Are we just enablers?

[DiscoPromotions]

PaulG reminded me of a conversation (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29664) I had with a £60 SID DJ the other night.

Instead giving a good talking to about the right or wrongs of providing a service (as if he would have listen anyway). I would conduct some market research as he did not know I was DJ, so working under cover.

Apart from wasting my time, I did learn a few things about the way this particular one operates. He claimed that his diary is full for next few months, even in January & February 2011. He quotes £60 to £80 to get the booking. Then when he gets another call for the same date, he will double the price. If the client agrees to it he would just forget about the previous one.

I asked him he gets hassled by people who let's down? He replied yes, but usually just changes his mobile number every 3 to 6 months depending on the level of noise he gets.

Bookings from other DJ's is the same thing, whoever pays the most is the event he will be attending. Same process again, if gets hassled changes his number again and again. He did say, one DJ he lets down regularly keep giving him work as he just acts dumb with him. So, if they suspect they know him he just make excuse that it was someone else using his name.

So question stands, are we just enabling this behaviour in the market place by

- Covering last minute events
- Lowering our prices
- Not informing clients of the dangers
- Passing on working to other DJ's without checking them out

Playing a bit of devils advocate here, we can kick, scream, and shout when £60 Sids cause problems, but are not helping out ourselves in the first instance.

Food for thought.

[JTRS]

So question stands, are we just enabling this behaviour in the market place by

- Not informing clients of the dangers
- Passing on working to other DJ's without checking them out



I've given up on trying to inform clients on the dangers of using a £60 Sid, they don't want to listen and they perceive you as a scaremonger, so whilst I will try and sell myself, my service and my reliability (and associated reputation) I stop short of warning them off of anyone.

I have never and would never pass work onto someone I didn't know would do a good job, and thanks to this forum I've found a couple of local DJ's who I can rely on.

JTRS

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I've given up on trying to inform clients on the dangers of using a £60 Sid, they don't want to listen and they perceive you as a scaremonger, so whilst I will try and sell myself, my service and my reliability (and associated reputation) I stop short of warning them off of anyone.

I have never and would never pass work onto someone I didn't know would do a good job, and thanks to this forum I've found a couple of local DJ's who I can rely on.

JTRS
+1 agree with every word.

[Megamix]

it never sounds good moaning about rivals in business. Always best to sell on your ability. Criticism of others (whether justified or not) is not a good idea.

[Jason]

Yes, positive marketing is the way to go. Even for kids parties we issue terms, require booking fees and keep them updated.
Some are very surprised - "last time we booked a DJ he just did it on his mobile".. the next sentence normally leads to news that the other DJ didn't turn up! lol

However, the pubic perception of a DJ doesn't really help us. Even in my day job, some of the guys think its all dodgy music, (illegal and Abba..lol), rope lights and chatting up the bar staff..

I leave "sid" well alone. I don't want their clients, or their rates.

We do provide a good service, and this comes at a price, so when asked to quote, we never mention over DJ's, but do explain how we work with clients to provide a good night.

Jason

[simon1969]

it never sounds good moaning about rivals in business. Always best to sell on your ability. Criticism of others (whether justified or not) is not a good idea.
I wouldn't call it critiscm of others just informing people of the cowboys out there and why i'm not a cowboy and the safeguards I have in place if things do go wrong.
Potential clients don't care for advice though, just money at the end of the day I must admit I was shocked at the opening post (you just want to break sid's legs to be honest well I do).
People cover last minute gigs because they care.
I don't pass on dj's details if I don't know them ...
Iam competive with my prices and would not dream of passing on a gig to because someone has offered me more money!!
They should have £60.00 sids on rogue traders public usually listen then.

[Corabar Steve]

Apart from wasting my time, I did learn a few things about the way this particular one operates. He claimed that his diary is full for next few months, even in January & February 2011. He quotes £60 to £80 to get the booking. Then when he gets another call for the same date, he will double the price. If the client agrees to it he would just forget about the previous one.

