Never Again

[DJ WuSubby 0]

So I advertise on ebay classifieds and one came through for a 13th birthday party in romford. We are located in Portsmouth.

So due to needing to hire a van as the one we use would not do that long journey so I quoted £300, with a £30 deposit, we received £100 instead that was pretty nice.

The time was 6pm-11pm.

 

So our driver picked up the van in the morning of the Saturday Loaded up and started heading of around 1-2.

So we was doing allright till we hit the dartford tunnel, Oops we all completely forgot about the charge and we had just put all the money we had into the van for petrol.

 

So we headed into dartford worrying about how we was gonna get through, so it ended up i was gonna have to cash convert some of the lights, due to them not having serial numbers or anything like that all my lights i could not cash in, tried about 3 lights. Then it came down to having to cash convert a borrowed light.

So off i went for the 4th time into cash converters to convert the light.

The same gentleman served me and my colleague all the times. He explained that we would only receive £5 for the light, I explained didn't really mind as long as i can get us through dartford tunnel. He asked how much it was and i told him it was £2, so he said keep the light then went out back and returned to hand me a shiny £2 coin. So with that and none of the lights being sold we headed back onto the road.

I would like to say that i wrote a letter to the store explaining what happened and how helpful the gentleman was, included was £5 postal order as a thank you, I did phone up the store and he did receive this.

 

So back on the road pushing for time, got a call from the client asking if we are gonna show up, explained we had been stuck in traffic and not far away.

Me being me only writes down directions on a peace of paper, So we was heading down a road witch was a dual carriage way trying to look for this turning. (While on the same road passing near my mate who lives in romford).

So our driver said why not turn right here and ask in that pub, turning right i spoted the sign and it aws the road we needed.

 

So arrived at the venue, er well house. I didnt check to see if it was a house party or not, But hey ho, so got in set up did some sound checks, tested the new karaoke system (we did have problems with certain songs not playing and us forgetting to take the song book eek).

 

So we started off with some cheese and started our way into the Saturdays, girls aloud, you know the normal 13th birthday stuff, well thats what i thought. The client, the Bday girls mum came up and asked if i had lilly allen's song, something you(cant say first word as it's a ban word.lol) so that kinda gave us the idea of what it was going to be like that evening. They started requesting alot of R&B and me and my freind was not prepared for this, so to buy us some time i got on the mic and announced that we had karaoke, Boom that was two hours killed. woot.

 

So the adults started gettign sick of the children signing and asked us to go back to msuic witch we did, so we played mainly R&B that all the kids loved and adults, Probally around 20 of them altogether.

At this point the Bday girl walks up to us with two cans of super tenants 9% and said that her mum DEMANDED us to drink them and to get drunk with every one else.

Fair enough we wont say no, So for the rest of the evening every time i went into the kitchen or for a smoke the client kept saying, Want some more beer, more beer, drink more. So they practically force fed us booze.

 

So we started rapping up the night after playing an extra 30 mins due to us being a tad bit late, but the client and every one else did not want us to leave and wanted us to carry on, so me and my freind chatted to the driver and they where more than happy to stay.

So we all decided to go out clubbing with the client in romford, by the the time we got back to the clients house it was silly o'clock in the morning i was very drunk, i threw up in there toilet then passed out on the sofa.

 

We all got up in the morning and mooched back home very hung over, no money left due to us spending it all the night before and remembering how brilliant that party was.

The Bday have a fantastic time, all her freinds wanted to book us.

 

Now i did ask them a major question that was playing on my mind.

Why did they book us? Wouldn't a local disco be better?

Turned out we was cheaper and every other disco asked for full payment upfront.

 

Ok i know some people will say be careful doing house party's and all, but i did have my mates number on speed dial who live only 5 mins form the house allways have a back up.

[aaadisco 0]

I'm glad it turned out well for you and I guess the thing to remember is that planning is key and was it worth the hassle just to spend the cash that night?

 

Best to find out as much info as possible before giving a quote - venue, music etc.. I always plan a route on multimap to try and avoid any surprises and to allow me to get there in good time.

 

Personally I would not have drunk and joined in as I would have felt it was unprofessional and also I would have been paranoid that all my equipment could have been stolen as I was crashed out!

 

"i threw up in there toilet then passed out on the sofa."

 

May sound funny but you prob won't be recomended for a friend's wedding!

 

I'm not having a dig as you obviously enjoyed your self but your post doesn't do much to promote the professionalism of our industry. I wouldn't make a habit of nights like that it if you want to build a good business!

