I would say for normal gigs (<30 miles each way) suck it up .. and then modify your distance charges to accommodate big swings either way.
That is close to what my policy is. 25 miles away, I travel at no charge. More than that, its a buck per mile...calculated from home, TO the venue.
That is close to what my policy is. 25 miles away, I travel at no charge. More than that, its a buck per mile...calculated from home, TO the venue.
I assume it's a buck per mile after the 25 free .. so a 30 mi one way = 5 *1 = $5 more . 50cents per mile is about the norm for business expenses.
Then that's overcharging .. only in my opinion. Should be the excess only until you get to the point where room/board come into play (> 100 mi.). So maybe 0-25 free, 25-100 $1 each mile (you decide 1 way or both ways) and then custom quote after that.
I used to drive 100 miles each way to work everyday -- took me more than a couple hours each way (LIE can get a bit busy at times). Friday's were usually a 5 hour ride home.
Buy a vehicle that gets better mileage...
It's CODB.
For those of you who do Ceremony and Reception for the same wedding, do you charge more money for travel for Rehearsal? I have been eating that cost as well, but with gas going up I may have to charge more for the Ceremony fee.
To a point .. you base your charges on the known. When the unknown (travel) is factored in, you deal with it separately. I assume you factored the 100 miles into your decision to either take the job or leave it.
You don't do it for 10 miles .. but there needs to be something for the gig that's 150 mi away if most of your business is 20. Set a reasonable break point and a reasonable recovery. It's not a fuel surcharge or VAT, it's recovery of costs that aren't reasonably factored into the base price. You build your prices based on SOME basis .. can't bury it all. A travel zone charge at least puts it in the client's view. When I was a consultant for HP, we had contracts with drive zone charges .. 1st 30 miles free, then a charge for 30-60, 60-100, 100+. It's not just gas, it's YOUR time while traveling as well.
Don't do gigs 150 miles away -- it's that simple
I had more to say, but I have a Corona, and I'd probably get into trouble...
I am having a great time reading these posts! Y'all sound like the Banks...fees and more fees LOL. That is why i do not do Packages, Mileages and all the other damn ..ages! I compute everything in my head and charge the Client accordingly. They are not interested in the details, they just want the bottom line. Are y'all UPS or FedEx or sumptin'?
Steve, Just for conversation sake. Do you think I drill it in their heads or itemize everything before giving a Total? I ask the pertinent questions first. Date, Time & Duration, Amount of people, Lighting or No Lighting, Location/Venue etc.?Some customers don't like custom pricing .. I know from experience. To each their own and YMMV.