No surprises when you book a dj based on price

[leelive]

I have been doing follow-ups with people who asked for quotes to see why they didn't book me.

Most are saying it is because they wanted a band..... the occasional one due to a cancellation.

This one was because of cost. I had quoted £280 as it was for a Thursday night with a small system for just 60 guests.

"Our choice was based on price and to perfectly honest it was a bad choice. The dj we had was £125 we needed to cut back some where, and the end result was nothing but stress and he wasn't at all professional eg struggling to confirm his attendance 5 days before the wedding and not providing the venue with the documentation that they needed until the very last minute. If I were to do it again I would use a more experienced and well known dj like yourself. When anyone asks about djs I do suggested looking at you as you were also recommended by a bridal shop too me. Hey we live and learn"

Lee

[Excalibur]

Hey we live and learn
Ah yes, but the realisation has come a bit late to save the function. And nobody will be surprised when I reiterate ( ad nauseam ) that the price charged by the DJ is not necessarily directly proportional to the quality of service provided.

Brides viewing us merely as "and disco", because "they're all the same, aren't they? " makes me think we may be shovelling sand against the tide. :bang:

[Sapphire Disco]

Quality is rarely cheap and cheap is rarely quality.

Maybe we should have a sticky place on the forum where these genuine feed back posts can be displayed, so they might be found on the inter webb more easily by potential customers.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Quality is rarely cheap and cheap is rarely quality.

Maybe we should have a sticky place on the forum where these genuine feed back posts can be displayed, so they might be found on the inter webb more easily by potential customers.

That sounds like a good idea. I don't hard sell to wedding couples but I do mention the fact that although I'm not going to be the cheapest quote, getting someone on Gumtree who hasn't gone to the bother of setting up even a free website or posting any pictures is crazy. Why would you trust someone who shows so little enthusiasm or gumption for their work with such an important part of your wedding?

Unfortunately as Lee has pointed out, a lot of them don't appreciate this until it's too late. There's a guy on my local Gumtree just now offering to do weddings for £80. Now I'm not saying that a good DJ has to be expensive and a cheap DJ is going to be bad but what are they really expecting for £80 and can they complain when it turns out it's someone in jeans and trainers with an iPhone plugged into a tiny Maplin PA? You wouldn't pay bottom price for a wedding cake and expect it to be great so why is it going to be any different for your music?

I assume I'm not the only one who gets frustrated when the cost of your average wedding now rocks in at over £20k (£22k according to something I recently read) yet they decide that the thing they really want to cut back on is the entertainment aka the one part of the event every single guest will see, judge and talk about after the wedding.

If I were getting married and spending more on chair sashes than the guy responsible for making everyone enjoy their evenings entertainment, I'd be a bit worried...

[TONYTIGER]

I agree with all the above posts but how do you solve this age old problem ,answers on a postcard please :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I agree with all the above posts but how do you solve this age old problem ,answers on a postcard please :)

Undercut them even more, don't turn up and then people will start paying good money for a reliable DJ? :p

If there was a viable solution to it, one of us would have figured it out by now.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've had a number of customer meetings this week and the bookings have all been for weddings.
All of the bookings are priced the same and it has been interesting hearing what the customers think about pricing.
A couple of them said that my price was slightly over what they had initially budgeted for the Disco Entertainment but it was important to them that they had quality and they seemed to like the fact that this job is all I do (Ok, that's yet again another thread altogether so lets not go down that avenue eh!).
The others were adamant that they would not even acknowledge any quotes under a certain price. Whether it's right or wrong it doesn't matter really but I got the impression that they thought that the cheaper quotes didn't mean quality (again, it's not the case really is it?).

It's down to the customers expectations really at the end of the day isn't it? What they want and what they expect from the Disco Entertainment.
I do agree though that it does get frustrating sometimes when you know they have paid over inflated prices for Cakes, Chair Covers etc yet some think that the Disco isn't as important (or so it would seem).

I'm glad to say that the quality of my enquiries has improved over the past couple of years but every now and then I will get someone looking for the cheapest thing possible or a 'deal'. I had one come in this week. It was for a 4 hour Disco a few miles outside town. Music to start at 9.00pm after a 3 course meal for a large number of guests. I quoted for it as I would normally do and as usual I provided the information as to what the price included (Early set up etc). The customer came back almost instantly by email and queried the price. I explained everything as clearly as I could and also said to give me a call if they needed more information. The customer asked if I could reduce the price because of the late start but I said that it was still 4 hours playing time no matter what time I started and that an early set up was required to avoid any disruptions to their evening. Did they really want me travelling backwards and forwards with equipment whilst they are all sat down eating? What were they doing for background music during the meal?
"We'll use an Ipod if that reduces the price" they said. Ok, fair enough. Did they have speakers? (The party was in a large venue). Answer = No. By the end of the conversation they'd realised what was included and why the price was what it was. I got the impression that they booked rather reluctantly but nevermind.

