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adamferrucci Regular user Newfield, NJ 169 Posts |
I have a job this Sunday, or I should say I think I have a job this Sunday. 2 weeks ago I received a phone call from a potential client. She booked me over the phone after I explained that I needed a small deposit. We have communicated a few times through phone calls and email and every time she tells me she will leave the deposit that day. I still haven't received the deposit and I'm starting to worry. I have not gotten any responses to any emails this week.I plan on calling later on today and hopefully I get a hold of her but if I don't then I don't know what to do. What would you do if this happened to you? If this gig was close I wouldn't mind driving there just to be safe but the job is 2 hours away.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Adam
Leave the message on her answering machine that if she doesn't return your call you will not show up. If I were you I would insist on cash, because I have gotten bad checks from people after start playing games with me. I don't know what else to tell you, but good luck. Did you say two hours?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
solrak29 Special user NY Metro 936 Posts |
I think deposits are generally to hold dates and time spans. If a client doesn't
provide a deposit then I will leave that day open for other bookings. So if you have no other booking that day then just get a confirmation. As Al mentioned above, call the client and if they don't respond (telling they must respond) then you can say that the gig. Sometimes you will not here from the client until the the day of or day before. 2 hours is lengthy travel; I used to do the same thing initially starting out but it does add to the wear on tear on you and your car. Hope this helps...
To Find Me On The Pitch, Follow me :On Twitter
Checkout my pseudo blog : The Sidewalk Performers Forum "I intend to live forever, or die trying" - Groucho Marx |
magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Al said it best....
When I am put in these situation, I phone and leave a message kindly stating, "If I don't hear from you by 5 PM today I will cancel your event. However, please phone me to go over all details..." Thanks
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
adamferrucci Regular user Newfield, NJ 169 Posts |
Thanks everyone. I just called and left her a message. I guess we'll see what happens. I always tell people I need a deposit to lock in the date and time. So far this has been the only time I've had a problem.
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Operate your business as if you are in high demand and your time is valuable (even if you are not....yet). As suggested, it's good to take control of the situation and be clear that they will miss out if they do not call. Acting too desperate and being too accommodating will communicate the wrong message and you risk being walked over by demanding clients.
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Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
The fact that she has kept putting off on the deposit indicates that the same thing could happen with payment once you arrive at the gig, as well. She could say "I forgot, I'll send it tomorrow" or any number of other excuses, and you could end up never getting paid. Not a good way to start in my opinion; I'd be wary about going and would also insist on cash.
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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hefemexy Elite user 434 Posts |
Listen to Scott I do not continue to call the client, once the show has been booked, I state tht the depoist is due at least 1 month prior to the event date. If you haven't gotten the money by now then move on and save your energy for more positive things.
Okay, I give up what was your card?
https://www.facebook.com/lionsmagic Look nothing up my sleeves, but you're not wearing sleeves https://www.facebook.com/lionsmagic |
adamferrucci Regular user Newfield, NJ 169 Posts |
Thanks for the advice everyone. The woman did call me back and explained what had happened. There was a family issue and everything has been resolved.
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Bapu Regular user with a paltry 161 Posts |
"A retainer lets the client know he has an attorney, and lets the attorney know he has a client." - Abraham Lincoln
Substitute "magician" for "attorney". I my humble experience, no matter what you have been told up to this point, I would not do this show until you have good funds from this person in your bank account. You owe it to yourself and to that little girl holding her daddy's hand in your photo. Have a great life Adam.
Bapu practices law and conjuring in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
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scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
Luckysizes, you seem like a very wise person.
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Sounds to me like they are legitimate and you will have no problems. I would have no hesitation travelling under the circumstances. Hope I am right and it all works out well.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
The show is tomorrow, and I'm sure Adam will have no problems, but I was thinking this would be a perfect time to ask for a paypal deposit.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
No deposit - no show. Period.
Quit trying - if they wanted you, they'd have gotten back to you by now. I'm retired, but start to finish in my career I've almost always regretted "go ahead and hope there's a show, I need the money" and I've never regretted drawing a line in the sand and not performing (or leaving even mid-show) if it is crossed. |
seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Did you show up?
Did it work out?
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
adamferrucci Regular user Newfield, NJ 169 Posts |
Yes I went and everything went pretty well. I just got home about an hour ago. I was planning on doing a levitation of a small object but I got tangled up in it when I was unpacking so I had to skip that. I walked in and the birthday boy was playing with a set of linking rings. I let him amaze me with them and when the show started he ran up and showed all his friends. Overall it was a good show I think. (I still want to watch the video of it to see where I can improve.)
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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Good job.
The birthday boy was playing with linking rings! That would call for a quick rewrite of my show, I always bring 3 or 4 back up routines but that would throw me off for a second!
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
Hope you charged enough for a kid's show to warrant four hours worth of driving time.
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adamferrucci Regular user Newfield, NJ 169 Posts |
Yes I always factor travel time into my prices.
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