OK guys we all hear on here how we all have back up for everything in triplicate but just what if you can not continue the night through some fault of yours with one and a half hours to go in a 5 hour Wedding gig and 97 miles away from home, bang pow puff flash it goes dark and quiet... How would you handle it (and it would not happen to me is not an answer but a cop out)?
I may well adapt the senario as answers come in to make it more interesting. This is a debate forum after all.
This is just for fun and out of interest BTW......
Nik
Full Version: What If You Can Not Continue?
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I guess if all of your equipment is suddenely broken with one and a half hours to go you could try and ring any Djs you know nearby and get them to help you out, even pay them if necessary. However if this is also deemed a 'cop-out' then I suppose all you can do is apologise a hundred times to the bride and groom and offer them some or even all of their money back and hope that they don't tell everyone that they meet that you let them down.
The reality though is that it would be very unusual for all your equipment to go and in most cases you can continue with some of your backup equipment. Even if absolutely all of your main equipment suddenly blew then you could hopeful continue in some way, even if it is with a portable cd player, although the bride and groom would not be too impressed and in this situation you may also want to consider refunding some of the money.
The reality though is that it would be very unusual for all your equipment to go and in most cases you can continue with some of your backup equipment. Even if absolutely all of your main equipment suddenly blew then you could hopeful continue in some way, even if it is with a portable cd player, although the bride and groom would not be too impressed and in this situation you may also want to consider refunding some of the money.
I would feign a heart attack/electric shock or something and lie on the floor until everyone has gone home.
I don't really know how to answer this one because I do carry a complete back-up of everything. If the first show were to blow up and then the second then the fault would have to be power based, which would be the venue's fault. I guess a piece of gear could blow and the back-up not work...then I'd be buggered but again, as long as I've got one of the Bose poles working I can plug up to three back-up CD/MP3 players or my mobile phone into it directly.
That puts the pressure on both Bose poles to be working, so I guess the weak link for me would be powered speakers. If they both blew, my show would be over. In which case...what would I do then..? Firstly, I'd let everyone know that something has happened to take out the speakers and that I was about to speak to management to see if they have anything that could be used, then I would ring around a few local colleagues and then I would set to work trying to see if I could fix the speakers.
I don't really care about the lights - people like dark corners at a party so losing the light show wouldn't be a major issue.
I am looking at some cheap back-up powered speakers for this very reason...can anyone suggest some?
I don't really know how to answer this one because I do carry a complete back-up of everything. If the first show were to blow up and then the second then the fault would have to be power based, which would be the venue's fault. I guess a piece of gear could blow and the back-up not work...then I'd be buggered but again, as long as I've got one of the Bose poles working I can plug up to three back-up CD/MP3 players or my mobile phone into it directly.
That puts the pressure on both Bose poles to be working, so I guess the weak link for me would be powered speakers. If they both blew, my show would be over. In which case...what would I do then..? Firstly, I'd let everyone know that something has happened to take out the speakers and that I was about to speak to management to see if they have anything that could be used, then I would ring around a few local colleagues and then I would set to work trying to see if I could fix the speakers.
I don't really care about the lights - people like dark corners at a party so losing the light show wouldn't be a major issue.
I am looking at some cheap back-up powered speakers for this very reason...can anyone suggest some?
do like the teletubbies and RUN AWAY!!
I would find the client, explain what has happened in the first instance. Then announce the problem to the guests.
Speak to the venue - do they have in-house PA? even as a short term measure (ie for background music).
I would then call around to try and find another DJ who would be willing to hire another amp/speaker/cd players etc.
They would have to be very local, thou - so if anything, it would be a show of willing to resolve the problem.
With 90mins left, I doubt it would be possible to find someone, explain the problem, and get the kit to the venue and hooked up before the night was over anyway.
I expect most of us wouldn't be grab the required kit, and be at a local venue within 30mins..
This aside, the venue will have numbers of other DJ's, or yellow pages may help, ie, good old pre-internet days! (unless you've a working laptop with internet access)
Financially wise, this is where it gets tricky... Do you offer a full refund or part refund (assuming the music can't continue)?
