Karaoke Forums

First, I don't do gigs on a regular basis. I do them few times a year. Recently, I got inquiries for a wedding, mostly DJ but also Karaoke on the side. Due to high gas price, I quoted one of them about 10% premium from my usual fee and one at the same fee. I got an email from both saying that it's too high and they found someone else.

Usually, I don't have problems with the fee, I believe that I provide the service that is worth the price I quote. This just happened recently.

Do you feel that because of the current economy that people are under cutting prices in the market? I was just curious because what I have seen. Just wanted to confirm. Thanks in advance.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Nah it's because thieves download entire libraries & buy crappy equipment & play for beer money!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

While what Lonnie says is definitely true I believe so Eben. Take a look around, everyone has increased prices because of soaring gas prices.

You'll ultimately have the last laugh though, because they decided to "go cheap" they'll regret it when the day comes. One thing you should never skimp on is quality entertainment for your wedding reception--it's a day you'll remember the rest of your life.

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[shadow=white][scroll]Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's about learning to dance in the rain[/scroll][/shadow]

I would say the economy probably does have something to do with it in combination with what Lon posted above. Lon is right, it is very easy now for anyone to get a rather large library if they have the right contacts and go laptop. The problem is, they can't download a personality so they aren't going to get very many gigs based off of recommendations. The only recourse they have is to be on the low end of the scale when it comes to cost. People are going to be factoring in cost more and more as the economy worsens so unless someone knows they are terrible, they have a decent chance of getting a job.

Thanks,
Ken

You know my competition? Ha Ha

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

Sure much of the blame may be due to KJs using pirated software but really for legit DJs and KJs the barriers have fallen considerably.

First of all with the internet it is now much easier to get a decent songlist legally.

Secondly it is easier to learn about the skills and equipment needed to be a good KJ due to the internet and forums like this.

Karaoke is also an established business, and a lot of people have been exposed to it, many have observed what works and what does not, so more people have the opportunity to try their skills as a KJ.

Finally with technology running a show is a whole lot esier with a computer than bringing several binders of CDs.

Home systems are now very common (and cheap) and they provide many with the starting experience to get into the profession.

When it comes to being a DJ the barriers to entry are even much more reduced over the last 5-10 years and even more compared to 20 years ago with turntables.



All that said sure the short term prices may be validly higher (over the last year) due to gas etc.

One problem to remember is that people doing weddings may have a wrong impression on what market rates are, since most individuals hopefully dont have them too regularly. They may also have budget constraints that do not let them do the standard rates.

Makes perfect sense Dr. Fred everything you pointed out.

I also have noticed that with this ever-slowing economy, my many competitors in the dj business have gone the opposite way and lowered their prices to clients for weddings and corporate events. I have as well, to keep up.

When it comes down to it, a smaller profit is better than NO PROFIT at all. It doesn't mean that the lower price always results in an inferior product- sometimes but mostly not.

In this economy, landing the gig is the most important thing to keep the business afloat. Upselling extra add-ons is very difficult at this point as clients are watching every dollar they spend.

So the idea that todays $500 dj for your wedding is going to suck versus the $1200 one is ludacrous.

The equipment brand may not be DENON, and it may not include 2 assistants or 2 face-to-face sit down meetings, but the emcee and dj may be top notch and the wedding AS successful as the more expensive one. I book both types.

What was your price ?

That was my first thought too Jam.

Of course all above makes perfect sense, but I'm thinking this has happened once?

Without more info there is no way to know why? Is it a trend? I would say it depends on your area. I have seen no such thing here, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening else where.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Seeing that Eben is in California, good wedding DJs are charging 1200 to 2000 bucks depending on what the clients are looking for. Much different here in the Milwaukee area where 500 to 900 bucks is common. There are higher priced ones but they are also working the upper class clientele, you know, the ones who will hire the museum or performing arts center for the wedding. Aim for the wealthier clients, the economy hasn't bothered them yet.

Yes, I usually charge about $1,000 for the wedding but I raised the price to $1,250 due to rise in gas prices. I never had issues with that price before. I thought it was odd that both gig, where I was highly recommended by some of the past clients and they were both turned down due to price. I thought it was strange. Let's see if either comes back after shopping around.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Wow I need to move to California!

Just kidding. Plus I've never been a wedding DJ... could be a little snafu there...

A good friend of mine, they charge $1500-2000 for weddings (dj only) and are booked almost a year in advance - but IMO I have never seen a better wedding dj. $1200 seems like a reasonable price for a wedding dj.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I think $1200 for wedding DJ is reasonable rate --but it would include
DJ
Emcee
Basic Lights

$1200 for JUST a DJ here is HIGH

A separate emcee? Can't the DJ be the emcee? That's how it's done here.

So you’re saying it would now cost you $250 more in gasoline for that gig?

Just how far away would it be?

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

$250 buys approximately 60 to 70 gallons of gas. At 15 miles per gallon; that is 900 to 1050 miles worth of fuel. The customer probably felt that charging her for 900 miles of gasoline was ripping her off. You should have just quoted your price without mentioning the gasoline charge unless of course teh wedding was being held 500 miles away from your base of operations?

I think you all are misinterpreting here. I don't think he charged $250 extra just for this gig or quoted that $250 was for gas to the clients. He raised his prices overall from $1000 to 1250 in general citing high gas prices as one reason and quoted the new price to the potential clients instead of what he used to charge.
I could be wrong, but that's the way it looks to me.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

When talking WEDDINGS I usually see the following offered packages

#1) No Frills - 1 DJ and 4 hours of Music
#2) Upgrade - 1 DJ and Emcee (aka dance promoter etc ) and 4 hours Music
#3) Premium - 1 DJ and Emcee maybe another DANCE promoter - lights video etc.

#1 Can run between $600-$900
#2 $900-$1200
#3 $1200 to $2500 depending on how much the B&G want to spend

I think generally people are just getting TIGHTER with their money.
Eben even though you came HIGHLY RECOMMENDED there was someone with a lower rate...people tend to think ALL DJ's/KJ"S are the same.

Thats the shame of it !!