Booking fees

[STEVE HANLEY]

This year in particular seems to have been really bad for people paying NRBFs to give them their correct title;) ;)

These last 3 weeks alone I have at least 3 outstanding. The usual "The cheque's in the post" I offer bacs as well and it's "I'll definately pay next Tuesday I just need to call into the bank" etc.

Then I'll chase it again and it's "Sorry never had time yesterday I'll definately pay this Thursday".and so it goes on and on. I may have shot myself in the foot today as I've turned away a booking. As I'm fully booked up on the day in question. As Mary and me are both out doing separate weddings. Yes you've guessed it. One of them hasn't paid they're deposit. I don't want to keep harrasing as that can also put a client off you.

I was thinking 3 strikes and out. Release the date.

So come on folks what do you do in situations like this??

Many thanks Good people:beer1:

[ppentertainments]

I give 14 days upon receiving the booking form and, unfortunately, have to be strict on this. Most I will do is a reminder call/email then a further 72 hours. Normally if they are messing about like this, I find, they are looking around but have booked so they know at least they have a dj.

I have lost booking merely for asking for a NRBF.

[WWDJ]

I've got one like that at the moment that is holding off signing and paying a deposit. It's a Wednesday so it's not like i'm going to get another booking so I'm not too worried.

A bit annoying though as I like them signed and done quickly so they are all booked in.

[STEVE HANLEY]

[ I don't want to keep harrasing as that can also put a client off you.]




[I have lost booking merely for asking for a NRBF].

My thoughts exactly on that one Chris

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Can't say I've noticed clients dodging paying the NRBF. Most want to get it signed and sealed so they don't have to worry about anything until much nearer the time.

I've found since going to digital signatures that far more people pay by BACS which is great for me. Booking isn't confirmed until both NRBF and the contract is signed. No ifs, no buts, no coconuts......

[WWDJ]

I have lost booking merely for asking for a NRBF.


My thoughts exactly on that one Chris

Then it wasn't a booking ... :D


Can't say I've noticed clients dodging paying the NRBF. Most want to get it signed and sealed so they don't have to worry about anything until much nearer the time.

I've found since going to digital signatures that far more people pay by BACS which is great for me. Booking isn't confirmed until both NRBF and the contract is signed. No ifs, no buts, no coconuts......

I'm exactly the same. Whoever suggested digital signatures and BACS deserves a pint at BPM because my life is so much easier.

[Shaun]

It's a problem I rarely encounter, in fact, since I stopped mentioning that I accept cheques I've never had an issue.

My booking process is 100% digital now. Payment is received online, contract signed online. Jobs a good 'un. Nearly all are confirmed within a day or two.

[ppentertainments]

Do customers ever find digital systems used confusing or question their use in any way ??

[WWDJ]

Do customers ever find digital systems used confusing or question their use in any way ??

Limited experience, but mostly this has been down to bad design of my booking form. If something is spotted I generally change the form for the future to accommodate.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Do customers ever find digital systems used confusing or question their use in any way ??

Nope, couple have commented about them being really "good". Only had one old chap take an issue with it so I ended up posting it out to him. I have 52 signed so far with that one issue so pretty good I'd say.

[Shaun]

Do customers ever find digital systems used confusing or question their use in any way ??

I've not encountered that so far. The opposite in fact, I've had a few compliment me on how quick and easy the whole process is.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I give the customer 14 days to send the booking form and booking fee back from the time I have sent the forms to them.
I email the customer to tell them that they have been sent.
I have had no issues with booking fees and have found that more and more people (probably 80%) want to use online banking to pay the booking fee and balance when the time comes.

I have taken on 3 bookings today and all of them have paid the booking fee using online banking and I have only just done the booking forms. These are all for weddings next year so I best get over the shop and grab some stamps as I have run out. Mind you, I've missed the last post now so it will have to be tomorrow.

[Jason]

I've not had a problem, but then I don't "book" the date until its received...

If I get another enquiry, I'll deal with the problem then (I don't sub-out, so will only take 1 booking at a time).

But, yes, giving a 7 or 14 day time limit should also help.
PayPal/Bank TX are quick, and a cheque could be posted in a few days - so no excuse if they are serious.

[Andy Collins]

Can I ask what NRBFs are??

I may be thick, but I put that down to having 5 kids :)

Oooohhhhh!! I've just got it D'oh!

[Shaun]

Can I ask what NRBFs are??

I may be thick, but I put that down to having 5 kids :)

Non Refundable Booking Fee.

[Andy Collins]

Following on from my blond moment!!

I make it quite clear from the outset that I do not hold bookings, therefore the first one to get the signed contract and deposit paid gets the booking.

I send contracts for digital signature's and people can either pay via bank transfer or debit / credit card so there really is no excuse for not getting everything signed up and paid within minutes really.

If they decide to stall then that's up to them, I don't chase them up.

Only on 1 occassion I have had a contract outstanding for over a week and someone else went on my site, got a quote and then booked and paid there and then. 3 weeks later I get the contract back from the other customer. I tell them that someone else has now seccured the date.

