Act using my equipment.

[gaza]

I have been booked for an Wedding where i was asked if could drop the price because the tribute act that would also be performing would not now need to use my cd players and mic as they would be bringing there own pa system. I have now been informed that they now want to use my cd players and mic.
So would you think that £50 is a fair price for me to charge the act, the act is performing for 45 mins and i would operate the cd payers and levels.

[funkymook]

I have been booked for an Wedding where i was asked if could drop the price because the tribute act that would also be performing would not now need to use my cd players and mic as they would be bringing there own pa system. I have now been informed that they now want to use my cd players and mic.
So would you think that £50 is a fair price for me to charge the act, the act is performing for 45 mins and i would operate the cd payers and levels.

I'm confused. If I'm reading it as there was an original charge for using your equipment, they then asked you to drop that charge when they didn't need it. Now they do again - if so, reinstate the original charge would be my answer.

I'd have to question why an act would want to use someone else's mic's rather than their own though. Are you supplying the same mic's they usually use?

[Jason]

Yep agree with this - just revert to the original price?

I think £50 is a fair price - but see how it fits with the rest of your price for the night...
You're working (as opposed to standing around) and providing gear (albeit basic stuff).

Jason

[Excalibur]

I'm confused. If I'm reading it as there was an original charge for using your equipment, they then asked you to drop that charge when they didn't need it. Now they do again - if so, reinstate the original charge would be my answer.

I'd have to question why an act would want to use someone else's mic's rather than their own though. Are you supplying the same mic's they usually use?

Errrr, I think the original concept was " If you play for less time because the act wii be on with their gear, will you offer a discount" ? ;) ;) ;) Then the act said they will need gear providing, so discount is now n/a.

[gaza]

This is how it went.

I gave a quote which involved the act using my grear and the quote included an early set up ( which they wanted) but they said that it was i a little above there budget.
So they came back and said how much without the early set up and also the act would bring there own gear, so i provided a cheaper quote which they agreed to, now they are asking if the act can use my gear.

[hammy]

Then back to the original quote is all it can be, Maybe knock a tenner off for not setting up early

[funkymook]

This is how it went.
I gave a quote which involved the act using my grear and the quote included an early set up ( which they wanted) but they said that it was i a little above there budget.
So they came back and said how much without the early set up and also the act would bring there own gear, so i provided a cheaper quote which they agreed to, now they are asking if the act can use my gear.

They've probably arranged a discount with the band for using your gear and now trying to get your price down as well.

Give them two quotes, one for early set-up and band using your gear and one for later set-up and band uses all their own gear (even CD players).

Client pays you all your fee. You mentioned previously about how much to charge the band - don't get involved with that at all!

They knew the quotes when they booked you and the act - I wouldn't be impressed at this stage if one of my clients starting to juggle things to save a bit of money.

I'm assuming you're 100% confident in mic'ing and mixing acts - if you're not I'd have nothing to do with any of it to be honest, bet you there'd be something not right with what you do and hassle afterwards. Let the act bring all their own gear and not use anything of yours.

[cosmicdiscos]

ooooh. past experience has taught me not to let other acts use my rig. last year i had a pro outfit from Brighton, Adonis Cabaret, a drag comedian use my stuff....nearly blew my speakers!

[NKR]

I'm assuming you're 100% confident in mic'ing and mixing acts - if you're not I'd have nothing to do with any of it to be honest, bet you there'd be something not right with what you do and hassle afterwards. Let the act bring all their own gear and not use anything of yours.

Didn't we have a similar thread about letting acts use your gear.

Unless you have a proper FOH desk I would not touch it. In fact I would not touch it and I have an FOH desk, etc. If they wanted to use my kit and me on the desk it would be £200. My standard hire out for sound and light jobs is £270, so £70 discount as I am there already.

Oh yeah then the £200 DJ charge and mileage if outside the 10 mile limit.

Gear is not cheap and neither is my time to lug it and run it.

[DJDC]

I too keep away from providing any sound for bands / artists etc.

I could do this sort of work if I wanted and got the kit together but if it was me I would stick to been the DJ, and providing the kit for your work.

It's possible you won't have suitable kit? How many Mics do they need 1,2,3,4more. Your answer could be Sorry I only have 2 mic channels, no fold back, standard Disco eq..basically your kits not suited to / designed for 'live' music?

I would not attempt to do it with a standard DJ mixer / CD player set up. I won't even let them any amp / cabs for play out.

I would if asked consider providing lighting but that's it.

[Corabar Entertainment]

We did have a thread recently about whether or not to allow other acts to use the kit, but that isn't what this thread is about.

Can we please stick to answering the OP's question?

:thanks:

[DJDC]

Angela I thought we were (in a roundabout way?) I would not charge the band £50 I would not entertain it for the reasons I stated. :)

[Corabar Entertainment]

Could just see in to the future with it descending in to a discussion about that again, so just giving a gentle 'nudge' to make sure it stays on the straight and narrow ;)

[djsofsomercotes]

i would never let any one use my gear,are they gonna replace it if they damage your gear?don't let them take advantage of you!

[gaza]

I think this whole thing could cause a bit of bad fealing because here is a copy of the last email from the bride.



