Weddings Restricted Contract

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I just finished talking with an upper end venue here fairly local to me. One of the venue managers had been to a wedding I did recently and apparently discussed me with the other owners and managers of the venue!

So while I am more than pleased with the offer they are making I am also a little afraid of it as well, here is the situation.

This venue did 79 weddings between April and and September 30th this year and still have 16 on the books for October and November.

They are looking for a "house" DJ to sell as a package deal to the B&Gs, this venue has multiple ballrooms, and a very large guest facility as well as doing all food and beverage services on site. They want me to contract with the facility to cover all weddings sold as a package, offered pay for this is $1000 with a 25 gig minimum, but I am restricted from doing any other contract events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from March 15th to October 30th!

Although I have always looked down on House and Package DJs this one is peaking my interest, I have done one gig at this place about 3 years ago and it is truly a wonderful resort, the food was excellent although on the expensive side about ($200 for a couple to have a 4 course meal with wine)!

I am seriously considering it is my minimum rate for weddings anyway, but I have concerns about not being able to take other gigs if I am not booked there! The biggest problem I have with it is they don't want my company to book any events period during that time frame for myself June or Dustin. Their reasoning was if I had another Dj booked for a gig and something happened I would be doing that gig and would not be available if they needed me on short notice, and if something happened to me then Dustin would be available to fill in for me, (June was not a consideration as they wanted a male DJ only)

Needless to say if I could get 50 or better gigs during that time frame I wouldn't be concerned but the contract will cut me out of any extras during prime wedding season.

For those here the question is, other than the problems i have already laid out what other red flags do you see?
 
I have a really funny, smart assed comment -- but in the interest of world peace, I'll keep it to myself... :D


Anyway, I wouldn't take it, unless you need it.

It's essentially similar to a no compete agreement (of which I have been painfully aware of in the past for programming). I basically lost millions of dollars, because I won a lawsuit, but consented to a no-compete.


If your business prospects are good, I would decline it.

The other thing I would look at, is that you mentioned retiring and selling your business. If you do that prior, then they would have no say over the other folks. In that case, it might be worth it, and a source of nice, easy income for you... ;) :)
 
Thunder, I applaud your offer and impending decision. However, that kind of Contract would provide you with guaranteed income for 7 months (at least $25K). For me, I would grow tired of being at "their" immediate disposal for 7 months. And, they are tying up your son, Dustin, as well.

What does the contract say about at the end of the 7 month period; automatically renewal for the next season? Anything about fee increase for the next season?

In some respects, isn't this kind of "taking you off the streets" for most of the year? You are not able to advertise your business during this time period?

Tough decision. We are not getting any younger, I might add. My assumption is that you and I are relative close in age.

For me, that is too much control over my personal as well as livelyhood (sp?). I'd pass.
 
Rick,

While I am selling off the KJ end of the business to June that doesn't take place for two more years. I am not against DJing once in a while after that (for gigs I choose to do)! But you are correct business has been good and this situation would lock me into doing every gig anytime they book me into it!

Posted by TwinSpin

Thunder, I applaud your offer and impending decision. However, that kind of Contract would provide you with guaranteed income for 7 months (at least $25K). For me, I would grow tired of being at "their" immediate disposal for 7 months. And, they are tying up your son, Dustin, as well.

Although not my son, yes it would tie Dustin up for the entire 7 months. Although if they could keep us both working it wouldn't be a bad deal if say it was for 50 gigs but some of the brides book their own DJs in and aren't taking "packaged deals"!

What does the contract say about at the end of the 7 month period; automatically renewal for the next season? Anything about fee increase for the next season?

Renewal to be discussed at the end of the contract, free to do any gigs I want from November 30 to March 1.

In some respects, isn't this kind of "taking you off the streets" for most of the year? You are not able to advertise your business during this time period?

Advertisement only through the venue during the contract period, yes it takes me completely off the street for the entire contract period other than uncontracted bar gigs Monday - Thursday.

Tough decision. We are not getting any younger, I might add. My assumption is that you and I are relative close in age.

I'm 55!

For me, that is too much control over my personal as well as livelyhood (sp?). I'd pass.
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True, but I am still considering it! I don't have to give them an answer until Janurary 2011, at which time they want to start setting up the brochures. I also have to be available to meet with B&Gs at the venue during consultations.
 
Steve,

Don't do it (IMHO). Yer going back to work for The Man :sqerr:

Knowing you for so many years, yer too much like me -- it's a recipe for disaster!

Your personality and business sense are your own now, and have been for a long time. We cannot fit in with corporate America anymore, except as contractors.


Remember a few months back, I got an offer from that big resort conglomerate (clusterf_ck)? I ended up blowing them off, because there was too much corporate BS involved. I would have had to work on their terms, show up when they wanted me to, blah, blah.

You, like me, would end up in a pissing match with them, and it would be costly for you to remove yourself from the sitrep. ;)
 
Are they contracting you, you and Dustin, or your company? If it's your company, then they have no say who shows up.
Thunder said:
(June was not a consideration as they wanted a male DJ only)
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My other worry is, when you're working for the facility and not the client, will you still get the same kind of planning info?

