Your Advice/input Please

[KrazyKaz 0]

Mates rates???

 

My situation is this:-

My ex roadie/helper (not as close a mate as she used to be for reasons I won't go in to)wants me to do her daughters 13th birthday disco.Nice one!

I always did her birthdays for nothing - basically as a thank you for the help etc.

She said she happy to pay this time.It was going to be a joint party.I gave a small reduction in price. Now, the other girl has pulled out, leaving just the one.

They are now (I feel) putting me on a guilt trip.

Just spoken to the girl on MSN and when I asked her if it was still going ahead this was her reply

 

"yep i fink so, but dunnow cz it is alot of money so it that or i miss a prezent! haha

 

still want the party thow x"

 

I'm still waiting for the booking form to come back.

 

Do I reduce further to secure the gig?

Do I stick to my price and risk having another quiet night in?

 

What do you all think?

 

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Me personally, would stick to my price. I understand though that everyones financial situation is different. I think only you flower can make the decision.

 

Good luck.

[High Fidelity 0]

Stick to your price, unless you're desperate for money.

 

I'd rather sit at home than turn out for less than my standard rate.

 

But then again, I have a full time job, so don't need to get disco work at any price.

[andyw 0]

i wouldnt let the guilt thing influence me,but i would do it as cheap as possible.if you feel you are doing it as cheap as possible keep to your price,if you can move a little and it would make you feel better then offer a little bit more for old time sake.you can make up with old friends as easy as falling out with them sometimes.

[Wayno 0]

I too wouldnt let the guilt trip get to you.

 

Although they have had an unfortunate change of circumstances this is not down to you and your fee should remain unchanged imo.

 

I also tend to look at these situations like this because i learnt the hardway (always falling for the mates rates!) - If you ever have a quiet month does BT / Powergen etc give you a discount proportionate to the quiet times? - _ _!

Edited June 18, 2007 by Wayno

[djdrew 0]

hi , ive been there pal, its tough doing gigs for mates, but you get more respect in the long run if you stick to you quotes. most of us DJ's are discos as a business and not a hobby that makes a couple of quid. also remember You provide a service to which a price is set just like any other self employed tradesman.

 

Drew :ab

[BigBen 0]

It's unfortunate Kaz, but this is why I refuse to help 'friends' out.

 

This has moved from a business decision to a personal one. Reading between the lines, if you stuck to your price, would you lose what's left of your friendship? Would it bother you if you did? Those are the questions you need to answer.

[Mr P 0]

 

Hi Kaz

 

Many thanks for the advice you added onto the forum for one of my questions last week. x

 

I have had similar situations, but building on that i would not let the guilt trip affect the price you have quoted, you have got to think about the ongoing costs each time you get into your car, set the gear up switch on the power, the price of bulbs for lights, wear and tear on your eqpt, prices of music etc...

 

Obviously it is your decision at the end of the day it is your decision but i know what i would do, if they looked elsewhere for a DJ what are they gonna get quoted - obviously quite more than you have quoted.

 

Hope this helps, and once again thanks

 

Mr P (Chris)

[norty303 0]

I personally would up the price for the terrible spelling and txt spk in that msn message.

[jeffwall 0]

whats the dosh Kaz?

 

worth dropping a little to get the gig? or is it tight already?

 

say if it was 160 quid or something.....drop a tenna just to secure the gig maybe (against my principles, but hey we've all done it!!) especially if your short of dosh perhaps?

 

if youve given her a good price anyway....stick to your guns

 

impression i get is.....wont go ahead anyway by the looks??

[jamminroadshow 0]

I have to agree with most people on here. Stick to the price,

 

I havehd friends let me down they cancel at the last min or expect massive discounts i try not let friends book me far more hastle than its worth

[Andy Westcott 0]

I've pretty recently adopted a new stance where 'favours' are concerned:

 

I will now only do discos for some fundraising events for free; All others, be they friends, relatives or whatever, are for my full price, which is also under review now that things have taken off again.

 

I will not give discounts for friends and relatives - it doesn't really seem to be appreciated anyhow. As I see it, I'm already cheaper than a lot of the local competition, so they either pay my price or pay more elsewhere. Or on occasions don't hold the event at all. smile icon

 

Business-wise, will this gig present itself as a promotional opportunity? I suspect not, as I expect most of the kids will already know of you, therefore it is no benefit to you at all unless you charge close to your usual fee.

[Paul Smith 0]

The way I read this is that she offered to pay at the time of the enquiry.

 

Having worked with you, she must have at least a fair idea of your normal rates (?)

 

If she's not happy with 'Mates Rates' then give her a deadline - discount only applies if the booking is confirmed by .........

 

My proverb for the day:

 

When friends and business overlap

At least one is not a happy chap

[C.S 0]

Sorry but if it was someone who had worked for me and done a good job then i would have done it for petrol money only.

[YourBigEvent 0]

I wouldn't have charged either.

 

BUT

 

As they can not be bothered to write every single letter in every word even on MSN then I would not have bothered playing every single minute of the CD's.

 

"yep i fink so, but dunnow cz it is alot of money so it that or i miss a prezent! haha

 

TOTAL = 65 characters

 

Think so, but it may be disco or prezzie = 32 characters - LESS THAN 50 % less to type AND it is readable.

 

 

 

 

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

I wouldn't have charged either.

 

BUT

 

As they can not be bothered to write every single letter in every word even on MSN then I would not have bothered playing every single minute of the CD's.

 

"yep i fink so, but dunnow cz it is alot of money so it that or i miss a prezent! haha

 

TOTAL = 65 characters

 

Think so, but it may be disco or prezzie = 32 characters - LESS THAN 50 % less to type AND it is readable.

 

:wall: :fright: :omg: :ouch: :paula: