bit upset over a complaint

[flatliners]

on saturday night i done a disco passed to me by a mate that gets me work from time to time it was a disco and karaoke.
i loaded up with 4 irock5s hid and 1 irock5b hid lights and 1 laser and my sound system ect.
i could only start to set up at 6.30 so i arrived and got everything in the building and got the sound up and running.
i was abit late in putting the finishing touches to my lighting
i put on a mixture of 80 misic while i finished of setting up the lights.
the room was quite a size and had a high celing so acoustics were all over the place the karaoke started and a cupl of people got up and sang.
then the person whos party it was said could i a play more disco insted of karaoke and play some modern so i put on songs like sissor sisters,mika, justin timberlake girls allowed ect then because there was not many on the floor she asked for older stuff so i obliged kelly marie,barry white,soft cell a mixed bag and then some more people wanted to sing and the persons son who booked the disco wanted to mc so i let him one song.then 5 to 11 one of the punters came up and asked for a song bare in ming it was an 11 oclock finish.
she asked me for 2 songs i didnt have then said what kind of dj are you djs should have every record and then she was gonna inform the person they booked the disco with sure enough got the call today from my mate they wernt happy and want me to rerfund them.
i have been djing for about 17 years and i wouldnt do a bad do on perpus as i have a reputation to up hold

[benlewis13]

forget about it, who in all honesty has every track out there, especially in karaoke. Is a library not a proper library if they dont have every book ever published.

[flatliners]

but it was 2 songs audio that i should of had 1 was superstar and the other was that nelly and kelly song

[spin mobile disco]

Non of us carry all versions of songs, its not feasable even with digital dj's . Ignore it, its not your fault and refunds in our kind of job are opening a door none of us would want to open.
i carry loads of music and everynow and then someone will ask for something i dont have. I will try to get it if given notice, if not tough luck.
I did a gig last year when the owner complained that I didnt have enough people dancing. Every single person in roo including staff were on dancfloor all night. A great night had by all and at the end the croud sang to me after the last song (tina turners simply the best) the dj's the best to the same tune. Turned out owner was lead singer of their band they had on earlier with very few dancers. And every one sat down while he was on and got up and danced when they finished and disco started again.
So he complaind small minded person he is but he didnt know that I took pictures during the night and I emaild one of everyone dancing during my set and a picture of him on stage with no dancers lmao.

Still makes you feel bad though when you get this kind of person and im sorry you have joined the ranks of people they like to complain about for no reason.
Just tell the guy what really happened and that if they has said they wanted that particular track before hand you could have got it for them.

Sorry mate but you did your job to the best of your ability they just have this image in mind of what they want and none of us can ever live up to it (unless they want to pay thousands a night anyway) just ignore it and carry on as usual.

[BeerFunk]

I normally just say "sorry, i don't have that, can you think of anything else you would like?" - and what that usually does is deflect attention from the fact you didn't have their song(s), as it shifts their mind into thinking of more songs, rather than complain! ;)

I actually don't believe I have 'Love Inc - Superstar' either (if that's the 'Superstar' you mean), but I do have 'Nelly & Kelly - Dilemma' (if that's the right track) on Now... 53/54, I believe...

[PropellerHeadCase]

she asked me for 2 songs i didnt have then said what kind of dj are you djs should have every record and then she was gonna inform the person they booked the disco with sure enough got the call today from my mate they wernt happy and want me to rerfund them.

If she didn't have the common-sense to enquire about the songs in advance then the only person to blame is her. Given that less than 25% of popular music ever recorded is available at any one time and that there are literally hundreds of songs put out every week it is literally impossible to "have everything".

My point to her would be that if you spent every penny she paid you you couldn't buy all of the music released that week, so unless she wants to start paying all DJs several grand per gig she should maybe just be better organised herself.

By the way, I've had 'Dilemma' (Nelly & Kelly) since it came out... I've been asked for it once! That's once in five years, even though it was a number one almost everywhere.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

They sound like complete idiots to me who were just after an excuse to get a refund anyway.

Don't worry about it - it happens to the best of us.

[flatliners]

thank you guys i feel better now that was number 5 (that i know about ) complaint in 17 years if you had seen me before i had thought of killing myself by jumping out of the Downstairs Window (JOKE)

[rob1963]

First of all, the idea that the customer is always right is complete toilet.

We all get complaints, and they come in 2 types...justified & unjustified.

