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Bribes vs Strict Rotation
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Author:  ericlater [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I could use advice about "spunky" responses (or any response) to an offering of a bribe in order to jump to the head of the rotation.  I had never encountered it before my last show, and lo and behold, at my last show I was offered 3 bribes.  One guy, in particular, got quite abusive!

Any help will be appreciated.
Author:  TracyTunz [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Hello and Happy Friday!!!  As bribes go, I have had it done to me to and I just don't like it (granted the extra cash is nice, lol) but once you start letting one person do it, then others might do it and before you know it....everyone is doing it and then what do you do?  Plus it will make some people unhappy.  Think of this like if a bartendar was givin a bribe to always serve one person first when they come up to the bar no matter how many people were before them, how would that make you feel if you had been there waiting for awhile and someone came up after you and got served before you...ya know.  So I gotta say just keep on keep on and just say no to bribes....lol....unless they wanna give you a hundred dollars..lol...or a free pass to disney land...lol...or the bahamas!! :dancin:   Hope this helps!!!
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I just tell them plain & simple, if you are giving me money to bump you (or their friend) up, then they may as well keep it because everyone waits their fair turn.  Argue all they want, it isn't going to happen.
Author:  ericlater [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I guess I could have explained myself better.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to turn down (basically sober) people without using a lot of words and it should be a response that will minimize the possibility

Again, I'm looking for, preferably, snappy (not long-winded) responses
Author:  Bill H. [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I tell them nicely that I cannot compromise my integrity in the room by bumping for tips. If I have  more time I'll explain that I have a group of loyal regulars who make my job possible and no one cuts in front of them.

This probably sounds extreme to the rest of you, but I've pulled my tip jar in this young inexperienced home room of mine, because many of them didn't understand that you tip for appreciation and not  to cut in line. It was too much of a hassle. I don't need the money that bad.
Author:  ericlater [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
sorry,  the following got cut out of my last post (after the phrase - "looking for responses that will minimize the possibility"):  .... of bad feelings


from what I can see, these self-centered people will offer a bribe whether there's a tip jar out or not?
Author:  pm4877 [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
This is what I do. The person that wants to cut in ahead of another singer is told that he will have to ask the person he wants to cut in front of permission, and he also will have to pay that person the money he would have paid me to cut in. I leave it up to the customers if he or she want to accept the offer. Haven't had to many after that.
Author:  ericlater [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I like that idea.  I think that I would also suggest that the "briber" must get the other person to exchange places with him/her?
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
There is only one correct response when being offered a monetary bribe of real substance ( $20 or more )

That response is........... STEP RIGHT UP AND NOW WE HAVE SINGING !!!!!!! LMAO  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO
Author:  Dr Fred [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I recently turned down a $20 bribe (from a boyfriend of a singer) and realized that it was her turn to sing next anyway....


The bribes are counterproductive to the regular karaoke singers. If your regulars learn you take bribes many will leave.

Sure sometimes I will "cheat" on the rotation and push up someones turn as a favor, but it is usually regulars, and even then only when the rotation is short and they are about to leave anyway.

Keeping the regulars happy is what matters most. That is how I base my decisions. But letting my regulars think I expect bribes would be totally counter-productive.
Author:  RLC [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I simply look at them and tell them "I'm sorry, I do not accept bribes to bump a singer up".

That is usally all it takes because I am holding  a mic in my hand when I make that statement.  :oh yeah:

Now the whole bar knows where I stand on bribes.

It is now only on the very rare occasion that I have to do that anymore.

I even had a guy whose bribe I refused come up at the end of the night and shake my hand and tell me how much he enjoyed himself.
Author:  Karen K [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
99% of the people will actually be relieved that that is the way we do things. The other 1%, who seem to have an attitude about everything in life that way, not just karaoke, will get over it when they realize they're bumping their heads against the wall.  I don't take bribes, nor do I take money to "keep on going" long after quitting time. I tell them they need to arrive earlier if they want more songs. I think you really teach people how to treat you. This is especially the case with females - some men seem to believe they can intimidate us into seeing things their way.  I only have to chuckle at that.
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Dr Fred @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:32 pm wrote:
I recently turned down a $20 bribe (from a boyfriend of a singer) and realized that it was her turn to sing next anyway....


Yeah something similar happened to me, had a guy trying to get his girlfriend up next, I said she was up in like 6 songs, every song he kept offering me $20 to get his girl up next, right up to the time it was her turn, by that time she was up next, he asked again, I took his money and said she is up next!

