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Topic: Live and Learn..... - Page: 1

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...I just learned another lesson and thought I should pass it along to all of you. Over a year ago I booked a wedding reception. In the time between then and now, the date is tomorrow April 26th., the couple have changed event halls four times. Caterers 3 times. Florists 6 times. Photographers 2 times and I just this instant got word they want to use a different DJ company than mine. For the last few months I have been toying with the idea of adding a clause in my contracts stating if the event cancels less than 30-60 days from the date booked my company still gets paid in full. Every other provider (I.E. florists, event hall etc.) have similar clauses in their contracts. I still retain my deposit but, less than 36 hours from the event I am out 700 USD. So I wanted to pass this along to all of you. And, to get any feedback from you who might already have these types of clauses in their contracts.

I anxiously await reading your posts..T
 
Posted Fri 25 Apr 08 @ 9:32 am
Yep,

Photographers and so on.......
make a good living off cancellations its a bonus.

Contract revision is the "KEY" here

Better luck next time.
 
thats a real bummer that terry but over here the US is perceived as a "sue em" culture, why not let the event pass and get a lawyer to drop them a line along the lines of, loss of earnings, damage to reputation, loss to your self esteem, can't walk out in public with your head held high etc etc etc you make millions with the right guy...lol

 
I have that in my contract along with they must pay for court and lawyers fees if it came down to it. I inform of this before a signature placed. I've had one couple cancel and reschedule the wedding three times and they had to keep me on contract of lose out all that money. What flakes they were... Hell, I will reschedule.
 
Sounds like you already know what to do for the future.

All i can say is i hope that groom knows that he has a very live and active "bridezilla" in effect.

and

In the world today since most people go crazy you can always still go to the wedding anyways and bring a few guys. When the bride ask wtf your doing here you just say "i'm here to collect" as you carry away a few of their gifts. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BOYYYYYYYYYYY!
 
listen2 wrote :
All i can say is i hope that groom knows that he has a very live and active "bridezilla" in effect.


I had that same thought L2...imagine his nightmare when ti comes time to remodel their kitchen or build a home. It was all I could do to refrain myself from yelling you Cee yUo Next Tuesday into my phone when she told me what was going on.
 
I was sitting here trying to think of a bright side but couldn't. Even I was getting PISSED and it was your experience. Time to call "Tony"!!!
 
fatkatzdj wrote :
Time to call "Tony"!!!


I save my Gumba connection for big things Fat. Delinquent loan payments, collecting football bets, ex-wife, that type of thing. This is a live and learn deal I guess. I would like to see your contract though Fat, sounds like it has some good stuff in it.
 
I have a rider in my contracts about cancellations.

"Event cancellation must be done more than one calendar week in advance. Any cancellation within one calendar week, for any reason all fees must be paid in full. Deposit will not be returned"

I allow them 1 calender week. Then they pay the Piper.
 
Or maybe just take a bigger deposit in future - that would save a lot of messing around chasing for money if they bail on you.
 
I just thought about something. Shouldn't they have paid by now since the wedding is tomarrow? No money, no setup is my motto.
 
My contract states before we start..not before we set up. Often there is no one available to pay us prior to set up. I have also been thinking about changing that.

This is not going to be my year I guess. I also had one job cancel last month because they felt compromised after someone copy/pasted every address in a bulk e-mail I sent out to their personal address book and was sending this customer bulk forwards, along the lines of several a day. And, links to their personal mixes to several people in the same office. That one was a 500 dollar job for a local Radio station. I guess I will be working less this summer.
 
I can understan corporate event who usually pay by check at the event but private functions have to pay before the event. I usually start making phone calls about 2-3 before event for a " verify last minute changes " phone call then I can gently remind them of the payment. I use to hate having to chase money down. I started my contract claus about 3 years ago and never had an issue since. Now if I can somehow get out of all the network association you have to be involved in.
 
Well, the deal with the Radio station has me greatly concerned. I have done almost two dozen jobs with them in the past three years. Now I'm wondering if it is just this one, or will there be others?
 
If you been with them for 3 years and this is the 1st situation could you smooth things over with an apology or a free event.
 
I have apologized and offered free services, the thing that pushed it over the edge is I confronted the guilty party about his actions and asked him a few times to remove the names from his address book. He promptly issued an apology, and forwarded it too everyone in his/my address book. It was the forwards that annoyed the people at the Radio station the most. So, after my asking him to remove everyone, he didn't. He then sent another bulk forward. That is when their feelings of being compromised came into play. I am working very hard to heal this relationship but, as you all know, once trust is lost it takes a lot to regain it.
 
NO DIGGITY, NO DOUBT!

And the bad part is that you can't control what this other person does either because another burst of emails can spring anytime.
- Like blackmail..
 
i feel bad for ya Terry you don't deserve that ...... how big is your deposit ?? i get 300$ non refundable and if it's a check the contract is not in force until the check clears .......cancel with less than 30days and the full amount is due and any collection costs .....i have them sign for specific clauses individually plus the at the bottom of the contract ......then i kick
 
chucknorrisyouwimps wrote :
how big is your deposit ?? i get 300$ non refundable and if it's a check the contract is not in force until the check clears .......cancel with less than 30days and the full amount is due and any collection costs


Thanks Chuck, my deposit is a C note, and it does not get put towards the final total. Same clause, date not held until check clears. They pay any legal fees. Just got back from meeting with my legal beagle, now my contracts have this clause in them.

Cancellation of this agreement must be submitted in writing before sixty (60) days of the event. Should customer cancel this agreement within sixty (60) days, the CUSTOMER then agrees to pay all charges in full if event is canceled less than sixty (60) days before event. Should customer not cancel this agreement within the cancellation period, the CUSTOMER agrees to pay HOST the entire balance due on this agreement in full.

This contract contains all of the agreements by and between the parties hereto. There are no promises, agreement, terms, or conditions other than those contained herein. This agreement shall apply to and bind all parties and may not be changed orally. This contract is governed by the laws of the state of Illinois. Any fees associated with the enforcement of this contract will be borne by the CUSTOMER.
 
I have a disclamer in my contract if your interested in it I will forward it to you. It basically covers everything...I did just have to add something tho to a wedding I am doing on a beach in July. Its outdoors, and told them if police get called and DJ gets ticket, they cover court/and any fines. (Just covering my behind)
 
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