The justified ones are the ones we should worry about & try to avoid.

However, a complaint about you not having a couple of tracks (which had NOT even been specially requested beforehand) is unjustified, and therefore you don't need to worry about it or offer them any kind of refund.

I recently had a complaint that the music I played wasn't very popular or dancy...even though 90% of what I played was from the request list supplied by the bride who was complaining!

I've had a complaint from a groom that I played the wrong version of the first dance...even though he hadn't TOLD me there were 2 versions!!!

Someone else complained because I played one song which not many people were dancing to!

The fact is some people won't be happy whatever you do, and will try it on by complaining to see if they can get their money back.

You don't have to worry until you start getting JUSTIFIED complaints, such as "You turned up late" "You didn't play any of our requests" "You were rude to our guests" etc etc.

[Dragonfly]

ignore it as already stated libraries don't have every book published , boots don't have every cosmetic by every company and when did you last see a farrari in neon green are they rubbish because they don't make neon green ones?

just to test a theory of mine how much did you get for the gig if i may ask?

[Spirits High]

The old addage "you cant please all the people all the time" comes into it big style.
As she came up 5 mins before the end, would have just told her there wasn't time . If we played all the can we have some x , can we have some Y and can we have some z then we might aswell just take a juke box with us.

We do this because we're good at it , if everyone could do it then the world would be flooded with Dj's. They can't so we do!

Wouldn't worry, wait til this weekends gig and it'll all be forgotten about and defo no refund!

[CRAZY K]

on saturday night i done a disco passed to me by a mate that gets me work from time to time it was a disco and karaoke.
i loaded up with 4 irock5s hid and 1 irock5b hid lights and 1 laser and my sound system ect.
i could only start to set up at 6.30 so i arrived and got everything in the building and got the sound up and running.
i was abit late in putting the finishing touches to my lighting
i put on a mixture of 80 misic while i finished of setting up the lights.
the room was quite a size and had a high celing so acoustics were all over the place the karaoke started and a cupl of people got up and sang.
then the person whos party it was said could i a play more disco insted of karaoke and play some modern so i put on songs like sissor sisters,mika, justin timberlake girls allowed ect then because there was not many on the floor she asked for older stuff so i obliged kelly marie,barry white,soft cell a mixed bag and then some more people wanted to sing and the persons son who booked the disco wanted to mc so i let him one song.then 5 to 11 one of the punters came up and asked for a song bare in ming it was an 11 oclock finish.
she asked me for 2 songs i didnt have then said what kind of dj are you djs should have every record and then she was gonna inform the person they booked the disco with sure enough got the call today from my mate they wernt happy and want me to rerfund them.
i have been djing for about 17 years and i wouldnt do a bad do on perpus as i have a reputation to up hold

I dont do Discos all the time so im not an expert--but I do ask for a playlist beforehand--if a particular track is SOOOOOOOO important then they had better request it before the event.

Simple as that.

I suppose it might be a good idea to make it clear on paperwork that you cant GUARANTEE to have all music requested on the night.

Luckily most of my functions revolve around the B and G or the Party person so as they are paying me they get to hear the music THEY want--im afraid everyone else comes second in order of importance.

Those who complain have usually got an agenda -as highlighted by Spin.

CRAZY K

[magicfm]

Irregardless if you have the tracks, the punter came up in the last five minutes for these requests.

They sound like chancers, don't give in to them!

(_8())

[flatliners]

120 pounds

[CRAZY K]

120 pounds

Thats the figure Dragonfly was expecting :D

Eh Dave???????????????????

CRAZY K

[groovy-nights]

£120 now thats cheap

[CRAZY K]

£120 now thats cheap

Whats your theory Dave ( Dragonfly) :D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

I'm sure someone will disagree and its just something that I personally have found that since I upped my fees to no where near £100-£140 I have more or less irradicated morons from my clientelle .....yes some are very picky as well then can be if they are paying a price for a good service but not since a £120 21st in Nottingham in Jan last year have I had any serious greif..... its totally wrong and I hold my hands up but I do make a connection between the amount of money people are willing to pay me and the sort of people they are more likely to be ...... yes you come unstuck when 7 chavs book you and all chip in but for me luckily thats a rarety.

some will argue that they cant get x amount round them wich may or may not be true but again as Ive said a million times on forums yes I maybe in a minority but I'd rather stay home and watch Eragon with the kids than go out and spend 4 hours figuring out how im going to get home intact.