It could be argued that the DJ has not fulfilled their end of the contract - ie 7pm - 12am
If the contract has a clause for equipment failure, they may have some kind of pro-rater structure.
Jason
Speak to the venue - do they have in-house PA? even as a short term measure (ie for background music).
I would then call around to try and find another DJ who would be willing to hire another amp/speaker/cd players etc.
They would have to be very local, thou - so if anything, it would be a show of willing to resolve the problem.
With 90mins left, I doubt it would be possible to find someone, explain the problem, and get the kit to the venue and hooked up before the night was over anyway.
I expect most of us wouldn't be grab the required kit, and be at a local venue within 30mins..
This aside, the venue will have numbers of other DJ's, or yellow pages may help, ie, good old pre-internet days! (unless you've a working laptop with internet access)
Financially wise, this is where it gets tricky... Do you offer a full refund or part refund (assuming the music can't continue)?
It could be argued that the DJ has not fulfilled their end of the contract - ie 7pm - 12am
If the contract has a clause for equipment failure, they may have some kind of pro-rater structure.
Jason
QUOTE
How would you handle it
If no cover could be provided by me, I'd probably refund in-full and offer a complimentary function at a later date as a humble apology, and hope the client accepted. Reputation as a quality DJ service is very important and I'd want to do my best to keep what ever remained after this intact!
All of ours worst nightmares.
When you first start up you can't afford to start up you can't afford to have spares of everything ....lets not forget that some on this forum are in that position.More importantly you don't have the experience for getting out of tight spots!!
Had a couple of close shaves when I first started out....some of the symptons are...
1.Profuse sweating.
2.@@@e cheeks tightening so much you couldn't get a fag paper between them.
3.Nausea.
4.Loose stools.
5.Rudeness to the people who come and offer help in getting it fixed (I'm an electrician mate....whats the problem??).
Refund.... you bet...in full.
I'd probably give them a couple of hundred quid as well....for ruining their big day.
When you first start up you can't afford to start up you can't afford to have spares of everything ....lets not forget that some on this forum are in that position.More importantly you don't have the experience for getting out of tight spots!!
Had a couple of close shaves when I first started out....some of the symptons are...
1.Profuse sweating.
2.@@@e cheeks tightening so much you couldn't get a fag paper between them.
3.Nausea.
4.Loose stools.
5.Rudeness to the people who come and offer help in getting it fixed (I'm an electrician mate....whats the problem??).
Refund.... you bet...in full.
I'd probably give them a couple of hundred quid as well....for ruining their big day.
It happened to me!!!!!!!
A few years back with no back up rig at the time either!!
I had a powered bass bin that powered 2 speakers. Apparently the bin sent dc current to the speakers and blew them.
Luckily for me there was a band on before me and they were playing again the same venue the following night so they allowed me to plug into their system,
Went out the following day bought 2 speakers and an amp!
Will never ever go anywhere without a back up rig it just ain't worth it.
IF the band were not there that night I had no alternative.
Paul
P.s. this was a christmas party night so not as bad as a wedding
A few years back with no back up rig at the time either!!
I had a powered bass bin that powered 2 speakers. Apparently the bin sent dc current to the speakers and blew them.
Luckily for me there was a band on before me and they were playing again the same venue the following night so they allowed me to plug into their system,
Went out the following day bought 2 speakers and an amp!
Will never ever go anywhere without a back up rig it just ain't worth it.
IF the band were not there that night I had no alternative.
Paul
P.s. this was a christmas party night so not as bad as a wedding
97 miles with loaded kit in 90 mins....what you got, a helicopter? LOL
QUOTE(vokf @ Mar 16 2009, 07:50 PM) 
Financially wise, this is where it gets tricky... Do you offer a full refund or part refund (assuming the music can't continue)?
It could be argued that the DJ has not fulfilled their end of the contract - ie 7pm - 12am
If the contract has a clause for equipment failure, they may have some kind of pro-rater structure.
Jason
Tricky?