[quoteThe bribes are counterproductive to the regular karaoke singers. If your regulars learn you take bribes many will leave.[/quote]

This is a fact, I actually get people that can buy hosts at other shows actually compliment me for a well run show & come back.

Quote:
Sure sometimes I will "cheat" on the rotation and push up someones turn as a favor, but it is usually regulars, and even then only when the rotation is short and they are about to leave anyway.


The only time I am willing to move anyone in rotation is if they ask me to bump then DOWN the list a couple songs, but no one gets up sooner.
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Karen K @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:10 pm wrote:
some men seem to believe they can intimidate us into seeing things their way.  I only have to chuckle at that.


Yep.  Had a guy years back offering money to get his girl up, I kept saying no.  He thought I was an a hole.  Then a little later he says how bout I kick your a$$, I said well all that would do is probably put me on the ground, get security over here to hold you while the cops come & press charges for assault against you & your girl STILL won't sing!  He settled down after that.
Author:  Charmin_Gibson [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
I would not frequent a place if I knew the KJ took bribes- from me or anyone else. I've never offered one. At my local joint, if we want the KJ to stay a bit later, we all gather up a tip together for him/her, so that we ALL get the chance for another round.

But rotation is always fair.

.
Author:  robdogkaraoke [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Lonman @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:20 pm wrote:
Dr Fred @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:32 pm wrote:
I recently turned down a $20 bribe (from a boyfriend of a singer) and realized that it was her turn to sing next anyway....


Yeah something similar happened to me, had a guy trying to get his girlfriend up next, I said she was up in like 6 songs, every song he kept offering me $20 to get his girl up next, right up to the time it was her turn, by that time she was up next, he asked again, I took his money and said she is up next!

[quoteThe bribes are counterproductive to the regular karaoke singers. If your regulars learn you take bribes many will leave.


This is a fact, I actually get people that can buy hosts at other shows actually compliment me for a well run show & come back.

Quote:
Sure sometimes I will "cheat" on the rotation and push up someones turn as a favor, but it is usually regulars, and even then only when the rotation is short and they are about to leave anyway.


The only time I am willing to move anyone in rotation is if they ask me to bump then DOWN the list a couple songs, but no one gets up sooner.[/quote]


That's happened to me too. Ya gotta love it.
Author:  Isis [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Phatrat used to tell people that he would take their money but only after he got a general consensus from the bar about them cutting in line.  He would then announce that so and so wanted to give money to be up next and ask the audience if they minded.  The audience never aggreed and people soon learned it would not work in the bar he as working at.
Author:  Flipper [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
pm4877 @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:50 pm wrote:
This is what I do. The person that wants to cut in ahead of another singer is told that he will have to ask the person he wants to cut in front of permission, and he also will have to pay that person the money he would have paid me to cut in. I leave it up to the customers if he or she want to accept the offer. Haven't had to many after that.


I tried that one and the person took the money, but it made 4 or 5 people behind that person mad when I did it so it backfired. Never did that again.


My response is "we run a fair rotation, I'm gonna act like I didn't hear that and put you in the normal rotation"

If they repeatedly offer it or get abusive I just say "Should I Pull Your Requests or will you be singing in rotation with the other folks?
Author:  sidewinder [ Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
[quote= nor do I take money to "keep on going" long after quitting time. [/quote]


Whoooo.....I'm here to make money and if they take up a collection to stay longer and i don't have to leave or don't want to get out of there, i'll take their money.   Sometimes it can be a nice amount of money.  I have already had half of my fee just to play 1/2 hour to 45 minutes over.    Like time and a half and no taxes to pay.
Author:  Jian [ Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bribes vs Strict Rotation
Flipper @ 16th February 2008, 1:38 pm wrote:
pm4877 @ Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:50 pm wrote:
This is what I do. The person that wants to cut in ahead of another singer is told that he will have to ask the person he wants to cut in front of permission, and he also will have to pay that person the money he would have paid me to cut in. I leave it up to the customers if he or she want to accept the offer. Haven't had to many after that.


I tried that one and the person took the money, but it made 4 or 5 people behind that person mad when I did it so it backfired. Never did that again.


My response is "we run a fair rotation, I'm gonna act like I didn't hear that and put you in the normal rotation"

If they repeatedly offer it or get abusive I just say "Should I Pull Your Requests or will you be singing in rotation with the other folks?



It should not be; if A wants to jump the line and he is number 10 in line, he pays his way up by taking the place of B who is 2nd in line. B then moves to position 10. Those in between will not get affected.
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