't know why more bands don't bring along a laptop. that way they can do first dance and as you say a DJ set. If they are musicians they will be used to reading crowds.

That maybe the case but I've worked with bands .....they are a million miles away from what we do but people always like to think they can do a better job than us. ;) :)

[scoopd]

Personally, I just don't believe that all 3 clients in my case have decided to go with a band. I think they SAY they'lll go with me and then stall and try to either get a cheaper dj OR possibly for the band who also offer a dj option.

Call me cynical but it seems more common than ever

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If they are musicians they will be used to reading crowds.

Will they?

Covers bands generally only have a set list of less than 20-30 songs in my experience. How are they suddenly going to diversify with so little to play with?

[NKR]

This is an interesting thread at an interesting time.

Bare with me as I have a point.

Last night I went to pick up a couple of cheques from one of my buddies who gave me couple of subbed jobs over December. When I asked what else was coming in he said its pants, disco is dead. Which I thought was interesting thing to say. We discussed it and got onto people using Ipods instead of DJ's, etc, etc.

Having looked at this thread earlier it got me thinking and I have just checked my bookings so far this year. 22 jobs booked in. 14 vocal and DJ jobs and 8 DJ only jobs.

Now I was having a chunder on about losing DJ jobs not so long ago. Well I can't win a DJ job to save my life at the moment, but the offer of DJ and live vocal work continues to sell well to those with a budget.

Question.

Has the middle ground suffered most from the recession. My logic is those who are still doing okay have budget will spend and go the extra mile and buy in a singer or band. Those who book a vocal artist or band independently then use either the artists gear and Ipod for the rest or hire in cheap as chips DJ (Having met a few other acts they seem to doing a lot of Ipod through the gear for £50 extra to leave the gear up). As we are one stop shop we appear to be benefiting.
An element of one upmanship may also be at work as people try to ensure their entertainment is as good as the Jones's, so first one with a band sets that chain of live entertainment in motion.

Those with no budget use Ipod or Mr £120.

Has the middle ground on a hiatus?

Discuss.

[Penfold42]

Here we go price again....:bang:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Here we go price again....:bang:

To be fair, it was anyway. ;)

[NKR]

Here we go price again....:bang:

If you take the time to read it and digest what I am saying, it focuses on a deeper discussion than price.

Is disco dead? Is the middle ground that traditional DJ's frequent beginning to become reduced - is it going to come back? One of the forum members is concerned they can't book disco's out as people don't return deposits and then say they booked a band (which he fears may mean they found someone cheaper) - both are relevant to my comment of is the middle ground taking a hiatus.

My experience is I can't book a disco out, but can book out live entertainment.

If this is truely a business forum then discussing a potential trend is surely worthwhile and peoples budgets will of course impact on that.

Its not designed to be I charge this or that thread.

[scoopd]

To be honest the thread that I started was more about people "saying" that they are going with me and then tryinhg to get somebody cheaper before commiting to a deposit.
That is what I think has become far more common

[NKR]

To be honest the thread that I started was more about people "saying" that they are going with me and then tryinhg to get somebody cheaper before commiting to a deposit.
That is what I think has become far more common

Which is the second of my observations - those with limited budget want something, but want it cheap.
You said your respondents have said they have gone for a band, which puts them in classification one - those with plenty of funds.
I would suggest my comment is valid as the middle ground of quality disco entertainment at a proper price is suffering in your case. As is it in my case as I can't book disco's at the moment as I keep getting nailed on price. I can however sell the live vocal artist with integrated disco.

[sweetie]

When you think about it i don't know why more bands don't bring along a laptop. that way they can do first dance and as you say a DJ set. If they are musicians they will be used to reading crowds.

Majority of Irish weddings have a band (plus dj) and majority of bands provide
this also - they sell it by saying that there will be no downtime between band
and dj (when any decent dj will be ready to go the second the band finishes)

[Excalibur]

Maybe its because the "band" haven't asked for a deposit?

Money is tight for a lot of folks right now. I have one April wedding where the B&G have been dropping off £40 each week in cash "otherwise they'll spend it" :)
Well they'd have paid for me in a fortnight then. ;) :( :(


I've never had a problem with this before, but that's certainly changed in the last month.
However, in the last 4 weeks I've had THREE people do this, which is a bit of a nightmare.

When I spoke to one of them today, she said she wasn't going ahead as she wasn't happy with one of my terms (see other thread for details).

Well offer tham a playlist of more than five records, don't charge £150 for two scanners, and get some bigger cabs. :p :p :p :p :p


Or the band do a DJ set or know of someone related to the band. :bang:

:)
Been there..................:bang: :bang:


When you think about it i don't know why more bands don't bring along a laptop. that way they can do first dance and as you say a DJ set. If they are musicians they will be used to reading crowds.
Cos that's too much like hard work. CD player with 3 now cd's and a 70's greatest hits. :( :( :(


Will they?

