Additional Services - Room Turnaround

[Shaun]

I've had a few instances this year where clients have opted for additional services (uplighting etc), but when contacting the venue during the client enquiry stage I've been advised that I can only gain access to the function room during the room turnaround after the meal, which as we all know is usually a very limited time to setup the DJ gear. On those occasions it's virtually impossible to provide these additional services.

Anyone else experiencing this due to limited room turnaround times?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I actually had this a little while back Shaun.
The customer enquired about Uplighting and I had never been to the venue before. I contacted them and arranged a visit and was told the same thing, no access until the room turnaround.
I advised the customer that I could not provide the Uplighting because of this but they really wanted it. They spoke to the venue and the venue let me go in and install the Uplighting but I still had to wait until the turnaround to set up the Disco.

I always advise now that additional services such as Uplighting are dependent on early access otherwise I can't do it.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've had a few instances this year where clients have opted for additional services (uplighting etc), but when contacting the venue during the client enquiry stage I've been advised that I can only gain access to the function room during the room turnaround after the meal, which as we all know is usually a very limited time to setup the DJ gear. On those occasions it's virtually impossible to provide these additional services.

Anyone else experiencing this due to limited room turnaround times?

Yep, but I employ people to provide the service. Less profit of course, but solves all the logistical problems.

[yourdj]

Yes, frequently.

The manager on the video i posted yesterday came up to me ten mins after me setting up and said "are you ready yet then" - really stresses you out.

I had a mirrorball and uplighting to set up. i ended up just doing static uplighting as i also had to run power because someone thought it would be a good idea to put the sockets 3 metres in the floor from the wall! Great for conferences - bad for weddings.

I have bought some battery/wireless DMX ones now which saves at least ten mins.

[Charlie Brown]

Why can't you setup before the meal? That's what I do? It shouldn't really be a problem.

[Shaun]

Why can't you setup before the meal? That's what I do? It shouldn't really be a problem.

I do in most cases. I only offer the additional services when an early setup is available. I'm referring to those occasions when the client wants them but early access isn't an option.

[Excalibur]

Why can't you setup before the meal? That's what I do? It shouldn't really be a problem.

Perchance due to the stipulation posted by Shaun in his initial post? :whistle:

I've been advised that I can only gain access to the function room during the room turnaround after the meal,

Edit:Must type faster.

[Gary (GDK)]

I really don't see why venues say uplighting can't be installed first thing, its not like you can see the parcans unlike the full disco?!

[Shaun]

I really don't see why venues say uplighting can't be installed first thing, its not like you can see the parcans unlike the full disco?!

What about on the occasions where the venue is very far from your base, and returning home after the morning setup due to the distance isn't an option? Would you provide the morning setup and hang around somewhere local to the venue until the evening performance? Would you charge an additional fee to cover your waiting around all day?

This questions not just directed to you Gary, I'm really curious as to what others would do. I've had a similar situation and quoted a much higher fee as I would ultimately be tied up for the whole day as a result of the morning setup. They chose just to book the DJ service without the uplighting due to the increased costs.

[Danno13]

I just cost in either the extra trip or extra staff when quoting. I always allow a minimum of 2 hours labour time for setting up during a turnaround, even for something simple, as the chances are you won't get in on time anyway!

[Gary (GDK)]

If I'm far away I take the day off so to say anyway.

Factor in the costs to, but I find my uplighting gigs (although only done one solo gig - used to hire before that) are also all day weddings to.

[Excalibur]

What about on the occasions where the venue is very far from your base, and returning home after the morning setup due to the distance isn't an option? Would you provide the morning setup and hang around somewhere local to the venue until the evening performance? Would you charge an additional fee to cover your waiting around all day?
.

That's tricky. Recently, I did an "Out of Area" gig, and also took a kid's party there for the following afternoon in the same area. Cost of fuel one way was roughly equal to Hotel cost, so that meant a night out, and hang around till the appointed time. I couldn't add the waiting time to either gig, so had to grin and bear it.

Sometimes you can't really charge for your waiting time, but coming home is a trek, won't necessarily gain you any money, and will turn a relaxed day into a race against the clock.

For me, it's no contest. I hate being rushed, and so being on site early, and having a look round pastures new is the default setting.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Sometimes you can't really charge for your waiting time

Why? :confused:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Lots of good questions coming up today and all of them so far have been asking things that I am interested in.
If I get a gig outside of my operating radius (sorry, only way I can describe it), I'll say to the customer that I can supply the additional service but there will be a charge for the extra travel and time.

A good example of this is in a few weeks time. I have a wedding which is 35 miles away from me so a 70 mile round trip. Ok, not excessive and easily not the furthest I've travelled but it's still out of my area. When I visited the venue with the Bride & Groom a couple of weeks ago, we found that parking and access is quite difficult. They asked if I would mind setting up early so I advised of the extra charge and they were fine.

