Payday
- Thread starter ittigger
- Start date
Rick, Like I mentioned somewhere in this thread. We have everything paid up front because our clients have told us they like this method and it reduces the amount of stress on them the day of the event. If clients are telling you that they like a particular way you operate, wouldn't you keep doing it?
Now the one I am SO against paying before - is the frickin' gas station! I'll start a new thread in Papa's BBQ for it.
The term I use is "best practices". Everyone is free to do what they want, but there are some things are simply the best way to do things.
For example, in baseball, when the count is full, and the runner is forced to run(runner on 1st, for example), it is the best practice to start running as soon as the pitch is thrown. There is no RULE that the runner has to start running, but there is NO DOWNSIDE to start running, so it's foolish not to run.
Typically, sending extra volts into someone's house would have known downsides, so that would not be a "best practice" and would be clearly wrong.
Like you said no right or wrong. I personally take final payment no later than 2 weeks before there event. I tell them about it when we are on the phone. So they don't find out about it the day we meet to sign the contract. If they ask why then I tell them. Believe me we are not the only wedding vendors that require this.
I have never had a problem with a client over this. Some have been a little late but all sent payment well before the event. The very reason I do this, is for the reason that you stated about getting stiffed or having a bad check.
I always tell our clients that I never want to wonder about payment on the day of there event. I want all my mine completely on there event. Yes, yes I know some will say cash only and I get that. But what if they only have check or credit as you received. I know many would say no "Cash" no play.
Again all choices you have to make for "Your" business. This works for me, I'm sure I have had a few people that did not hire me because of this. But none of "our clients" have had an issue.
I have never had a problem with a client over this. Some have been a little late but all sent payment well before the event. The very reason I do this, is for the reason that you stated about getting stiffed or having a bad check.
I always tell our clients that I never want to wonder about payment on the day of there event. I want all my mine completely on there event. Yes, yes I know some will say cash only and I get that. But what if they only have check or credit as you received. I know many would say no "Cash" no play.
Again all choices you have to make for "Your" business. This works for me, I'm sure I have had a few people that did not hire me because of this. But none of "our clients" have had an issue.
it is nice to be paid before that way i don't have to find the person who hired me for my money, i have never had any problems in the past getting paid and 99% of the time i tell my clients that payment that day will be fine
then again... if you get paid before the event... then it's like you're working for free. you have nothing to show for at the end of the night.:trirolleyes:
now don't go and say "save the money until the event"... we all know that you have already spent it (and next weekend's paycheck):tribiggrin::triwink::tritongue:
all kidding a-side.
any and all method of payments (except non-payment) is ok by me:tricool:
.
now don't go and say "save the money until the event"... we all know that you have already spent it (and next weekend's paycheck):tribiggrin::triwink::tritongue:
all kidding a-side.
any and all method of payments (except non-payment) is ok by me:tricool:
.
Rick,
Your conflict, in regards to this discussion, is possibly due to your valuation of and/or approach to the service being provided.
You have frequently and regularly characterized this craft as and compared it to a pure commodity. You are free to do so and to operate you service as such. Many of us do not consider or manage our service in that manner and are not in contravention to any ethical business practices.
For example, if you commissioned a respected, sought after artist to create a piece for you, you would have to fund the artistic process, compensate the artist for the time to envision, design, and form the piece as well as pay for the "expected" materials necessary, long before actual deliver.
On a less ethereal plain, many, if not most in-demand caterers and a substantial population of highly sought after photographers all require substantial, if not full compensation long before the event and photographers often require full payment for any extra pictures or videos before they ever begin development of any photos. The only exchange that occurs at delivery is of the pictures to the client. No money exchanges hands because the artist has already been paid.
Your conflict, in regards to this discussion, is possibly due to your valuation of and/or approach to the service being provided.
You have frequently and regularly characterized this craft as and compared it to a pure commodity. You are free to do so and to operate you service as such. Many of us do not consider or manage our service in that manner and are not in contravention to any ethical business practices.
For example, if you commissioned a respected, sought after artist to create a piece for you, you would have to fund the artistic process, compensate the artist for the time to envision, design, and form the piece as well as pay for the "expected" materials necessary, long before actual deliver.
On a less ethereal plain, many, if not most in-demand caterers and a substantial population of highly sought after photographers all require substantial, if not full compensation long before the event and photographers often require full payment for any extra pictures or videos before they ever begin development of any photos. The only exchange that occurs at delivery is of the pictures to the client. No money exchanges hands because the artist has already been paid.
Actually, I attribute it to the fact that I have been forced to listen to Moammar's speeches (in their entirety), for several days now -- and then accidentally clicked on a link to a Charlie Sheen interview last night... :sqerr:
Be happy that I am not completely insane (yet)...
But as to your statements, yes, I consider this simply a commodity. There are few artists in this industry, and even those deserving that title, are not entitled to be paid in full up front, IMHO.
Also, being burned once or twice, is no reason to penalize the entire population. It is simply a CODB, and is reflected on your balance sheet.
