Payment in advance (contract wording)

[Shaun]

I'm changing my policy to payment in advance of the event. Those of you that operate a similar policy...would you care to share the wording on your contract for that clause?.

Many thanks in advance. :)

p.s. Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

[groovy-nights]

pm sent

[theoloyla]

Terms of payment; cheque at least 7 days in advance or cash on arrival.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Final cheque and play list due 14 days prior to the event.

[spin mobile disco]

cheque must be recieved 14 days before event or cash on night.

[Shaun]

Got it sorted now, thanks.

Up till now my payment policy has been cheque no later than 14 days prior to the event, or cash at the start of the evening. However, I've never liked approaching clients at the event asking for money, it's something I've never felt comfortable doing. Full payment in advance now. I'm sending the new Booking Forms off to the printers tommorow.

Thanks for the replies everone.

[Corabar Steve]

cheque must be reciever

I'm trying desperately to think of a witty comment, but I just can't

[Shaun]

Just out of curiosity!. Have those of you that insist on payment in advance had any negative feedback regarding this policy?. Any problems relating to it?

[Corabar Steve]

None & none

[Shaun]

That's the answer I was hoping for. Thanks!.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just out of curiosity!. Have those of you that insist on payment in advance had any negative feedback regarding this policy?. Any problems relating to it?

Only one rather snooty man from a Roundtable type group who informed me that they always pay the DJ on the night. I explained my terms of business to him, but he was still reluctant to pay before, so I let him pay me on the night that time as they are a charity.

Most people are glad to get the payment out of the way as it helps them budget and it means they have one less thing to worry about on the night.

[Corabar Steve]

Most people are glad to get the payment out of the way as it helps them budget and it means they have one less thing to worry about on the night.

Indeed

[Shaun]

Most people are glad to get the payment out of the way as it helps them budget and it means they have one less thing to worry about on the night.

That's pretty much my outlook on it. It's easier for the client, it's easier for me. It seems to be a win win situation all-round.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That's pretty much my outlook on it. It's easier for the client, it's easier for me. It seems to be a win win situation all-round.

Apart from the people who need reminding that payment is due....

[Shaun]

I imagine that's a pretty common occurance?. Do any of you send out advance reminders, say about a week before payment is due?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I imagine that's a pretty common occurance?. Do any of you send out advance advance reminders, say about a week before payment is due?

No, 'cos it would involve a lot more paperwork for me.

I normally give them a courtesy call to remind them and go throught the final details for their function.

[Corabar Steve]

& make it clear no payment = no disco

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

& make it clear no payment = no disco

Actually, I've never said that or had to say it either.

[Corabar Steve]

It's very clear in our T&Cs that that is the case, so we've never had to either.

[rob1963]

I can understand why some of you insist in payment 14 days in advance of the gig, but I also offer the option to pay in cash on the evening BEFORE the disco starts.

I tend to find most people pay in advance, but there are some who prefer to pay on the evening.

I just like to give clients the option to choose their preferred payment method.

Customer service & all that...

[PropellerHeadCase]

Just out of curiosity!. Have those of you that insist on payment in advance had any negative feedback regarding this policy?. Any problems relating to it?

Once a woman got quite shirty at the concept of paying in advance, especially on the whole 'how will I know if you'll turn up?' bit, but was quickly mollified, thus:

DJing is an intangible, in that you have nothing to show for it after the fact, so it is easy for people to justify to themselves not paying after the fact. For this reason, in the entertainment industry, payment in advance is standard.

As far as turning up on the night is concerned - our business relies on repeat bookings and good word of mouth. It wouldn't make much sense to take the money and run when the ad that you responded to cost more than the gig we're going to do for you.



I'm trying desperately to think of a witty comment, but I just can't

It was probably an American Football joke.

[Mayhem 1]

I have never had any probs with this subject Chaps.

£50.00 deposit to be sent back with signed contract, Balance by cheque 7 days before event, or cash upon my arrival at at the venue.

I have always done this because at a wedding reception if you dont get paid at the start you spend most of the night trying to figure out who has got your fee and if you have to wait untill the end you pack up really slow with the hope someone will come and pay you.

Might be the B&G or best man or parents or even someone else who has "Already Gone Home" bit of a lottery me thinks lol

regards

Mayhem 1

Ps, how many of you have had The brides Dad say "how much do I owe you chap" you say "2£xxxxxxxxxxxx please sir" only to have him turn round and say "yes but how much for cash" " "No sir that is Cash" lol

[Candybeatdiscos]

I have never had any problems in getting paid, my previous boss used to expect me to get payment at the end of the gig unless the customer came up and offered it earlier, and my own business i state £50 deposit with booking form, and cash on night of gig, or cheque 14 days before gig, although they always usually tend to pay cash on the night but i aint ever had a problem getting the money.

Also regarding the amount of cowboy dj's in this area i dont think anyone would like to pay prior to the event in case of no show, although my previous clients would problebly be prepared to do so as they know i put on a great show and am a quality entertainment company.

