I am too cheap apparently as I have just seen this

[chrisj]

Based on a little market research, we believe these prices are a reasonable average for the service we offer.

Prices start from £180 for an evening only booking (based on 4.5 hours), and from £350 for wedding bookings (based on late afternoon/evening totalling 8 hours).

Depending on your requirements, additional charges are applied as follows;

Additional Time: £50 per hour before midnight and £70 after (please see our terms and conditions concerning overtime)

Events outside a 20 mile radius of our location (Selsdon, South Croydon) £1 per mile

Early Setup £60

Additional help for non ground floor event setup £40

Wireless Microphone £20

Photographs £30 (Please note this is not a professional service, but rather a photographer taking informal, candid pictures of your event, please do not request this if you require professional photographs of your event. Images will be supplied on CD.)

The following are offered as an addition to the lighting effects which we use as standard;

•Smoke Machine £40
•Bubble Machine £40
•Ultra Violet Lighting Effect £45
•Laser Effects £45

I never charge for extras but maybe I should

Let me see, the wedding the other week had laser, smoke, bubbles and was 53 miles away oh and radio mic for speaches too.

[yourdj]

£350 for 8 hours :eek:
You have to be kidding me.
Do you do the whole pre wedding meets and planning?

As for £180. try ringing a few local hire firms and see how much it would cost to hire the same quality speakers, lights etc.
Then ask them for a fee for someone to instal it, operate it and pack it up.
Then ask them how much it would be to add a professional DJ. :D
i am pretty sure that bit alone would be more than £180.

Depends how good you are but the std decent wedding service starts at that for four/five hours and then come the optional extra charges.
I would personally double that figure and add a couple of optional extras for free as you say you never charge for them anyway. :)

[mikeee]

Based on a little market research, we believe these prices are a UN - REASONABLE average for the service we offer.



You may want to reconsider the way you do your pricing.

[djtrev]

Do I assume that you both think that is referring to the prices that ChrisJ charges.
I think he has seen that advertised somewhere and is quoting.

[chrisj]

Well done Trev, my title did say
'I am too cheap apparently as I have just seen this'
I did not want to say where I saw it though.

An 8 hr wedding for me is usually £450 or more but I do not charge extra for laser, radio mic, smoke etc.. only for mood lights.

[ianforest]

£350 for 8 hours :eek:

Well, obviously in the area we work in Toby that's a proper :eek: :eek: :eek:

But as well all know, prices are very much regional.

[yourdj]

Do I assume that you both think that is referring to the prices that ChrisJ charges.
I think he has seen that advertised somewhere and is quoting.

I was wondering that - i got it wrong :D


Well, obviously in the area we work in Toby that's a proper :eek: :eek: :eek:

But as well all know, prices are very much regional.

An earner is an earner and some money is better than non - but.

In any given county there are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of weddings in peak season and people prepared to pay for good entertainment.
Yes you get the people who have budgeted £700 for a chocolate fountain and cake and £150 for the DJ but its just common sense to not get booked by them unless you need the work or are doing it for fun. I did a five hour club gig on Thurs for £60 and loved it :D

Granted the NF is a wedding hot spot but I often hear people who live in bournemouth winging about the "you cant get that round here" lark and I am always getting £500-600 gigs in venues they do for half that in the town centre. :) and they live in the same area as me. Same goes for Southampton etc. Its just a mindset IMO and nothing to do with geography. :)

Its each to their one and one persons pricing is nothing to do with me but I still think that for 8-10 hours work £350 is really low - even if you are based in a really bad area.

[ianforest]

I think if you live in a predominantly poor area then you will struggle to get good rates. If you are really unlucky you will live in a poor area surrounded by even more poor areas so sometimes you will have to travel a good 50 miles in any direction to seek out the quality venues and clients.

Take my old home town, Rochdale near Manchester. The capital of poverty but less than 50 miles away you have the affluent neighbourhoods of Cheshire full of really nice exclusive venues and country house hotels. I would sooner endure a quick jaunt around the M60 and M6 for £500 than 5 mins down the road in a WMC for £100.