A few years ago I may have budged on price just to get the gig. That's all changed now.

[Corabar Entertainment]

...when you know they have paid over inflated prices for... ..or do you think that maybe you're not considering what may be involved with other services?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Possibly yes. I may be contradicting myself and not appreciating exactly what goes in to things like Cakes, Chair Covers etc.
That's probably the thing (and another thread?). Maybe some of the public have this perception that what we do is easy and therefore not as important as making a cake?
I didn't think of it like that.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

..or do you think that maybe you're not considering what may be involved with other services?

I'm not saying that all wedding services have their prices over inflated but many do. My brother is getting married in the Summer and has experienced a lot of this first hand.

He phoned up for busses. He got a quote for a much cheaper price from the same company when he phoned back and said he needed the bus for a football team. I may be wrong here but is there any difference in a bus being used to shuttle a football team or a bunch of wedding guests to a venue? It's probably more bother if a football team are going to be boisterous and manky on the way home too...

Same with their honeymoon. His fiance queried a few holidays saying it was their honeymoon and the prices were ridiculous. When he phoned up saying he wanted to go on holiday, the exact same holiday (minus a complimentary fruit basket and a bottle of "champagne" mind you) was over £500 cheaper in every case.

Stuff like wedding cakes are obviously a speciality item so are priced accordingly but a lot of things like hair, make up, catering up their prices with (to me) no visible increase in their service provided. I could be wrong.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Possibly yes. I may be contradicting myself and not appreciating exactly what goes in to things like Cakes, Chair Covers etc.
That's probably the thing (and another thread?). Maybe some of the public have this perception that what we do is easy and therefore not as important as making a cake?
I didn't think of it like that.

You're spot on.

A 7-12 gig can often end up at close to 12 hours work on the day never mind any planning in advance but people only see 5 hours of you doing your thing. That's before you start taking things like the cost of gear etc... into the equation.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Jim - Your comments regarding the bus hire reminded me of something.
Years ago when I was working for someone else, I was at a function DJing and another guy came up to me who said he was a DJ too (the usual scenario). He was a local DJ and in competition with the guy I was working for.
I remember him saying that when it came to Wedding Discos he would double his usual price simply because it was a Wedding. I thought that was wrong back then and I still think it's wrong now.

[yourdj]

I agree with all the above posts but how do you solve this age old problem ,answers on a postcard please :)

I have this on my site that addresses the difference between myself and other suppliers without slagging anyone off.
Useful when people start haggling. :)

http://www.yourdj.co.uk/mobile-dj-advice.html

[katman]

I have this on my site that addresses the difference between myself and other suppliers without slagging anyone off.
Useful when people start haggling. :)

http://www.yourdj.co.uk/mobile-dj-advice.html

You may like to review that page Toby.....

* We reserve the right to ammend any advertised or verbally quoted prices & promotions without prior notice.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Jim - Your comments regarding the bus hire reminded me of something.
Years ago when I was working for someone else, I was at a function DJing and another guy came up to me who said he was a DJ too (the usual scenario). He was a local DJ and in competition with the guy I was working for.
I remember him saying that when it came to Wedding Discos he would double his usual price simply because it was a Wedding. I thought that was wrong back then and I still think it's wrong now.

Yeah that's an appalling way to deal with weddings.

My prices for weddings are higher because a lot more planning and work goes into them than a party gig I can pretty much book and sort out on the night.

Unfortunately the wedding industry (and dare I say brides....) being the way they are, if suppliers can up their price just because it's a wedding and couples are willing to pay it, then thats the way the market will work out.

I'm not a huge fan of rabid consumption at the best of times but some of the stuff I hear being banded about so that couple X's wedding is more special than couple Y's wedding is ridiculous. To me I remember: The venue, the food (not even the cake) and the entertainment. That's it, if you're going to go mad and spend £500 on chair covers and sashes knock yourself out but I won't notice it and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[yourdj]

You may like to review that page Toby.....

* We reserve the right to ammend any advertised or verbally quoted prices & promotions without prior notice.

I will amend it now :p

Let me know if you spot anymore. I need the whole site proof read really as I often use cyberduck and make updates.

[Corabar Entertainment]

~I've just come across this, and thought it fit in perfectly with this thread:-

http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/weddingmagazine/budgeting/267-wedding-costs-2013

Some interesting information there!