I just had a call from someone who asked about a gig in august, i explained my price would be £220, he had got a quote of another company for £120, the other company in question have also done wedding's for £50 lol (the other company drives a brand new sign written van, has 4 domain names and 4 ad's a week in paper with 4 different 0800 numbers, i called him once posing as a client gave him details and was quoted £150, i then phoned his next number (same address) and was quoted £130 for same gig, the next number quoted £120 the last one £100.....but he has been signed up to a brewery and they paid for his gear and van although he is free to take on any booking as long as he is available for thier tenants gigs as well.....

[CRAZY K]

I can understand why some of you insist in payment 14 days in advance of the gig, but I also offer the option to pay in cash on the evening BEFORE the disco starts.

I tend to find most people pay in advance, but there are some who prefer to pay on the evening.

I just like to give clients the option to choose their preferred payment method.

Customer service & all that...

As it happens just had a conversation with Spin about a job from an agent that says I get paid 10 days after they get paid--they didnt say when they get paid :eek:

I have confirmed back its Cash on the night ( in writing on Contract) or find someone else:eek:

Too many bad incidents with payment problems in the past for me.

CRAZY K

[DK Karaoke]

This is very tricky, I think anyway. I always get a booking fee in advance, or else I dont recognise the gig at all. I give the option to pay in advance or on the night in cash before start. However, I find they very rarely pay before start, and I dont like to ask for the money up front.

Although, thouch wood, I have not been left short in the past, but no doubt it will happen, so I am leaning to insisting it be paid up front, or plucking up the courage to ask the client before I even start to off load.

I only ever insisted on payment before off loading and this was for an event organiser, who for some reason, kept giving excuses as to why they couldnt pay up front. I didnt even recognise the gig until two days before it arrived, as they also never paid the booking fee. So when they rang up to check on the details for the night. I said what night! there was shock horror at the other end of the phone. They immediately paid the booking fee via immediate bank transfer, but they never paid the lot, hence why I wouldn't off load until they paid up front.

I think at the end of the day, we are in a business just like any other, and there aren't may business who will give you something, unless you pay for it first. You only get credit facilities as they call it, if the customer is a regular or well known to you. How well do we know our customers?

Just my bit on this.
M

[CRAZY K]

:eek:
This is very tricky, I think anyway. I always get a booking fee in advance, or else I dont recognise the gig at all. I give the option to pay in advance or on the night in cash before start. However, I find they very rarely pay before start, and I dont like to ask for the money up front.

Although, thouch wood, I have not been left short in the past, but no doubt it will happen, so I am leaning to insisting it be paid up front, or plucking up the courage to ask the client before I even start to off load.

I only ever insisted on payment before off loading and this was for an event organiser, who for some reason, kept giving excuses as to why they couldnt pay up front. I didnt even recognise the gig until two days before it arrived, as they also never paid the booking fee. So when they rang up to check on the details for the night. I said what night! there was shock horror at the other end of the phone. They immediately paid the booking fee via immediate bank transfer, but they never paid the lot, hence why I wouldn't off load until they paid up front.

I think at the end of the day, we are in a business just like any other, and there aren't may business who will give you something, unless you pay for it first. You only get credit facilities as they call it, if the customer is a regular or well known to you. How well do we know our customers?

Just my bit on this.
M

I couldnt agree more but apparently (and to my knowledge) there are agents out there who expect you to wait 10 days after they get paid---in my example I havent been told how long that is:(

Is this commonplace then--?

I just dont trust people who make you wait for money--seen it all before

CRAZY K

[Marc J]

You guys are lucky!

An Irish client of mine (I mention Irish as it's relevant - VERY tricky to chase debt in the Republic of Ireland) has just paid me.....18 months late!!!

[Jiggles]

You guys are lucky!

An Irish client of mine (I mention Irish as it's relevant - VERY tricky to chase debt in the Republic of Ireland) has just paid me.....18 months late!!!

CORH BLIMY!! 18 months! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[buster38]

i have always operated a payment in advance. i also have a 4 page contract that requires the customers initials and on the final page i also have their signature.

never had any problems and to be truthfull i have lots of good feed back from customers about the 4 page contract.

A few people have said to me the last time we hired a DJ it was only a 1 page or even only word of mouth contract.

i am willing to share the contract i use if you would like a copy

[Shaun]

You guys are lucky!

An Irish client of mine (I mention Irish as it's relevant - VERY tricky to chase debt in the Republic of Ireland) has just paid me.....18 months late!!!

I recall you mentioning that circumstance a while back. Did you add 18 months of late charges? :D

Glad to hear you finally got paid though. :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

i have always operated a payment in advance. i also have a 4 page contract that requires the customers initials and on the final page i also have their signature.

never had any problems and to be truthfull i have lots of good feed back from customers about the 4 page contract.

A few people have said to me the last time we hired a DJ it was only a 1 page or even only word of mouth contract.

i am willing to share the contract i use if you would like a copy

What on earth have you got in a contract that stretches for 4 pages???

[Corabar Steve]

Large print

[Marc J]

I recall you mentioning that circumstance a while back. Did you add 18 months of late charges? :D

Glad to hear you finally got paid though. :)

No, but then that was the collection agencies fault as they were supposed to add interest and a collection fee (EU regulation allows for this even if it isn't in your contract) but they "forgot".

I'm now arguing with the collection agency as they want their 15% collection fee (the client paid me directly) but I've told them they can sing for it :D .