[DJTREV 0]

must resist .......must resist

[bluejools 0]

definately one of the more surreal things i have read this year.

 

I have such a sheltered life.

[Big B 0]

If i was a potential customer looking for a mobile dj and i saw your post i have to say i would NOT book you, i am having a blessing soon and when i look for a dj i will be looking for professional dj who can carry out the work without drinking alcohol. I have been to many gigs over the years and been asked by the customer if i want a drink and i have always turned them down, you have to look at it this way you were there to dj/entertain a young 13 year old who at that age are easily led and they may think that all mobile dj's are like that.

 

I have met up with many of my clients after doing parties for them maybe a couple of months down the line and i am still professional. It may be me getting on in years but i dont think i would ever stay at a clients house you never know what you will be accused of once you have gone.

 

This is just my opinion.

[P.I.J. Roadshow 0]

What a strange post, this has got to be a wind up. All the way through reading this post I was thinking there is going to be a punchline at the end or a joke and it never came. It's no wonder this industry has the stereotype it has if people think this is acceptable business practice and to think the fee was more than alot of jocks can charge

[vokf 0]

What a strange post, this has got to be a wind up. All the way through reading this post I was thinking there is going to be a punchline at the end or a joke and it never came. It's no wonder this industry has the stereotype it has if people think this is acceptable business practice and to think the fee was more than alot of jocks can charge

 

 

"Group: Account Disabled"

 

I suspect a troll - and they are very permanently back under their bridge! lol

 

 

I've just re-read it - very funny, you can almost see it unwinding...

 

My reasons for joining DJU is to share experiences, network with others and basically improve my service.

Whilst I think the OP is simply a wind-up, I would not be surprised if some of that does actually go on.

Unfortunately, anyone can become a DJ, the gear can be cheap and music can be free.

£100/night cash for having a laugh and a few beers can be seen as easy money.

 

I did some background music at a summer BBQ at my workplace. A few people chatted about DJing to me - and also had the opinion it was all cash, drink-driving and basically the stereotypical DJ they've seen on Eastenders...

 

So... funny, but sadly true. Each DJ quoting £300 and then taking £100, or turning up late, or getting drunk (etc) with clients is harming the profession.

Luckily, most/all members here do try to provide a professional service, and should be seen to be a credit to the profession.

 

Jas

 

[Raymilkybarkid 0]

"Group: Account Disabled"

 

I suspect a troll - and they are very permanently back under their bridge! lol

I've just re-read it - very funny, you can almost see it unwinding...

 

My reasons for joining DJU is to share experiences, network with others and basically improve my service.

Whilst I think the OP is simply a wind-up, I would not be surprised if some of that does actually go on.

Unfortunately, anyone can become a DJ, the gear can be cheap and music can be free.

£100/night cash for having a laugh and a few beers can be seen as easy money.

 

I did some background music at a summer BBQ at my workplace. A few people chatted about DJing to me - and also had the opinion it was all cash, drink-driving and basically the stereotypical DJ they've seen on Eastenders...

 

So... funny, but sadly true. Each DJ quoting £300 and then taking £100, or turning up late, or getting drunk (etc) with clients is harming the profession.

Luckily, most/all members here do try to provide a professional service, and should be seen to be a credit to the profession.

 

Jas

 

 

I can safely say that in the 1980's as a club DJ working abroad it was a bit like that for me anyway.

 

Times change and we get older and wiser.

IMO I think that it looks un-professional to see the DJ drinking pints / Alcohol when working if he / she worked in an office or factory would they sit / stand there having a drink while working? most employers would class it as gross misconduct.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

[vokf 0]

I can safely say that in the 1980's as a club DJ working abroad it was a bit like that for me anyway.

 

Times change and we get older and wiser.

IMO I think that it looks un-professional to see the DJ drinking pints / Alcohol when working if he / she worked in an office or factory would they sit / stand there having a drink while working? most employers would class it as gross misconduct.

 

There is a big difference between working in a pub/bar and taking a private booking. Last time I was in tenerife, many of the DJ's in the bars were sinking pints. Chatting to a few, they didn't get paid much (25euro/night about 6 years ago - but DID get free beer, and a bar snack)

 

 

I don't see it as a big problem in a public gig (ie, Pub/club/bar) IF offered by the management.

I always have to drive and so don't drink any alcohol when working.

In fact, if we didn't keep nipping in to McD's after a gig, its a very good workout and detox.. lol

 

NYE this year I've decided to accept a booking at my local pub, so can leave gear there and have a few pints.

 

 

For private clients, being late/very disorganised (as the original scenario) is showing them a lack of respect.