[musicologydisco]

Jim - Your comments regarding the bus hire reminded me of something.
Years ago when I was working for someone else, I was at a function DJing and another guy came up to me who said he was a DJ too (the usual scenario). He was a local DJ and in competition with the guy I was working for.
I remember him saying that when it came to Wedding Discos he would double his usual price simply because it was a Wedding. I thought that was wrong back then and I still think it's wrong now.

I Agree. My rate is the same regardless of what type of event it is. I do offer extra services for weddings which are optional and are a way to upsell. But the basic rate for the evening disco remains the same.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I'm the same.
I put as much effort into a Wedding booking as I do any other. Wedding bookings can be enhanced by additional services and that's when they may become more lucrative.

[Excalibur]

~I've just come across this, and thought it fit in perfectly with this thread:-

http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/weddingmagazine/budgeting/267-wedding-costs-2013

Some interesting information there!

When I clicked the link I came across this. (http://safebrowsing.lavasoft.com/search.php?pr=lavasoft&id=adawarebp&v=1_0_1_80&ent=antiphishing_dn&q=www.ukweddingbelles.com/weddingmagazine/budgeting/267-wedding-costs-2013) Problem my end or in your link, Angela? IE9 here. :daft:



This one was because of cost. I had quoted £280 as it was for a Thursday night with a small system for just 60 guests.

Which is more than my price for a Saturday, with early setup, and large rig. I have a mobile and an answerphone, I email my documents to venues on request, and last time I checked, I was experienced. Would I qualify as a surprise?











( I know I would if the client was expecting a fit young thirty something, who mixed every track, and never used the microphone ) :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[yourdj]

~I've just come across this, and thought it fit in perfectly with this thread:-

http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/weddingmagazine/budgeting/267-wedding-costs-2013

Some interesting information there!

15322

Love it

Brides outfit - £1300
Grooms outfit - £180.

I will give my partner £180 and she can find the rest for her dress. :p

These prices take into consideration of bands and magicians etc.

:)

[ukpartydj]

Maybe I'm just not knowledgable on what things cost but £1000 on a photographer? I know they spend quite a bit of time after the wedding but seems a bit steep.
On the other hand, only £300 quid for stag and hen nights? Guess these people are just going into town for a few drinks wearing fancy dress

[goldensounds83]

Quality is rarely cheap and cheap is rarely quality.

Yep I think if I were to speak to someone who had originally spoken to me and then booked someone cheaper only for it to be a disaster I would tell them how sorry I was to hear they had a bad night and offer to do an anniversary party for them with a tiny bit of a discount say £10 or £15 out of the goodness of my heart ... bet they would take you up on the offer given their experience at the wedding

[leelive]

Yep I think if I were to speak to someone who had originally spoken to me and then booked someone cheaper only for it to be a disaster I would tell them how sorry I was to hear they had a bad night and offer to do an anniversary party for them with a tiny bit of a discount say £10 or £15 out of the goodness of my heart ... bet they would take you up on the offer given their experience at the wedding

That is a nice idea.
Lee

[DazzyD]

Yep I think if I were to speak to someone who had originally spoken to me and then booked someone cheaper only for it to be a disaster I would tell them how sorry I was to hear they had a bad night and offer to do an anniversary party for them with a tiny bit of a discount say £10 or £15 out of the goodness of my heart ... bet they would take you up on the offer given their experience at the wedding


That is a nice idea.
Lee

Nice idea, maybe, but if a DJ spoiled my wedding day I sure as hell wouldn't book another one for my anniversary no matter what the discount. I think a lot of folk would feel the same.

[nigelwright7557]

Not all cheap discos are poor.
I did discos just for the fun of it at £100 a night.
I have about 40 years experience and haven't skimped on gear.

We once booked an expensive DJ for a party and he was terrible.
He thought it good to take the mickey out of everyone.
Then he insisted on playing games all night when people just wanted to dance.
To add insult to injury he thought it good to embarrass as many people as possible during the games.
All night all we heard was his voice over the music. Truly dreadful.
What one person thinks is a good DJ is not always what others think.

I once worked for a disco with four sets. We sometimes went to help out the other sets if they were a DJ down.
One DJ thought it clever to sing along to all the songs he knew. Firstly he couldn't sing and sounded terrible. Then I a msure people went to listen to the tracks not the DJ.

After having 40 years experience of DJing it is always interesting to see what other DJ's think is good DJing.

[goldensounds83]

Nice idea, maybe, but if a DJ spoiled my wedding day I sure as hell wouldn't book another one for my anniversary no matter what the discount. I think a lot of folk would feel the same.