[djtrev]

Just to swing this round to not only about the level of affluence of the relative area we live in but also about the volume of population in our areas.
I have just read a report that gives some indication of the numbers that could have a bearing on the availabilty of work
Given a radius of a 90 min drive from where I am based in Norwich(that would stretch down to roughly Stanstead) the report suggests that within that catchment area there are roughly 2.7 million people.Whereas for example,if you lived in Watford the figure is something in the region of 15.5 million.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well, obviously in the area we work in Toby that's a proper :eek: :eek: :eek:

But as well all know, prices are very much regional.

Do we all know that? I totally disagree. As later pointed out Ian, if Rochdale is only 50 miles from a decent earning area, then how can pricing be regional?

There are areas round here, where the streets are paved with gold, where people could say the same thing. There are guys charging £100 in WMC in Reading.

It's your market, not your area IMO.

[Excalibur]

. There are guys charging £100 in WMC in Reading.
.


Told you it was affluent there.

















You all know what's coming, don't you?




















We really really need a smiley for it.




















You'd never get that sort of money round here. :sofa:

[Mark Wild]

Same goes for Southampton etc. Its just a mindset IMO and nothing to do with geography. :)




I still think that for 8-10 hours work £350 is really low - even if you are based in a really bad area.

A slight contradiction no?




It's your market, not your area IMO.

Agreed.

I live a 15 minute drive from Glasgow City Centre, where there are literally a few hundred metres between extremely poor areas and areas with a few quid.

[CRAZY K]

Do we all know that? I totally disagree. As later pointed out Ian, if Rochdale is only 50 miles from a decent earning area, then how can pricing be regional?

There are areas round here, where the streets are paved with gold, where people could say the same thing. There are guys charging £100 in WMC in Reading.

It's your market, not your area IMO.

Travelling is the key---I rarely work around where I live--because I never get many quality enquiries locally for my market place--but there is plenty of well paid work an hour or two drive away--providing you have the Entertainment proposition people are looking for and you can convince them to buy your service.

After all we are MOBILE ENTERTAINERS--arent we:confused:

[Javlingames]

Do we all know that? I totally disagree. As later pointed out Ian, if Rochdale is only 50 miles from a decent earning area, then how can pricing be regional?

There are areas round here, where the streets are paved with gold, where people could say the same thing. There are guys charging £100 in WMC in Reading.

It's your market, not your area IMO.

The BBC documented the whole north/South divide only a few months ago. The statistics prove that the north has higher unemployment, lower house prices and lower income than the south.

[ianforest]

Do we all know that? I totally disagree. As later pointed out Ian, if Rochdale is only 50 miles from a decent earning area, then how can pricing be regional?
Think about what you just wrote.

You would never get a £500 wedding in Rochdale.

They would snap your arm off for a £500 wedding in some parts of Cheshire.

Therefore, pricing is regional.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Think about what you just wrote.

You would never get a £500 wedding in Rochdale.

They would snap your arm off for a £500 wedding in some parts of Cheshire.

Therefore, pricing is regional.

It depends how big an area you're talking about.

One small town, then I'd agree. But if an area included say 25-50 miles, then I'd disagree.

There are big prices to be had in any area as well as small prices - it just depends how big that area is.


The BBC documented the whole north/South divide only a few months ago. The statistics prove that the north has higher unemployment, lower house prices and lower income than the south.

And?

There are still DJ in the North that get better prices than people down here.

Colin Cook off another forum is a prime example. He's in the NE and commands £1000+ fees for weddings. Why? It's the market he works in. Nothing to do with area.

[Javlingames]

And?

There are still DJ in the North that get better prices than people down here.

Colin Cook off another forum is a prime example. He's in the NE and commands £1000+ fees for weddings. Why? It's the market he works in. Nothing to do with area.

I'm sorry but you can't argue with the facts.


And?

There are still DJ in the North that get better prices than people down here.

Colin Cook off another forum is a prime example. He's in the NE and commands £1000+ fees for weddings. Why? It's the market he works in. Nothing to do with area.

Yes and i know some djs in London that charge £1500!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm sorry but you can't argue with the facts.

You can't and Colin just goes to prove that in our industry it depends on your market.


Yes and i know some djs in London that charge £1500!!

