DJ@ will not be continued into the 2010 / 2011 season.

[Mark Wild]

Just received this from djassociates.org -

Dear Member

It is with regret that I hereby announce that due to personal reasons, DJ@ will not be continued into the 2010 / 2011 season.

We are currently not accepting any new memberships into the association, and all current memberships will cease on their natural expiry date, namely 23.59pm on August 31st 2010.

Please accept this as the required minimum of 30 days written notice that the current PLI benefit of membership will expire on the same date and that there will be no opportunity or option to renew on 1st September 2010.

Therefore please make alternative arrangements for PLI cover from 1st September 2010.


Regards

Dan 'Dukesy'
DJ Associates

[Danno13]

Doesn't suprise me, if I'm honest.

[Mark Wild]

Doesn't suprise me, if I'm honest.

tbh I only used them for PLI, looks like I'll have to sort that now :D

[Danno13]

You could always try a proper association (hint.. starts with N and ends with ADJ :D)

[yourdj]

Will ampdj be the next? Having said that i had an enquiry the other day?

[Booche]

I also recieved this yesterday, looks like a few companys are doing this...

Dear Dave,

We value our relationship with you as a customer and would like to inform you personally of a recent change to our business.



As from today, Friday 23rd July, the rights to the software for The National Pages have been acquired by another company. As contractually agreed, the acquiring company has instructed us to deactivate the website.

You may recall that your website contains an image/link back to our website in exchange for a free Silver upgrade. We request that you remove the image/link at your earliest convenience. Should you require any assistance please reply to this email.

Our customer base has not been included as part of the acquisition. No details about you or your company have been disclosed to the acquiring company or any other third party.

If you have any questions please email [email protected].

The National Pages would like to thank you for your past business.



Kind regards

The National Pages Team

Cheers Dave :)

[Mark Wild]

I also recieved this yesterday, looks like a few companys are doing this...

Dear Dave,

We value our relationship with you as a customer and would like to inform you personally of a recent change to our business.



As from today, Friday 23rd July, the rights to the software for The National Pages have been acquired by another company. As contractually agreed, the acquiring company has instructed us to deactivate the website.

You may recall that your website contains an image/link back to our website in exchange for a free Silver upgrade. We request that you remove the image/link at your earliest convenience. Should you require any assistance please reply to this email.

Our customer base has not been included as part of the acquisition. No details about you or your company have been disclosed to the acquiring company or any other third party.

If you have any questions please email [email protected].

The National Pages would like to thank you for your past business.



Kind regards

The National Pages Team

Cheers Dave :)

What has that got to do with anything? The OP is with regards to djassociates ;)

[Twinspin]

You could always try a proper association (hint.. starts with N and ends with ADJ :D)

couldnt have said it better :p :D

[robbiedj]

You could always try a proper association (hint.. starts with N and ends with ADJ :D)


couldnt have said it better :p :D

:agree: I have to agree with them! :D

However, I do know that Dukesy was very dedicated to his association, so I hope all is OK with him.

[rob1963]

You could always try a proper association (hint.. starts with N and ends with ADJ :D)

Or the one with the same first three letters as the kit which some of us have free standing & others have inside their speakers.

;)

[Steve the DJ]

Will ampdj be the next? Having said that i had an enquiry the other day?

I doubt it, they will probably increase their membership when DJ@ closes as (in my mind), members of DJ@ are price focussed first and foremost and for many the main reason for joining would have been the PLI.

What will be interesting is if any of Dan's "other interests" are affected.

[simonp]

I doubt it, they will probably increase their membership when DJ@ closes as (in my mind), members of DJ@ are price focussed first and foremost and for many the main reason for joining would have been the PLI.

What will be interesting is if any of Dan's "other interests" are affected.

They were quick off the mark so to speak - my PLI was with DJ@Associates so got the same email as Mr Wild and just two emails later was one sitting there from AMPdj - the opening paragraph thus
You have probably already heard the news about DJ Associates (DJ@) ceasing to trade as of 31st August 2010 and you may be looking to make alternative arrangements for your Public Liability Insurance.

so it looks like my £49 will be going to them

[soundtracker]

My big worry with these so called "Associations" is that they seem to be run by individuals, who on the face of it are not accountable to anyone. I haven't seen any election of officials, any officers named or anything to suggest the constitution under which they are run. So what's to stop them collecting premiums on behalf of "members" and then not passing them on to the insurance company - lets face it, the incidence of claims under DJ insurance policies is reasonably low- reflected in the fact that the premiums are so cheap - so no-one is going to be any the wiser until a claim is made!
Now obviously I'm not saying that the individuals involved in this are in any way dishonest or crooked, I don't know anything about them - but with today's cheap web-hosting etc, it wouldn't take much to set up a similar scenario to collect premiums with a great offering, and then once you have pocketed enough cash, suddenly pull the website!
My money will be staying with NADJ, at least there you know that the committee is elected, and accounts are produced on a regular basis.