Covers bands generally only have a set list of less than 20-30 songs in my experience. How are they suddenly going to diversify with so little to play with?
See above. A pet hate. Think I'll take up the banjo, as competition. ;) :D :D

[Corabar Entertainment]

Majority of Irish weddings have a band (plus dj) and majority of bands provide
this also - they sell it by saying that there will be no downtime between band
and dj (when any decent dj will be ready to go the second the band finishes)
Hi there and welcome to the forum.

Pop along to the 'Newbies' forum, say 'Hi' and introduce yourself to everyone :D

...Here: http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=32

[CRAZY K]

Which is the second of my observations - those with limited budget want something, but want it cheap.
You said your respondents have said they have gone for a band, which puts them in classification one - those with plenty of funds.
I would suggest my comment is valid as the middle ground of quality disco entertainment at a proper price is suffering in your case. As is it in my case as I can't book disco's at the moment as I keep getting nailed on price. I can however sell the live vocal artist with integrated disco.

I think its a fair comment you make and its not price related directly.

I blame the rise of the I pod which is making more of the public think they can go DIY for part of the evening.

I had an enquiry from oooop North where they have booked a Band and also have "arranged " with the Band to play their fave music through the Bands PA using an I pod.

The two things they cant replicate--live musicians and a Line Dance Caller they are having to pay for;) the disco music they dont pay for:eek:

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

To be honest the thread that I started was more about people "saying" that they are going with me and then tryinhg to get somebody cheaper before commiting to a deposit. That is what I think has become far more common

Agreed.


Well offer tham a playlist of more than five records, don't charge £150 for two scanners, and get some bigger cabs. :p :p :p :p :p

I offer them a request list with room for FIFTY songs & encourage them to fill it up, I only charge £100 for two scanners (I throw in the stand & tbar for nothing) and my cabs are plenty big enough thank you very much!

I've just heard from the second of my three chased customers. She has apologised for the delay in getting back to me, told me she's going with the venue's own disco as it's cheaper & wished me every success with my business in the future. If all future clients are like her, I WON'T have much success with my business!

:shrug:

[DJMaxG]

You'll always get the odd client who strings you along, but if they're going with a band, i doubt it's because they've found someone cheaper!

Perhaps the disco was backup, should they fail to find a band :confused:

[Pe7e]

I think its a fair comment you make and its not price related directly.

I blame the rise of the I pod which is making more of the public think they can go DIY for part of the evening.:eek:

CRAZY K

In my experience, the iPod factor is a bit of a myth, around 70% of my business is equipment dry hire to the DIY'ers, to be honest, the iPod is a bit of a non starter, with less than 20% useing them as their play-out system. By far the most popular choice of play-out system amongst the DIY'ers, is their laptop, which, based on my own observations, frequently has pro DJ software installed. Another myth that can be squashed, is who 'the DIY'ers' actually are, it's tempting to think the DIY'ers are the ones at the bottom of the food chain, with restricted budgets, but nothing could be further from the truth. Again, based on actual experience, only about 20 - 25% fall into this bracket, the rest are middle, to high earning professionals, many living in 250K - 500K houses. I delivered kit to an house in Cheshire a few weeks ago, that had it's own party/function room built above the stable block, they were not exactly on the breadline there, neither were the last couple to use their iPod for a post wedding party (they married in the Seychelles), both were doctors.

Moving on as to why people are doing their own thing, I don't think there is a simple answer, or a universal cause, advances in technology has given people choices, and they are exercising them. Years ago a set of twin CD players and a mixer cost serious money, now, anyone with a lappy has the means to play and mix their music for virtually no extra outlay, it's hardly surprising they are using them. At the risk of treading on a few toes, I think the rise of the minimalistic 'less is more' DJ clones, using a pair of 12" plastic actives, a lappy and a couple of impossibleds hasn't helped either, it looks easy to replicate, and people are doing just that, because they can. In the current economic climate, many are feeling the urge to reign in spending whether they need to, or not, and folks have stopped spending their houses now confidence has gone and the price is not inflating by 20%+ a year

The future? that's anybody's guess, personally I think the industry is in for a couple of very difficult years, with more DJs chasing increasingly fewer jobs. After the election, there will undoubtedly be savage cuts in public spending, followed by still more unemployment and interest rate increases, not good news. The true pro DJs, who can interact with, and entertain their audiences will still find the decent paying gigs, but the silent chap in the corner types, will struggle, as the competition increases. Although I've just invested several thousands in new kit, I doubt I'll still be in the industry this time next year if all goes to plan, I see greener pastures on the horizon.