Give them their money back,apologise profusely,pack up and p:cense:s off home.There is not a lot you can do to retrieve the situation given the circumstances.It happens.Get over it.If you have conducted yourself in a professional manner they just might understand.
QUOTE(Kingy @ Mar 16 2009, 09:15 PM)
97 miles with loaded kit in 90 mins....what you got, a helicopter? LOL
No Mate I dont but Dan does
Nik
On the way out the other week I saw a stretch limo with its hazard lights on at the side of the road, accompanied by a van from a recovery company. Judging by the number of young people on the footpath the limo had seemingly broken down en route to its destination, leaving the owner / driver with the embarrassment of having to call out a recovery company and delaying the journey of his young passengers.
Probably not the level of disappointment as would be experienced at a wedding for example, but it does show that things can go wrong in a variety of situations and occupations, and all you can hope in this case, was that the owner refunded the money of his client, and at least arranged alternative transport at his own expense for the party to continue, even if it was the type of transport that they had originally booked.
You can limit the risks somewhat by taking 'key' pieces of equipment along as back up, even if it means keeping a couple of small portable CD players in your glovebox, any player is better than no player at all however inflexible it is. Damage limitation etc. It does amaze me, how many people do go out with no back up equipment at all, not even spare fuses and leads etc, and not even a screwdriver or a 75p card of popular fuse values.
£15 worth of spare leads along with a couple of £29 CD Players and a bog standard 2 channel mixer, alone does have the potential to save you £300 worth of booking, copious embarrassment and best of all, word of mouth reputation should the worst happen to your 'main' kit at a gig. A sound investment IMO for many years and successful gigs to come. However it is a constant source of amazement to see some who are working without even a minimum level of safety net for themselves and their clients, whilst at the same time, announcing the purchase of their 37th lighting effect, bubble machine or some super-duper laser. Priorities??.
Even so, its not possible to have a back up of everything, and should the worst occur then all you can do is to turn to your list of colleagues and try and obtain some level of cover or borrow replacement equipment ( Proof that its always a good idea to befriend your 'competitors' and work with them, rather than hate and alienate them). If cover wasn't available, then last resort is a humble apology and a full refund.
Probably not the level of disappointment as would be experienced at a wedding for example, but it does show that things can go wrong in a variety of situations and occupations, and all you can hope in this case, was that the owner refunded the money of his client, and at least arranged alternative transport at his own expense for the party to continue, even if it was the type of transport that they had originally booked.
You can limit the risks somewhat by taking 'key' pieces of equipment along as back up, even if it means keeping a couple of small portable CD players in your glovebox, any player is better than no player at all however inflexible it is. Damage limitation etc. It does amaze me, how many people do go out with no back up equipment at all, not even spare fuses and leads etc, and not even a screwdriver or a 75p card of popular fuse values.
£15 worth of spare leads along with a couple of £29 CD Players and a bog standard 2 channel mixer, alone does have the potential to save you £300 worth of booking, copious embarrassment and best of all, word of mouth reputation should the worst happen to your 'main' kit at a gig. A sound investment IMO for many years and successful gigs to come. However it is a constant source of amazement to see some who are working without even a minimum level of safety net for themselves and their clients, whilst at the same time, announcing the purchase of their 37th lighting effect, bubble machine or some super-duper laser. Priorities??.
Even so, its not possible to have a back up of everything, and should the worst occur then all you can do is to turn to your list of colleagues and try and obtain some level of cover or borrow replacement equipment ( Proof that its always a good idea to befriend your 'competitors' and work with them, rather than hate and alienate them). If cover wasn't available, then last resort is a humble apology and a full refund.
QUOTE(UKHero @ Mar 16 2009, 09:38 PM)
No Mate I dont but Dan does
Nik
lmfao.. post of the year!
Most High Class weddings are held in period houses which can help.
just go to the vehicle grab the tow rope,use said solid oak beam rafter and hang yerself.(saves the public hanging the DJ)
just go to the vehicle grab the tow rope,use said solid oak beam rafter and hang yerself.(saves the public hanging the DJ)
Look!
It's as simple as some of the posts above have said.
1) You could caryy loads of extra back up but where do you draw the line? Carry 4 shows, just in case?
2) What if you are taken ill and can't complete the night?
As long as you have done your best to rectify this situation, that's all that can be expected.
No one will die if the disco finishes 90 minutes early. They wil be cross. You will be cross. But if this happens, it happens. Unfortunate, and yes , by all means give a partial refund (full if you want!!) but an honest and sincere apology and explanation surely has to be the answer? Things do fail. We try our best, but no one is infalable!
I agree about carrying a back up system or at least the audio side of it, but life will continue!
It's as simple as some of the posts above have said.
1) You could caryy loads of extra back up but where do you draw the line? Carry 4 shows, just in case?
2) What if you are taken ill and can't complete the night?
As long as you have done your best to rectify this situation, that's all that can be expected.
No one will die if the disco finishes 90 minutes early. They wil be cross. You will be cross. But if this happens, it happens. Unfortunate, and yes , by all means give a partial refund (full if you want!!) but an honest and sincere apology and explanation surely has to be the answer? Things do fail. We try our best, but no one is infalable!
I agree about carrying a back up system or at least the audio side of it, but life will continue!
QUOTE(Kingy @ Mar 17 2009, 09:04 AM)
Look!
It's as simple as some of the posts above have said.
1) You could caryy loads of extra back up but where do you draw the line? Carry 4 shows, just in case?
2) What if you are taken ill and can't complete the night?
As long as you have done your best to rectify this situation, that's all that can be expected.
No one will die if the disco finishes 90 minutes early. They wil be cross. You will be cross. But if this happens, it happens. Unfortunate, and yes , by all means give a partial refund (full if you want!!) but an honest and sincere apology and explanation surely has to be the answer? Things do fail. We try our best, but no one is infalable!
I agree about carrying a back up system or at least the audio side of it, but life will continue!
Calm down Clam down...
I agree with what your saying but I just wanted to see what others would do or even say.
I agree no one or nothing is infalable and the law of averages say that one day something catestrophic will happen.. Aeroplanes have 3 independant on board computers and two blokes to fly them but they still sometimes crash. My initial point of starting this post was just to find out how people would react to the situation be it hang ones self or give a full refund and another night offered for free...
We can protect ourselves as much as possible with back up kit but things happen.
What if your out Sat night and your mian rig goes T up you switch to plan B you have a gig Sunday with only your back up kit available surely you wont have things blow up two nights on the trott?
The point is it can and does happen so how do you deal with it where your client is concurned?
Nik
Give the couple one of Kingy's business cards, apologise, and tell them to ring me in a few days and arrange a full refund.
QUOTE(Kingy @ Mar 17 2009, 09:04 AM)
1) You could carry loads of extra back up but where do you draw the line? Carry 4 shows, just in case?
There isn't really much point carrying more than two shows, because if all of your equipment for 2 shows has failed then (unless you are totally incompetent) it is probably down to a power fault, which is the venue's problem not yours.
What a nightmare scenario. My bum is going 50p/5p just thinking about it. I carry a reasonable amount of back-up gear to cover a lot of eventualities. But this thread has reminded of one night in an old residency when there was a power-cut (not my fault or the venues) Not wanting to let the night die, I led the customers in a sing-song. One guy even ran home and got his acoustic guitar. Great night.
I'm a project manager by trade - you can put as many contingency plans in place as you like, but something will always come and bite you on the bum. As long as you cover the most likely known eventualities then everything should be fine.
As I've just started, all I have is back up music (on iPod), cables and fuses. I'll get there, but it's all about risk reduction for now - until I'm in a position to buy more equipment.
Saying all that, I'd probably die if something went wrong - as I've not been through it before. You can only get better as you go through these sort of experiences.
All in my inexperienced opinion, obviously!
As I've just started, all I have is back up music (on iPod), cables and fuses. I'll get there, but it's all about risk reduction for now - until I'm in a position to buy more equipment.
Saying all that, I'd probably die if something went wrong - as I've not been through it before. You can only get better as you go through these sort of experiences.
All in my inexperienced opinion, obviously!
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