[Dixielandjazz] Cancellation terms?

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

Shalom Elazar:

HAPPY AND MORE PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TOO:))

I use a One page agreement for most engagements because I generally 
know who my clients are and how trustworthy they are.

I require a fifty percent deposit 10% to hold the date upon signing the 
contract and securing the date, 40% due thirty days in advance of the 
engagement, and the balance upon arrival.   If the engagement must be 
cancelled it must be done a minimum of thirty days in advance of the 
performance date, and will suffer a 10% FORFEITURE rebooking fee.    I 
will rebook under the same terms and conditions.

If the event  is cancelled within 29 days of the agreed upon date the 
full 50% deposit is forfeited but may be applied to a rebooking at a 
future mutually agreeable date.   Bear in mind however that this is for 
Legitimate emergency cancellations not just because they changed their 
mind.   Especially with any Government entity, they are the biggest 
flakes in the world, and I generally make them pay 100% up front and no 
refunds for any reason.

As for those folks who say they don't do business like that, simply 
don't do business with them, after all it is YOUR BUSINESS and you have 
the right to run YOur Business as you see fit and do what works to keep 
you profitable and in business.   As for paying 1 to 3 months after the 
gig, Hell not a chance I would go for that kind of deal, Mail them a 
kazoo and tell 'em to entertain themselves.   You are better off 
Busking on the street and you certainly would get paid quicker. :))

You have to find a way to teach them how to RESPECT you and your 
services or simply take what is thrown at you, personally I have never 
done that and never will, I simply look for better clients at a higher 
level.

When playing out of town or country GET ALL THE MONEY AND EXPENSES UP 
FRONT if possible but a minimum of 50% AND EXPENSES,
NO EXCEPTIONS.   If they can't afford to do that then chances are 
pretty good they can't afford to pay you either if they don't promote 
and organize the event properly either.   Do not become an unwilling 
partner, unless you are sharing in the profits as well.   You are 
better off throwing your own engagement and keeping all the money.   If 
they are not going to pay you and do business properly then why do you 
need THEM ??

Send QUIDO, TO TWIST THEIR ARM AND GET THE MONEY.

Cheers,

Tom  "SHOW ME THE MONEY"  Wiggins



-----Original Message-----
From: jazzmin at actcom.net.il
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Sent: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 12:44 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Cancellation terms?

   Shalom Jazz Fans,

While I am at it, I have another question to pose:

How to handle the possibility of a last minute cancellation if a 
contract or
a deposit are not possible?

So far Doctor Jazz has not been stiffed by any of our private 
customers. We
are still working without contracts, and only in rare cases do we take
deposits or advance payments from them. The rank and file folks over 
here
have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you can pretty much work 
with a
person's word and handshake.

However, we have been stiffed several times by the Jerusalem 
Municipality, a
local shopping mall, and a religious college. Two times now the same
customer, who is a repeat customer, hired us and cancelled us -- on one
occasion, 3 times for the same gig! In both cases, the event actually
happened, but we were not in it.

In the case of the municipality, there is a confirmation document with 
the
terms of the gig, not exactly a contract, but similar. So we have 
decided to
start requiring contracts with a cancellation clause of corporate 
customers.
The first opportunity to test this came with our recent (wonderful) gig 
in
the Old City -- a series of 3 performances. We submitted our document 
with
price quote and terms, including a cancellation clause, and the 
confirmation
came back as submitted, but without the confirmation clause. When we
inquired about the deletion of the clause, we were told that "they 
don't do
this".

The mall cancelled us 2 days before a show, after we had advertised and
invited many people who it is impossible to uninvite them. No apology, 
no
cancellation fee, no offer to rebook at another date ... nothing. They 
just
decided not to have the show. I was livid, but my younger partner was
handling the negotiations on that one, so I was not in the loop. I would
have asked them what if we called them 2 days before the show and said 
we've
decided not to come!?

In most cases, corporate clients tell us they don't do advance deposits 
and
cancellation clauses, and then all we can do is take or leave the job. 
On
rare occasions a corporate customer has actually asked for a bill in
advance, and either paid us in advance or had a check ready at the gig. 
But
the usual practice here is for payment to be made 1 to 3 months after 
the
gig.

Anyone have some experience or wisdom to offer on this one?

Thanks,

Elazar
Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
Jerusalem, Israel
www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
+972-2-679-2537


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