Strangest Tip I Have Ever Received - DJ Source Online - Your Online Source for Disc Jockey Resources

Jim Casey · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 08:15 AM

I did a wedding on Saturday that went very well considering the circumstances.

I had less than six weeks to plan and had to overcome the fact I was triple whattheir origianl DJ was. Well, I did and very well.

But...

I received a gift-wrapped present at the end.

It was a book about marketing and networking and looked to be a come-on for an MLM

Thought it was a strange ending to a decent day.

Rob Peters · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 02:10 PM

That's the reason I have the following wording in my agreement:

"Any tips or gratuities shall be paid directly to the performer in CASH only."

Don't call me to join your "pyramid!"

DJMC · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 07:11 AM

I'm appalled that anyone would have anything at all about Tips or Gratuities in their contract.

My oddest "tip" was TWO CASES of Guatemalan beer.

This was from a beer distributor of course.

My wife (who usually drinks Corona or Dos Equis) thought it was some of the best beer she ever had.
(I prefer chardonnay or merlot to beer...)

[ September 23, 2003, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: DJMC ]

JX2 Productions · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 03:21 PM

Did u think about why they would give you such a book? Not to sound rude, or make it sound like i know it all, but the reason is answered simply. Its right in front of your face and you don't even realize it. Figured it out yet?!?! NO of course not. The reason I feel it is becuase you are TRIPLE the price of the original DJ.Hmmm...Make sense now?!?!? Think about the economy guys and gals and price accordingly. If you can't deal with taking the cuts then find another job and don't complain about it because you can't raise your prices when everyone else is or else you get no business...We have been through this before and this is common sense for anyone who owns a business. C'mon loosen up and figure it out. Drop your prices, get more business...

Heres something else....I have notice most DJ's are just out there for the money. All they care about is money, money, money. Wake up people. If you're a DJ you can't just be out there for the money. If you want more business you gotta be more sympathetic and drop your prices. Would you rather have more business and more money. Or less business and less money. This seems reverse doesn't it? Well duh, of course. Realize the fact that if you do one party for lets say 500 and normalyl you would charge 650 at a good economic time period, and you did two parties at the rate of five hundred then you have now just satisfied double the number of people, doubled your potential clientel and gotten your name out there twice as much. However you took the three hundred dollar cut in pay. But really...would you rather see double the people go home happy and say, Damn, that guy was aweomse! or just that one party going home and saying that?!?!? Seems to me that I would rather have double the number of people. Again, think about the economy and adjust your prices accordingly, if you can't afford it do it any wayz and find another side job. You have to face the fact that you will not always be able to be the dj who makes the most every time. It's hard to take the cut but if you look at the way we're doing business, we have booked double the amount of parties since we have kept our prices low. Think about it and adjust for the last time. Thnx.

Jim, I don't mean to make this sound 'rude' or aimed at you like you're some stupid, ignorant, rude DJ but more as something to take into consideration. I am sure you were great, but at TRIPLE the price. C'mon man. Figure it out....Its not all about the darn money, its about keeping people happy, like you have stated in other forums. Stand by wut you say, not saying that they didn't have a good time, but from the way you put it and the gift you got, it seems like they definately were not happy about your pricing.

Erik

Jim Casey · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 11:29 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JX2 Productions:
Did u think about why they would give you such a book? Not to sound rude, or make it sound like i know it all, but the reason is answered simply. Its right in front of your face and you don't even realize it. Figured it out yet?!?! NO of course not. The reason I feel it is becuase you are TRIPLE the price of the original DJ.Hmmm...Make sense now?!?!? <hr /></blockquote>[/QB ]

Erik,
With all due respect, which at this point is very little, you are very green in this industry.

The "tip" was strange at best and some might even consider it out of line (being a marketing scheme) The book was given to ALL of the guests (by a guest) and vendors including myself.

I have about as much experience as a Disc Jockey (17) than you are of years living.

Realize that many of us are business people as well as Professional Disc Jockeys. This is our OCCUPATION. This is not just a part-time hobby for kicks on the weekends.

Is this a fun job, absolutely. We also need to make a living at it.

I have a wife and child that depend on my income along with my wife's income to live a comfortable lifestyle.

I have a mortgage, equity loan, Van Payment, and numerous other bills that I pay on a weekly/monthly basis that you two do not have to pay because you live with mommy and daddy. I do not have that luxury.

