No the tragedy is you. You are the DJ with illegal music. The person who does not pay taxes. The person who needs 3 DJ's to work a $200 job. The person who does no jobs for anyone except Family or Friends. You sir are the disgrace to this forum and the DJ world.
No wonder things are a mess with this business!
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
No the tragedy is you. You are the DJ with illegal music. The person who does not pay taxes. The person who needs 3 DJ's to work a $200 job. The person who does no jobs for anyone except Family or Friends. You sir are the disgrace to this forum and the DJ world.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Sorry but I just had to post this as it pissed me off to no end!
No, you didn't "have" to post this. Why would it piss you off? Did they mention you by name? Did they call one of your family members or business "associates" a derogatory name?
First let me say I haven't visited craigslist in a while.
Then, maybe you should have "not" visited Craigslist, huh?
I saw a thread on DJ CHAT that shows how this business is going to chit!
Hmmm, the self-appointed authorities there? Oh boy, that means it must be true.
Someone made a thread about a bride looking for a DJ to do her wedding on April 27th.
Any moron with a login can make a thread.
I'll be kind and not mention the location of the wedding.
Gee, that was "kind" of you...
This was from a craigslist ad.
Yeah, you already mentioned where the ad was from.
Someone put up the link to the ad.
Did they have any partners help them?
I know people say just concentrate on what you do
Yeah, but you never listen to good, coherent advice, do you?
but this is just too sick to believe.
No, I think what you are about to tell us is too sick to believe.
She's getting married and her fiance is a DJ.
Oh, the "plot thickens." I am spellbound.
So he can't do his own wedding.
Sure he could. It's been done before and quite successfully too.
The ad goes into details about what they are looking for in terms of music and other minor details.
Yup, that's what ads do, they convey a message.
The reception is to be for 4 hours.
No kidding?
They make it very clear that they are on a tight budget.
There are a lot of people out there on "tight budgets." Usually ones with credit card debt.
So tight that I wonder what kind of DJ is this fiance?
One that doesn't make much money?
They let it be know that they only have $150.00 and will not go any higher.
If that's all they say they have, then that's all they "may" have. Not everyone has deep pockets full of cash.
So if you can't deal with that don't bother contacting them.
Pretty simple and straight forward if you ask me. But, you didn't bother to honor that. If you don't know the meaning of honoring something. Google it..
I sent them an email hoping to piss them off for being so cheap looking for a DJ to do their wedding.
That's some real class "there" Mix.
Now it's one thing if just a regular potential client were looking for a DJ. But someone that is a DJ should do much better then that.
Again, maybe this DJ and his fiance don't have pot to piss in, or maybe he spent all his money on crack.
One of the emails I got back from the bride is that we should be doing this because we love to do this and not trying to make a bunch of money off of what we do.
And that is her opinion and she's entitled to it. I would have probably fired back at you with a few thousand choice words. Who are you to go after these people? They did nothing to you.
So in other words anyone that charges more then $150.00to do a wedding is getting paid too much.
Let me tell you something, I started out from scratch after being out of the biz for close to 20 years and although I charged a bit more than $150, I had to start somewhere. I gradually raised my prices to where I'm charging $150 per hour now and I'm not one of the highest paid in my area either.
I love to DJ
Then do it. Get a business plan and get yer azz out there.
and I know I'm not the most expensive DJ in the world
Not everyone can be the most expensive DJ in the world or in your market. Face it. Put your big boy panties on and quit harassing couples who post ads on Craigslist.
but there is no way I would do a wedding for $150.00.
Then why did you waste your time and theirs "bothering" them? Did it puff up your ego?
WTF! Then I got another email back from this so called DJ that said he has a business and last year he sent DJ's out that work for his company and last year he made 40k with the business.
People make lots of "claims" but that doesn't make what they claim true.
He claims he made that much last year
Again, his "claim." (See above)
but he only wants to spend $150.00 for a DJ to do his wedding.
And that's what he/she wants. A smart person would have walked away from it, unless you really wanted to take that job and split the take with your posse.
That's really sad!
No, what you did was really sad.
I was just hoping against hope that by me sending this email to them that they would realize such a thing like this is killing us in this business.
Funny, it doesn't bother "my" business. A $150 client is not my client and I don't worry about it. I provide a quality service and IMHO I get paid a decent fee.
Maybe not affecting you directly but as a whole that leaves us with a big black eye!
I call BS! That sounds like someone has been drinking the "worther" Kool-aid.
They actually said they actually booked a sucker, oh I mean a DJ to do their wedding.
They used the word "sucker" in their reply or did you take artistic license with that and were trying to be funny? If they used that word, I'd like to see the original reply from them, because for some reason I don't F-ing believe you.
If you can even call this person a DJ.
I don't know him and neither do you. So neither one of us knows what to call him.
Now consider these 2 things.
Consider? Did you consider that it was in bad form and really stupid to even contacting these people the way you did?
He has DJ's he sends out to work for him.
Again, a claim that we can't prove.
Then why couldn't he get one of them to do his wedding instead of having to post an ad on craigslist?
