My dilemma

[KrazyKaz]

I'm hoping that some of you might be able to chuck some ideas my way!!

I have a gig booked (an 18th) in April. Been booked since May last year. The customer/client was let down by a DJ (he never turned up, no call,nothing) a couple of years ago for her other daughters 18th. She has specifically asked me to let her know if I am unable to do the gig (fair enough)I told her if I was unable I would let her know, but that I would also find someone else to do it. OK.
Deposit paid.

As a family, we have been invited to a friends wedding.(as guests)
Lovely - we don't get out much!!
We have replied and said we are going.
However, the wedding is on the same day as the gig above. (serves me right for not checking my diary)

My dilemma??

Do I do the gig as arranged, and not go to the wedding?

Do I go to the wedding and find someone to cover the 18th?

I don't want to let anyone down, hmmm...... not sure which route to take. Your input please. But please don't shout at me.

[andyw]

hi kaz,if you know someone who is good and reliable then i would pass the show to them and except the wedding invitation.i would explain the other dj your delema and ask him to phone me in the event of any problems that makes it impossible for him to get there and in those circumstances i would leave the wedding and go and do the show myself.i would then phone the client and tell them and give them my personal mobile number so they can phone me directly in the evnt the other dj dont turn up and lastly i would tell your friend that you are coming to the wedding but might have to disappear if things go pearshape.if i was you i would also get the other dj's mobile and phone him about 7 ish to check everything is ok.then you can relax at your party and have a good time.

[pdarnett]

To save face I'd do the gig and send someone else to the wedding in your place......

No just joking, sometimes we just have to take the hit to protect our businesses, so if it was me i'd forgo the social invite and do the gig as promised.

[Dragonfly]

Kaz this has happened to me twice now

first time i had to tell my best mate not only could i not be his best man but couldnt attend his wedding due to me being booked that day

second time same as you some of our friends got married last year and i couldnt go due to me working to me work commitment is work commitment .... i have agreed to be elsewhere and work so that sadly is what i did on both occasions.

you know me i wouldnt critisize how anyone runs their business or tell anyone what to do usually i just put across what i would do in the situation.

sure i think it would be acceptable if you knew someone who would do a superb job for them but will you enjoy the wedding ???? or worry that the someone is turning up ..... doing a good job at the gig?

the only thing that would stick in my mind was that this lady made a point of saying how badly she had been let down before??

From my point i know i wouldnt enjoy the wedding and id be worried.

P.S I actually missed the day before run through of my own sisters wedding where i was giving her away because she only told me 4 weeks before and i was booked to do a disco that night.

arrived the sat morning 11am she married at 1pm.

[sleah]

I agree with the above comments that you should do the gig. The client already has a poor impression of the mobile disco industry, and then to be passed around AGAIN!!!
If you don't do it, there's no way you will get a repeat booking or recommendation from that client (if that bothers you!).
And where does it end? If you pull out of a gig for this wedding, what happens when another close friend gets married etc etc.
DJing isn't a job, it's a lifestyle (even for me as a part-timer) so you have to accept you may upset friends and family occasionaly (and yourself!!).

There are of course exceptions, depending on circumstances, but it's your call at the end of the day.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Shaun]

The client more than likely already has a bad opinion of DJs with being let down previously, you have a chance to shine and show her that not all DJs are unreliable.

Personally I would still do the gig. My business commitments would come first.

[colinm345]

Seconded:)

[Danno13]

She has specifically asked me to let her know if I am unable to do the gig (fair enough)I told her if I was unable I would let her know, but that I would also find someone else to do it.

So did the client agree at the time of booking that you could use another DJ should you not be avaliable? OR did you tell them that it would definitely be you.

If the former is true, then I can't see the client having any objections if you use another DJ. Obviously, you'd have to be sure they would a) turn up and b) do a good job. If you don't know anyone local who could cover I'm sure there's someone on the forum who could help out. (bit far for me though)

[CRAZY K]

Seconded:)

Thirded:D

If people dont give me reasonable notice then I dont go.