My gut feeling it to pass.
 
Hey some of the 6000 dollar DJs hire out under a lesser company name perhaps you create a seperate company from your current one. If they want you or the others in your fold it would allow for breathing room and consideration. If they are tying you all three up and possibly no gig or pay it isnt worth anything to take it as it will turn into a crap shoot and you chomping at the bit week in and week out wondering if the month is going to fill in. You would be cutting your staffs pay potential as they might not work a weekend or several. If I were a single op I would do it right now.
 
Dave Miller said:
Are they contracting you, you and Dustin, or your company? If it's your company, then they have no say who shows up.

My other worry is, when you're working for the facility and not the client, will you still get the same kind of planning info?

My gut feeling it to pass.
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Contract would be with the Company, their request was for me personally and Dustin as backup (not interested in June at all) but company wise they stipulated that there be no other contracts done during the duration of their's.

Jon,

If I were single op I wouldn't have even had a second thought, honestly this past year between the three of us we didn't get 25 weddings and only two school gigs, which is a huge drop in income from previous years. Which is the reason I am even considering taking this wedding mill gig. But I am still twisting in the wind on it!

Rick,

I don't think you know how close you are to hitting the nail on the head which is the thrust of my problem! I just don't like being owned!
 
I would say if they don't want me booked anywhere else, they need to book each week. I may even offer them a discounted rate.

They get...

A guarantee that I will be available for any Saturday during that period.


I get.....

Solid bookings. No need to advertise or take time to book clients. I get paid if there is a wedding or not.
 
Thunder isn't there any way that you could talk with them about being just a little more of a free agent. It seems to me when they, come calling at your door that you do have some power here.
Looking at your past schedule this year and looking at theirs. Given that it is considered a very down economy. That it could be a great thing for you. Maybe they could at least allow you to book parties that might not be given at there venue at all. But with a guarantee that you or your partner would be there when ever they called. I do realize that you are your own person and this does worry you.

But at the same time it seems it obviously temps you as well. Is your business your only form of income? If not then it's not that big of a deal. If it is, it looks like this year you would have been close to 100,000 dollars being with them. Personally I have a another job so for me I could not do it. But for you? In the end its just really what ever you really, really want. I'm really not sure how I understand they can say June can't be used for your other gigs when they are not interested in her for them at all. Maybe you can make a deal and get and exclusion with her based on them not using her. If there logic holds truthful then they wont use her any way.
 
Thunder...

Tough decision. We are not getting any younger, I might add. My assumption is that you and I are relative close in age.

I'm 55!
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Sorry, my bad! Picture with all that "hair" makes you look "older" more distinguished! I guess I'm one of the oldest on the board at ... well, I won't divulge my true age. Let's just say "Baby Boomer" says it all.
 
TwinSpinDJ said:
Thunder...



Sorry, my bad! Picture with all that "hair" makes you look "older" more distinguished! I guess I'm one of the oldest on the board at ... well, I won't divulge my true age. Let's just say "Baby Boomer" says it all.
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No just rode hard and put up wet too many times!
 
Well, I like the idea as a very nice system could be setup a left there. Dance floor lighting could be properly installed. Even perminate uplighting and monogram lighting can be setup.

I would want a 6 week clause. Any date that is not dooked 6 weeks prior to the date I'm to book other events. I book a ton of last minute work. I could fill most dates that were not booked 6 weeks out.
 
If you're "interested" make them a counter offer on some of the concerns you have with their stipulations. If they really want you, they may alter some of their positions. :dontknow:

If they won't negotiate then you either take their terms or walk away. The ball is in your court.
 
We have a meeting scheduled at the venue to discuss everything in November I am going to try and negotiate this so i can still use Dustin and June for other functions during the contracted time but still give them exclusivity to me during the term
 
Perfect Steve I hope it works out it might help your final two yrs be a bit more comfortable not having to move as much gear etc.
 
jokerswild said:
Dang Jon you make it sound like Steve is dying or something...
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Ever since he shot Rudolph in the ass, the other reindeer are pissed -- ya never know how long the sleigh may stay airborne...? :sqlaugh: :rofl:
 
They made an offer
I think it's in your best interest to make a COUNTER offer that suits you better.
you do present a tough call on this one.

the convenience, steadiness, and guaranteed work is beautiful. even the price is nice.

being stuck in a contract is not. no other jobs (even NON weddings?) no time for vacation. and the whole part about being at their beckoned call.

this is obviously good for the company...
you have to decide if it's good for you, PERSONALLY.

as for me, I'd get a little frustrated working at the same hall week after week.
I would worry that I would become the venue's "bi*ch", where they would gripe about everything I do.
(would they start complaining about the volume, or start telling you what to play?)
and I would also not like knowing that brides were "stuck" with me because they bought the package.
I feel better knowing that they "chose" me for their DJ
and that I am in control.
 
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