Maybe they were invited? Or maybe they don't exist?
My guess is those DJ's are much too smart to come do his wedding for $150.00.
You like to make a lot of "assumptions," don't you?
Also I made sure that I let it be know that we are busy that day doing a sweet 16 for 4 hours in someones backyard and we're getting $400.00 for that.
Why would they care what you're doing. $400, between how many "partners?"
Sorry but I just had to vent my feelings about this!
No you didn't. You didn't have to contact them, especially since you weren't interested in doing their reception.
Damn you think this fiance being a DJ would look to spend much more then $150.00 on booking a DJ to do his wedding.
Another "assumption."
I' just glad I'm not a guest at that wedding.
I'll bet they're glad you're not a guest either.
In the last email I sent them I thanked them for the laugh.
Laugh? Hell, you're the laugh.
Simply put they found a desperate DJ that must not have a life or has absolutely no gigs at all.
Mix, I make more than you for a gig. Do you see me belittle you or anyone else for charging less than me? Does it make you feel like a big man to put other's down? Sad, very sad.
I don't often go after people, but this time I'm making an exception.
Dude, if I were that couple I would take your emails and post them on every wedding site that has ratings or reviews on the internet and then see who was laughing. You're lucky if they don't do that.
Have a Nice Day
You all are right. I should have never sent any emails to those people. It doesn't change a thing. They still are going with a DJ willing to do it for such a low price. I just hate when someone that is a DJ in this business says we shouldn't look to make a bunch of money at this and just do it for the love. They went on to mention that DJ's who charge a nice price for their services are draining people of their money.
It's not draining people of their money if we find out the details of their event and decide that it's an event we want to do. Then after discussing the price they agree to sign a contract and pay us that amount. It's not draining people of their money. They are willing to departing with their money for the price we both agree on them paying us. What are we supposed to do? Tell them we're charging you too much and to lower the price? If they agree to the price no matter what it is, then that must mean they feel we're worth that price.
After it was all said and done I bought a 2002 Chevy van that had less then 100,000 miles on it when i bought it and after taxes and fees paid a little over 5k. I did that because I felt it was worth it. What was the dealer to do at that point say I was paying too much? No he did what he was supposed to do and that is sell me the van at that price. I made a good choice when buying this van. It runs great and I haven't had any major problems other then the van needing break work and just a few other minor things.
I need not take things so personal sometimes and realize there will always be cheap DJ's out there and clients looking for cheap DJ's. I'm glad I'm in the process of working out of that hole. the next gig is paying $600.00 and the one after that is for $400.00 in someones backyard for 4 hours. Actually both are 4 hour gigs. I need to accept who I can change which is me and let such a holes be. I just pray one day they will get it. After that there's not a lot you can do.
It's not draining people of their money if we find out the details of their event and decide that it's an event we want to do. Then after discussing the price they agree to sign a contract and pay us that amount. It's not draining people of their money. They are willing to departing with their money for the price we both agree on them paying us. What are we supposed to do? Tell them we're charging you too much and to lower the price? If they agree to the price no matter what it is, then that must mean they feel we're worth that price.
After it was all said and done I bought a 2002 Chevy van that had less then 100,000 miles on it when i bought it and after taxes and fees paid a little over 5k. I did that because I felt it was worth it. What was the dealer to do at that point say I was paying too much? No he did what he was supposed to do and that is sell me the van at that price. I made a good choice when buying this van. It runs great and I haven't had any major problems other then the van needing break work and just a few other minor things.
I need not take things so personal sometimes and realize there will always be cheap DJ's out there and clients looking for cheap DJ's. I'm glad I'm in the process of working out of that hole. the next gig is paying $600.00 and the one after that is for $400.00 in someones backyard for 4 hours. Actually both are 4 hour gigs. I need to accept who I can change which is me and let such a holes be. I just pray one day they will get it. After that there's not a lot you can do.
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DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
I have to ask. Are 'we' getting 600 and 400 or are 'you' getting 600 and 400? If the answer is 'we', how many is 'we'?
That's your opinion and I respect that. My partner will play the music while I take pictures and shoot some video. So for me it works out well.
That's my opinion? I think the numbers speak for themselves - after all, weren't you just complaining about the numbers? You're only $50.00 bucks off of the guy offering $150 for his party.
You are providing 2 people for an event which consists of music, pictures and video - of which your cut before expenses is $200 bucks - yet you want to complain about some guy wanting music only for $150?
Do you not see a problem here?
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Mix. It's not an opinion. $400/2=$200 per, regardless of how you break it down. That's not much different from all the low ballers you rail against.
I LOVED Pogo back in the day!
I'm thinking more and more that my deeper analyze-ation (of the $150 event) is accurate (see Post 18 of this thread).
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Are they contracting you for pictures and video as well? If not, DON'T DO IT!!!
You are "trying" (and I use that word loosely) to build a reputation as a DJ....NOT as a photographer and videographer!
