I feel down and downright peed off.

[Twinspin]

I did a (supposed) mate of mines wedding on 26th june just gone. On the night they were happy with everything on the night and so was everyone else they even thanked me for a great night.

He said to me can i pay you after the wedding because ive got a few things to pay for. So i said ok no problem thats fine.

When it came to chasing him up for the payment. He's then started to complain about things. I know he's trying it on to get it for free. Because the wedding is all over with now and he probably doesnt fancy paying anymore money out. I knew he was greedy but i didnt think he was going to try it on with me. How wrong was i.

Ive lost out..... Because i really cant be bothered to spend time argueing with him because i know i wont get it. So i said to him.

I know what you want.... You want it for nothing. I said just to show im not greedy like you. you can have it for nothing. But you better not speak to me again. Because i dont want to know you.

Sorry to rant...!

[Sapphire Disco]

Don't blame you for feeling upset you trust people then they turn you over, it just goes to show had you insisted payment before commencing you would be a little richer, you wouldn't now be feeling upset and you wouldn't have lost a friend.
I think you are right put it down to experience and never do it again for anyone :)

[Starlight]

Not nice this situation, not that it's happened to me :)
When I start my disco, I'll alway's ask for payment upfront and in advance prior to such entertainment starting just for piece of mind that the client will pay, no payment, no show :)
Neil.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

not really a friend then.

I would of got money off them as per usual. Isnt the favour that your doing for them rather than some stranger.

[Mark Wild]

That stinks mate, he's no friend, where does he live I'll go an give him a good talking to for you :D

[DJ Jules]

Unfortunately I'm in the same position at the moment, but it's complicated by the fact that it was a gig I couldn't cover myself so I sent someone I trusted to do the job. Needless to say the guy I sent was absolutely gobsmacked when I chased payment and my "client" stated that he thought the DJ was a joke and the night was rubbish and he "told the DJ so on the night". Funny how the DJ doesn't recollect him telling him that...

Anyway, long story short. Gave the DJ the customers phone number and let him have a few words so they could work out what really happened and the money is now in the bank.

Some people are just :Censored: (use your imagination).

Julian

[ppentertainments]

That's awful John.
I avoid friends, family and local gigs now as found they were all wanting something for nothing.

[BeerFunk]

Whatever the fee was, think of it as a small payment to get them out of your life forever, no-one needs friends like that.

[Megamix]

worth having a word with his new bride? - maybe she isn't aware he hasn’t paid

[Spirits High]

worth having a word with his new bride? - maybe she isn't aware he hasn’t paid


Better off having a word here

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome
;)

[soundtracker]

Better off having a word here

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome
;)

Too right, and as he isn't really a friend, you don't even need to feel bad about it!

[Twinspin]

At the start. he had invited me as a guest to the wedding because they had got a wedding package from the hotel dj included.

otherwise they charge dancefloor hire if you use your own dj.

Some breakdown in communication down the line between the hotel and the agent. So they couldnt send a dj.

so he said ive got a mate who's a dj and could i use him instead so the hotel agreed that he could.

he actually come down to ask me if i could do it. I then felt like id just been backed into a corner and felt guilty declining the offer (because i wanted to)

so i said ok..... Ill do it at mates rates £200.00. I dont think thats unreasonable for a wedding disco for a mate which he didnt grumble at.

Its not the money im angry about. Its the words that come from his mouth that have annoyed me. I think im just going to put it down to experience and just not bother with him. Its clear he cares more about saving a few quid than his friends.

[WWDJ]

You must know some of his other friends who were at the wedding? Be sure to tell them what he has done.

I honestly don't know how people have got the nerve to do this kind of thing.

I believe in karma and your day will come.

[Twinspin]

tbh on the night i didnt know most of his other friends that were there on the night. I was at college a few years ago and the only friends of his that i know of were my friends as well but they werent there.

he said he had broke one of his legs.... during his honeymoon week away fell from a caravan step.... hmm (ill break his other for free!)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I'm not being funny and I hope I don't come across as someone that is just after the do$h but to me, business is business. I have a lot of friends who I have done functions for and yes, I have given them a discount because they are mates but they all respect the fact that THIS is my sole income and what I do for a living so they all have had booking forms that they have had to sign etc etc....

