If you can't stand the distance, don't bother DJing

[DiscoPromotions]

This weekend has seen something I did not expect.

A DJ (will not name and shame) who we have used over last 2 years turned up to a venue on Saturday; now the parking at the venue is not the best but still manageable. Outside the venue is double yellow lines and the other DJ at the venue, double parked, unloaded his gear in to the venue and then parked up. Simplez right?

The DJ turned up and could not park close enough to the venue roughly about 100 yards down the road. He was advised to double park, unload and park up. Nope, he just left and not a word to anyone which ment the venue was short of 1 DJ. Which has upset quite number of people as you would expect.

The venue is very upset as well has their client who ended up celebrating his 40th Birthday without a DJ; most certainly the contract is lost for our client; not venue's client, the client who uses us to provide DJs.

Certainy learned the value trust of this particular DJ which will now result in number of steps that will be taken to prevent this happening again.

Has anyone else had this kind of simliar occurence?

[Andy Collins]

Discusting behaviour. What was he thinking to do this. We all at some point turned up at a venue with naff access - you just get on with it and make a note of it incase you get asked to go back.

I cant believe anyone who calls themselves a peofessional would turn up and just decide to go home without saying a word to anyone?

If it happened to me, I'd be naming and shaming.

[Vectis]

Presumably the 'other DJ' was working for you under contract, without a suitable exclusion clause which would "let him off" this particular situation, in which case it's a clear breach.

[surround sounds]

Hi Jay
No i have not had anything like that to be honest although i had a dj working for me one where we was at the same venue. He was not happy cause he was upstairs and i was downstairs and refused to do the disco upstairs. So i let him do the downstairs while i did upstairs. At the end of the night he came for payment. I gave him his money and he said he was £50 down. I said thats correct because the customer had to pay a extra £50 for a upstairs venue.. He was not happy and i have never used him again.

[Ecstatic Events]

Wow. I've had a central London gig that has taken over 2 hours to load in/out because of the sheer distance between parking and the basement function room.

I would be naming and shaming. Totally unacceptable.

[Andy Collins]

Hi Jay
i had a dj working for me one where we was at the same venue. He was not happy cause he was upstairs and i was downstairs and refused to do the disco upstairs. So i let him do the downstairs while i did upstairs..

Where's the logic in that? He still had to walk upstairs when he finished anyway?? :muppet:

[DJ Jules]

Hi Jay
No i have not had anything like that to be honest although i had a dj working for me one where we was at the same venue. He was not happy cause he was upstairs and i was downstairs and refused to do the disco upstairs. So i let him do the downstairs while i did upstairs. At the end of the night he came for payment. I gave him his money and he said he was £50 down. I said thats correct because the customer had to pay a extra £50 for a upstairs venue.. He was not happy and i have never used him again.

I'd have done the same. You get the pay for the work you put in. Less work = less money.

Julian

[DeckstarDeluxe]

So you told him in advance to park illegally and load in? He was ok with that information or did he find out when he got there?

[djtrev]

I have always been paranoid about the security of my equipment both before and after a gig whether its in my vehicle or the venue.Its somewhat easier if you have a roadie but when you are single handed its a problem.
Going into the venue I lock my vehicle each trip if it is not in my eyesight and my laptop/controller and CDs are the last to go in after I have parked up.
Going out of the venue I try to get everything as near to the exit as possible before loading the vehicle.If everything is not in my eyesight the laptop etc goes in first and I lock up each trip.

[DiscoPromotions]

Presumably the 'other DJ' was working for you under contract, without a suitable exclusion clause which would "let him off" this particular situation, in which case it's a clear breach.

Nope no contract.. So I cannot take any further action.


So you told him in advance to park illegally and load in? He was ok with that information or did he find out when he got there?

He found out the information when he got there.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

He found out the information when he got there.[/QUOTE]

Did you know what the situation was regarding the parking then and didn't tell him? Would hack me off a fair bit, not nearly to the point to driving off it has to be said.

[Vectis]

Nope no contract.. So I cannot take any further action.

Clang!

Probably would've made the difference.

Live and learn!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Although the guy should have stayed, the fact that you didn't give him a contract or tell him about the parking makes it a slightly different scenario.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think he should have been made aware of the parking / unloading situation in advance but it still does not excuse the fact that what he did was totally out of order. Had he known in advance then he may have decided to turn down the gig which would have meant that another DJ could have been put in place.
Blimey, try parking, unloading and loading on the Thames cruises in London. It took me a while, there were loads of people about queuing to get on other boats and it was raining but the thought of leaving the customer in the doo dah didn't cross my mind once. I was told in advance that access was awkward and that I'd have limited time for parking on the double yellows.

[DiscoPromotions]

At this moment in time I was aware of the parking situation. But it is a question needs to be asked..

