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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
So suppose someone calls and books a party with you. Then you try to contact them to confirm the details a week before the party and you cannot get a hold of them. You leave multiple phone messages and emails and yet they do not return your calls or emails. Do you show up on the book date or assume they cancelled and didn't have the heart to tell you?
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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slydini Loyal user 248 Posts |
I have an agreement I e-mail out for my parties. If I don't get a signed e-mail back, I don't go to the show.
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Full Effect Steve New user NJ 82 Posts |
This happened to me just a few weeks ago. The last email I recieved was that they were going to drop the deposit check in the mail. A week later no check yet. I email and call right up to 3 hours before the show and did not hear from the client. My last call was to let them know that since I had not heard from them I would have to cancel the show. Never heard from them and I did not go to the event. In my messages I explained that if they wanted to cancel it was not a problem, just to call me so we were on the same page but never heard from them. Glad I didn't show up to that party!
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BIGmagiclV Veteran user 375 Posts |
This is why I take a deposit over the phone by CC. if they have some skin the game, they will make sure they stay in contact. I just signed up with squareup.com and so far its worked great.
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tgs Regular user 142 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-23 21:54, BIGmagiclV wrote: This. The reason I didn't used to take deposits was I was concerned it could scare away clients not comfortable with giving me their CC number over the phone. If anything, the opposite has happened. Instead of giving clients the chance to tell me they'll call back later, I tell them about my deposit policy and invite them to pay half by phone right away. I haven't lost a single show I otherwise would have booked because of the deposits. And I no longer have to worry about confirming shows: even if I can't get in touch with the client, they've already paid half so it's not too big a loss if they've canceled the event without telling me and I show up to an empty venue. |
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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
I appreciate the reply thus far. I do not require a deposit and haven't had an issue. Until now. The situation I posted at the top of the thread is really going on right now. This mother saw me at a party and wanted me for a halloween party. She booked me maybe three weeks ago and I took down her info. I told her I would send her an email with the details. It turns out the email address she gave me had the wrong ending on it and was returned. So I called her and left a message saying I had her wrong email and asked her to give me a call so I could get her correct email. After I left that message I figured out the ending on her email was supposed to be .net not .com. So I sent her the email and it wasn't returned this time. However, I did not get a phone call or a reply email. Now the party is next Sunday and so I called her and emailed her again today. Still no returned call or email reply. I am beginning to believe she will not call me or email me but I don't know the reason why. I just am not sure what to do as far as the party goes. Should I put all the work into rehearsing my show, packing it and driving the 40 minutes to the address she gave me with the possibility the party is cancelled?
Opinions are much appreciated. And yes, I know I should probably change my deposit policy from here on out.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
I don't ask for a deposit either and I havent had a problem yet.
but if the party would not answer my phone calls or e-mails. then no I would not show up for the show. |
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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
Bowers,
I am thinking along those same lines. No reply then why should I bother. Problem is, I don't really feel like getting into it with this lady when she calls me up irate or ruining someone's party (especially the kids). That is why the dilemma.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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tgs Regular user 142 Posts |
When you say she "booked" you three weeks ago and you got her info, what exactly was said between you two? It's hard to say what you should do without knowing what impression you left in each others' minds.
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
I have had this happen on occasion. At this point, I would say you have no agreement with the prospect to perform at the party. My suggestion is to send one final e-mail saying that if you don't hear from your prospect in 24 hours, you will assume other arrangements have been made for the party. Sometimes, that message brings the prospect out of the woodwork; there may well be extenuating circumstances (like an illness in the family) that just consumes all the time.
Or she may have just changed her mind and doesn't feel like actually telling you. People do strange things sometimes. Good luck! Joe Libby San Antonio, TX
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-23 22:59, Paul Rathbun wrote: That's why I suggest sending one final message. That's to cover you. Joe L.
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Ideas shared on this thread might help. It was a similar topic, and on that thread I posted a link to yet another thread on the topic. So, 2 threads of ideas.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
Thanks Donald, that was some interesting reading.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
Can you contact the venue the party is being held in, and find out if it’s booked by them?
I had this situation happen to me once. So I tracked down the venue's landlord and asked them, and they said that they had the exact same problem and gave up with the client and rented it to someone else. I decided not to turn up and nothing else was heard. On another occasion, they had paid the deposit for the room so I turned up, and the party was still on. Apparently she was on holiday and had no way of contacting me. When I feel the booking may be dubious, I have gone out of my way occasionally to drive past the venue (if I'm nearby). I can then check it exists and just knock on the door to find out what the problem is. On one occasion, I was given the wrong address as well and I was set up to annoy someone. On another occasion, the client answered the door and said the phone had been cut off and they had no computer, but still wanted to book me! I made sure to get paid before I started the show. Steve |
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RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
We snail mail a contract with a SASE. Until we get the signed copy back, the show is not booked. A week before or so, we call if the contract has not been returned. If we don't hear from them then (no contract and no phone contact) then as far as we're concerned there is no show. So, in your situation, we would not go.
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
My show is not booked until I receive a deposit. This makes it simple for me to know if I'm booked or not. Taking a deposit has also cut down on cancellations. If I haven’t heard from them and the party is approaching, I then make a call reminding them that the party is not booked, this also clears up any confusion of weather I’m booked or not.
At first I was also afraid that taking a deposit would cause issues but for the most part good honest people know how the system works and have no problems with deposits.
Life of Magic!
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Munseys_Magic Special user 520 Posts |
Personally, in Paul's case, I would feel obligated to go to the event. I know it sucks, but I think it would suck even worse if the show WERE "on" and the entertainer didn't arrive. I'd hate for my reputation to be tarnished.
Making me think I should require a deposit, too. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Once I was unable to contact a woman before her party, but I showed up anyway. She was not home, there was no party, and her husband told me I was crazy.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
This whole thread points out the importance of a contract or performance agreement. Once in hand the client feels they are responsible for the event, and if things change, they will usually contact you. Stuff happens, and sometimes if an event is cancelled the person who booked you is too embarassed to give you a call.
I don't yet take deposits (but maybe I should). The last time a booking went "dead" I left a message with the client stating: "This is my last phone call. I assume you want to cancel the show unless I hear from you in 24 hours". Never heard from her. Jim |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Because the client has not responded to your calls or emails, I think you can safely assume that you are not required. As has been said above, it would be worthwhile leaving one last phone message, explaining that without confirmation, you take it that they do not want you for their event.
Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that if someone doesn't want to book you, they may not bother to return your messages. On the other hand, if they did want to have you along, they would almost certainly have called or emailed you by now to assure you that your services are required. Doug |
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