[Steve the DJ]

They were quick off the mark so to speak - my PLI was with DJ@Associates so got the same email as Mr Wild and just two emails later was one sitting there from AMPdj - the opening paragraph thus
You have probably already heard the news about DJ Associates (DJ@) ceasing to trade as of 31st August 2010 and you may be looking to make alternative arrangements for your Public Liability Insurance.

so it looks like my £49 will be going to them


My big worry with these so called "Associations" is that they seem to be run by individuals, who on the face of it are not accountable to anyone. I haven't seen any election of officials, any officers named or anything to suggest the constitution under which they are run. So what's to stop them collecting premiums on behalf of "members" and then not passing them on to the insurance company - lets face it, the incidence of claims under DJ insurance policies is reasonably low- reflected in the fact that the premiums are so cheap - so no-one is going to be any the wiser until a claim is made!

Now obviously I'm not saying that the individuals involved in this are in any way dishonest or crooked, I don't know anything about them - but with today's cheap web-hosting etc, it wouldn't take much to set up a similar scenario to collect premiums with a great offering, and then once you have pocketed enough cash, suddenly pull the website!

My money will be staying with NADJ, at least there you know that the committee is elected, and accounts are produced on a regular basis.

As you can see Peter, you are in the minority... :D

Cheap rules with the majority of DJs, always has and always will. :shrug:

[rob1963]

Cheap rules with the majority of DJs, always has and always will. :shrug:

Maybe because they understand the importance & benefits of reducing costs as far as possible.

;)

[soundtracker]

Maybe because they understand the importance & benefits of reducing costs as far as possible.

;)

But moan like hell when the customers invoke the same principles!:bang:


As you can see Peter, you are in the minority... :D
:shrug:

Good, and long may it continue!:)

[Mark Wild]

I'm already an associate member with AMPdj (for advertising purposes) who by the way claim to be "the largest national UK DJ organisation offering PLI as part of membership". All I have to do is upgrade my membership to full member for £49 and I'll receive a refund of £26 due to my associate member status.

[Corabar Entertainment]

They were quick off the mark so to speak - my PLI was with DJ@Associates so got the same email as Mr Wild and just two emails later was one sitting there from AMPdj - the opening paragraph thus
You have probably already heard the news about DJ Associates (DJ@) ceasing to trade as of 31st August 2010 and you may be looking to make alternative arrangements for your Public Liability Insurance.

so it looks like my £49 will be going to themSo, have DJ@ sold their customer database to AMPdj?

[Mark Wild]

So, have DJ@ sold their customer database to AMPdj?

No, I don't think so, the following is from AMPdj.

Dear Member,

As always a warm welcome to all our new members since the last update.

I just wanted to drop you a quick note following the announcement earlier today that DJ Associates will cease business on 31st August 2010.

Firstly we are not connected with, or have any association to, the owner of that organisation and it will not in any way affect the operations of AMPdj or the benefits we provide to all our members.

AMPdj is already the largest national UK DJ organisation offering PLI as part of membership and we are going from strength to strength. We also have vast support from the industry we all work in which puts us in a very strong position for the future.

You can rest assured that we will be around for a very long time and will continue to provide worthwhile benefits for our members.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please get in touch

Best regards

Paul
AMPdj
08456 808 247

PS if you are currently an Associate AMPdj member (you have your PLI elsewhere) then please get in touch if you wish to transfer to Full Membership & £10m PLI. We ensure that you don't lose out on the transfer.

[Steve the DJ]

Maybe because they understand the importance & benefits of reducing costs as far as possible.


But moan like hell when the customers invoke the same principles!:bang:

Exactly! :)

However Rob does have a point (you may wish to save that part of the post for future reference... :p ), it is important that every business looks at it's costs on a regular basis, I just think many DJs look in the worng places.

[NKR]

I got the same DJ@ Message so need to get new PLI cover from 1 September. Might just do DJ guard as have been meaning to insure the kit for ages now anyway. Anyone else use DJguard?

[DJ Tony McQue]

I'm already an associate member with AMPdj (for advertising purposes) who by the way claim to be "the largest national UK DJ organisation offering PLI as part of membership". All I have to do is upgrade my membership to full member for £49 and I'll receive a refund of £26 due to my associate member status.