The contract is something that I'm addressing, but after 2 years with no previous problems.The steps I will take will upset other DJs, however need to put measures in place to prevent this happening again.

[DazzyD]

At this moment in time I was aware of the parking situation. But it is a question needs to be asked..

The contract is something that I'm addressing, but after 2 years with no previous problems.The steps I will take will upset other DJs, however need to put measures in place to prevent this happening again.

Why should working under contract upset any of your other DJs? If the contract is well written that it will protect both parties - you and the DJ. A good, fair contract is mutually beneficial - not one-sided - and should be a positive thing for your DJs. I don't sub-contract work to other DJs but the use of contracts with clients is a good selling point for us as it gives the client some added protection that we'll do what we say we will. This mentality should be the same with your DJs.

[woody2]

a paid driver is needed on these types of gigs (although i would not walk away just because of this)

[DJ Jules]

Why should working under contract upset any of your other DJs? If the contract is well written that it will protect both parties - you and the DJ. A good, fair contract is mutually beneficial - not one-sided - and should be a positive thing for your DJs. I don't sub-contract work to other DJs but the use of contracts with clients is a good selling point for us as it gives the client some added protection that we'll do what we say we will. This mentality should be the same with your DJs.

From experience, putting what you expect from your DJ's (or any other staff) in writing after years of working informally sometimes raises a few questions! Things that you or I might take for granted as "reasonable" (e.g. if your rig breaks down half way through the gig and the customer refuses to pay, then you don't get paid either) can sometimes not be to the DJ's liking...

People also generally don't like being reminded of their responsibilities.... :D

Julian

[welby]

I think if you knew the situation regarding parking, it would seem to me to be proper and fair to inform your DJ
and then at that point he or she could have made an informed decision as to take the gig or not or even renegotiated
the price on the basis of having to use a roadie to assist in the unloading and loading of equipment.

To expect your DJ to break the law is I feel, an unreasonable expectation.

After all, A double yellow line means no parking at all, even waiting.

To put it into balance the dj could have phoned you and explained the situation and you could have made a judgement on what action to take to help matters, such as financial incentive, send someone to help or similar. To walk away would not be in my nature, but the double yellow line would be a issue.

[funkymook]

An experienced DJ walking away from a gig without a word over awkward parking?

I get the feeling there's something else going on and it wasn't just about venue access.

[DiscoPromotions]

I think if you knew the situation regarding parking, it would seem to me to be proper and fair to inform your DJ
and then at that point he or she could have made an informed decision as to take the gig or not or even renegotiated
the price on the basis of having to use a roadie to assist in the unloading and loading of equipment.

To expect your DJ to break the law is I feel, an unreasonable expectation.

After all, A double yellow line means no parking at all, even waiting.

To put it into balance the dj could have phoned you and explained the situation and you could have made a judgement on what action to take to help matters, such as financial incentive, send someone to help or similar. To walk away would not be in my nature, but the double yellow line would be a issue.

I have been doing some digging over last 24 hours; which is quite difficult when I am in Finland until the end of the month. We have sent other 4 different DJs to same venue previously; they all have said that the parking is not the best, however it is manageable without parking on double yellow lines if you don't mind the walk.

However, the DJ did not contact anyone not even a Voicemail or SMS at all.

The venue has a car park at the back, but it is a bit of walk; however some DJs do choose to park on yellow lines, unload and then park around the back.


An experienced DJ walking away from a gig without a word over awkward parking?

I get the feeling there's something else going on and it wasn't just about venue access.

Well I can say from the relationship between us and him (as DJ)... there is nothing going on or pending; we do not own him anything financially or had any complaints from what he does.. Plus first time at the venue as well.

So if there is something else going on it is outside the relationship we used to hold with this DJ.

[funkymook]

Didn't he come up with any other reason apart from the parking when you spoke to him?

[DiscoPromotions]

Didn't he come up with any other reason apart from the parking when you spoke to him?

Nope, he has not spoken to us directly, information provided by the other DJ who we sent to the same venue that same night.. The other DJ offered to help him by moving his vehicle so he would be closer to the venue.

He refuses to answer or return our call to speak to him. A very un-professional attitude and approach, but on even more personal level :Censored: rude.

[funkymook]

Nope, he has not spoken to us directly, information provided by the other DJ who we sent to the same venue that same night.. The other DJ offered to help him by moving his vehicle so he would be closer to the venue.

He refuses to answer or return our call to speak to him.

How did I guess you hadn't had any direct contact with him?

As I said before - there's probably more going on than just awkward parking here - a DJ you've used reliably for 2 years all of a sudden drops you right in it over the flimsiest of excuses (even more so if the other DJ offered to help) - it just doesn't sound right.

