Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention....
This guy emailed me "out of the blue" on November 24th regarding needing a DJ for a wedding in North Carolina on December 10th. There was very little information: Date, time, venue location. Something about all of his DJ's were busy or not interested and I should email him back if I was interested. They could pay travel costs, too.
Since I had that date available because of my recent relocation to NC, I replied.
Here is his reply, which was not by him, but by Customer Service (the lady referenced in Jim Casey's initiating post):
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:blue">We will pay you the full amount of $575.* Would you like a contract with the client's details?* Let me know.* Thanks.</span>[/b][/quote]
By the way, I am 2-1/2 hours away from this venue. The reception is 4-hours starting at 6:00 pm. For what it's worth, my starting rate for 4-hour reception is $625. I had to think long and hard about this one. Ordinarily, I would have added another $150 for the travel and $75 for the lodging. Keep in mind, too, that I have not even made contact with the bride because her name and contact particulars have yet to be provided.
At this point, something in the back of my head told me to check the DJSOL archives for anything on this guy. I did. Yep! He is known for short fuse notification and cheap fees.
Still, I needed the gig! What the heck! I agreed. Figured it would be a start in NC and maybe get a few referrals from the venue and the bride.
I was emailed a very vague contract for me to sign that would be between KCPDJ. I fired back an email asking for clarification of certain paragraphs but did not get a reply back. However, I got a telephone call from Customer Service who felt it would be easier to answer my questions over the phone than email. To keep this story short, I signed the contract and faxd it back.
The contract was only between KCPDJ and me. The client would pay me the $575 in cash at the venue. Now is where the good, bad and ugly part comes in to view.
I did a very informative email to the Bride requesting that she reply quickly because it was already Nov. 27th and wedding was on Dec. 10th. Within hours I received an email from the Bride who was ANGRY, but obviously not at me. Here is her reply to me"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Dear Sir, I'm sorry you had to be involved it this situation.* We were not satisfied with Mr. Colangelo's business ethics or his timing. After numerous attempts to contact Mr. Colangelo and after contract had already been signed, we were finally notified two weeks before our wedding that they did not have a DJ for us.* So I'm sure you will understand my anxiety, so we went ahead and found another DJ.* I'm sorry for any inconvenience.* Thank you for your time.[/b][/quote]
OK! What do I do now! Am I still obligated via my contract with "Mr. C"? So I fired off an email to KC and CJ telling them to void the contract between us as evidenced by the attached email!
What kind of a mess did I get myself into? This can't be happening. I am extremely professional and ethical and now my name and DJ service has been dragged through the mud. What would you have done?
I immdiately replied to the Bride's email, see reply below:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:green">Thank you for the thoughtful and timely reply. Just for your information, your "cancellation" note arrived by email before Crystal James' email. I appreciate your courteous approach to the unfortunate fiasco.
Nevertheless, I would hope you were appreciative of the email I sent explaining who I am and so forth. Although we were unable to work together, I trust that you would have been satisfied with my approach to working with prospective clients. Should you have a need or perhaps a friend of yours may have a need for a "professional" DJ that you will feel comfortable in recommending Twin Spin DJ Service/Art Dearing</span>.[/b][/quote]
In addition, I asked her to call me or I would call her if she wanted to "vent" with regard to the particulars of this unfortunate situation. She didn't call, but sent me another email. I have added below a few of her comments:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I regret that we weren't able to work with you, i would've probably been more satisfied with the outcome, as of now, I've heard more from you then I ever did from Mr. Colangelo's company.[/b][/quote]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I sincerely regret that we were not able to work with you, and I will definitely keep you in mind if we or anyone we know have an event that a DJ is needed.* I apologize for venting to you, but I'm sure you'll appreciate to know that with just your timely responses alone it has let me know that not all DJ company's could be like Mr. Colangelo's.[/b][/quote]
Not to impune Mr. Colangelo's integrity, this is rather one-sided, but some of it must be the truth.
Maybe, just maybe...this bride will not cast all DJs in the same light as she has seen Mr. Colangelo. Let's hope that the DJ she found on her own will do an exceptional job! :shrug
As for my future involvement with Mr. Colangelo, I will have to wait and see what comes my way...but the fee will have to be worth my time and travel as well as adequate lead time. :oooops :oooops
Question: Would you have asked the bride to sign a contract with your DJ service for liability and insurance purposes? Do you suspect the contract you signed with the entertainment agency would be sufficient to cover your liability interest?
Are all event agents on the up-and-up?
DJ Art
"Less Mic, more music for dancing."
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