Are you getting many enquiries through their network of websites Mark?

[Mark Wild]

Are you getting many enquiries through their network of websites Mark?

Yes but never converted any, the enquiries, I believe go to a bunch of DJ's enrolled to a specific area. I'm very quick off the mark with enquiries, unlike most, but I don't think these enquires suit the market I'm gunning for if you see what I mean. But for the money even if I convert 1 or 2 the ROI is good, especially now I'll be taking PLI with them as well.

[Chris G]

I use DJ Guard. I know there are cheaper alternatives but is is nice to have piece of mind that your equipment is covered against loss also.

[simonp]

I got the same DJ@ Message so need to get new PLI cover from 1 September. Might just do DJ guard as have been meaning to insure the kit for ages now anyway. Anyone else use DJguard?

AMPdj also do kit insurance as well - the example given in the email is £8000 worth for £139

[DJ James Lake]

AMPdj also do kit insurance as well - the example given in the email is £8000 worth for £139

Funny I just used there online quote and £10,000 was £302, £7500 was £232

[Dynamic Entertainment]

AMPdj also do kit insurance as well - the example given in the email is £8000 worth for £139

It was cheaper for me to stick with DJ Guards. £19,000 of equipment cover was going to be about £460 with their provider.

[CRAZY K]

I got the same DJ@ Message so need to get new PLI cover from 1 September. Might just do DJ guard as have been meaning to insure the kit for ages now anyway. Anyone else use DJguard?

Yes--not the cheapest but I would rather be insured with Norwich Union through a large Insurance Broker thanks;)

Even if it costs more.:D

[simonp]

Funny I just used there online quote and £10,000 was £302, £7500 was £232

Ah yes, it does say in the small print - quote may differ due to individual circumstances etc etc

[Twinspin]

At the moment my PLI is through NADJ & Binfield for the £10m. However when my PLI is up for renewal on 15th august ill be going through N.A.D.J again.

[yourdj]

Yep paul has personally connected me and I should have not posted that comment as they are not connected in any way.

"Hi Toby,

Thanks for your message - really like your email format!!

I'm sure you can appreciate that confidence is a big part of any business and some people can get nervous when institutions close (ie is it the first of many) - hence my concern at your conjecture.

I hope you are now re-assured that AMPdj is not about to go down the same path."

Im not having a very professionally efficient day am I :(

Sur ei can turn that round for the better :)

[Jason]

I'll be going with a more professional organisation, so DJ Guard or possibly MU.
MU offer many more benefits to the professional DJ.
Remember that the company sending emails is not offering Equipment insurance for £49, and so this is an extra.

NADJ are a good alternative if you wish to join an open Association (AmpDJ is a purely commercial entity).

In short, there is no need to panic buy... DJ@ members have over 30 days to find PLI cover. As with Car insurance, its fairly easy to secure cover online or over the phone.
I've also found good cover from my Van insurers, so its worth checking with existing policies to see if this can be added as a low-cost bolt-on.

[yourdj]

Yes--not the cheapest but I would rather be insured with Norwich Union through a large Insurance Broker thanks;)

DJGUARD is a subsidiary of LTS or something like that which is a big insurer. they do all sorts. Never claimed but the underwriting small print is in plain english and easy too follow which i like. :)

[robbiedj]

MU offer many more benefits to the professional DJ.
Remember that the company sending emails is not offering Equipment insurance for £49, and so this is an extra.

NADJ are a good alternative if you wish to join an open Association



NADJ PLI is from the same company as MU, but tailored for DJ's. Unlike the majority of policies, it covers over-head lighting and dry hire. Check the small print before you choose.

[pwes]

and moreover, this does raise questions about other cheap PLI offers doesn't it... read on -

""Okay, one member has asked me why DJ@ issued a pro-rata based membership, always running a fixed period from Sept 1st - August 31st annually, and whether the cessation of DJ@ at the end of this policy was in some way pre planned.

First of all, having memberships which run alongside the same PLI 'year' is common sense. It's always something of a gamble accepting memberships which guarantee PLI cover entering into a time period which is extending well beyond an existing physical policy period and into a new policy period which, as of yet does not exist, has not yet been purchased and may be several months away from even being (re)quoted by the Broker.

This is all well and good if you have the security and financial backing like the MU to cover any additional or unexpected outlay, but if your subscription base is smaller, and you have a physical policy which is valid until 31st August 2010 and you accept a new membership in April 2010 which runs to April of the following year then how can you offer the security and validity of a PLI policy running into the September 2010 to April 2011 which doesn't yet physically exist at the underwriters without some form of risk being attached to those promising the cover? This is a bit like somebody promising that your car insurance premium will be exactly the same as it was the previous year, even though it's still some months until the renewal and anything could happen in the interim, including somebody making a claim or your underwriter suddenly refusing to continue to accept the entertainment fraternity!