Some would but some may also look at it a cheap and poor quality DJ ruined my wedding if I book a professional for the anniversary who is being very nice and offering a discount will go a small way to make up for a the ruined wedding the fact that the good DJ is offering to do the function for a small discount because he feels sorry for them will IMO mean a lot to them when they are happy with the service you give them you could pick up a life long customer they wont want to risk going else where.

[DazzyD]

Not all cheap discos are poor.
I did discos just for the fun of it at £100 a night.
I have about 40 years experience and haven't skimped on gear.

We once booked an expensive DJ for a party and he was terrible.
He thought it good to take the mickey out of everyone.
Then he insisted on playing games all night when people just wanted to dance.
To add insult to injury he thought it good to embarrass as many people as possible during the games.
All night all we heard was his voice over the music. Truly dreadful.
What one person thinks is a good DJ is not always what others think.

I once worked for a disco with four sets. We sometimes went to help out the other sets if they were a DJ down.
One DJ thought it clever to sing along to all the songs he knew. Firstly he couldn't sing and sounded terrible. Then I a msure people went to listen to the tracks not the DJ.

After having 40 years experience of DJing it is always interesting to see what other DJ's think is good DJing.

Hi Nigel

From your many years of DJing experience, you're bound to have some ideas and tips to share with the others members on the forum and I'm sure you could still learn a few things yourself! So why not start by popping over the Newbies section to introduce yourself properly? You can find further info here:

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?11711-New-to-the-forum

[DazzyD]

Some would but some may also look at it a cheap and poor quality DJ ruined my wedding if I book a professional for the anniversary who is being very nice and offering a discount will go a small way to make up for a the ruined wedding the fact that the good DJ is offering to do the function for a small discount because he feels sorry for them will IMO mean a lot to them when they are happy with the service you give them you could pick up a life long customer they wont want to risk going else where.

I can see where you're coming from but I can't help but think that they were naive (choosing my words carefully there! :zip: ) to book a really cheap DJ for their wedding and it went pearshaped then they'd be put off for life. I think people would think "I paid peanuts for crap why would I pay real money for the same crap?". Some (in fact I'd say most, especially in the current economic climate) people just see pound signs and not see value for money. If this wasn't the case then they'd be no room for Sid in the industry because his market would've dried up.

Dazzy'D' - getting very sceptical in my old age!!

[goldensounds83]

I can see where you're coming from but I can't help but think that they were naive (choosing my words carefully there! :zip: ) to book a really cheap DJ for their wedding and it went pearshaped then they'd be put off for life. I think people would think "I paid peanuts for crap why would I pay real money for the same crap?". Some (in fact I'd say most, especially in the current economic climate) people just see pound signs and not see value for money. If this wasn't the case then they'd be no room for Sid in the industry because his market would've dried up.

Dazzy'D' - getting very sceptical in my old age!!

Good point and to be honest I cant speak for DJ clients, never really tried it but I do this all the time in my day business (PC Repair) "Oh relay you went to XYZ computers and they royally :Censored: you over I am sorry to hear that I tell you what let me have a look at it I won't charge you my normal fee of £30 per half hour, if I can get it working I'll charge you a flat fee of say £40 + parts no matter how long it takes me and if I can't get it working perfectly then there is not charge."

very few says no thanks and when I do get the computer working (80% of the time) I can almost guarantee I have picked up a life long customer, ok not quite the same with a disco but if you overcome the scepticism and impress then chances are the results will be the same.

[ukpartydj]

I think people would think "I paid peanuts for crap why would I pay real money for the same crap?".

I think that theory works really well with material items or food where people who have never tried something and don't like it think it's because of what it is not the quality.
Where I think people understand more that an individual person rather than an object is more subject to quality change and personal preference.

That being said before I got into this game I did think - Wedding DJ = easy peasy just play Abba all night swapping between songs and talk on the mic about crap.
I think people want to believe it because it's got an element of truth in it and it's quite funny.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I think that theory works really well with material items or food where people who have never tried something and don't like it think it's because of what it is not the quality.
Where I think people understand more that an individual person rather than an object is more subject to quality change and personal preference.

That being said before I got into this game I did think - Wedding DJ = easy peasy just play Abba all night swapping between songs and talk on the mic about crap.
I think people want to believe it because it's got an element of truth in it and it's quite funny.

I wouldn't say there's an element of truth in that at all unless you're not treating weddings as the individual events that they all are and approaching them exact same way you'd approach a birthday party.

If I'd to go back to square one or give advice to anyone looking to go into weddings it would be that the monetary gain is relatively less for a wedding than a party from my experience. Yeah you might make more on your bottom line as there's so much more planning, organisation and stress involved doing a wedding than any other type of function.