nightmare venue....Wot would u do..???

[dj steady]

I have a hotel i do a lot of work for but they haven't got a clue when it comes to organising events.....
Over X-mas they cancelled me in favour of another D.J.(who will remain nameless)through an agency as a fire and ice deal with fire eaters and ice sculptures etc. decked the whole place out accordingly.

what followed was a load of bad press in local rag,issues on service,quality of the food and the D.J.s performance and attitude....

i have been resident at this venue for a while now and i am quite often associated with the place so this is not good news for me...

This Friday i did a party in the hotel for all the disappointed customers who complained to the papers and the hotel over the events surounding X-Mas,so i spoke with the booking manager over the arrangements for the evening...i was told i would be on stage,what the party was for and that their would be no band on this evening....
Got to the venue,was almost fully set up then the band (that wasn't booked)turned up and started giving me grief over where they should set up.
Cut a long storie short the owner insisted i move the whole rig to back of the stage...(not a simple opperation) top this off with the manager hassling me all night over music selection and he left the hotel early with my cheque in his pocket ( which is becoming a regular occurance at this venue) so i am having to go back there monday to pick up my money.

to round things up i do a fair bit of work for this hotel and they blew me off X-Mas but want me to sign a contract for this coming X-mas as they always get compliments when i do their discos, the fact that everytime i do work for them they don't know whats going on and end up being jerked around and they always fail to pay me on the night as agreed together with the bad press and my association with the venue......would you kick them into touch or try and muddle through with thier incomperdence all the time..?????

any sugestions will be gratfully recieved

[ross@rds]

I would say mate GOT OUT OF THERE lol not worth the bother sounds to me like its a couple of nuggets running the place. They blow you out but now want you this year and band is booked but your told its not sounds like they are $$$$$$ you about mate. Personaly i would not do it but its upto yourself at the end of the day. Have you ever had a good smooth running gig there lol ???

[Corabar Entertainment]

Have you tried getting all the agreed arrangements in writing before the evening? (ie - Q. Is there any other entertainment during the evening? A. Yes / No Q If 'Yes' what? A. ................................... Q Where will the DJ be set up? (NB The DJ will require a working area of A x B x C) A. The Dj Should set up ............... - you get the idea) Add something to your contract stating that the event information sheet for each booking will form part of your contract with the hotel.

If you haven't tried that, it might be worth a go - after all, if they have to put something in writing, they may think twice about the arrangements!

[Dragonfly]

for a start tell them you dont play a note without the cheque in your hand and stick to that.......and if you get messed about and periodically ditched for a cheaper inferior option make sure you charge for the greif accordingly ....

im guessing after xmas they now know just what a rubbish disco looks like and know they want you...

either cut your losses and go as that sort of greif is not in my dictionary

or sell your soul to the devil and get payed for being the top notch disco that they now know you are....

also if you were ditched/cancelled last year take the xmas contract but tell them it will cost them half the money upfront.

[Danno13]

I'd be tempted to turn the whole thing on its head... don't be signing contracts for them, they should be signing yours and agreeing to your terms over cancellations etc.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I'd be tempted to turn the whole thing on its head... don't be signing contracts for them, they should be signing yours and agreeing to your terms over cancellations etc.Absolutely! I was taking that as red!!!!!

[colint]

I worked for a london hotel chain that did most the above on a regular basis and ended up having to take them to the small claims court to get paid, save yourself the trouble and drop them like a stone and never use anyone elses agreements but your own your providing a service to them not vice versa

[dj steady]

Have you tried getting all the agreed arrangements in writing before the evening? (ie - Q. Is there any other entertainment during the evening? A. Yes / No Q If 'Yes' what? A. ................................... Q Where will the DJ be set up? (NB The DJ will require a working area of A x B x C) A. The Dj Should set up ............... - you get the idea) Add something to your contract stating that the event information sheet for each booking will form part of your contract with the hotel.

If you haven't tried that, it might be worth a go - after all, if they have to put something in writing, they may think twice about the arrangements!

its hard enough getting them to pick up the phone yet alone put pen to paper that will really blow what little brain cells they have into oblivion..

thanks for the rest of you for your comments its given me another prospective on my thoughts, i'll be honest i nearly told them to stick it on the night......ill have a little think about it..

[Corabar Entertainment]

If you can't get things in writing from them, there's nothing to stop them messing you around 'til Kingdom Come.... so I'd walk: not worth the risk and hassle

[DK Karaoke]

for a start tell them you dont play a note without the cheque in your hand and stick to that.......and if you get messed about and periodically ditched for a cheaper inferior option make sure you charge for the greif accordingly ....

im guessing after xmas they now know just what a rubbish disco looks like and know they want you...

either cut your losses and go as that sort of greif is not in my dictionary

or sell your soul to the devil and get payed for being the top notch disco that they now know you are....

also if you were ditched/cancelled last year take the xmas contract but tell them it will cost them half the money upfront.

Agree with this comment, except I'd go further. Instead of insisting on a cheque, I would insist I got cash before I even set up. It takes guts to do this though and means waiting right to the last minute, even if guests are in the room. Then if they do finally pay 'cash' I would then explain reason to guests, and say sorry etc. Get the punters on your side. You only do this however, if you have set your mind on leaving this horrible venue for good.

As the saying goes you need to do something totally different in order to bring about the change you need.

At the end of the day, its up to you.