Last Minute Dj Dilemma

[Slimboy Fat 0]

Time for a whole new way of thinking methinks? :eek:

 

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Dan.

 

As in all walks of life, the upholding of morals is fine until money and making a few extra quid comes into the equation.That's the way of the world, I'm afraid - bend a rule here, make an extra couple of quid there. The temptations are huge and measured against the cost of abiding by the rules and the potential penalties for being caught breaking them, the risks always seem favourable.

 

Add to this the fact that *most* DJs of ALL levels and abilities are "only" part-time, adding the factor that *if* they do get caught out conducting less than honest business they've always got their day job to revert to, unlike full-time DJs whose livelihood WHOLLY depends on their credibility, good reputation and professionalism as entertainers and businessmen.

 

The only way of unconditionally encouraging EVERYBODY in the DJ profession to trade legally and honestly is to reduce the cost of conforming to legislation.....and we all know that's not going to happen.

 

[Dukesy 0]

I voted for the cheaper one because I run a business. The ideal answer I would like to pick was the fully legitimate DJ however as I am in this business for a profit I am not prepared to pay some one out of my own pocket to do the work for me.

 

But isn't £20 a worthwhile investment to secure not only a good DJ, but also a legitimate and straight business?

[deejaymitch 0]

I think it's a fair call from Dukesy on the hypocrisy. Many people on here are happy to charge £X because they believe their service is worth it, and will levy certain charges. They believe this is reasonable and is fair to their customers. Indeed several have advocated a general price rise and something bordering on price fixing, reasoning that the money is there and criticising customers who see price as a big factor in choosing their DJ.

 

Yet in this scenario, where effectively we become the customer, price seems to be the over-riding factor by far.

[vokf 0]

Principles are important, and I think Dans post highlightes some very valid points.

I have personally resigned from employment due to my ethics/priciples (CND supporter vs employer being new AWE contractor -no choice for me)

 

Personally, I'll come clean. I voted DJ Y.

This was based on gut reaction, of being charged a higher rate for a last minute booking.

 

On reflection, I'm still not sure.... I pay for my music, and we could all reduce costs by illegal downloads.

I personally see ProDub as another issue.

 

This would annoy me, and with time & thought behind me, it would be DJ X.. £30 isn't a large sum, and as a business, I have to make the right choice.

For my online stores, I sometimes make a loss of faulty goods - but treating the customer right can help and I have seen repeat orders on the back of my good (and legal) returns policy.

 

 

This is interesting, as we're suddenly the client... Based on price, I chose DJ Y. Most clients won't be privy to this information (produb/legal music etc)

 

To re-visit the original post as a client removing information that the client will not be aware of;

DJ 'X' is an excellent DJ, and has been in business for 8 years, he is a good DJ and very reliable, but likes to only cover the higher priced venues, and can pick and choose his bookings and you are aware that he charges a little bit more than you. When asked how much the DJ wants to cover for you, he replies, £275 + £30 for the late call out. A total of £305 to be paid.

 

DJ 'Y' is also an excellent DJ, again he has been in business for almost as long as you and DJ 'X' and always seems to fairly busy, to your knowledge he has never let anybody down nor had any complaints. Upon contacting him, he asks how much you have already quote the client, realises your situation and agrees to cover for you, for exactly the same figure.

 

 

Hmm... Who would you pick?

Edited February 11, 2009 by vokf

[McCardle 1]

Hmm... Who would you pick?

 

What Me, personally?.

 

Your answer to that question is already covered in Post # 25 smile icon

 

But according the vote, when faced with the hyperthetical options available, over 93% of us would. You and me included

 

Isn't it interesting though, that on the other poll, http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=23289

 

The majority of people voted that they would in fact reduce their fee by a small margin (lets say £20 - £25 as the thread was a spin-off from this one) in order to help out another DJ - which effectively is costing them £25 in lost revenue as a reduction in what they would normally charge, yet when it comes to a vote which physically has them handing over a similar amount in readies to secure the services of 'DJ X' who has the pli and paperwork etc, we see it as a negative.