[CRAZY K]

In my experience, the iPod factor is a bit of a myth, around 70% of my business is equipment dry hire to the DIY'ers, to be honest, the iPod is a bit of a non starter, with less than 20% useing them as their play-out system. By far the most popular choice of play-out system amongst the DIY'ers, is their laptop, which, based on my own observations, frequently has pro DJ software installed. Another myth that can be squashed, is who 'the DIY'ers' actually are, it's tempting to think the DIY'ers are the ones at the bottom of the food chain, with restricted budgets, but nothing could be further from the truth. Again, based on actual experience, only about 20 - 25% fall into this bracket, the rest are middle, to high earning professionals, many living in 250K - 500K houses. I delivered kit to an house in Cheshire a few weeks ago, that had it's own party/function room built above the stable block, they were not exactly on the breadline there, neither were the last couple to use their iPod for a post wedding party (they married in the Seychelles), both were doctors.

Moving on as to why people are doing their own thing, I don't think there is a simple answer, or a universal cause, advances in technology has given people choices, and they are exercising them. Years ago a set of twin CD players and a mixer cost serious money, now, anyone with a lappy has the means to play and mix their music for virtually no extra outlay, it's hardly surprising they are using them. At the risk of treading on a few toes, I think the rise of the minimalistic 'less is more' DJ clones, using a pair of 12" plastic actives, a lappy and a couple of impossibleds hasn't helped either, it looks easy to replicate, and people are doing just that, because they can. In the current economic climate, many are feeling the urge to reign in spending whether they need to, or not, and folks have stopped spending their houses now confidence has gone and the price is not inflating by 20%+ a year

The future? that's anybody's guess, personally I think the industry is in for a couple of very difficult years, with more DJs chasing increasingly fewer jobs. After the election, there will undoubtedly be savage cuts in public spending, followed by still more unemployment and interest rate increases, not good news. The true pro DJs, who can interact with, and entertain their audiences will still find the decent paying gigs, but the silent chap in the corner types, will struggle, as the competition increases. Although I've just invested several thousands in new kit, I doubt I'll still be in the industry this time next year if all goes to plan, I see greener pastures on the horizon.

Non starter :confused: were talking different markets---people wont get to your shop---they will have decided to stick their ipod through any available sound source whether its Band, Barn Dance Caller or in house system.

Its early days--just give it a year and the I pod will become very powerful--
after all how easy is it to roll up and frig about with a laptop as opposed to an I pod about the size of a matchbox--which has a pre programmed playlist-- happened at my last Barn Dance gig.:eek: :eek: :eek:

I couldnt believe how small it was--then someone produced another one with some tunes on it to plug into the PA---scary:eek:

Certainly really special events like Weddings will continue--I do agree fringe events may be under attack from I pods--like Discos backing bands and live music---thats how I see it.

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

After the election, there will undoubtedly be savage cuts in public spending, followed by still more unemployment and interest rate increases, not good news.

Interest rate increases are not good news?

Surely that depends on your situation?

I have no debts & a reasonable amount of savings towards my retirement in the bank, so there's nothing I want more. The sooner rates increase & the higher they go the better!

:D

[Pe7e]

Interest rate increases are not good news?

Surely that depends on your situation?

:D

On a personal level, high interest rates would be a bonus, I also have no debts or mortgage, and have savings and equity investments. I don't think higher interest rates will do any good for the economic recovery at this stage though. Money will be sucked out of the economy resulting in lower spending, and for people dependant on discretionary spending, (like ourselves) the prospect of rate increases isn't good news.

[rob1963]

On a personal level, high interest rates would be a bonus, I also have no debts or mortgage, and have savings and equity investments. I don't think higher interest rates will do any good for the economic recovery at this stage though. Money will be sucked out of the economy resulting in lower spending, and for people dependant on discretionary spending, (like ourselves) the prospect of rate increases isn't good news.

Sorry, but I'm a bit confused by the above post.

At the beginning you say that on a personal level, high interest rates would be a bonus (which is what I was saying).

However, at the end of your post you say that for people like oouselves, the prospect of rate increases ISN'T good news.

:confused:

[rob1963]

In the 5 years that I've been full time, I've only had one occasion where someone requested a disco but didn't send back the booking form or deposit. Despite a couple of chasers, I never heard from them again, so presumably they went with someone cheaper.

However, in the last 4 weeks I've had THREE people do this, which is a bit of a nightmare.

When I spoke to one of them today, she said she wasn't going ahead as she wasn't happy with one of my terms (see other thread for details).

The other two I chased by email, but have had nothing back so far, despite one of them replying to my chaser a couple of weeks ago & saying she'd post the booking form & deposit the next day!


I've now heard from the second & third clients who I chased.

One of them said they were going with the venue's disco as it was cheaper, and the other said she'd sent the booking form & deposit...and it arrived today.

This means I'm two bookings down rather than three. However, I've had an email from a wedding planner I know to book me for a wedding in the summer and someone who made an enquiry back in November has emailed me back to confirm...so on the booking front I'm now back to where I expected to be a few weeks ago.

Swings & roundabouts, as they say.

:D :D :D