No Deposit Required

[Shaun]

Is there ever any occasions that you don't take a deposit/NRBF?

I have a few regular clients that have booked me regularly every year for years (and in some cases decades). I don't bother taking a deposit from them as they are very reliable. I have one client that that I don't take a deposit for and don't even send a booking form too. They just call up, I mark it in the diary and jobs a good 'un. Then on the night of the event I just get them to quickly sign my T&C's prior to starting.

It may bite me on the bum down the line but for now it works well, and these particular clients appreciate the ease of booking and no need for initial payments.

Does anyone else ease up their booking procedure for loyal and long term clients?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Only my regular NYE gig. Only ever had it cancelled once...and that was due to the floods.

[funkymook]

Close friends for birthdays (though if it's a wedding they do get the whole deposit/contract bit) and my electrician/ PAT Tester. I do his and his wife's birthdays, and they recommend me to their friends. He pops around to me in the evenings without me having to make an appointment, so only fair I extend the same courtesy.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Everyone signs a contract (after all, now that it's via digital signatures, it's hardly a chore, is it?), but there are some long-term clients, plus hotels, plus some friends who don't pay deposits.

[Javlingames]

We dont charge our regular hotels, corporate events etc.

Only request deposits for what we call 'private' bookings' So mRs mIggins booking a wedding etc.

[musicologydisco]

I have a no deposit policy so none of my customers pay one!

[DazzyD]

The walk-in, walk-out gigs that I for another multi-op. My own bookings I take a deposit unless the booking is within a week of the gig then it's full payment at once.

[STEVE HANLEY]

I don't take deposits for kids parties. The deposit would take a large chunk of the fee. As the fee isn't that high.

Kids parties usually take place during the day. So if it's on a weekend we sometimes have an evening gig as well. So if someone cancelled a kids party. I'd still be gutted, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Also I don't bother with them if I get a last minute gig that's less than a week away. Possibly even two weeks away.

[leelive]

no. Learnt that mistake.
Did Christmas Parties for the Melville Castle years ago and they changed management company on the last date. Took me 6months to get the management company to pay (with a little help from Equity).
Having said that. There is just one agent that I invoice... but contracts are signed so that is ok.
Lee

[djdave01]

we've got a couple of regular clients who i dont bother with a deposit, or with my regular hotel.

All other bookings require a deposit unless they are very last minute and the client doesnt have internet access to use our online booking system.

[SC Events]

I don't take a deposit from one lot of gigs I do, as I know the chap who books/pays me is reliable.

The gigs are fight nights, so I just stand there watching the semi-pro boxing and play the music when the fighters go in to the ring!

[Danno13]

I don't usually charge a booking fee to trade clients, unless I've not dealt with them before and it's a large order.

[CRAZY K]

Is there ever any occasions that you don't take a deposit/NRBF?

I have a few regular clients that have booked me regularly every year for years (and in some cases decades). I don't bother taking a deposit from them as they are very reliable. I have one client that that I don't take a deposit for and don't even send a booking form too. They just call up, I mark it in the diary and jobs a good 'un. Then on the night of the event I just get them to quickly sign my T&C's prior to starting.

It may bite me on the bum down the line but for now it works well, and these particular clients appreciate the ease of booking and no need for initial payments.

Does anyone else ease up their booking procedure for loyal and long term clients?

I used to--but this came back and bit me in a certain place:daft:

I used to do Burns Nights for a Rugby Club for some years.

THEN I made the mistake of doing what you suggest.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Soooooo--I go to the client after the event after another yet ANOTHER good evening and say--you owe me xxx for the evening. ( no deposit collected)

Oh no said the Treasurer we always pay a deposit so we only owe you xxx

Hint here for those not doing this--WELL I HAVE THE SIGNED CONTRACT HERE IN MY BACK POCKET YOU SIGNED--

Produces Contract--;)

AND YOU WILL SEE I DID NOT CHARGE A DEPOSIT AS YOU ARE A REGULAR CUSTOMER.

Treasurer looks very annoyed they are wrong /embarrassed and forks out the Cash.

That was the LAST TIME THEY BOOKED ME::eek: :eek: :eek:

Coincidence:confused:

Nope.

Be warned.:D :D :D :D

[funkymook]

I used to--but this came back and bit me in a certain place:daft:

I used to do Burns Nights for a Rugby Club for some years.

THEN I made the mistake of doing what you suggest.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Soooooo--I go to the client after the event after another yet ANOTHER good evening and say--you owe me xxx for the evening. ( no deposit collected)

Oh no said the Treasurer we always pay a deposit so we only owe you xxx

Hint here for those not doing this--WELL I HAVE THE SIGNED CONTRACT HERE IN MY BACK POCKET YOU SIGNED--

Produces Contract--;)

AND YOU WILL SEE I DID NOT CHARGE A DEPOSIT AS YOU ARE A REGULAR CUSTOMER.

Treasurer looks very annoyed they are wrong /embarrassed and forks out the Cash.

That was the LAST TIME THEY BOOKED ME::eek: :eek: :eek:

Coincidence:confused:

Nope.

Be warned.:D :D :D :D

Sounds more like the way you handled it if they were annoyed and embarrassed - that's not really the way to make clients feel whatever the circumstances.

[Tonsk]

I don't charge deposits for any function type.

[Jonathan Ford]

I don't ask hotels for NRBF's, but everyone else pays.

[Excalibur]

Is there ever any occasions that you don't take a deposit/NRBF?
Yes.


I have a few regular clients that have booked me regularly every year for years (and in some cases decades). I don't bother taking a deposit from them as they are very reliable. I have one client that that I don't take a deposit for and don't even send a booking form too. They just call up, I mark it in the diary and jobs a good 'un.
Snap.



Does anyone else ease up their booking procedure for loyal and long term clients?
Yes, as stated above.

Now whether it's a good idea.............................................. .....

[ppentertainments]

Regulars (mainly race night) I don't, however having to reconsider this as it has come back and 'bit me on the bum' once or twice in the past couple of weeks.

[Shaun]

Yes.

Snap.


Yes, as stated above.

Now whether it's a good idea.............................................. .....

And I bet my admission surprised you ...eh? ;)

[funkymook]

The few people I don't take a deposit from are the ones that I'd return a deposit to if they had to cancel anyway.

[WWDJ]

The few people I don't take a deposit from are the ones that I'd return a deposit to if they had to cancel anyway.

I work on the same basis, except its more than a few due to the nature of my booking sources.

[Excalibur]

And I bet my admission surprised you ...eh? ;)

Surprised, but neither shocked nor aghast. You have previously indicated similar tendencies, which I sadly cannot bring to mind.