Your point being?

There are also DJs in London charging £250.

[theoloyla]

It is a subjective thing valuing your service but we all try. We decide what sort o gigs we would like to do and market ourselves at a certain price point. If you are turning work away with a full diary then you are underselling. If the diary is empty then you are either no good or too expensive or both.

[Javlingames]

Your point being?

There are also DJs in London charging £250.

The point being, use the north as an example. If unemployment is higher this gives people less money to spend on a disco. There will always be a few djs that get a grand per gig and djs who go out for peanuts.

[spin mobile disco]

Actually i love arguing with facts I wanted to be an MP but couldnt lie convincingly enough. Actually the prices in thread one are pretty standard where I am. Not to say there are not fluctuations based on event, and DJ involved etc but I would agree that if you start going out by 5 - 15 miles further out the money devide really opens up.

[Paul The Party Dj]

Reading through this thread it appears that most DJ's don't earn enough to live in nice/posh areas ... interesting, very interesting ;)

Paul aka agent provocateur
living on the edge of a dodgy area next to a lovely area

[yourdj]

Take my old home town, Rochdale near Manchester.

Where does Mark Walsh live? :p His evening rate starts at £1200 for five hours ;)

http://www.djmarkwalsh.co.uk/Mark_Walsh_Wedding_DJ/Pricing_%26_Contact.html



Paul aka agent provocateur
living on the edge of a dodgy area next to a lovely area

We are pretty lucky being where we are and I may have been a bit contradictory but I have done some really budget weddings this year where they have poured all the money into the entertainment. its is geography but more down to marketing and experience/reputation. :)

[ianforest]

Where does Mark Walsh live? :p His evening rate starts at £1200 for five hours ;)
A good hour away from Rochdale.

Plus he's on the Cumbrian border which again is a money area.

Believe me...Rochdale isn't. There is absolutely no way you would get a gig, in Rochdale or certainly within 10 miles of it, for £1200.00.

99% of all the people on Jeremy Kyle are from Rochdale.

[NKR]

Think about what you just wrote.

You would never get a £500 wedding in Rochdale.

They would snap your arm off for a £500 wedding in some parts of Cheshire.

Therefore, pricing is regional.

Cheshire has a couple of hot spots and then its standard fayre. No they don't snap your arm off.


It depends how big an area you're talking about.

One small town, then I'd agree. But if an area included say 25-50 miles, then I'd disagree.

There are big prices to be had in any area as well as small prices - it just depends how big that area is.



And?

There are still DJ in the North that get better prices than people down here.

Colin Cook off another forum is a prime example. He's in the NE and commands £1000+ fees for weddings. Why? It's the market he works in. Nothing to do with area.

For just DJ'ing. How many of those a year does he do.


Where does Mark Walsh live? :p His evening rate starts at £1200 for five hours ;)

http://www.djmarkwalsh.co.uk/Mark_Walsh_Wedding_DJ/Pricing_%26_Contact.html



We are pretty lucky being where we are and I may have been a bit contradictory but I have done some really budget weddings this year where they have poured all the money into the entertainment. its is geography but more down to marketing and experience/reputation. :)

Really? Last time I went out in Leyland he was DJ'ing in a pub called Barristers. Obviously felt the £1,200 a night wasn't for him that night and took a pub job - it had install kit after all, so I can see the attaction!

[yourdj]

99% of all the people on Jeremy Kyle are from Rochdale.

Thats Shameless by the sounds of it :)

I am glad the property prices and planning is so high in the New Forest.



Really? Last time I went out in Leyland he was DJ'ing in a pub called Barristers. Obviously felt the £1,200 a night wasn't for him that night and took a pub job - it had install kit after all, so I can see the attaction!

We all do our crappy gigs. I did a five hour club set for £60 last week.
They seem to think that £15 an hour is a good rate as thats what the cleaner gets :D

I would have been sitting at home and I got some new clothes with the money :)

[WWDJ]

Thats Shameless by the sounds of it :)

I am glad the property prices and planning is so high in the New Forest.