[funksoulbrother]

The guy's a low life, tell him to get back under the stone that he crawled out from under, that is after you've broken his other leg :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Come on guys, less of the physical violence threat even if it is in jest.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Yes indeed remember this is open for the publics eyes and loads of djs banding together in a angry mob like this doesnt look good on any of us.

[Twinspin]

fair enough.

[STEVE HANLEY]

I've done a few gigs at mates rates and am doing a wedding for one in october, but she insists on paying me this week (well in advance) as it's one less expense to worry about as far as she's concerned.

Luckily they've all paid as they realise I'm saving them a huge amount of wonga.

I have to admit though John if that ever happens to me It'll only happen once and there'll be no more mates rates no matter how good a mate I consider them to be PERIOD

[yourdj]

Keep verbal Communication. if no joy. series of letters then take him to court.

Business is Business. He is trying it on cos he thinks he will get away with it.
Prove him wrong and charge interest for the inconvenience.

- If you have any pictures on the night or even better video use that as evidence.
- get testimonials from people there about how good it was too - inc. venue management.
- check his other suppliers and see if he has paid them - gang up on him if he has not.

May take several months though.

[Javlingames]

At the end of the day you did your job and you need paying. Just because he didnt think you did a good job doesnt mean you shouldnt get paid. If he thought you were that bad why didnt he pay you off at 9pm? When you buy a dinner from a restaurant, if it tastes bad you send it back and dont pay, you dont eat it all and then say 'that was awful, im not paying for that'!! Just hound the guy. £200 is a lot of money to throw away. Good luck

[rob1963]

I've only just caught up with this thread, and am sorry to hear about your situation, John.

As others have said, this person is no friend.

If I was in your situation, I'd contact the person by email or letter and ask them to make payment within 14 days, stating that if they did not comply you would seek legal advice. I'd also make the point that you already gave them a discount & that on the night itself they were clearly very pleased with your service. If you heard nothing, I'd then take forward a claim for what you're owed through the moneyclaim website Spirits High referred to, and would never have anything else to do with that "friend"

[Sapphire Disco]

It's all very well saying take this guy to court but it's not always that easy it can be quite a traumatic experience if people lie about you and intimidate you, also you are not guaranteed your money even if you win, it could cost you another £100 which you may lose if the order can not be enforced, if it was a company I would have no hesitation but an individual who can disappear or have no assets so I'm not so sure I would do it
I would try and forget it £200 is an expensive lesson but will one that will make you tougher & stricter in the future :)

[rob1963]

you are not guaranteed your money even if you win, it could cost you another £100 which you may lose if the order can not be enforced, if it was a company I would have no hesitation but an individual who can disappear or have no assets so I'm not so sure I would do it

On the other hand, as is often the case, the mere threat of legal action could be enough for the guy to see sense & cough up.

[DJMaxG]

Did at any point he say that he wouldnt pay for it?

It seems that perhaps he was just trying to talk you round, but until he actually refuses by saing "no I am not paying for it", can you take any legal action or anything of such nature. I would have probably handled the call a bit better as well, you called him Greedy, which although you may think it, it doesnt sound professional, if you know what I mean :) To make things worse, there was no form of signed contract, so retrieving the funds could be slightly more difficult than usual.

[Sapphire Disco]

On the other hand, as is often the case, the mere threat of legal action could be enough for the guy to see sense & cough up.

Very true could be worth addressing the letter to Mr & Mrs recorded delivery if the home address is known, only trouble is if you don't get your money you probably will never get it even through courts so you would end up with egg on your face for backing down is it worth it ?

[rob1963]

is it worth it ?

In my opinion, yes.

If someone owed me money for a gig, regardless of whether I knew them or not, I'd start with a polite request, then a firm request for payment within 7 days & threatening legal action if not received, then finally I'd take forward a claim throught that Moneyclaim website.