This particular complaint isnt about aggression towards you but in the same bracket as the dole disco gang (2 giros and a packet of salt n vinegar crisps) is the we'll book them and just complain about everything and try and get our money back hence a free disco gang.

the way I work now is charge more and get less Terry F.Ws it has worked so far and no the work has not dried up infact this year I have got more word of mouth than ever. im dreading first week in July 5 gigs (one on third floor one with sound limiter).

[groovy-nights]

Dragonfly i have to agree.I have prices on my website but i am changing it.But i have not charged anywere near the prices on the site.
My basic disco 2 effect lights and 300 watt sound system til 11pm £150

[Spirits High]

I'm with Dragonfly on this one, certainly wouldn't leave home for £120.

A certain kind of punter is attracted with discos of that price.

no offence ment Flatliners.

[Dragonfly]

No flatliner please don't take what I said as a dig its not at all just an observation from my own experiences people charge whatever they charge for their own reasons and I try not to question that as its their business to run how they see fit.

[rob1963]

I have prices on my website but i am changing it.

Ahhhh....the old "should we put prices on websites" argument, which will probably rage on until the end of time!

I say YES.

1) It avoids those low quality bookings which start with the words "Whats the cheapest..."

2) When you get an enquiry, you don't have to worry about scaring clients off when you tell them the price - as they've already seen it on the website, so it's obviously not a problem.

3) It's essential to know the price of any service before deciding whether to book, so a website without prices is providing incomplete information.

The main argument against prices on websites seems to be that every booking is different, and many discos will base their quotes on distance travelled, upstairs or downstairs, size of room, type of event, times, number of guests etc etc.

I understand that, but we all have a minimum charge, so mobiles who work that way could still put a guide price on the website, ie "Prices from £xx"

That way, at least clients have an idea of costs before making an enquiry.

[CRAZY K]

I'm sure someone will disagree and its just something that I personally have found that since I upped my fees to no where near £100-£140 I have more or less irradicated morons from my clientelle .....yes some are very picky as well then can be if they are paying a price for a good service but not since a £120 21st in Nottingham in Jan last year have I had any serious greif..... its totally wrong and I hold my hands up but I do make a connection between the amount of money people are willing to pay me and the sort of people they are more likely to be ...... yes you come unstuck when 7 chavs book you and all chip in but for me luckily thats a rarety.

some will argue that they cant get x amount round them wich may or may not be true but again as Ive said a million times on forums yes I maybe in a minority but I'd rather stay home and watch Eragon with the kids than go out and spend 4 hours figuring out how im going to get home intact.

This particular complaint isnt about aggression towards you but in the same bracket as the dole disco gang (2 giros and a packet of salt n vinegar crisps) is the we'll book them and just complain about everything and try and get our money back hence a free disco gang.

the way I work now is charge more and get less Terry F.Ws it has worked so far and no the work has not dried up infact this year I have got more word of mouth than ever. im dreading first week in July 5 gigs (one on third floor one with sound limiter).

Rather what I suspected you might say Dave--just had a call complaining about my prices--I just said --I dont like saying this BUT take it or leave it--which would you prefer:D

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

Rather what I suspected you might say Dave--just had a call complaining about my prices--I just said --I dont like saying this BUT take it or leave it--which would you prefer:D

CRAZY K

The thing is if people are complaining about your prices .... they obviously want you and are impressed by your site , what you offer/do just don't want to pay for it. you cant walk into a farrari garage and whinge that its not the same price as a punto.

my opinion is that the general public on the whole still has the idea that "A disco is a disco" a few flashing lights loud music and a tattod skinhead (no offence to those of you that are lol) who has only just learned the fantastic skill that is speech...... they find the notion that we can be rather astute business men (not saying I am far from it I make mistakes almost weekly lol) and women who actually think about what we provide and at what standard it should be completely foreign???????

[rob1963]

The thing is if people are complaining about your prices .... they obviously want you and are impressed by your site , what you offer/do just don't want to pay for it. you cant walk into a farrari garage and whinge that its not the same price as a punto.

my opinion is that the general public on the whole still has the idea that "A disco is a disco" a few flashing lights loud music and a tattod skinhead (no offence to those of you that are lol) who has only just learned the fantastic skill that is speech...... they find the notion that we can be rather astute business men (not saying I am far from it I make mistakes almost weekly lol) and women who actually think about what we provide and at what standard it should be completely foreign???????