This is coming from someone who for 4 years was involved with trying to be "Mr Everything"....and trust me, IT DOES NOT WORK!! You are going to do nothing but piss off every photographer you could be networking with to get referrals from, plus, having seen the pictures you have taken in the past, you are also going to piss off the client by not capturing their moments they way they should be captured.
Learn to master one thing well instead of doing a ton of things poorly.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
HE WILL NOT LISTEN
he wont read ANYTHING about business plans
then he is a F#$%Head when he has posts about how he cant get the right pay rate
then he is taking photos
now thats also another sore point if the American Photography Association comes into it
then wants thier cut for him saying he is a Photographer/Videographer
but hey he wont listen at all
no brains to read and get a Proper Business plan done
its a LOST cause
he wont read ANYTHING about business plans
then he is a F#$%Head when he has posts about how he cant get the right pay rate
then he is taking photos
now thats also another sore point if the American Photography Association comes into it
then wants thier cut for him saying he is a Photographer/Videographer
but hey he wont listen at all
no brains to read and get a Proper Business plan done
its a LOST cause
Goes right back to focus and commitment .. to the one thing he can't seem to do .. the plan.
Sorry Mix - but until you can focus and commit, you will never get beyond where you are - and over time you will most likely get less and less help.
People usually don't mind offering help to those that are ready and willing to hear, learn from, adapt and use as needed. People rarely continue to help those that admit their mistake, ask questions about how to correct their mistake, repeat the same mistake and then repeat the process all over again.
At this time, I'm also in complete agreeance that you should go to work for a successful multi op. Had you been working for a successful multi op, you'd be making more money on these events and have alot less to worry about. With these events, you are no different than the $150.00 DJ that you were just complaining about. Makes no difference in what capacity you are there, whoever is playing the music will be getting $50.00 more bucks than the person you were just complaining about.
In your own words - "No wonder things are a mess with this business!" Based on this, you, yourself, are the reason things are a mess with this business. You complain about someone else doing wrong .. and turn around and do the same thing they just did.
Sorry Mix - but until you can focus and commit, you will never get beyond where you are - and over time you will most likely get less and less help.
People usually don't mind offering help to those that are ready and willing to hear, learn from, adapt and use as needed. People rarely continue to help those that admit their mistake, ask questions about how to correct their mistake, repeat the same mistake and then repeat the process all over again.
At this time, I'm also in complete agreeance that you should go to work for a successful multi op. Had you been working for a successful multi op, you'd be making more money on these events and have alot less to worry about. With these events, you are no different than the $150.00 DJ that you were just complaining about. Makes no difference in what capacity you are there, whoever is playing the music will be getting $50.00 more bucks than the person you were just complaining about.
In your own words - "No wonder things are a mess with this business!" Based on this, you, yourself, are the reason things are a mess with this business. You complain about someone else doing wrong .. and turn around and do the same thing they just did.
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Maybe I'm wrong but I assumed he was taking pictures for his own use not as a service......
Here's the think if a guy is selling a service at any price and has a plan that works and is profitable good for him. If he doesn't have a plan and isn't profitable Good for him too. Business is like evolution the strong will survive and the weak will eliminate themselves and there's those who are in the middle that will troll along for years and years and never know they are dead
If your business is strong you should have no worry about anyone else but you
Here's the think if a guy is selling a service at any price and has a plan that works and is profitable good for him. If he doesn't have a plan and isn't profitable Good for him too. Business is like evolution the strong will survive and the weak will eliminate themselves and there's those who are in the middle that will troll along for years and years and never know they are dead
If your business is strong you should have no worry about anyone else but you
Either way, it's STILL $200.00 a person - before expenses. If he's including pictures and video as a service, it's even worse.
Totally agree - but then why COMPLAIN about someone in your market? If you're ok with $200 bucks, who am I to tell you anything .. but it defies logic to, at the same time, complain about someone making the same.
Totally agree - but then why COMPLAIN about someone in your market? If you're ok with $200 bucks, who am I to tell you anything .. but it defies logic to, at the same time, complain about someone making the same.
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Maybe Mix is looking at this % wise. In this case Mix stands to earn a little over 33% in revenue at $200 vs $150. That extra 33% may place Mix in a "higher pecking order" in his eyes hence the post.
Im trying to make sense of this so work with me here...
The pictures and video are for stuff to add to our website. That's the reason for me doing this. It's in our contract if they will allow us to do this or not. I also make it know that non of this stuff is to go onto Facebook. I do have a Facebook business page and will see if it's OK to post pictures and video there since we are in business. If they say no then we wouldn't do it. It's that simple. That's the motivation for taking pictures and video at an event. To have more evidence of us at work doing events to show to potential clients. Truthfully we just don't have enough right now. Up to now I never thought of that as a way of selling our services. I just never looked into it until now.
That's another reason I bought the lighted facade this past Monday. (see my post in that section.) I wanted it so while at events it would liven things up. So things don't look dull. Also a lot of DJ's in this area I've seen perform don't have a good clean setup. You'll see exposed wires everywhere. I just want to give them something that they don't normally see a DJ provide.