For me, it's the principle, and following this course of action would also show that I was serious about it.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

another factor to consider is the potential "bad press" you may receive from following such a matter.

[Larry B Entertainment]

In my opinion, yes.

If someone owed me money for a gig, regardless of whether I knew them or not, I'd start with a polite request, then a firm request for payment within 7 days & threatening legal action if not received, then finally I'd take forward a claim throught that Moneyclaim website.

For me, it's the principle, and following this course of action would also show that I was serious about it.

The problem is, if there is no signed paperwork then there is no proof, only a verbal contract which isnt worth the paper it is writen on so to speak. The guy could start using any kinds of excuses not to pay up and theres nothing to stop him counter claiming for bad service or something if he wants to get funny about it.

It could just end up doing twinspins reputation more harm than good.
I have fallen out with friends over money and I was just advised by the CAB to let it go as it can take months, sometimes years to get anywhere and even then it may not be worth it in the end.

[rob1963]

another factor to consider is the potential "bad press" you may receive from following such a matter.

And the good press.

If you follow the formal route to get paid, word could get around that you're not a soft target, and some people might think twice before trying it on with you in the future.

[sweetie]

did a couple of hours on thursday night at a couple of friend's wedding party.
I was free that night and was invited to the reception so offered to do it as a gift.
I also arranged for the band I dj with to play beforehand but left the money side to
them and i would say they charged a good price, maybe a bit less for being a
thursday and only booked with short notice and being friends of mine.

Had a great night with free bar and lots of lovely food and was happy with my
lot and you never know who would see you and book you on the strength of
that gig. (got a booking today from a lady who attended a gig I did two years ago!)

Lo and behold, I received a thank you card today with 300 euros in it and I was
gobsmacked. I will, of course, return it and thank them for the thought but it
goes to show there are some lovely people out there!

[DeckstarDeluxe]

And the good press.

If you follow the formal route to get paid, word could get around that you're not a soft target, and some people might think twice about trying it on with you in the future.


Sorry Rob but I dont see it that way at all. Bad press sells better than good press at the end of the day and theres countless examples of such practice.

End of the day John is hardly in the market where people will be trying it on as such.


did a couple of hours on thursday night at a couple of friend's wedding party.
I was free that night and was invited to the reception so offered to do it as a gift.
I also arranged for the band I dj with to play beforehand but left the money side to
them and i would say they charged a good price, maybe a bit less for being a
thursday and only booked with short notice and being friends of mine.

Had a great night with free bar and lots of lovely food and was happy with my
lot and you never know who would see you and book you on the strength of
that gig. (got a booking today from a lady who attended a gig I did two years ago!)

Lo and behold, I received a thank you card today with 300 euros in it and I was
gobsmacked. I will, of course, return it and thank them for the thought but it
goes to show there are some lovely people out there!


Great post!

[rob1963]

Sorry Rob but I dont see it that way at all. Bad press sells better than good press at the end of the day and theres countless examples of such practice.

End of the day John is hardly in the market where people will be trying it on as such.

The point I'm making is that if John does nothing, the guy in question is likely to tell people how he got the disco for free, and that the DJ just asked once to be paid, and then gave up.

This gives the impression that he isn't bothered about being paid. He could then get the reputation of being soft, which could lead to more people trying it on in the future.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

The point I'm making is that if John does nothing, the guy in question is likely to tell people how he got the disco for free, and that the DJ just asked once to be paid, and then gave up.

This gives the impression that he isn't bothered about being paid. He could then get the reputation of being soft, which could lead to more people trying it on in the future.

I dont think John will make the same mistake again though Rob.

[rob1963]

I dont think John will make the same mistake again though Rob.

Very true!

[Excalibur]

I feel any money gained could be subject to the law of diminishing returns. It could cost him more to recoup than he receives.

Bear in mind that if John were to point out to other businesses that the "Friend " had failed to pay for a disco, then he could find things difficult without paying cash in advance. Cuts both ways, Lads. ;)