Full payment up front!

[rob1963]

Last week I took a booking for a wedding reception next May.

I sent the paperwork, but then received a message from the client asking if they could not bother with a deposit, but just pay the full amount NOW!

I said this was fine, and today I received their cheque for the full amount.

In the 3 years I've been full time, I've never had a client want to pay in full at the time of booking...for a function that's not happening for 6 months.

Do the rest of you get this very often?

[Adam_F]

I've had two pay up front last week for weddings in April and May next year. Thats the first two that ever have, and they are friends, so think thats what led the second to pay aswell.

[BrightLights]

I get this occasionally, but more from corporate customers than weddings.

[Vectis]

Funnily enough, this only ever happened once to me until I went for online payments and now I reckon (finger-in-the-air-time) about 40% of wedding couples pay the full amount upfront rather than the deposit. I give them the option to do either. Wonder if it's anything to do with the fact that it's all going on the plastic? :o

I've got a wedding in May 2009 that's already paid!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's happened a few times now. More and more people seem to want to pay it off earlier though.

[JAMdisco]

I've got a paid up front wedding for next April too.
I went round to see them and had a nice long chat about it.

I mentioned that if they paid upfront, it's out of the way and that they won't have to panic if and when they go overbudget (as a lot of weddings do).

I also gave them a few tips and contact details of chauffeurs and flower arrangers as I only got married in August this year (for the second time - din't mention that tothem tho, lol). I think this helped win them over.

[Have a disco]

I refrain from full payment upfront a Non refundable 25% deposit is quiet enough to confirm the booking. Im more scared of spending the money before the event is actually been done LOL. I hate working for nothing on the night as well

[Shaun]

I refrain from full payment upfront a Non refundable 25% deposit is quiet enough to confirm the booking.

Don't you just hate 'loud' deposits!.

[Shaun]

Full payment way in advance of the event seems to be happening more and more for me. I don't mind to be honest.

[Dragonfly]

Ive had two payments in full for weddings both booked middle of last year with payment in full ....... both cancelled middle of this year with refund in full ... ouch.... minus deposit of course.

[Vectis]

Ive had two payments in full for weddings both booked middle of last year with payment in full ....... both cancelled middle of this year with refund in full ... ouch.... minus deposit of course.

Not happened to me yet, touch wood, but I do tend to leave the cash in a different account until after then event, then transfer it into the main account as if I'd been given a cheque.

Usually results in enough interest at year end to buy a round! :)

[Dragonfly]

Not happened to me yet, touch wood, but I do tend to leave the cash in a different account until after then event, then transfer it into the main account as if I'd been given a cheque.

Usually results in enough interest at year end to buy a round! :)

as usual my friend very sound advice for when this sort of thing happens , i indeed learned from my mistake and will put the cash in a holding account as you suggest in future.

[Corabar Steve]

Don't you just hate 'loud' deposits!.
I occasionally make loud deposits. Usually after a night on the Guinness, Angela prefers it when i make quiet ones. :sj:

Do the rest of you get this very often?

We get it quite often.

[Vectis]

I've had two pay up front last week for weddings in April and May next year


I get this occasionally


I've got a wedding in May 2009 that's already paid!


It's happened a few times now


I've got a paid up front wedding for next April too


Full payment way in advance of the event seems to be happening more and more for me


Ive had two payments in full for weddings

Just Rob that's untrustworthy then? :D :boxer2:

[Danno13]

Its happened a couple of times for me too. As standard, I ask for payment 14 days before, so if the event is only booked 3-4 weeks in advance, then some just pay in full when they book.

I have a wedding in a couple of weeks where they paid the full £400 (its a morning setup + mics for speeches job) when they booked 2 months ago!

I usually do the same as Vectis and stick it in my savings account, only I don't usually pay it back to the business account.. usually gets gobbled up by a credit card bill somewhere along the line!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've had a couple of early payments too but not that far in advance, probably 2 or 3 months at the most. It's good in one way if you are short on funds but I like to have something at the end of the night. (no dodgy replies please as I know what that last sentence may suggest lol).

[robbiedj]

Had a few.

But the big stunner was when I got full payment back with the contract ...........


from the local council! :jawdrop:

[Larry B Entertainment]

It's happened a few times now. More and more people seem to want to pay it off earlier though.

Maybe it saves on their expenses nearer the time, one less thing to pay for if its already been paid for in advance sort of thing.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Maybe it saves on their expenses nearer the time, one less thing to pay for if its already been paid for in advance sort of thing.

That's exactly the reason people give me when paying early.

[flatliners]

i just get paid on the night but could be good getting paid in advance because if you played a blinding gig then the punter might think about a tip rather than theres your money mate

[rob1963]

Maybe it saves on their expenses nearer the time, one less thing to pay for if its already been paid for in advance sort of thing.

One less thing to pay for nearer the time but also one less thing to think about, as the disco is not only booked but also paid for.

If they did this with some of the other suppliers, it could make things a lot simpler & less hassle nearer the time of the function, as well as protecting them against any price rises.

[sandysounds]

I refrain from full payment upfront a Non refundable 25% deposit is quiet enough to confirm the booking. Im more scared of spending the money before the event is actually been done LOL. I hate working for nothing on the night as well

Try being a tad more flexible.....people love to hear 'no problem' and 'of course you can'. What does it matter if you receive payment earlier rather than later. From the clients eyes you're amenable and helpful!

[PropellerHeadCase]

as well as protecting them against any price rises.

The price should be fixed and confirmed at time of deposit as that is generally when any contracts are signed.

[rob1963]

Try being a tad more flexible.....people love to hear 'no problem' and 'of course you can'. What does it matter if you receive payment earlier rather than later. From the clients eyes you're amenable and helpful!

Agreed.

I was more than happy to receive a £300 cheque yesterday.....rather than just a £50 deposit!!!

[cara]

i got paid in full yesterday as well for a gig on the 21st of next month

[Starlight]

(no dodgy replies please as I know what that last sentence may suggest lol).

:Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

I personally think it's an excellent idea to receive full payment upon booking. I think the clients who pay upfront are least likely to cancel you and go for a cheaper company.

Mendoza.

[Corabar Entertainment]

as well as protecting them against any price rises.
The price should be fixed and confirmed at time of deposit as that is generally when any contracts are signed.A lot of venues have clauses in their contracts that the balance will be paid on the venue's prices at the time of the function - even if they haven't set their prices for the time that the function is to take place!

So, in effect, the clients are signing an 'open' contract with regards to pricing!

Not heard of any of any other service providers doing this though.

[Vectis]

I personally think it's an excellent idea to receive full payment upon booking. I think the clients who pay upfront are least likely to cancel you and go for a cheaper company.


That's a good observation... maybe we should offer a small discount (or throw in a 'freebie') if they pay upfront? Hmmm.... might try that!

[JAMdisco]

I got a request for a Grease night charity / 21st birthday on Tuesday, quoted them Wednesday, Got full amount of £150 today (in cash)!!!

Seperate funds??? I'm taking my wife out for a Mexican tonight.

Joking aside, I will be putting £100 in the bank though for Mr Taxman!!!

It doesn't bother me how / when people pay - In my t&c's I request a £50 non-refundable deposit, and rest payable on night before disco commences and at least 14 days before function if paying by cheque.Works for me and most pay the remainder in cash on the night.

Oh it's Jan 5th by the way