What would happen if for example, in the meantime, a member had a claim under the existing policy, meaning that any renewed policy from Sept 2010 was significantly increased by the insurer to the point where the revenue from those who had paid the association in advance didn't even come close to covering the actual renewed policy premium?

How would the association cover the additional and as yet, unpredicted cost then? Would the various committee members be putting their hands in their collective pockets and making up the shortfall? One would certainly expect so, and somebody has got to stand up and accept accountability.

In addition, what would happen if a claim resulted in any offer of a subsequent consecutive policy being refused by the broker or underwriter when it came to renewal time? What redundancy exists in the event of this happening to protect those who are legally contracted to receive cover beyond the expiry of the existing policy?

Take the time to check your membership to see what guarantees exist in the event of something like this happening. If they are not stipulated then ask them to put this in writing, you have a right to know, especially as you are effectively investing into something which doesn't as yet, physically exist in the form of a blanket pli policy document in force to at least the date of your membership expiry.

In addition, should the Association be dissolved at any time for whatever reason, with memberships all expiring at various times, it would be impossible to voluntarily cease the association at an organic renewal time convenient to everyone and give an adequate notice period in the run up to that date. It would also have to refund - pro-rata all of the membership payments for those who still had a remaining period of valid membership / pli, meaning a logistical nightmare for 'somebody' and refund fees levied by any merchant service provider.

DJ@ did not plan its cessation date months or years ago, and no, this wasn't a deliberate or predicted exercise. Having a given date when everybody's' membership expires and is renewed en-masse is far easier to handle and maintain than keeping tabs on the individual expiry dates of many, many memberships. This philosophy may be okay if you pay wages to admin staff or have a very small membership , however, when you have a database as large as DJ Associates it is more of a challenge, and I don't apologise for running an association in a way which means the minimum of admin work and expenses, the chances of individual renewals being overlooked are naturally actively minimised and the protection of offering a PLI policy for a period that exists and is actively reflected for exactly the same period on an actual policy document which is fully underwritten for the period as indicated on every members membership card and online pli documention and which doesn't extend into an unknown and as yet unchartered fantasy island.

Whilst others have the right to run their associations as they choose, I chose to protect both myself and the members with a membership and PLI period backed by a physical underwritten pli policy in actual existence, and of which could be physically produced rather than take advance payment for a policy, part of which will have to be renewed at a date sometime in the future at a renewal fee which, as yet, hadn't been negotiated with the broker and may of course be subject to increases or additional restrictions.

I assume that those associations are just expecting the renewal fee for 2011 to be similar to that paid in 2010, but we all know that insurance companies are unpredictable, premiums increase and any subsequent claim(s) may be made in the meantime meaning a significant premium increase or even a renewal refused!

Obviously, people are finding DJ@'s membership policy to be slightly different to the norm, but I would suggest that they are common sense in an unpredictable and ever changing economic climate, and protect both its members and the association to the best of its ability. For example, if we had of continued into 2011, and found that our PLI policy was to be significantly increased in the run up to its renewal on September 1st, then we could plan and notify our members of any increase in our membership fees in order to cover the difference accordingly and therefore continue to make our association model viable, cover the cost of the annual pli on the renewal date and continue to 'exist'. However, if we had taken a large percentage of advance memberships whose pli policies extended into the new policy period at the old rate, expecting the premium to be the same and found that it was £1500 a year more, then we may end up either being financially embarrassed and having to make up the shortfall personally, which I'm sure various committee members elsewhere will be more than happy to do, should the hat be passed.

The same would apply if we shopped around for a new policy at the renewal date and changed underwriters, we would then have half of the membership with documents relating to the old policy which may no longer be valid and would therefore have to send out new policy documents containing the new policy number, terms and paperwork to those members. Any differences in policy terms or stipulations would also have to be notified in advance. Far easier and more workable to just move everybody onto a renewed policy en masse on exactly the same date.

This advance model is all well and good and completely workable if you have the subscription base to financially support any change in premium - whatever it may be. However, for the smaller independent association, it may become a sticky wicket if they become the test case in any of these scenario's! After all, if they have promised you a policy running between two dates then they are contractually obliged to provide that policy come what may, which will be interesting should the additional renewal premium be no longer financially viable or a policy renewal flatly refused, I wonder how the consecutive aspect of the insurance cover would then be assured and how it would be obtained and at whose cost?""