Advance bookings & discounts

[rob1963]

I Just had a phone call from someone to book me for her wedding on 27th June 2009 :eek: :eek: :eek:

I've never had such an advance booking before, so when she asked if I do discounts for bookings made that far in advance, I thought "What the heck" and told her I'd reduce the price by £20...after all, I'll be getting a £50 deposit for something I won't be doing for nearly 2 years!

Would any of you offer a discount for a booking that far in advance if asked? and if so, how much?

She also told me she's had the church booked since August LAST YEAR! :eek: :eek: :eek:

I don't believe in leaving things to the last minute, but there are limits!!!

[Paul James Promotions]

To be honest, shouldn't the price go up per year? ;)

[rob1963]

To be honest, shouldn't the price go up per year? ;)

Interesting idea, Jamie, but I haven't increased my prices since I went full-time 3 years ago.

Also, once I take a booking, the price is guaranteed, so even if my prices DID go up in the meantime, it wouldn't effect any bookings already made.

:)

[Danno13]

Interesting idea, Jamie, but I haven't increased my prices since I went full-time 3 years ago.

Why on earth not? Each year you'll be making more of a loss, as expenses will have gone up due to inflation. And surely each year the demand for your services and number of enquiries will go up, so it makes sense to add a bit each year, even if its only £10-20.

To answer the original question, I've quoted for a couple of 2009 events, and have added around £50-60 to my current rate for both of them. All my 2008 quotes are £40 more than this years rate too.

[Vectis]

My stock answer is that they can have the booking at 2007 rates - so the discount is actually the compound inflation rate between now and then.

Cheeky beggars :p

To be honest my quoting tool usually comes up with an odd number when all the variables are entered - so I usually tell them what it is then round it down to the nearest £20 anyway.

[CRAZY K]

:eek:
I Just had a phone call from someone to book me for her wedding on 27th June 2009 :eek: :eek: :eek:

I've never had such an advance booking before, so when she asked if I do discounts for bookings made that far in advance, I thought "What the heck" and told her I'd reduce the price by £20...after all, I'll be getting a £50 deposit for something I won't be doing for nearly 2 years!

Would any of you offer a discount for a booking that far in advance if asked? and if so, how much?

She also told me she's had the church booked since August LAST YEAR! :eek: :eek: :eek:

I don't believe in leaving things to the last minute, but there are limits!!!

Discount :eek: :eek: :eek: WHATS THAT?

Im quoting an extra £50 for each year going forwards--

So if you charge £300 now its £350 next year and £400 the year after that!

Theres inflation of at least 10 per cent of course in the real world--increased travelling, maintenance, etc.

AND you could fill that booking 6 times over at a higher price next year or even the year after.

I refuse to quote that far ahead.

Wots the point--if you are any good you will get plenty of work anyway.

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Why on earth not? Each year you'll be making more of a loss, as expenses will have gone up due to inflation. And surely each year the demand for your services and number of enquiries will go up, so it makes sense to add a bit each year, even if its only £10-20.

Hi Danno,

Why on earth not?

Because my bookings are usually local, and only 10-20% of clients want me to visit them beforehand, so they don't involve too much work.

At present, I can honestly say that I'm content with the amount I earn from a gig.

You're right about the demand for my services increasing each year, which is why my number of bookings & therefore earnings have increased every year since the early 1990's...and for me, that's the most important thing.

If or when I have a year where my earnings go DOWN, that's probably the time when I'll consider increasing my prices - to make up for the shortfall.

:)

[ross@rds]

I took a booking for a wedding in Aug 2008 charged 2007 rates so its a discount in a way.

[CRAZY K]

Interesting idea, Jamie, but I haven't increased my prices since I went full-time 3 years ago.

Also, once I take a booking, the price is guaranteed, so even if my prices DID go up in the meantime, it wouldn't effect any bookings already made.

:)

WHAAAAAAT---JUST SEEN THIS--

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Have a disco]

My prices fluctuate as per business Levels but also on Yearly basis nothing in this world is going down in price especially the bills

[CRAZY K]

Hi Danno,

Why on earth not?

Because my bookings are usually local, and only 10-20% of clients want me to visit them beforehand, so they don't involve too much work.

At present, I can honestly say that I'm content with the amount I earn from a gig.

You're right about the demand for my services increasing each year, which is why my number of bookings & therefore earnings have increased every year since the early 1990's...and for me, that's the most important thing.