I completely agree, Dragonfly...apart from the tattood skinhead bit, not that I'm either! :D

[Shaun]

Regarding the first post.....

Definitely sounds like they're trying to pull a fast one. Brush it off and move on. :approve:

[flatliners]

i did not think you were having a dig just when it comes to priceing in the north east people wont pay the money i had some one yesturday ring me up enquiring about a kids party 2 hours on a sat i told her 50 pounds she said could she get back to me she give said the last disco she booked was 40 pounds.
she called back and guess what she said she had a disco sorted some people always try to find the cheapest disco they can.
with my new kit i have i am gonna put my prices up to maybe 150 pounds

[groovy-nights]

i did not think you were having a dig just when it comes to priceing in the north east people wont pay the money i had some one yesturday ring me up enquiring about a kids party 2 hours on a sat i told her 50 pounds she said could she get back to me she give said the last disco she booked was 40 pounds.
she called back and guess what she said she had a disco sorted some people always try to find the cheapest disco they can.
with my new kit i have i am gonna put my prices up to maybe 150 pounds

Flatliners i am based in the newcastle just like you.I am getting £175+.Quote what you are worth yes you may lose a few gigs but i am nearly fully booked for this year.See my other thread about looking for dj's to past work onto.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Just quickly...

Yes, people who pay very little will also try an eke out every last penn'orth and then still demand a refund or bombard you with whiney emails.

Even with our prices in the middle of the range we get that occasionally.

People who are prepared to pay for a service are also usually more educated on what that service should be and at least some of the difficulties involved in providing that service.

[HightowerMusic]

I have a music library of almost 31,000 songs. I get new music as soon as it is available, I have internet at 95% of my events and I get 4 or 5 request every event that I dont have, cant download or I just never heard of it before.

It happens. I just tell them, Sorry I dont have it can we find something else you would like to hear. Then we can usually find something to replace the one they originally wanted.

I wouldnt sweat it or give them a refund. I wouldnt worry about loosing any referals either. It sounds like they are not the crowd you would want to work for again.

[soundtracker]

or more likely some bottom-feeders you should have avoided in the firs place!

[rob1963]

I have a music library of almost 31,000 songs. I get new music as soon as it is available, I have internet at 95% of my events and I get 4 or 5 request every event that I dont have, cant download or I just never heard of it before.



Wow, Hightower.....people must ask for some weird & obscure stuff at your gigs!

I have about 5,000 songs, only have a few of the new songs & don't have computers/internet.....and I cant remember the last time I had a gig with 4 or 5 requests for songs I don't have or haven't even heard of.

[HightowerMusic]

Wow, Hightower.....people must ask for some weird & obscure stuff at your gigs!

I have about 5,000 songs, only have a few of the news songs & don't have computers/internet.....and I cant remember the last time I had a gig with 4 or 5 requests for songs I don't have or haven't even heard of.

Most are new remix songs or Mexican songs. Some are Rap bands that I never heard of and cant find on Itunes. I think it has become a sort of game here to request some off the wall odd songs to try to frustrate the DJ.

[|DJChris|]

Most are new remix songs or Mexican songs. Some are Rap bands that I never heard of and cant find on Itunes. I think it has become a sort of game here to request some off the wall odd songs to try to frustrate the DJ.

That sometimes seems to be the case. I'm constantly being asked for a remix of a song in the charts or an old classic. If you use itunes, youll notice even some of the latest songs releaesed already are equipped with about three or four remix's already. for example, 'Groove Armada-Get Down', Theres the Official version, the Radio edit version, the Calvin Harris Remix, The Henrik B. Remix and the Stretch &Form Remix.

Also with most modern songs, especailly in the HipHop and RnB genre, youll get a song that has just come out, released again but featuring a new artist. or maybe more than one new artist, i.e, 'blah, blah'- featuring snoopdog, timberland, amerie, justin timberlake, nelly furtardo etc. You get my point. :)
So it can be really hard to keep up.

[Shaun]

I don't even try to keep up with all the different remixes, unless they are specifically requested on the event planner form. In most cases the radio edit is enough to suffice, although I do like to have the extended versions of popular dance tracks.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I'm a bit of a remix geek so I always try and have one good remix of most things, especially new tracks and absolute classics.