Get it in Writing!

I got a familiar call yesterday from a lady looking to find a DJ for her friends wedding this coming Saturday. She told me that the DJ they hired for the wedding, called to inform the bride that all of his equipment was just stolen, and he would not be able to DJ the wedding. Yet did not offer to help her find a replacement DJ or possibly borrow or rent equipment for that weekend since he still had a least 5 days before the wedding date.

I told her that I was not available this Saturday but I would like to help her find a DJ that is. So I asked how much the DJ charging for his services for the wedding? She replied $350 for 4 hours. Whoa! It never ceases to amaze
me that there are guys with equipment (so called DJ’s) that still charge less for their services then a wedding cake. I informed this lady that I did not know any professional DJ’s that could come close to that amount for a wedding, especially that close to the wedding date. If the bride was willing to pay more, then I possibly could help her find a good DJ.

Since I’m familiar with most of  the mobile DJ’s in the Valley, I asked who their DJ was.
I’ve heard the name before but didn’t know him. This story sounded fishy to me,
and the more I thought about it, something didn’t sound right.

This is not the first time I’ve received calls like this. I had a Bride call on at noon on
a Saturday to tell me her DJ just bailed out on her. Her wedding was that night.

So I looked up this DJ online and gave him a call posing as a groom needing a DJ for
that same Saturday. He told me he had an event he was doing. I told him my wedding
was in the morning, so he was happy to accommodate. I wanted to ask more questions
but I was so angry I hung up the phone. What A scum!

Why do DJ’s do this?

These non professional guys with equipment will verbally book events at a very low price.
If they get another call for the same date will try to get more money than their
first booking. Why not? What have they got to loose? Right? Then call the first client
and lie about why they can’t make it to their event. Leaving the Bride in panic having to
find a DJ last minute.
One Bride told me her DJ couldn’t make it to her wedding because his wife had just died.
Sad if that was true, but I seriously doubt it. I heard noting about a DJ’s wife suddenly
passing away, and that kind of news travels fast. This was also a week before the wedding.

A professional DJ will find a replacement DJ if tragedy occurs. A professional DJ will
also provide a contract that will state this as well and not treat your wedding as just a gig.
If this DJ was paid a professional fee, I’m sure he would have been at the wedding with his
equipment.

A wedding is one of the biggest days of your life.
When hiring any vendor get a legal binding contract, and
set more money aside for real professionals. This will save you more time & money in the
long run.

Mark Sanchez
(602) 509-0519
www.ProfessionalMobileEnt.com