We all do our crappy gigs. I did a five hour club set for £60 last week.
They seem to think that £15 an hour is a good rate as thats what the cleaner gets :D

I would have been sitting at home and I got some new clothes with the money :)

For £12 an hour though not £15 :D

[NKR]

For £12 an hour though not £15 :D

I would guess it was £15.00 per hour before what Toby has to offer up to the revenue, which then makes £60.

[mikeee]

So, the fee you charge has nothing to do with area, region or any location in or out of the UK. It's got nothing to do wth your "worth", It's all to do with being a convincing blagger, eh, sorry sales technique :D. So, are DJs turning into the 21st century equivelent of the second hand car dealer.

I'm in Farnham, and as with everywhere else, there are DJs charging £50 and £500.

[ppentertainments]

So, the fee you charge has nothing to do with area, region or any location in or out of the UK. It's got nothing to do wth your "worth", It's all to do with being a convincing blagger, eh, sorry sales technique :D. So, are DJs turning into the 21st century equivelent of the second hand car dealer.
Personally, I don't think you are far off the mark there Mike.

[NKR]

Personally, I don't think you are far off the mark there Mike.

I know of a couple of DJ's who are also second hand car salesmen :eek: :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

For just DJ'ing. How many of those a year does he do.


It doesn't matter Neil, the point is, the money is there in a 'poor' area or an area with not many people living there. It's the market.

[NKR]

It doesn't matter Neil, the point is, the money is there in a 'poor' area or an area with not many people living there. It's the market.

Well it does matter. There is always someone in an area with money (every area). If he is for example only 2 of these jobs a year, its hardly a market norm. If he is doing 30 or 40 a year, then the market is definitely established within a so called poor area.

Pricing threads seem to be occuring a lot at the moment, which I would suggest is partly a creation of a tight marketplace.

It would be useful if we could generate some proper research into Median rates achieved, so cutting out each members market high and market low. It would rely on honesty and dropping teh bravado, but would generate an interesting and useful regional barometer.

If things are to be improved and moved forward this type of research sets a basis for targetted pricing.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well it does matter. There is always someone in an area with money (every area). If he is for example only 2 of these jobs a year, its hardly a market norm. If he is doing 30 or 40 a year, then the market is definitely established within a so called poor area.



I'm pretty sure he does.

I don't see how pricing is regional then if there is always someone in a particular area with money. That is my very point. There are different markets round here with richer and poorer people, just because it's the South people assume that it's all big money. It's not.

[Vectis]

It would be useful if we could generate some proper research into Median rates achieved, so cutting out each members market high and market low. It would rely on honesty and dropping teh bravado, but would generate an interesting and useful regional barometer.


I have access to such data ... and plan to do something with it quite soon.

One thing that is already clear (without lots of analysis) is that there ARE £50 and £500 jobs in every area almost without exception. The issue is that there are far more £50 jobs than £500 jobs, but then there are also lots more £50-worthy DJs than £500-worthy DJs.

The problem is that there's too many 'middle ground' folks aspiring to the top end work who don't have the balls or experience to make the sale. So they go after the £500 jobs, meet challenges and inevitably drop the price (or increase the services offered) to get the job, which in turn sullies the market for the genuinely capable.

[ppentertainments]

Does this argument not boil down to how big you class 'your area'. Some people hardly ever need to travel more than 30 minutes, others regularly have to travel longer distances and provide a lot higher service to gain good money.

I could say I can't get over £60 in my area and it is true - if I class my area as the town I live in. I could also say it is easy to get over £1k which it would be if I marketed across the whole country.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Does this argument not boil down to how big you class 'your area'.

I am beginning to think that...

[NKR]

I have access to such data ... and plan to do something with it quite soon.

One thing that is already clear (without lots of analysis) is that there ARE £50 and £500 jobs in every area almost without exception. The issue is that there are far more £50 jobs than £500 jobs, but then there are also lots more £50-worthy DJs than £500-worthy DJs.

The problem is that there's too many 'middle ground' folks aspiring to the top end work who don't have the balls or experience to make the sale. So they go after the £500 jobs, meet challenges and inevitably drop the price (or increase the services offered) to get the job, which in turn sullies the market for the genuinely capable.

I look forward to seeing the numbers when they become available.