Being "mad" and making you feel inappropriate is a typical move of bullies.
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depending on the client, and the numerous conversations i have with them before the event: i might have accepted the 'check is in the mail' line. but all of my wedding corporate gigs require a deposit, so there is never a dispute about what is owed (the balance). but we all know that settling-up on gig night is preferred.
(see above) i purposely am in contact with the 'money person' multiple times before the event: i get assurances multiple times regarding the expectations of the parties to the contract: they always know 'how to do things' or 'how to act' with regard to the money.
it's how a person behaves when they know they have f*cked up! saving face...or, an attempt!
- Jun 6, 2012
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- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
In the early days for me we did 50%, and the rest "sometime during the event, typically first break. An older, more skeptical and experienced guy that I became went for 50% down, remainder prior to playing. The only downside to this method as it basically eliminates the ease of large tips. When being paid part way into the event, a half drunk Father of the Bride, and having the Mother of the Bride very happy tended to get us some large and sometimes uncalled for tips.
It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to email or call the planner & client just to apologize for the confusion and thank them for getting things worked out. Good karma, you know.
We always get paid at the end of a bar gig, often because there is a calculation to be made on how much the bar made during a certain portion of the night. But even for a straight guarantee from a bar it's the end of the night. I like this because a lot of the places we play pay us cash, so no one band member has to accept a check and get into the 1099 sub-contractor business.
Can we all agree that the word "bully" had jumped the shark?
She wasn't being a bully. She was being defensive. It's not st all uncommon.
I had a similar situation happen to me. I was a hired gun for a gig opening for Jonathan Edwards at a ski resort. Buddy of mine hired me on to play with the 12 year old grandson of a local musician who had passed away. Dada was supposed to get me a check. He forgot, made excuses, and essentially wanted me to wait until the end of the gig to get paid. It was a 1.5 hour drive, I had already waited 45 minutes. Luckily I knew my friend would make sure I got paid so I went home, but I was angry.
When I book festivals, I give the BL the check before they play, as soon as they arrive if I can swing it.
End of gig and that's when the money will sometimes get funny...
"The owner didn't say anything to me about paying you guys that much money."
"We had a slow night, so you'll only be getting half of what we agreed on."
Etc.
My favorite, after playing a ski lodge for three nights in a row:
"Your promo pictures showed five people but you only brought four, so you only get 80%."
Trying to scare, embarrass or annoy someone into giving up at least temporarily what they are owed is a bullying move, even if you just try to save face.
Regarding upscale private formal events: Never chase down your client, their guests, or the venue manager for money the day of the event. If you threw their reception into chaos in the process, you definitely crossed a line. Resolving money issues is tacky and awkward while the event is in process.
Make your balance due clear before the day of event, and ask if someone will be delivering the balance that day or if they will be paying it some other way.
If you don't get your envelope that day, don't say a word or interrupt the event. Send an e-mail or call within the next day or two. Let them know how you accept payment or where they can send the balance.
In your case, I would have told the wedding planner you're fine with a check in the mail, apologized for the interruption, and then gotten the hell out of there as quick as I could. Yes, the client dropped the ball and you were due payment on your balance, but causing an awkward situation is not the solution, can cause unnecessary embarrassment, and can even tarnish your reputation in this very competitive market.
It helps to remember that formal event clients are usually juggling a dozen balls at once and trying to get so many things accomplished in a relatively short time during their event. Every once in awhile a ball gets dropped. If you're the unlucky vendor who got temporarily forgotten, don't make a fuss. Afford your client some patience, understanding, and options for making up for their error when the smoke clears. Being gracious and graceful wins the day with these clients.
And if they try to stiff you, that's what the contract and small claims court is for. In 15 years of formal events I've been paid a little late a few times, but never stiffed, and never had to take it to court.
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Playing is great, buy getting paid is paramount!
What you described sounds like you handled the situation well, polite but insistent. If the agreement is that they pay you at the end of the performance, and they failed to so, it's on them to make good. You and your band cannot because you've already met 100% of the commitment.
You don't have to, and should not agree to modifying the contract. If they wanted to mail you a check later, that is a contract modification which requires your agreement.
However, if the agreement is that you get paid at the end of the wedding reception, then you gotta stick around unless they are willing to modify. If your agreement does not clearly specify the end of what... performance or reception, asking for the check at the conclusion of the performance is preferrable.
My experience is that the longer you wait for payment, the likelihood of an issue creeps up.
Great idea. Don't burn your bridges, or have the wedding planner burn it. You never know what other gigs may come from this contact.
I use to work for the student union in college for booking bands, requirements, and stage help. Final payment was always due before any equipment was removed from the semi's, and sometimes well before they showed up. These were bands like Jefferson Starship, The Greg Kihn band, Motels, and Berlin.
What you described sounds like you handled the situation well, polite but insistent. If the agreement is that they pay you at the end of the performance, and they failed to so, it's on them to make good. You and your band cannot because you've already met 100% of the commitment.
You don't have to, and should not agree to modifying the contract. If they wanted to mail you a check later, that is a contract modification which requires your agreement.
However, if the agreement is that you get paid at the end of the wedding reception, then you gotta stick around unless they are willing to modify. If your agreement does not clearly specify the end of what... performance or reception, asking for the check at the conclusion of the performance is preferrable.
My experience is that the longer you wait for payment, the likelihood of an issue creeps up.
Great idea. Don't burn your bridges, or have the wedding planner burn it. You never know what other gigs may come from this contact.
I use to work for the student union in college for booking bands, requirements, and stage help. Final payment was always due before any equipment was removed from the semi's, and sometimes well before they showed up. These were bands like Jefferson Starship, The Greg Kihn band, Motels, and Berlin.
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I've been a wedding entertainer for 15 years. I've always accepted a 50% non-refundable deposit ("reservation fee") on my total fee, balance due before or on the day of the event. My contract protects both parties.
It's pretty common in this market.
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I do check is in the mail with customers that I have a trusting relationship with. But a one-off with a client, and a wedding planner who knew nothing about our deal didn't wash with me. Further, they were in a town 1.5 hours away, so it wasn't just a hop skip and jump to pound down doors to collection. Plus, due to the fact I was with a pickup band, with a really good player I'd just met at the gig, I didn't want to kick off our relationship with non-payment until I got paid myself. So, his pay had already been given...
I'm modifying my contract indicating payment is due when the musicians show up with their equipment. And that it is due even if we show up and the weather rains us out.
I'm modifying my contract indicating payment is due when the musicians show up with their equipment. And that it is due even if we show up and the weather rains us out.
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