Many people are very successful at the actual DJ work itself, but can't balance their checkbook, let alone their balance sheet. My comments here, are directed at the business end of the deal, not the alleged artistic value...
Consumers have a comfort level with transactions. You either meet that comfort level, or you walk alone on a plateau, and hope for the best...
Could you discern any measurable difference in the psycho quotient?
:triwink:
At least you recognize it is 100% YPO.
There is nothing even remotely punitive about a payment agreement between two proper, capable parties. That is where your characterization crosses from YHO into CUBS.
If you blindly submit to the possibility and allow chance to govern an important part your business transactions, then it can end up as a CODB adjustment.
However, if you have a demand for your service or product that allows/permits/produces the opportunity to eliminate or reduce that chance, it doesn't even approach you jaundiced characterization, IMHO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpmIBJ_MKas
For some, those two components (business & art) are indivisible, symbiotic and interdependent.My comments here, are directed at the business end of the deal, not the alleged artistic value...
But you know best how to characterize YOUR service.
Fortunately, my clients and apparently those of other in this forum are so comfortable that they sign a contract that specifies terms characterize a a penalty.
C'est le Vie!
Good post Rox (albeit you stole Hank's thing, you commie).
Just curious about one thing though... In the process of reading yer post, I earned about $520. How about yourself...?
BTW, psycho level is considered low for Sheen. He is a master of disaster, and making money from it. It's kinda hard to argue his numbers, and he's fun to watch...
Well...I was going to post a more detailed response, but since Rick & Rox seem to have it all figured out, I'll bow.
Hell, I didn't even read their responses after the first few sentences...they appear to like to hear themselves.
Hell, I didn't even read their responses after the first few sentences...they appear to like to hear themselves.
Well...I was going to post a more detailed response, but since Rick & Rox seem to have it all figured out, I'll bow.
Hell, I didn't even read their responses after the first few sentences...they appear to like to hear themselves.
You are correct Sir
We are entertainers first and foremost. That is not limited to a gig.
I make no claim as to not liking to hear or seeing myself. I am honest about my vanity.
The debate itself, is simply another gig, and more ways for us to practice our craft/art...
Well....for what it's worth, I'll dive a bit into my operating procedure as it comes to my service fee.
A few years back, I created an 'Expenditure Account'. This was money used to pay for the overhead of the business --- ads, music, gas, bridal shows, equipment upgrades, etc, etc, etc.
My business year runs from approximately March to March of each year. It's about March, after the Bridal Show and all the initial booking season, that I can fairly accurately see what my year is going to look like and plan my purchases. This is not a set-in-stone plan, but the money that I allocate to the plan is.
Currently, I allocate 1/3 of my fee to the 'Expenditure Account'. This is the reservation fee that I collect upon signing of the contract. I like to keep at least one year of money on had for my 'hard' expenditures...the ones that I know are constant (gas, music, etc); but much of the time there is closer to two years. This way, if business slows, I can still pay for the these expenses without dipping into personal monies.
The rest of the 2/3 of my fee is split between my employee (currently my son) and the family account....much of it usually being put aside for an early (hopefully) retirement.
A few years back, I created an 'Expenditure Account'. This was money used to pay for the overhead of the business --- ads, music, gas, bridal shows, equipment upgrades, etc, etc, etc.
My business year runs from approximately March to March of each year. It's about March, after the Bridal Show and all the initial booking season, that I can fairly accurately see what my year is going to look like and plan my purchases. This is not a set-in-stone plan, but the money that I allocate to the plan is.
Currently, I allocate 1/3 of my fee to the 'Expenditure Account'. This is the reservation fee that I collect upon signing of the contract. I like to keep at least one year of money on had for my 'hard' expenditures...the ones that I know are constant (gas, music, etc); but much of the time there is closer to two years. This way, if business slows, I can still pay for the these expenses without dipping into personal monies.
The rest of the 2/3 of my fee is split between my employee (currently my son) and the family account....much of it usually being put aside for an early (hopefully) retirement.
Congrats on fulfilling your apparent desire to post regardless of the contributory nature of the post.:triwink:Well...I was going to post a more detailed response, but since Rick & Rox seem to have it all figured out, I'll bow.
Hell, I didn't even read their responses after the first few sentences...they appear to like to hear themselves.
Well, you know, not all of us can be Dj god's such as you and Rick. :triwink: :tritongue:
Wasn't Satan considered a god by many? :trirolleyes:
(Ah, crap, here I brought up religion..this will get moved to the Debates)
I know'd I ain't a god, cuz ifin' I wuz, thar'd be a bunch mo catfish floatin belly up 'n dese here ponds...and I'd make it so that the Cubs would win a championship at least once ever century.
First, I'm just plain ole DJROX.
Rick is more appropriately tagged DJEnigma!
:triwink:
P.S.
..and the earth was flat, and a witch wouldn't burn and weighed the same as a duck...
It's a fair cop!
Then edit your post...unless that was your intent.