There's usually more to these stories than first meets the eye.

[DiscoPromotions]

How did I guess you hadn't had any direct contact with him?

As I said before - there's probably more going on than just awkward parking here - a DJ you've used reliably for 2 years all of a sudden drops you right in it over the flimsiest of excuses (even more so if the other DJ offered to help) - it just doesn't sound right.

There's usually more to these stories than first meets the eye.

Until he provides his side of the story I can only basis on information I have. We not going to chase and nothing more I can do to help. I belive myself to be a fair person and will give anyone the benefit of the doubt; even if they are in the wrong..

At the moment we are trying to repair the relationship with our client, but once scratched it is pain to smooth over.

[safdiscos]

I'm a bit puzzled by this one...... although you run the risk of getting a parking ticket from an over eager traffic warden, it is infact perfectly legal to stop on double yellow lines if your loading or unloading which is what he would of been doing, inless there were signs stating NO LOADING but usually the signs just display a no parking logo, which is fine because you arent parking your loading, I'm expecting to get the highway code thrown at me now :daft: but im a London delivery driver, and always been told and have always followed what I just said there, with out getting a single ticket.

either way that blokes actions were astonishing!

[DiscoPromotions]

I'm a bit puzzled by this one...... although you run the risk of getting a parking ticket from an over eager traffic warden, it is infact perfectly legal to stop on double yellow lines if your loading or unloading which is what he would of been doing, inless there were signs stating NO LOADING but usually the signs just display a no parking logo, which is fine because you arent parking your loading, I'm expecting to get the highway code thrown at me now :daft: but im a London delivery driver, and always been told and have always followed what I just said there, with out getting a single ticket.

either way that blokes actions were astonishing!

So, if there is no sign saying NO loading; which I do not think there is; there is no justifiable reason for the DJ to leave...

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I'm a bit puzzled by this one...... although you run the risk of getting a parking ticket from an over eager traffic warden, it is infact perfectly legal to stop on double yellow lines if your loading or unloading which is what he would of been doing, inless there were signs stating NO LOADING but usually the signs just display a no parking logo, which is fine because you arent parking your loading, I'm expecting to get the highway code thrown at me now :daft: but im a London delivery driver, and always been told and have always followed what I just said there, with out getting a single ticket.

either way that blokes actions were astonishing!

You are right....it is worth noting though that the painted kerbs markings are more prominent now than the signs...and even if you are permitted to unload on double yellow lines....you only have a maximum of 40 minutes to do so. :)

[BossmanKaraokeDisco]

I'm a bit puzzled by this one...... although you run the risk of getting a parking ticket from an over eager traffic warden, it is infact perfectly legal to stop on double yellow lines if your loading or unloading which is what he would of been doing, inless there were signs stating NO LOADING but usually the signs just display a no parking logo, which is fine because you arent parking your loading, I'm expecting to get the highway code thrown at me now :daft: but im a London delivery driver, and always been told and have always followed what I just said there, with out getting a single ticket.

either way that blokes actions were astonishing!

As a delivery driver in a past life I have always believed that a double yellow line you have 10 mins to unload. A single yellow line is the one where you can not stop even to unload, I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It says 'double park' in the original post and also that he couldn't get anywhere near, which is different from parking on double yellows.

[DiscoPromotions]

It says 'double park' in the original post and also that he couldn't get anywhere near, which is different from parking on double yellows.

My Bad.. (NON DRIVER)

[safdiscos]

ah yeah but sometimes people say 'double park' meaning on double yellows, its one of those expressions that could mean a few things, although I've parked parallel with cars that are parked (if you get what i mean) blocking a lane to unload and still not got tickets, I think that DJ you had working for you just couldn't be arsed :P
anyway no matter what the parking situation was it was still crazy wasent it :daft:

[DiscoPromotions]

ah yeah but sometimes people say 'double park' meaning on double yellows, its one of those expressions that could mean a few things, although I've parked parallel with cars that are parked (if you get what i mean) blocking a lane to unload and still not got tickets, I think that DJ you had working for you just couldn't be arsed :P
anyway no matter what the parking situation was it was still crazy wasent it :daft:

I know that there are days where we feel we cannot be bothered to go to work. I work as contractor as part of my day job, one thing about my reputation is that I am reliable and always complete my contract; even thou I ask myself why I'm here.

I have same attitude when it comes to DJing and take it reflection on myself to ensure I complete what is contracted to be completed; even if I feel I really do not want to do it. I pride myself as professional regardless as DJing or my day to day contract roles.

One of the majpr downsides to Mobile DJ industry is that regulated or monitor mobile DJ services can cause disruption to everyone involved and then be out following week like nothing has happened.

It would have been less of an impact if the DJ did not turn up at all.