If or when I have a year where my earnings go DOWN, that's probably the time when I'll consider increasing my prices - to make up for the shortfall.

:)

When things get tough--you reduce prices to attract more business--or maybe these rules dont apply to your business---

What do Tesco do when they lose market share---reduce prices--THEY DONT INCREASE THEM

Ah well--if your happy :D

CRAZY K

[Ricesnaps]

How much to book you for 2009?

Well that'll be 2009 prices won't it!

[rob1963]

Im quoting an extra £50 for each year going forwards--

So if you charge £300 now its £350 next year and £400 the year after that!

Theres inflation of at least 10 per cent of course in the real world--increased travelling, maintenance, etc.

CRAZY K

That's fine for you, Crazy, but the current inflation (consumer price Index) is 1.8%. That equates to me increasing my prices by about £5 a year, which really isn't worth it.

Also, if I increased my prices by MORE than that, I wouldn't find it very easy to justify if queried.

[Vectis]

What do Tesco do when they lose market share---reduce prices--THEY DONT INCREASE THEM


Actually they beat up their suppliers to provide more BOGOFs and promotional goods so that they can be seen to be offering "lower prices"

Rice will probably concur...

[NeilP]

When things get tough--you reduce prices to attract more business--or maybe these rules dont apply to your business---

What do Tesco do when they lose market share---reduce prices--THEY DONT INCREASE THEM

The first thing that an Accountant or Business Analyst will tell you to do if you need more income / profit is to increase your prices.

(The following figures aren't correct but illustrate the idea) If you increase your prices by 25%, you may loose 10 - 15% of your business, but you are still better off, plus it leaves you more time to service new clients at the higher rate.

A lot of clients don't simply buy on price (although 9 / 10 times it is the first question!), they buy you, your marketing, website, how you sound, how comfortable they felt whilst taling to you over the phone etc etc.

So, if business is slow, your first reaction shouldn't be to reduce your prices, but simply (?) to get more enquiries.

[rob1963]

When things get tough--you reduce prices to attract more business--or maybe these rules dont apply to your business---CRAZY K

I don't think they DO, Crazy.

The only effect of reducing disco prices is to get more toilet bookings (like the christmas parties for Armitage Shanks, Andrex, Toilet duck etc!).

:D :D :D


it leaves you more time to service new clients

That's something I've always loved doing! ;)

[Corabar Entertainment]

My stock answer is that they can have the booking at 2007 rates - so the discount is actually the compound inflation rate between now and then.
I took a booking for a wedding in Aug 2008 charged 2007 rates so its a discount in a way.Same here: they get the benefit of this year's prices - so that's their discount.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Ive alredy got 2 bookings for 2009,both of them weddings and i have to say that i charged what i think my prices will be in 2009.How will the bride know what your price is for 2009 anyway.So you can always give a price and say that is with a discount for early booking.
If you do this too often then everyone else will ask you for a discount,Do you really want that?

[Vectis]

How will the bride know what your price is for 2009 anyway.

All my prices are published on my website and my online quote builder lets folks specify their own options. This is a very well received feature, has chopped out a LOT of the "how much for a disco" calls, but unfortunately means I can't make up prices on the fly.

[PropellerHeadCase]

How will the bride know what your price is for 2009 anyway.So you can always give a price and say that is with a discount for early booking.
If you do this too often then everyone else will ask you for a discount,Do you really want that?

You'd be stuffed if she (or someone who knows what she paid) checked your website after the fact though, eh? Deceptive business practices and all that.

[Sam]

You'd be stuffed if she (or someone who knows what she paid) checked your website after the fact though, eh? Deceptive business practices and all that.

well not exactly..
he may not have it on his website.. and why should the price be the same?
Surely he is perfectly entitled to increase his prices as he sees fit.

[BrightLights]

Last year someone asked me to quote for a gig that's not until 2010 - a full 4 years ahead of time! I turned it down in the end. Still not sure if it was for real!

[CRAZY K]

That's fine for you, Crazy, but the current inflation (consumer price Index) is 1.8%. That equates to me increasing my prices by about £5 a year, which really isn't worth it.

Also, if I increased my prices by MORE than that, I wouldn't find it very easy to justify if queried.

Inflation 1.8 per cent???

Not in Northamptonshire---its more like 7 to 10 per cent.

