Here we go again.. . . .

[OK KARAOKE 1]

Opened my local paper today and in the Disco section there`s an ad....

 

"DISCOS £30 - WE WON`T BE BEATEN ON PRICE"

 

Couple of weeks ago I did my first singing gig for five years.

Took the missus and 18-year-old Grand-daughter with me.

It was a Thursday night.

Arrived 8.30. Did 2x 45 min spots and finished at 11.15. Was home at 11.50

I got £100, could have drunk what I wanted and stayed overnight (no point, only 10 mins from home).

I also got a lot more thanks and appreciation than I do on Disco nights, and I carry less than a quarter of the gear.

So is it really any wonder that I`m now working on honing my singing/playing skills again.

I can`t compete with nobheads who are prepared to go out for £30, but as a musician and vocalist I can hold my own against the vast majority in the area.

I maybe long in the tooth but I proved I can still cut the mustard.

Once I`ve perfected my various sets (including a Hank Marvin tribute set), I`ll likely be flogging off my lights and CDs (including 450+ karaokes), and you guys will be the first to know.

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[Gary 0]

I'd be tempted to stick an advert in the same paper:

 

 

"Enquire about OUR £30 disco, and you'll realise the benefits of our more realistically priced discos with professional Disco service, equipment, performance, reliability and excellent entertainment value"

[C.S 0]

Just ignore it, if you feel you are worth what you take and feel you offer good service then dont bother. Lets face it what do you get for £30 ?

[brianmole 0]

QUOTE

I'd be tempted to stick an advert in the same paper: "Enquire about OUR £30 disco, and you'll realise the benefits of our more realistically priced discos with professional Disco service, equipment, performance, reliability and excellent entertainment value"

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif What a brilliant idea...I like it http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[DJ_Ajay 0]

That I would LUV to see, i wouldn't put a name on it tho

[BigBen 0]

Whenever anyone calls me - I always tell them that I will be more expensive than the cowboys because I offer a professional level of service. If they show the remotest levelof interest I will explain what this means to them, namely:

A contract for both parties peace of mind and protection,

PAT certification,

PLI cover and, most importantly for the punters on the night,

Decent back-up equipment.

 

Not only does this justify my cost it also demonstrates why the other guy is SOOOO cheap. With the seeds of doubt planted firmly in the punters mind it may make them think a bit more about the entertainment they book.

[Kingy 0]

Ben has the right idea, though the other sounds fun!!

 

RISE above it, if you can!

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

let the £30 kid relise he is working too hard for nothing..

 

his add wont affect any pro discos in your area, dont let it get to you.

[paula 0]

I rang the local rag yesterday to be told a weekly advert would cost me £36, so I can't see the point in someone this cheap placing an add in the paper.

I wouldnt worry about it, that will probaly be the first and last time you hear of this person...especially if you give us his phone number http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/188.gif

 

 

 

Anyway, my memory has lapsed!! wern't it you that bought a mini mountain of discs off me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif....it's hard work selling off a karaoke http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

[Gary 0]

Perhaps an advert along the lines of "You wouldnt get married in a £30 wedding dress, would you...?" or "Hey look...£30 wedding dress"...

 

But no, seriously, just ignore the ad. The guy must simply be running an Amstrad and 4 candles, inbetween downloading unlicensed tunes.

[Paul Smith 0]

I used to run a small ad each week for my repair business - then another competitor came along with an ad (usually placed next to mine) offering free call out & free estimates. I changed mine to Call Out & Estimates from only £15. The amount of enquiries from the ad doubled http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

 

I wouldn't worry about this ad for £30 - most people are wise to 'you get what you pay for' and I also suspect that when people do phone him the actual price they get quoted for their event will be a lot more. I also suspect that he won't be in business for very long (the figures just don't 'ad' up) http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

 

I mentioned on here last year the conversation I had with another DJ who was purchasing some old equipment from me. He told me that he charged £35 for a disco. 'Are you busy?' I asked - 'I have a gig in 12 weeks time' was the reply.

 

Here's another tip, if during a conversation a potential client mentions that XYZ Discos has quoted £XX just say 'I'm surprised that they charge that much'

Don't elaborate any more - it plants the suggestion that although they're cheaper they are overpriced for what they do.

 

I know for a fact that last year I 'lost' 2 potential bookings because I quoted too cheaply (I also lost some more for being too dear) but I now tend to base my sales pitch on quality & reliability rather than just price.

 

PaulS

[mick 0]

Agree with Paula and paulS don't let it bother you, in my experience you loose more money and customers by being too cheap. just be patient and let him/her learn the hard way http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Edited February 4, 2005 by mick

[OK KARAOKE 1]

QUOTE (paula @ Feb 4 2005, 11:27 AM)

Anyway, my memory has lapsed!! wern't it you that bought a mini mountain of discs off me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif....it's hard work selling off a karaoke http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

Yes Paula I did buy some discs off you, 17 I think, mainly DKs. There`s no real problem there. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

It wasn`t till I became an "ex-performer" that I discovered the quality backing available on some cdg discs. I`m quite happy to hang onto a load of these to use on stage. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

The Shadows stuff is sorted, I`m buying tracks made in Hank Marvins "NIVRAM" studio in Australia. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/cool.gif

Anyway I`ve realised that I don`t have to jack in DJ/Karaoke just cos I`m gonna start playing again, I can do both. That way I should be able to get as much work as I want (which ain`t an awful lot), and even do some cherry-picking http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

Ta everyone for the support. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thanks.gif

And if you`re interested in hiring the £30 disco you`re welcome to PM me for the phone number. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/whistling.gif

[gunslinger757 0]

Okay here's one for you, my mate has a pub (in newcastle), in which I do the quiz on tuesday night. he's been talking about doing karaoke so i said look i'll do it for you it's a sunday night, not a lot on, i'll buy the discs and you guarentee me the booking for six months - done deal.

 

He rang me tonight, he said "hows your karaoke set up doing, cos i'm going to advertise the night. By the way i've had a guy down here from blyth and he's been doing karaoke

for 10 years, he'll bring about 30 peeps with him on the night, and he'll do it for £50. and when it takes off the price will go to £60". You can't compete against people like that and i wouldn't even try

 

So I know what your up against, I'm currently diversifying into stand up and comparing, the moneys better, less aggro and less time at work.