HI. I have a show this Friday for a PTA Family night.

I will be doing back of room sales after the show. I just received an e-mail from the PTA president asking if they will receive a percentage of the sales. My performance agreement indicates that I will set up a table for BOR sales, but does NOT indicate that the PTA gets a percentage. I haven't done BOR sales in the past and I'm curious if it is a "normal" procedure to give the booker a percentage of sales.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

Regards,
Tony

Does your contract specifically say you retain 100% of the profits form you BOR sales? There is a lot more to selling BOR than just setting up a table and selling things. There may be a license or permits, percentage splits or exclusivity, merchandise approval, non-compete clauses, and so on. If it is spelled out in your contract and included as part of your arrangement and negotiation, it shouldn't be a problem. If not I have had many types of things like this happen. Remember PTA's and other school groups are in the business of funding, raising proceeds and being very budget focused. It may not be the norm, but it does happen.

Tony,
Is your show at the school supposed to be a fund raiser or just a fun show? Are you making a good amount for the show or if it's just for fun, maybe you're giving them a good deal. Are they selling tickets to your show or giving the show to their audience?
If it's not a fund raiser and they are not profit sharing with you and you haven't promised to share the BOR I would say no. I think 10% to 15% is customary.

Jim

I would say "NO" -- do not let them have a percentage of your sales. If it was initially agreed upon that you would, then do it. But, if it's not been brought up till now, don't give them anything.

I agree with brian, unless we discussed it beforehand I would not give them a percentage of my bor sales.

I do a lot of these I typically never give them anything. What I do sometimes is offer two fees. ex. 500.00 if I cannot sell and 425.00 if I can sell my books. Now if you just told them that you are selling and they had already booked the show then yes you should give them 10%, but if they knew from the start that you are going to set up then NO.

Ken

I gave up BOR after I started getting letters from the local tax collector wanting to know how much money I made in BOR sales at each venues that I performed at. I also had a hard time turning in my Pennsylvania tax number. Now my approach is KISS.

Al,
I can't give it up because it's too good and it's easy money.

Jim

Thanks for your replies everyone. Your responses were very helpful.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in this thread, is that giving a percentage to the client/sponsor can often BOOST sales and nett you more at the end of the day. Make a big deal out of the fact that $x of every sale goes to the charity.

Timothy

(This is one of the techniques discussed in "Multiply your Merchandising" ebook available for $0 at http://www.magiccoach.com )

Tony...the fact that you have a contract that mentions BOR or merch sales and doesn't lay out all the details is the thing you need to correct first. It's almost as bad as saying you will be paid but doesn't say how much.

If you're playing performing arts centers, arenas or doing shows as part of bigger events, like conventions, conferences, etc, then you will more than likely pay a percentage. We just played a youth conference at Ford Park Arena in Beaumont, TX this past weekend.. We had to pay 20% of our merch sales. HOWEVER, for that percentage, they provided the labor to man our table and handle sales.

Bottom line...it all starts with the negotiations and the contract. Remember the contract is there to lay out everything to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Kevin