Whilst I was waiting for the function room to clear so I could start setting up (you know...the waiting game), I bumped into one of those "I'm a DJ too" types and he said a couple of rather outspoken things, but then, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Firstly, he said "I run the blah blah blah roadshow in this area, no doubt you've heard of us".

Me: Nope, sorry, I havent. (I was being honest, I really hadnt)


Nothing too raw in that statement from him, but when I mentioned PLI and PAT, his reply was somewhat interesting - and surely worth a discussion here.

He said: "PLI and PAT are just two bits of armour that some DJ's use to justify charging loads of extra on their fees, I'd rather spend the money on a new amp".

He didn't leave with the exactly the same ideas about either service, although he still wasnt 100% convinced - despite a pretty decent "sell" by me.

In my view, PAT testing (even if you cant get it free) is peanuts, and certainly isnt enough £££ to justify hiking up a gigs individual pricing to cover PAT testing - it surely only balances out at such a tiny amount. Likewise PLI cover can only make a couple of quids difference to a gig price - if included in the gig price at all.

This guy seemed to think that some DJ's bump their prices up by £30~£50 just because they've got both services.

Thoughts on these insurances/safety checks being "Price Justification Armour".

Paper trail basic example.

If the venue 'electrics blow' and the venue insists it's due to the DJ's equipment not being safe - without the PAT check / certification, the DJ would have a very hard time trying to convince otherwise, no?

If the DJ has PLI cover (statute public venue hire requirement) and a member of the public suffers an injury as a result of 'X' equipment causing 'Y' damage, the cover would come into effect (claim against the DJ).

In such a claim, if the 'Y' damage was from the DJs equipment, the 'required paperwork' would be questioned, i.e. who did the test, when, etc.

The'paper trail' would allow any investigation, such as those carried out by the HSE (and they are very powerful!) to be smooth and simple.

This 'attitude' from the said DJ could be applied to anything such as car insurence.

He may not want to pay for that either - but it's his decision!

Personally, I adjust my fee according to what service I provide, the level of experience, demographic area worked and of course the 'competition factor'.
PAT and PLI (MU membership) are included in the service along with my music purchases, library, equipment, spare equipment, breakdown cover, Association membership, subscription to Playboy, Hustler & Fiesta, Locomotive Times and the Beano.

The only 'armour' fee I would charge extra for is working in a thong.

Certainly the cost of PLI is minimal, particularly when bought in tandem with equipment insurance. PAT testing likewise ( depending on the amount of gear tested, of course ).

In some instances they may constitute selling points. However, only once have I been asked to produce either certificate.

If they are "armour" then its armour against potential problems and certainly not for price justification. In addition they indicate a professional attitude.

Whoever it was you were talking to showed breathtaking ignorance and complacency.

I've just been told that i'm doing the complete opposite and that i'm charging less than a DJ in the Manchester Area who hasn't got PLI.

The Story was like this, we got a quote request for a gig in Manchester for September, my Roadie sent a quote back ( I am away at the mo) and copied me on the email.

A few hours later, the client replied, asking for a return call to confirm and discuss the booking. My Roadie immediately contacted him, and the client basically said that the booking was last minute because the DJ they had already booked for the gig didn't have PLI when the venue requested it, and refused to get it "Just for this one gig" hence the rush to find a DJ who had cover.

The client also revealed that our quote was slightly cheaper than his previous DJ, so not only was he getting a DJ with PLI and PAT, but was also saving some money . It also goes to prove that having PLI and PAT can actually increase your workload and win you bookings that you perhaps wouldn't have got.

Also remember that your PAT certificate is like a car MOT, and shouldn't be taken as current evidence that the piece of equipment it represents is safe and Electrically sound. Several months may have elapsed since the equipment was tested and a lot can happen (Plugs crack, wires pull out, insulation breaks down, earth tags shake loose etc) since the test, so the onus is still on the user to check for the more obvious problems on a regular basis before they become dangerous.

In some respects, the PAT Test is as obsolete as the MOT test if the user doesn't look after or service the gear, or has voluntarily disconnected the earth wire because of an earth loop .

You should not be selling yourself purely on bits of paper or the equipment you use. You should be selling yourself on the service you offer.

Does a bus company charge more because it's buses have an MOT, no. But if you want door to door in a nice vehicle you book a taxi.