I asked him he gets hassled by people who let's down? He replied yes, but usually just changes his mobile number every 3 to 6 months depending on the level of noise he gets. Why on earth would anyone admit to that (assuming it wasn't a wind up) to a total stranger / prospective customer??????

[simon1969]

Why on earth would anyone admit to that (assuming it wasn't a wind up) to a total stranger / prospective customer??????

Well there are lots of reasons for people admitting to that Steve but this a family forum lol!!
I have spoke to lots of strangers(dj's) that have this outlook when a fast buck is to be made, they don't maintain their dj equipment either or care if they let people down.
You mustn't go out much either Steve or just lucky you havn't met this type of people lol!!!

[CRAZY K]

[So question stands, are we just enabling this behaviour in the market place by

- Covering last minute events
- Lowering our prices
- Not informing clients of the dangers
- Passing on working to other DJ's without checking them out



Yes

Two points--

1.This is EXACTLY how some Rodeo Bull operators work--take a cheap booking then take a better paid one near the date--customers--nah no problem--either there is NO paperwork and they DENY ever having taken the booking---WHATS YER NAME NEVER EARD OF YA!

OR

Rodeo Bulls broken but we know a bloke who can get you out of trouble--oh did I mention its TWICE THE PRICE.:eek:

2. Mobile Phone. I would NEVER do business with someone who only had a Mobile Phone contact normally--just smacks of Cowboy.

Sorry to upset anyone on here that does that--a personal view.

The really bad news is we explain this problem to people, especially for Rodeo Bulls ---THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW.

I know I speak to several people like that every day.

So when they get let down I have no sympathy.

I have said that twice today--sadly Britain is obsessed with PRICE not reliability or quality.

Next year it wont get better--just worse after vat increases, job cuts etc.

There are signs here of that already.:eek:

So I guess £60 Sid will be in for another good year--obviously not surprised your Sid was heavily booked--he would be wouldnt he at those bargain prices.

[simon1969]

Yes

Two points--

1.This is EXACTLY how some Rodeo Bull operators work--take a cheap booking then take a better paid one near the date--customers--nah no problem--either there is NO paperwork and they DENY ever having taken the booking---WHATS YER NAME NEVER EARD OF YA!

OR

Rodeo Bulls broken but we know a bloke who can get you out of trouble--oh did I mention its TWICE THE PRICE.:eek:

2. Mobile Phone. I would NEVER do business with someone who only had a Mobile Phone contact normally--just smacks of Cowboy.

Sorry to upset anyone on here that does that--a personal view.

The really bad news is we explain this problem to people, especially for Rodeo Bulls ---THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW.

I know I speak to several people like that every day.

So when they get let down I have no sympathy.

I have said that twice today--sadly Britain is obsessed with PRICE not reliability or quality.

Next year it wont get better--just worse after vat increases, job cuts etc.

There are signs here of that already.:eek:

So I guess £60 Sid will be in for another good year--obviously not surprised your Sid was heavily booked--he would be wouldnt he at those bargain prices.

You have brought up a good point there is every country obsessed with price or is it just Britain?
Rodeo bulls well they have never had a good rep in my experience and don't care if they ruin your equipment either!!!

[NKR]

I don't go out to last minute emergency bookings. Should have booked me in the first place. Someone lets them down and you end up filling in, you arrive late as a result and get all the grief.

I think I have posted about having done it in the past and got loads of grief.

No show DJ. Unlucky your event is ruined, book a professional next time.

[simon1969]

I don't go out to last minute emergency bookings. Should have booked me in the first place. Someone lets them down and you end up filling in, you arrive late as a result and get all the grief.

I think I have posted about having done it in the past and got loads of grief.

No show DJ. Unlucky your event is ruined, book a professional next time.

That's a bit harsh not everyone has experience of using dj services .....

[NKR]

That's a bit harsh not everyone has experience of using dj services .....

I have done it in the past and got grief off guests for being late, blah, blah, blah. So I will not do it again. If decent guys clear up the mess left when the Cowboys don't show its worth booking a cheapy and if they don't show getting the more expensive one at last minute.
I will cover people I now or have heard of if there has been an accident, sickness, other problem that can't be helped, but not a simple no show.