The thing is, and I have had this in the past. Customer wishes to book, great you put that in the diary and send out contracts. In the mean time this releaves said customer from pressure. He has a DJ booked - so now he is free in the time that it takes to prepare, print, send the documents - then stall you - so he can attempt to find someone cheeper. End result the stalling tactic.

You may well turn away a couple of enquiries that could have led to bookings for the original person to at best, mess you about and at worst cancel.

You've wasted so much time and effort chasing up a time waster. Anyone serious wanting to book you, will make sure they do it right away.

[CRAZY K]

This year in particular seems to have been really bad for people paying NRBFs to give them their correct title;) ;)

These last 3 weeks alone I have at least 3 outstanding. The usual "The cheque's in the post" I offer bacs as well and it's "I'll definately pay next Tuesday I just need to call into the bank" etc.

Then I'll chase it again and it's "Sorry never had time yesterday I'll definately pay this Thursday".and so it goes on and on. I may have shot myself in the foot today as I've turned away a booking. As I'm fully booked up on the day in question. As Mary and me are both out doing separate weddings. Yes you've guessed it. One of them hasn't paid they're deposit. I don't want to keep harrasing as that can also put a client off you.

I was thinking 3 strikes and out. Release the date.

So come on folks what do you do in situations like this??

Many thanks Good people:beer1:

Yes a very sore point here--last year two very bad situations---one where we were told its DEFINITELY required by a pub manager until eventually admitted they hadnt YET got approval from the Brewery.:daft:

If people lie to you its very difficult.

Anyway now its 14 days or else we give the date to other people if they want it.

If someone else comes along use that to pressure people to cough up in 24 hours if there is a delay.

The reality is most are genuine but theres a few bad uns lurking out there and you have to flush them out--its got a lot worse in the last few years so sadly we dont trust anyone now unless its an existing customer.

A sign of the times.

Incidentally also if people seem slow to respond to giving information to set up Contracts DO NOT give them the benefit of the doubt, we had two like that this year and we gave their bookings to other clients.

How on earth people can say yes we definitely want to book you then never reply to emails asking for information is unreal--I dont even bother chasing them more than once now---some people just dont have the guts to tell you ( even by email or text) that they dont need your services.

HTH

[STEVE HANLEY]

Many thanks for the replies folks:beer1: :beer1: One has now paid in full this evening:) another has promised to pay tomorrow/today:) The other (Which I've had doubts about for a while now) isn't responding at all. So she can take her business elsewhere as far as I'm concerned:muppet: We already have a decent wedding booked in on that date anyway. So no great loss;)

[Twinspin]

With Non refundable deposits i say 14 days if they are going to be a little bit late i do ask they contact me to let me know. Some people do have genuine reasons for been late with their NRBF and booking forms and some people might just try it on. But it can be a tough one to call sometimes whether they are or not.

But good idea Steve about the strikes





If i dont get a call from them i will release the date to anyone else that wishes to book.

I had a problem last year with this when taking a wedding booking for 2013.
I sent them the booking form and contract as part of my procedure. The cheque come back with the paperwork.

The Bride contacted me five days later and she was rude to me on the phone. She said my bank have charged me xxx amount and ive contacted my bank and they said the payment was to do with me.

Not knowing what had happened assuming everything is ok. I decided to give my bank a call and spoke to my business banking manager at Lloyds TSB and she got someone to look into it and within 2 days later the brides cheque was returned to me. It had bounced.

So i contacted the bride and told her that the cheque she sent me had bounced. She continued to tell me I was wrong and i owe her xxx amount what her banks charged her. So i said to the bride. I will send the cheque back to you so you can see that that is the case.

I sent the bounced cheque back to her and she contacted me back and she said Im ever so sorry about the cheque bouncing. Do we still have to pay the Non-Refunable deposit. So i said to her im sorry im afraid you do. Then i said to them. I can only accept a bank transfer as an alternative payment or cash for the NRBF.

So she said she will sort it out and get the NRBF to me by bank transfer.

it come back in the end so all turned out well.

[chrisj]

Within my contracts it says it must be signed and dated before returning within 14 days else the contract will become void and I am available for another booking. If I do not receieve the contract within the 14 days I will send a reminder if email or call by phone. I have had occassions where the client has been on holiday but they usually advise me of this when I mention the 14 days upon initial enquiry.
I always give the option of emailing the contract and bank transfer payment or by post and cheque. The majority ask for a posted contract.

[paull]

I get on average one a year, while I love what I do, 4 is the maximum charity/friends gigs in any one year

[STEVE HANLEY]

The third person I refered to in my earlier post in this thread turned up at my home this morning with the full amount in cash:) :) :) All's well that ends well;) :D

[JAMdisco]

I also use the electronic method 90% of the time, direct bank transfer and echo sign for the contracts and paperwork.

I have had situations in the past where I have been chasing payments and it gets a right royal pain in the :Censored:
I hate pestering people but at the end of the day we need that security of a NRBF and if they want a disco they must pay it. I stipulate on my t&c's they have 14 days from the quote to pay the NRBF, then I will release the date.

I will email them after 10 days as a reminder and this usually gets the required response and I get my money.

Obviously, last minute bookings are a tad trickier and I have been known to do disco where they pay the full amount on the night (always before the disco starts).