Hi Gary

Thanks for coming back to me, The xxx tribute act was with another company when Ia booked him and they had all equipment but have booked him privately now so he needs to borrow a CD player, they have own CD, you would charge for that?

I am paying for you between 7-12 and for 40 minutes you will be free as the MJ tribute act will be on, so how can this be chargeable please?



here is my reply.



Hi xxxxxx

Please don't think that i am being petty about this situation but this sort of thing happens quite a lot. It is not just about popping a cd into my cd players, it would mean that the tribute act would be using my Amp, my speakers, my mixer and my mic, it would be like me turning up to do the disco with just my music and expecting to use the venues PA system, i don;t understand how the tribute act can take a booking without having the equipment.

I don't mind speaking to him if you would like to give me his name and number.

Many thanks
Gary

[Larry B Entertainment]

Errrr, I think the original concept was " If you play for less time because the act wii be on with their gear, will you offer a discount" ? ;) ;) ;) Then the act said they will need gear providing, so discount is now n/a.

Whats Nintendo got to do with it :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

This situation does make me laugh. It doesn't happen all the time but every now and then I may get someone ask if there is any kind of discount because I won't be playing for as long. I always say no because it's my time that the customer is paying for.

You still have to set up beforehand and be on site all the time and break down afterwards so it's no different in my opinion. Would they want you to turn up half way through their function and start setting up when the band are playing? I don't think so.

At the wedding fayre last weekend, I had an enquiry (now booked and confirmed) for a Disco where I would be playing with the band. The band are going to be guests aswell as they are friends of the Bride and Groom. I mentioned that I could supply the vocal PA at an extra charge to save on space etc and they went for it.

[funkymook]

I think this whole thing could cause a bit of bad fealing because here is a copy of the last email from the bride.



Hi Gary

Thanks for coming back to me, The xxx tribute act was with another company when Ia booked him and they had all equipment but have booked him privately now so he needs to borrow a CD player, they have own CD, you would charge for that?

I am paying for you between 7-12 and for 40 minutes you will be free as the MJ tribute act will be on, so how can this be chargeable please?



here is my reply.



Hi xxxxxx

Please don't think that i am being petty about this situation but this sort of thing happens quite a lot. It is not just about popping a cd into my cd players, it would mean that the tribute act would be using my Amp, my speakers, my mixer and my mic, it would be like me turning up to do the disco with just my music and expecting to use the venues PA system, i don;t understand how the tribute act can take a booking without having the equipment.

I don't mind speaking to him if you would like to give me his name and number.

Many thanks
Gary

So basically your client is saying she owns you and your equipment for the duration of the hire period, and now you're being backed into a corner trying to justify why there's a charge for the act using your equipment. And playing devils advocate - from a clients point of view it's not an unreasonable thing to query.

So I would leave out the equipment side of things (apart from maybe the hire of an extra mic) and point out that it's not a matter of you just putting the backing CD on and walking away but you are providing an extra technical service above being a DJ, mixing his levels, watching his cues, and ensuring the act runs smoothly - this is what's being charged for.

[Mark Wild]

Stand your ground and charge the bugger mate, people don't half take liberties with guys in our industry !

[Creature]

Just say You are reverting to the original quote when thety wanted the live act to use your equipment and state this is a fee that covers the cost of ware n tear on your equipment.

I would aslo state that there is a risk that the live act my damage your speakers - which not only could ruin the evening if the blow a cone, but would cost you £XXXX to get repaired.

Also just because the live act is using your equipment will not nessasarily mean you wont be doing anything - you will have to start/stop backing tracks - tweek the mixer settings - or even if you are not doing anything , you are emplyed for fixed times.

If they dont like it or things start to get iffy, then just say sorry these are my terms if you don't agree to them please go elsewhere, As I feel that our working relationship is no longer tenable.

then if liek me your on talking terms with other local Dj's give em a quick call and warn them.

sorry if this sounds harsh - but I have had teh :Censored: taken out by similar tricks and am now a lot harder and stricter

[deltic]

Just say You are reverting to the original quote when thety wanted the live act to use your equipment and state this is a fee that covers the cost of ware n tear on your equipment.

I would aslo state that there is a risk that the live act my damage your speakers - which not only could ruin the evening if the blow a cone, but would cost you £XXXX to get repaired.

Also just because the live act is using your equipment will not nessasarily mean you wont be doing anything - you will have to start/stop backing tracks - tweek the mixer settings - or even if you are not doing anything , you are emplyed for fixed times.

If they dont like it or things start to get iffy, then just say sorry these are my terms if you don't agree to them please go elsewhere, As I feel that our working relationship is no longer tenable.

then if liek me your on talking terms with other local Dj's give em a quick call and warn them.

sorry if this sounds harsh - but I have had teh :Censored: taken out by similar tricks and am now a lot harder and stricter


like you are going to stand there and let that happen,surely you maintain full control of all levels.

[Excalibur]

like you are going to stand there and let that happen,surely you maintain full control of all levels.

Errr, I think that's the point, Andy. You don't get your forty minutes off, referred to by the punter, cos you're pressing play, moving faders, and watching lights. :eek: You daren't wander off and leave it to the live act.