My price is based on what I bring to the table for my clients which is a hell of a lot more than just pushing a few buttons and having a good time.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JX2 Productions:
[qb]
Think about the economy guys and gals and price accordingly. If you can't deal with taking the cuts then find another job and don't complain about it because you can't raise your prices when everyone else is or else you get no business...We have been through this before and this is common sense for anyone who owns a business. C'mon loosen up and figure it out. Drop your prices, get more business...
<hr /></blockquote>

Hmmm...interesting strategy. I did 35 wedidng this year at an AVERAGE of $1050. Last year I did 34 at an average of $795

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JX2 Productions:

Heres something else....I have notice most DJ's are just out there for the money. All they care about is money, money, money. Wake up people. If you're a DJ you can't just be out there for the money. If you want more business you gotta be more sympathetic and drop your prices. Would you rather have more business and more money. Or less business and less money. This seems reverse doesn't it?
<hr /></blockquote>[QB]

Get a clue Erik. I know why I am in this business. To give people great Entertainment and be rewarded accordingly.

The price I charged them was my NORMAL price for my services. I didn't gouge them whatsoever. I did a client consultation on a weekday that was 2 hours from my home to be sure I knew exactly what I would need to do to get the job done and done correctly.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JX2 Productions:
[qb]
Well duh, of course. Realize the fact that if you do one party for lets say 500 and normalyl you would charge 650 at a good economic time period, and you did two parties at the rate of five hundred then you have now just satisfied double the number of people, doubled your potential clientel and gotten your name out there twice as much. However you took the three hundred dollar cut in pay. But really...would you rather see double the people go home happy and say, Damn, that guy was aweomse! or just that one party going home and saying that?!?!? Seems to me that I would rather have double the number of people. Again, think about the economy and adjust your prices accordingly, if you can't afford it do it any wayz and find another side job. You have to face the fact that you will not always be able to be the dj who makes the most every time. It's hard to take the cut but if you look at the way we're doing business, we have booked double the amount of parties since we have kept our prices low. Think about it and adjust for the last time. Thnx.
<hr /></blockquote>

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by JX2 Productions:

Jim, I don't mean to make this sound 'rude' or aimed at you like you're some stupid, ignorant, rude DJ but more as something to take into consideration. I am sure you were great, but at TRIPLE the price. C'mon man. Figure it out....Its not all about the darn money, its about keeping people happy, like you have stated in other forums. Stand by wut you say, not saying that they didn't have a good time, but from the way you put it and the gift you got, it seems like they definately were not happy about your pricing.

Erik

<hr /></blockquote>Unfortunately Erik you are the ignorant one in this case. You have not been in this business nearly ling enough to tell ANYONE how market and run their business. When I find out that you have been in Mobile Beat or DJ Times, I will look you up.

I do truly hope you go to DJ Ides Sharing 6 in Connecticut. You truly could use the help.

[ October 26, 2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Jim Casey ]

Jim Casey · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 11:33 AM

BTW...I NEVER have expectations for a tip. I have been fortunate enough that clients have thought I did that good of a job that I deserved a tip, which I always try to politely decline.

DJMC · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 04:21 PM

You go Jimbo!!!

And one other factor that you left out is your (relatively) short wedding season (compared to other more temperate climates).

Franz in Lake Tahoe has a similar weather pattern to what you see in Maine: his wedding season begins in late May when all the ice melts off the roads, and after Labor Day the wedding business tapers off. He has four-five months of good weather---and he charges accordingly.

Here in the Central Valley and the lower Sierra foothills (where I live at 2000 feet elevation)---I have 7 or 8 months of "wedding season".

When you have more viable weekends, you're able to work more often and can afford to charge less for the jobs...

Mike Mahoney · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 02:14 AM

LOL, Take a deep breath Jim, its not about your house, van, wife, or child. You could have all these things without being a DJ at all.

The thing that is relavent and important is what you have done to get to where you are, and what you bring to the table for the client. It has taken a lot of hard work & skill to get where you are.

Jx2, all I can say is, you have much to learn grasshopper. I have been a function DJ for nearly 10 years, and I am still learning.

Oh, and, saying "no offense" is worthless when accompanied by such comments.

If you would like a humorous education on pricing, watch the film "Ruthless People", If the client doesn't want what you are selling, lowering your price gets you nowhere.