Everything I buy regularly --Insurance, Petrol, Food, Water Rates, Council Tax, Gas, Electricity is increasing around here:(

I dont have a Mortgage thank goodness-how much have they gone up though ?

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Ive alredy got 2 bookings for 2009,both of them weddings and i have to say that i charged what i think my prices will be in 2009.How will the bride know what your price is for 2009 anyway.So you can always give a price and say that is with a discount for early booking.
If you do this too often then everyone else will ask you for a discount,Do you really want that?

Soundmaster,

My prices are on my website, so I can't tell people that quotes include a discount when they don't.

Secondly, I don't plan on doing this too often...I simply did it because I was asked & the booking was so far ahead.

You say that if I do this too often then everyone else will ask me for a discount. I completely disagree - how will anyone KNOW what discounts I've given to other clients?

I've been asked for discounts half a dozen times over the last year, either because the disco is off season or on a Sunday. In every case, I've refused, stating the reason that I already offer excellent value for money. Some have still booked me, and others have gone elsewhere.


I dont have a Mortgage thank goodness-how much have they gone up though?

CRAZY K

Crazy,

I don't know how much mortgages have gone up, but I think it's a fair bit. Luckily I cleared mine off last year, so that's one thing I don't need to worry about!

[PropellerHeadCase]

well not exactly..
he may not have it on his website.. and why should the price be the same?
Surely he is perfectly entitled to increase his prices as he sees fit.

Sure, but if you call it a discount it has to be provable, otherwise it's just a competitive quote. Generally, and I think NZ and UK law are pretty much the same on this, a price has to be static for at least a month before a reduction in that price can legally be called a discount or a special.

[theoloyla]

Same here: they get the benefit of this year's prices - so that's their discount.
Me too. I was taking bookings for 2009 6 months ago and charging current prices. I certainly wouldnt give a discount for forward booking indeed as others have said it shows demand and therefore could incur a premium. I take a deposit and that is earning me interest.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Ay up, Theo, nice to see you back.

[jamesh]

hmmm tricky one really If it was me i wouldn't have given a discount and the price would have been more than this year what with price increases all around and being full time i have to make a living.

So far over the past year i have increased my prices a couple of times and expect roughly the same next year... so for 2009 i'd probably be quoting around the £350 - £400 mark for a standard wedding disco. And if they wanted me to confirm it was myself doing the function it would possibly be more.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Last year someone asked me to quote for a gig that's not until 2010 - a full 4 years ahead of time! I turned it down in the end. Still not sure if it was for real!

How did you get out of that one ? Surely you couldnt say you was already booked up.

[Your Big Event]

Shouldn't 2009 start getting booked up now anyway ?

I have a couple bookings, no discounts as such.

[CRAZY K]

The first thing that an Accountant or Business Analyst will tell you to do if you need more income / profit is to increase your prices.

(The following figures aren't correct but illustrate the idea) If you increase your prices by 25%, you may loose 10 - 15% of your business, but you are still better off, plus it leaves you more time to service new clients at the higher rate.

A lot of clients don't simply buy on price (although 9 / 10 times it is the first question!), they buy you, your marketing, website, how you sound, how comfortable they felt whilst taling to you over the phone etc etc.

So, if business is slow, your first reaction shouldn't be to reduce your prices, but simply (?) to get more enquiries.

I doubt if anyone has actually tested these figures--especially for Discos---unless you know different.

I dont take a lot of notice what Business Analysts and Forecasters and the like say--often their wrong.

Rob didnt say he was trying to increase market share that I recall which is a perfectly valid point--just increase prices.

There are break even figures involved and if the British Economy enters an economic depression which I think is is coming soon---maybe its here---today it appears the Government is likely to spend £34 billion pounds more than it has to spend --guess how thats going to be made up---Taxes will rise--disposable net income to book us guys reduces--

Putting prices up in my view will not be the way to secure an increased income. Extra efforts to increase market share---yes possibly.

Bear in mind this can vary according to current conditions--if things are going well and people have plenty of money to spend then perhaps the theory of increasing prices will work=

If we have another economic depression like 1990 the reverse will apply I believe and things will be a lot tougher.

Just my take on it---we work in a very price sensitive business and sadly not a lot of people look beyond that--despite the best efforts to sell benefits etc.

Otherwise I would be on a long Holiday right now:D

CRAZY K