 

£25 in lost revenue by reducing our fee as a favour vs £25 handed over in cold cash, is there any difference in real terms?, surely a £25 a loss is a £25 loss regardless of whether its given as a discount or physically handed over?, or is it just a case of how the mind works and preceives the situation.

Edited February 11, 2009 by McCardle

[vokf 0]

What Me, personally?.

 

Your answer to that question is already covered in Post # 25 smile icon

 

Not you personally.

But, no... you've quoted out of context. It was a rhetorical question anyway.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2009 by vokf

[TonyB 0]

I don't think it is the amount of the additional charge that is of concern but the principle of whether or not a fellow DJ should make the charge when you have an emergency and appeal for help.

 

I do actually state in my contract that in the unlikely event I can't do the disco I will endeavor to find a suitable replacement and pay any additional fees so I do accept that there could be legitimate reasons for there being an additional cost, but was thinking more along the line of additional traveling costs if the DJ had to travel a distance for example.

 

If push came to shove I would use the DJ that made the extra charge but he would be low on my priorities of passing enquiries to in the future so the extra £30 short term gain could cost him a lot more in the long term.

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

i see a big difference between payign £25 and reducing my fee by £25

 

If i was having the emergency, not only am i losing a nights work (in this case £250!!) but i physically have to put my hand in my pocket and hand out mony

 

if i was the DJ offering a £25 discount. I wasnt working that night. I am now working and earning £250! Theres a big difference as far as im concerned :)

 

[deejaymitch 0]

if i was the DJ offering a £25 discount. I wasnt working that night. I am now working and earning £250! Theres a big difference as far as im concerned :)

 

Maybe he was looking forward to his first night off in weeks? Maybe he'd already turned down bookings for this date for that very reason. If so, he is inconveniencing himself to help you out. Is the surcharge so unreasonable in those circumstances?

[DJTREV 0]

For me its not about the fee the client is paying.I didnt chose X because he asked for the extra call out fee.No other reason.He was asked to help out a fellow DJ in a muddle but saw the chance to make extra.

Or original DJ would have checked to make sure he was legit and all licences etc were in place, if nothing else to save his own reputation

[Dukesy 0]

I've re-read the OP a few times since my sudden intuitive leap of understanding...still think its time for a whole new way of thinking! smile icon

 

Especially when you consider poll results for last year nearly 34% of 'specialist wedding DJs' are not happy with their rate, over 54% of mobile DJs are not happy with their rate. Of course people do shop around, these poll results reflect this.

 

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

Maybe he was looking forward to his first night off in weeks? Maybe he'd already turned down bookings for this date for that very reason. If so, he is inconveniencing himself to help you out. Is the surcharge so unreasonable in those circumstances?

 

Then he should decline the booking. Because its obviously not a night off, its a case of "ill work, for the right price". Either he wants the work and wants to help you out or he doesnt. If hes charging extra because he doesnt want to do it, then he shouldnt quote it at all

[Paul Forsyth 0]

Been mulling this one and reading and re-reading before voting.

 

I agree that DJ X'x surcharge does stick in the throat a bit but, as has already been said, this DJ does come with all the boxes ticked.

 

DJ Y's practice (in other threads) seems to be on that alot of us do berate and condem, yet appear in this thread to be willing to financially support and reward?????

 

Really not here to preach, but personally my take on this is it's my problem and if I have to be out of pocket, so be it.

 

Hopefully the client will be very happy, and my reputation will be upheld.

 

Maybe through this experience DJ X will see that I am willing to pay extra for piece of mind and legal business practice and therefore may consider passing work my way in the future.

 

Whilst I understand and support "The Brotherhood of DJ's" theory, why should anyone do someone a favour, when they don't know them from Adam?

 

Just my personal opinion.