These people hired Jim of their own free will, no one forced them to. They were obviously comfortable enough with his service to pay his price. If they weren't we would be hearing about a law suit, not an MLM book.

JX2 Productions · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 10:27 AM

JIM, why didnt you say that EVERYONE got the flippin book in the beginning. So now you're leaving stuff out. Heres wut u put:

I did a wedding on Saturday that went very well considering the circumstances.
I had less than six weeks to plan and had to overcome the fact I was triple whattheir origianl DJ was. Well, I did and very well.
But...
I received a gift-wrapped present at the end.
It was a book about marketing and networking and looked to be a come-on for an MLM
Thought it was a strange ending to a decent day.

There's nothing in there about everyone recieving the gift........

The only reason why I can comment on stuff like this is becuase my mother owns a private preschool. I know wut it takes to run a business succesfully and have it be well known throughout. My grandparents have owned several business, all being very successful, my aunt owned an extremely successful bakery in NH. I dont come from a family who has never owned a biz in there life. My aunt is the VP of partylight. Do u see my point? If i need help I have all of those people to turn to.

Mike, You're right, it isn't just about supporting the family. and the van payments etc.

Jim, Do u think that my parents dont have all that?

If you can't afford to live without lowering you're prices then dont complain.

Im NOT the flippin ignorant one.

Erik

Jim Casey · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 06:19 PM

OMG Erik...

So your mom owns a pre-school and from that you conclude you know how to run a business?

Far from it.

So I want to place my child in your mom's preschool. What is the cost? Is she willing to negotitate her price? I bet the answer is no.

What you do not seem to understand is that she was VERY happy to pay what was triple her original DJs price. Her original DJ ($400) simply put dropped the ball. He didn;t bother to contact her until six weeks prior, only to say that he booked someone else.

DO you believe that is professional?

Unlike the amateur you are Erik, I am a professional and demand a professional rate for my services. You may think that $1200 for the six hours of service (including the ceremony, three different setups in three different locations, etc) is high, I do not. She did not.

I visited her three days after signing the contract to become familiar with the wedding site. I drew out a plan for the three locations and spent about two and a half hours with them, along with the two hour drive up and two hour drive back.

Count 6.5 hours of service plus the one hour phone call for the contract. I have spent 7.5 hours working on their wedding already.

Add to this another 1.5 hour conversation to plan her wedding, INCLUDING setting the order of the processions, etc.

We are up to 9 hours, BEFORE the big day.

Add another two hours to drive to music stores, purchase music, etc

Now we have 11 hours.

She continued to need help with some of the planning aspects right up through the final week. I have at least another hour plus of phone time I spent with her.

That's 12 hours.

THEN, I coordinated all of this with her other vendors. This took another 2 hours.

Count to 14 now.

Day of the wedding. 2 hour drive, 1 hour of setup time (this was 3 setups total), 1/2 hour breather time before the start of the ceremony, 6 hours of performance time, 3/4 hour breakdown, 2 hour drive home.

12 1/4 hours the day of in addition to the 14 BEFORE = Total of 26.25 hours spent on ONE wedding.

1200 / 26.25 = $45.71 per hour

Now...take 35% off the top automatically for taxes, federal and state (more than normal becuase business owners pay both the employer and employee payroll taxes at the end of the year)

Now we have $29.71 an hour. Still very respectable, but nor the $200 an hour that many seem to think $1200 for a six hour DJ package is.

Erik, you obviously do not get it. You are only 17 years old and should not begin to think you REALLY understand what business people go through on a day to day basis. Because you really do not.

You do not have ANY perspective on business at all. Once you become a small business owner, pay your own way, do not live with mommy and daddy, and more, talk to me.

Otherwise do not presume to give advice or think you know what professional DJs are worth.

This BTW was the email I received in Oct 17th from that client:

"Jim,

We thought you might want to take a look at these. Thank you again for all of your help. People are still talking about how wonderful you were on our wedding day. It wouldn't have run as smoothly as it did if not for you. b You had mentioned about sending us an evaluation form for you. I haven't gotten it but would be glad to fill it out!"

I hope to receive the evaluation form very soon.

Gee, looks like I truly ripped her off.

Think like a professional, get professional rates. Think like an amateur, remain an amateur.

Getting a MLM book is still a strange gesture no matter how you look at it.