Terms & Conditions OTT or simple?

[musicologydisco]

Some discos publish their t&c's on their website and looking at some you would think booking a disco was akin to buying a house! Others are really straight forward and perhaps not adequate. Do you feel you need loads of conditions and do any benefit the customer or do you keep it simple and uncomplicated. Discuss!

[Booche]

I have mine on my website just so clients can view them if they like also it makes it clear before they book what happens if anything goes off etc etc

But i also send them a copy of it with there booking form which they have to sign and date which yes might seem alot but now adays there is so many people trying it on or trying to get things AFTER the event that this way they have no way of saying "oh i didnt see the T&C's" etc.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I suppose depends on if your shelling out £100 or £1000.

Ive had clients tell me that having comprehensive T&Cs makes them feel secure :confused: in parting with so much money.

[Sapphire Disco]

Keep mine simple deposit paid to confirm booking, balance paid to me on the night at the start of the evening.
I can understand why some operators need to have more rigorous terms but sometimes I think you can sometimes make a rod for your own back by over complicating things.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have mine on my website and also on the back of the booking forms. I feel it is a MUST that you try to cover everything.
They are there to help you and the customer.
Just as I have to cover my back, they need to be covered too.
I have had one person in nearly 6 years say that they were too much (but still used me) and I have had a fair few people say to me that they liked the fact that they felt secure.

The Terms & Conditions cover the customer too. Questions that get asked are "What if you can't make it? Do you have cover?" or "What happens if you cancel on us? Where do we stand with regards to refunds etc?" (not that a refund would compensate for letting someone down but you know what I mean).

Personally, as much detail as possible on them but each to their own and all that.

[Tom Lovick]

I have mine on my website and also on the back of the booking forms. I feel it is a MUST that you try to cover everything.
They are there to help you and the customer.
Just as I have to cover my back, they need to be covered too.
I have had one person in nearly 6 years say that they were too much (but still used me) and I have had a fair few people say to me that they liked the fact that they felt secure.

The Terms & Conditions cover the customer too. Questions that get asked are "What if you can't make it? Do you have cover?" or "What happens if you cancel on us? Where do we stand with regards to refunds etc?" (not that a refund would compensate for letting someone down but you know what I mean).

Personally, as much detail as possible on them but each to their own and all that.

I don't have mine on the site but as soon as someone enquires about me I send them a booking form and T&C's as the first info i attach to the email.

[Jason]

Mine are about 3 pages... lol
It covers cancellations, aggressive behaviour (guests/clients), licences (from the venue), power, and the cooling off period (as most are "distance selling") and "overtime" rates.

I've had one lady get very worried, and I revised it to meet her needs. These were clauses such as music licences (she didn't have a clue - but it was fine), power (again, about 10 sockets), and a few other minor points that didn't really apply.

Most clients like something solid with regards to terms. I occasionally take payment on the night, but this is really driven by time-scales (late booking), and sometimes the type of party (2hr kids party for £150 or Wedding for much more).

I always take a booking fee, and this is clearly marked as non-refundable (subject to distance selling). To make this easy, I hold on to the cheque for 7 days before banking. After this time, I've meet the distance selling regs.


But, agree with Steve (Dynamic), for low price gigs- too much paperwork could look silly if its in a village hall for a £100 booking.
Brides will have seen quite a few terms for the venue, catering, car, cake, dress etc...

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I disagree with the last point.
I think that if you have full Terms and Conditions then you should use them no matter how big or small the booking is.

I have it in bold on the front of the booking form and in the T&C's that the booking fee is non-refundable. I never take payment on the night either. It states in the T&C's that the balance should be payable 7 days in advance of the function. It works for me. It may not work for everyone else.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Mine are about 3 pages... lol
It covers cancellations, aggressive behaviour (guests/clients), licences (from the venue), power, and the cooling off period (as most are "distance selling") and "overtime" rates.

I've had one lady get very worried, and I revised it to meet her needs. These were clauses such as music licences (she didn't have a clue - but it was fine), power (again, about 10 sockets), and a few other minor points that didn't really apply.

Most clients like something solid with regards to terms. I occasionally take payment on the night, but this is really driven by time-scales (late booking), and sometimes the type of party (2hr kids party for £150 or Wedding for much more).

I always take a booking fee, and this is clearly marked as non-refundable (subject to distance selling). To make this easy, I hold on to the cheque for 7 days before banking. After this time, I've meet the distance selling regs.


But, agree with Steve (Dynamic), for low price gigs- too much paperwork could look silly if its in a village hall for a £100 booking.
Brides will have seen quite a few terms for the venue, catering, car, cake, dress etc...

I never said that ;)

What I was inferring was that a client who is parting with a huge amount of cash will definately want to know its in safe hands.

Clients who are looking to the lower end of the price scale, maybe wont be so bothered by T&Cs (amongst other things) ;)

[Jason]

I never said that ;)

What I was inferring was that a client who is parting with a huge amount of cash will definately want to know its in safe hands.

Clients who are looking to the lower end of the price scale, maybe wont be so bothered by T&Cs (amongst other things) ;)

Sorry Steve - mis-quoted!
I probably meant basically what you've said above.... which I agree with (lower price gigs often mean people expecting a booking with no paperwork).

I DO provide terms for kids parties, as there are risks of kids doing something stupid and I want an adult (other than me!) in the room.


One client did question why the need for paperwork... shortly before she moaned about the last DJ they booked didn't turn up... lol
My answer was "you now have my address, 2 telephone numbers, and know I'm serious about your booking. I don't take bookings via a mobile, and no other contact."

[Charlie Brown]

A booking isn't confirmed (in my eyes) until the T&Cs have been sighed and dated.

[DJWilson]

A booking isn't confirmed (in my eyes) until the T&Cs have been sighed and dated.

Second that.

Mine is just a simple 12 point T&C two page contract, simple and to the point. Never had any issues with it.