Peter - It's funny you should say "Sometimes you can't really charge for your waiting time".... Last Wednesday I had a meeting with a Bride & Groom for their Wedding this Friday. It was a 24 mile journey but was part of the booking (pre-wedding meeting). It was in the middle of nowhere. I got to the house that was on the booking form and knocked on the door - No answer. I tried to call the numbers I had but couldn't get a reception. I tried to text the customer but no reception either so I just had to wait. My phone didn't even ring but I got a voicemail message from the customer saying that he'd realised that he hadn't let me know that he'd moved house since the booking forms were issued. He was around 10 minutes away.

He couldn't apologise enough and was quite embarassed to be fair. I said it was ok. Later that evening he paid the balance online and there was an extra £25.00 added on. I called him to tell him of the mistake and he said "No mistake. Sorry for giving you the runaround".
I know I didn't say that I'd charge them for mucking me about but I probably would have and I think I'd have been right in doing so. It's certainly something I will do in the future.

[Excalibur]

Why? :confused:

Because in the example I gave, the two gigs weren't connected. My choices were:
1) Finish first gig at 1am, pack up, drive 75 miles, go to bed. Get up early, drive 75 miles back to arrive around 3pm, set up, do gig, and drive 75 miles for the fourth time, arriving home around 8pm.
2) Finish first gig at 1am, pack up, drive 10 miles to hotel, bed before 2am. Rise at sensible hour, have breakfast, drive 10 miles to next gig, have dinner, do gig, then do the 75mile bit when not shattered.

Option 1) involves no waiting time, but most of the day spent on the motorway, and corresponding fuel costs.
Option 2) means spending a morning whiling away my time until the kid's party kicked off, but I'm there early, bright eyed and bushy tailed, with a full tank of diesel.

For me it was an easy choice. For others ( particularly multi ops like yourself ) the choice may not be so clear cut.

My point is that when waiting around is your choice, and not a result of your customer's requirements, you can't charge for it.

However, let's say the customer tells you " you must set up by noon" and the gig is fifty miles away, then the time between noon and kick off is legitimately chargeable.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

My point is that when waiting around is your choice, and not a result of your customer's requirements, you can't charge for it.



Of course you can, you build it into the original quote.

[Excalibur]

Of course you can, you build it into the original quote.

Somehow I don't think the customer would have been impressed with me bunging six hours waiting time onto a two hour kid's party! :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Somehow I don't think the customer would have been impressed with me bunging six hours waiting time onto a two hour kid's party! :D

Ah, I didn't know about the six hours waiting time...:o

[Shaun]

Sometimes you can't really charge for your waiting time, but coming home is a trek, won't necessarily gain you any money, and will turn a relaxed day into a race against the clock.



If waiting around is my choice (e.g. if I choose to arrive ealy at a gig), then I obviously won't charge for that waiting time. If the client wants to add on a service that will result in an extended waiting time time on-site, then I don't think it's out of place charging for the additional time I'll be there.

[ppentertainments]

I'll say to the customer that I can supply the additional service but there will be a charge for the extra travel and time.

This is where I sometimes find things start to breakdown. Once booked and a fee is agreed things are fine, then if the customer starts asking for more, I tell them the additional charge and they seem shocked :confused: :confused:

[Excalibur]

If waiting around is my choice (e.g. if I choose to arrive ealy at a gig), then I obviously won't charge for that waiting time. If the client wants to add on a service that will result in an extended waiting time time on-site, then I don't think it's out of place charging for the additional time I'll be there.

Sounds suspiciously like



My point is that when waiting around is your choice, and not a result of your customer's requirements, you can't charge for it.

However, let's say the customer tells you " you must set up by noon" and the gig is fifty miles away, then the time between noon and kick off is legitimately chargeable.

An apparent consensus. Just goes to show. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Shaun]

What's happening here? Peter and I agreeing on a business practice! Has there been a polar shift or solar flare that's messed with his thought processes? :d :d

[Excalibur]

What's happening here? Peter and I agreeing on a business practice! Has there been a polar shift or solar flare that's messed with his thought processes? :d :d

Close. I reckon it's that once in a lifetime transit of Venus we had the other day. ;) :D :D

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Shaun i share your grieff.It has happened to me before.What i do now is tell them at the enquiry\booking stage that i need longer to set this service up.in which case it may not be possible to provide mood lighting just in the evening.
I got an enquiry from a bride today about adding mood lighting to the wedding.its taking place at the hilton dunkeld.I had to be honest with her and say i was not prepared to travel up and set it up for all day,but could perhaps install it at night time.

Still waiting for a reply on that one!

[Jiggles]

Sometimes you can't really charge for your waiting time,


Speak to the taxi companies up here, they will show you how to! :eek: :D