Am I Being Stubbon?

[Dukesy 0]

I receive an email enquiry on 3rd July asking for a mid-week wedding quote - for the 12th August.

I reply immediately with a quote and include offer of discount (25% off full fee if settled within 30 days of event).

 

I then receive a reply on the 7th July stating they will be in touch.

I reply immediately and request could they please confirm by Monday 13th July to take advantage of discount offered.

 

Nearly a month passes.

 

I receive an email late on the 2nd August asking if I'm still available?

I reply the following day (3rd August) that the balance (discounted) will have to be settled in full to proceed with the booking, as little time is left before the event date, and to let me know via reply email if they wish to proceed.

 

They reply on the same day and confirm that they would like me to send a booking form.

I reply with an electronic verison of the booking form and T&Cs, merely requesting their contact details to be returned within 24 hours (email) so that I can forward a hard-copy of the agreement, reserve my service, etc.

 

Nothing arrived except for two emails stating that the times had changed. I also notice that the times have increased by 30 mins.

 

Am I being stubbon by not providing a further extension on the 24 deadline (which was clearly stated on the booking form) and declining the gig?

 

Opinions please.

[vokf 0]

In your t&c, I guess you have an "overtime" rate, so could you work out the additional cost and issued a revised quote, followed up with a phone call, explaining the situation.

If you can provide your bank details, and ask they issue a bank transfer for the full amount, or pay cash into your bank.

Unless they have other entertainment, then they need to realise they may not have a DJ for their wedding.

I've not been in this situation whilst DJing, but have in other jobs- and clearly stating the effect of their inaction/laziness will jolt them into taking things seriously.

 

If you have received no payment, then you could hardly be expected to prepare for their wedding, so even a bank transfer may not clear until Monday (unless they share the same bank as you), this would leave only 1 day for prepare.

 

Personally, I'd do the above - i.e. re-quote and call. Its a little more work when they have already messed you around - but they may have other things on their mind and are simply not organised. They could also be tying it on - with another DJ in the wings.

 

 

I don't think this is time to be stubborn. I would not decline the gig just yet, but would enforce full payment (ie no discount) at the new rate, and ensure they are fully aware they need to ensure funds are in your account by a deadline set by you.

When I've had similar problems, a call+email making my position crystal clear and leaving up to them to act by a specific deadline resolves things.

 

I know this puts you in a difficult position!

Edited August 5, 2009 by vokf

[spinner 0]

I don't see how you can be called stubborn for supplying your terms and conditions and sticking to them.

That's normal business practice isn't it?

 

If an offer is made made, subject to certain stipulations such as a time limit, for example, then those stipulations must be adhered to take advantage of the offer.

 

Unfortunately potential clients don't always read and/or absorb the information you send them.

 

I had an equiry in May for a wedding next year. I sent a letter and brochure containing full details of prices, what the prices include etc. etc.

 

The bride then came back to me and asked if setting up and breaking down plus travel were included in the price, despite the fact that all that information had been supplied. After I responded to that, the bride then asked if I had worked there before. 2 months later she e-mailed asking if the date was still available. I replied that it was and would she like to book. She responded asking for pictures of my equipment (which she had had right at the start of this saga ) so that she could make a decision. 2 weeks later, having heard nothing, I e-mailed to say I assumed she wouldn't be booking and to wish her every success with her reception. A week later she booked.

 

You're not being stubborn at all. Just stick to your usual procedure.

 

As far as bank transfers go, the Faster Payments system, to which most banks subscribe, usually means the money transfers on the same day

[Dream Catchers 0]

On the couple of occasions that something similar has happened to me they have both fallen through.

On one, they dithered and dithered all the way up until a couple of days beforehand and then said they had booked somebody else.

On the other they again dithered but paid the deposit by cheque about 6 weeks before the date. They then started asking for me to reduce the price agreed on the contract. The week before the wedding she emailed me saying she wanted to cancel, I explained the terms that she had signed to and told her she would still be liable for the fees, she told me to go forth and multiply , luckily enough I got another booking for the night so wasn't particularly bothered. About a fortnight later her bank also clawed back the deposit. Even though I had a signed contract the bank said it was nothing to do with them and I would need to take my own legal action to prove any fraud :hurt:

 

I don't bother with time wasters anymore.