As I said to a good friend of mine (couldnt go to his party because I was booked) you ought to organise things properly like my clients and book well ahead if its really that important( 6 months)

And of course this is another reason why I only take bookings a max of 1 year in advance.

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

Fourthed. :o

There IS no dilemma - service your client. :doh:

[BeerFunk]

If you find another DJ who you are absolutely certain will do the job, no worries. There might even be someone here who could help.

However, if you can't find someone who you have confidence in, then I hope you will do the gig :)

[spin mobile disco]

Cambridge is a bit of a treck, if you need it covered I may be able to help (i havent failed to turn up in 19 years if that helps as credentials).
But why dont you go to the wedding ceromony and just bail on the reception? If there is time anyway, thats what I did for my sisters wedding. I went to the church service then stayed for photo's etc then did a run for my job about 10 miles away still had an hour left to sit in car and listen to radio befor I started as well.
I realise this may not be possable depending on wedding times but may be worth consideration as you get brownie points for both.
Good luck with it anyway.

[DJ Frankie]

But why dont you go to the wedding ceromony and just bail on the reception? If there is time anyway, thats what I did for my sisters wedding.

Surely not!!! Please tell me you didnt miss the afternoon and evening of your sisters wedding :confused: I would never live it down if that was me.





Personally Kaz if you can get it covered then I would.
You can can gig anytime of the year but you wouldnt be able to attend family or friends weddings again.

It's also down to how close you are to them I suppose? :rolleyes:

[CRAZY K]

Cambridge is a bit of a treck, if you need it covered I may be able to help (i havent failed to turn up in 19 years if that helps as credentials).
But why dont you go to the wedding ceromony and just bail on the reception? If there is time anyway, thats what I did for my sisters wedding. I went to the church service then stayed for photo's etc then did a run for my job about 10 miles away still had an hour left to sit in car and listen to radio befor I started as well.
I realise this may not be possable depending on wedding times but may be worth consideration as you get brownie points for both.
Good luck with it anyway.

Only 19 years---new kid on the block eh spin:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[spin mobile disco]

give me time lol

[KrazyKaz]

Thanks for the input guys/gals

I would like to add that this has not been easy for me.
However, after having a chat and being completely honest with the client,she is quite happy for someone else to do the gig.

Therefore, a reliable, reputable DJ is doing the gig instead, and I am going to our friends wedding.

Some of you may not agree with my decision.

I have done what it says in my T's & C's (reserve the right to substitute a similar Disco in the event of being unable to appear for ANY reason)

Also, by being honest with the client, she is very understanding, and everybody happy all round.

[sleah]

Also, by being honest with the client, she is very understanding, and everybody happy all round.

You obviously handled the situation very professionally and it has paid off.

Well done! :)

[colint]

I'm hoping that some of you might be able to chuck some ideas my way!!

I have a gig booked (an 18th) in April. Been booked since May last year. The customer/client was let down by a DJ (he never turned up, no call,nothing) a couple of years ago for her other daughters 18th. She has specifically asked me to let her know if I am unable to do the gig (fair enough)I told her if I was unable I would let her know, but that I would also find someone else to do it. OK.
Deposit paid.

As a family, we have been invited to a friends wedding.(as guests)
Lovely - we don't get out much!!
We have replied and said we are going.
However, the wedding is on the same day as the gig above. (serves me right for not checking my diary)

My dilemma??

Do I do the gig as arranged, and not go to the wedding?

Do I go to the wedding and find someone to cover the 18th?

I don't want to let anyone down, hmmm...... not sure which route to take. Your input please. But please don't shout at me.
hi kaz your rep will be built on being reliable so do the gig or lose your rep! never let anyone down unless you really have to word gets around really fast! always check you diary!!!!!

[BeerFunk]

hi kaz your rep will be built on being reliable so do the gig or lose your rep! never let anyone down unless you really have to word gets around really fast! always check you diary!!!!!
Umm... that matter has now been resolved, and you should state your opinions with modesty and respect (IMO) :)