She has had all the opportunity to book you and pay you, she hasn't bothered, I would just refuse to do it.

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

About a fortnight later her bank also clawed back the deposit. Jim

 

 

How did they do that. Do you mean her cheque was dishonoured?

[Dream Catchers 0]

No, the cheque had cleared.

It was about 5 weeks AFTER it had cleared that they took it back. On my statement is showed up as "Cheque Withdrawal Head Office Dept".

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

No, the cheque had cleared.

It was about 5 weeks AFTER it had cleared that they took it back. On my statement is showed up as "Cheque Withdrawal Head Office Dept".

 

Jim

 

 

So do you mean your bank gave back the money to the client's bank? If that is the case the issuer must have said there was a problem (such as losing a chequebook). Otherwise, since you were entitled to the money, it's fraud surely?

[Dream Catchers 0]

Agreed, it is fraud. But the bank said it was down to me to pursue it.

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

Am I being stubbon by not providing a further extension on the 24 deadline (which was clearly stated on the booking form) and declining the gig?

 

Opinions please.

 

 

Instead of declining put the onus on the clients. Send them an e-mail to the effect that you're assuming they're not going ahead (since you've not had a proper reply) and wish them every success with their reception.

 

If that doesn't get a positive response forget it.

[exbutlinred82 0]

I have never not been paid and I leave it to the client to dosh me up before during or after I have done a fantastic job.

 

All these rucks you have before you actually peform cannot create a very nice atmosphere between the client and you at the function.Most of my business is repeat business or recomendations....so most know the score!!

[Dukesy 0]

If an offer is made made, subject to certain stipulations such as a time limit, for example, then those stipulations must be adhered to take advantage of the offer.

 

Instead of declining put the onus on the clients. Send them an e-mail to the effect that you're assuming they're not going ahead (since you've not had a proper reply) and wish them every success with their reception.

 

If that doesn't get a positive response forget it.

 

I agree and this is what I did.

 

In your t&c, I guess you have an "overtime" rate, so could you work out the additional cost and issued a revised quote, followed up with a phone call, explaining the situation.

 

Yes, I agree with your points, but had no other form of contact details - they did not forward them!

 

Many thanks for the replies. Appreciated.

[McCardle 1]

I think banks are able to repay any cheques which have been issued from Stolen cheque books or in relation to funds raised in relation to the proceeds of criminal activities. I'm not 100% sure, but it might be something to do with protection under the money laundering act(s). Fortunately, I don't think that was used often and it may now have been changed, but some the Nigerian scammers used to use this to their advantage - ie pulling cash back, after the payee had thought that the payment had cleared.

Edited August 5, 2009 by McCardle

[vokf 0]

I think banks are able to repay any cheques which have been issued from Stolen cheque books or in relation to funds raised in relation to the proceeds of criminal activities. I'm not 100% sure, but it might be something to do with protection under the money laundering act(s). Fortunately, I don't think that was used often and it may now have been changed, but some the Nigerian scammers used to use this to their advantage - ie pulling cash back, after the payee had thought that the payment had cleared.

 

Yes, this is true. Cheques can be refunded months after being issued & cleared. Potentially, you can write a cheque, allow it to clear (and so gain goods/services) and then report the chequebook as stolen...

 

A bank transfer cannot be refunded, so I do provide my bank details for faster payment and some people just don't use cheques (but bank online, so a transfer is very easy).

 

 

 

[McCardle 1]

Allow it to clear (and so gain goods/services) and then report the chequebook as stolen...

 

Another flipside of this which I have experienced, are Brides issuing cheques from accounts in their maiden names. Of course they go onto joint accounts and often these old accounts are emptied and closed. I'd like to think on the several occasions that this has happened that it was a mistake / oversight......

 

[deejaymitch 0]

It all depends on how much you need the booking but I would say stick to your guns Dan. Enough people disrespect our craft without them accomodating us further. That's easy for me to ay as I no longer DJ full time, and I understand what it's like when every booking is vital but if ever you are in a position to play hardball, please do, for the good of the whole industry.