Would you be willing to share your contract with the Forum?

[YvonneH]

No it is supposed to be "Unable" as in if the client cancels the booking they will not get their deposit back, whereas if I had to cancel the booking then of course it is refundable in full ... not that I have had to yet I should add  

[Billy Wiz]

DUH!!!!! Sorry Yvonne, not got my thinking head on today, I didn't read it right  :roll:

[Fuzzy]

Hi

Looks like my last one did not get through.....Here goes again.

Fuzz

<Contact>
<Address 1>
<Address 2>
<Address 3>
<City>
<County> <Postcode>


12 August 2008

Details of the booking you have made:

Party Date:         <Date of Function>
Celebration:         <Childs Name>'s <Age> Birthday party
Show Booked:         <Type Of Party>
Party Venue:         <Venue>
My Arrival:         <Arrive>
My finish Time:         <Finish>
Cost:            <Fee> payable on the day by cash
Date Booked:         <Date Booked>

What do you do now?
Your telephone booking was fine and is confirmed and definite but we ask you to please check that all the details are correct and contact the office immediately if there is a mistake.

How do you pay?
You do not need to pay any money now. Please pay the full fee above on the day of the party. All fees are payable in cash.

Terms of Business
1.   While Mr Fuzzy is on your premises for the purposes of fulfilling this engagement there should always be a responsible adult present while he is entertaining the children.
2.   Cancellation can only be by the mutual agreement of both parties.
3.   On the rare occasion that we are unable to fulfil the booking i.e. due to illness, we will let you know as soon as possible and give you any assistance to find a replacement.
4.   Performance will take place inside.
5.   Filming of the show (by camcorder etc) can only be undertaken with the consent of the entertainer.
6.   Mr Fuzzy has public liability insurance to the value of £10 Million.

How do I get a photo of the <Childs Name> to you?
Email is easiest just send it as a .Jpeg to mailto:photo@mrfuzzy.co.uk">photo@mrfuzzy.co.uk
You can also post it to my address below. Please ensure it arrives at least 7 days before the party date.

Extras to make you party easier:
If you want party bags or balloons just call 01733 334495
   
Thank you for booking Mr Fuzzy, looking forward to meeting you all, for a Fun Packed time.

[Billy Wiz]

One suggestion with regards contracts. Most of us I assume always ask for an adult to be present in the room at all times. I would suggest changing that to two adults because if a child wants to go to the toilet, it means you are in the room by yourself. It's best never to be left in that situtation.

[YvonneH]

Good thinking Graeme.  I am always shocked and surprised at how little thought parents give to the safety of their children at parties.

[Krazy Kev]

Steve,
Not sure how to take those comments on 'one born every minute'?
Would you like to elaborate?
Kev

[Pam Pearce]

All of our contracts are on a different computer to this one, but they are very similar to those already uploaded. We have that adults should be present for supervision and mostly there are more than one, but thanks to Graeme we too will be changing it to a minimum of 2.

We dont stipulate cash only on the day (its a pain having so much if its a busy weekend and then you have to bank it!) and we still at present accept cheques too ( for how long who knows) we also accept credit cards so quite often they will phone up before hand and pay that way.

Reminded me working at a Nursery school Graduation Party (moving to the big primary school aaahhhhh) last week the nusrery school head made a comment which made me laugh but then retake, and I think it is very relevant in todays society:

When discussing Children at Nursery and me commenting that these days Mum is not allowed to feeling guilty like we did when ours where growing up she said "Yes but today we call them 'Coton Wool Kids'!" "one sneeze and the Calpol is sent in, one graze and we know about it" Had never even give it a thought but Isnt it just so true?

Pam

[Billy Wiz]

We dont stipulate cash only on the day (its a pain having so much if its a busy weekend and then you have to bank it!) and we still at present accept cheques too

Pam

Hi Pam, the reason I ask for cash on the day is because cheque guarentee cards are mostly to the value of £50. I know someone a few years ago who received a cheque to find it had bounced and then to find the guarentee card didn't cover the amount. Can't remember exactly what happened or if he got paid so much of it??

I don't mind a cheque from schools and business etc.

[YvonneH]

I am getting sorely tempted not to accept cheques at all.  For me Cheques are as much hassle as cash as I internet bank.  

I am having fun at the moment as I am due nearly £1,500 for work completed for either big companies and/or agencies some of which I need to pay other people with.  One cheque has been sent inadvertently to my bank direct instead of me but as it was from a school I now have to wait until September before a new cheque can be issued (oh how I wish I had a late payment clause in the contract   ) and another cheque I received today has the wrong name on it despite the fact that on all my invoices I have who to make cheques payable to and all the relevant details for a BACS payment.

Pam I am assuming doing the decorating makes it more worthwhile your paying service fees for credit card payments?  I was looking into taking cards but believe it will cost me a bit considering I am only doing a couple of parties a week and have no other need to accept cards.

[jake g]

As an I don't accept credit cards because of the hassle involved, I do believe that it would increase business.  When quoting a price, especially to someone who might be iffy about affording a show, accepting credit cards might just be the thing to sway the decision in your favor.  Many insurance companies are accepting credit cards for the first premium for that very reason.

[Pam Pearce]

We also use internet banking which is why we prefere cheques,BACS or cards, We have only ever had one cheque bounce in (too many years to mention) all our entertaining and it was replaced by cash instantly by a very embarassed Dad.  We have had a few deliberately stop the cheque and we took them through the county court adn evetnually they paid up plus the costs: You have to do this because otherwise locally people may talk about the possibility.

Another reason why we insist everyone has a Contract  and we have a tear off slip to be signed and returned to us (no shocks of turning up to none exsistent parties) We also include in the envelope a Stamped Self addresssed envelope (believe they pay the deposits much faster if they dont even have to look for a stamp) you have to make it so simple

and yes Yvonne the credit card machines can be expensive, but its the decor that pays for it; entertaining on its own would not; we took it on when Sky Hi balloon delivery started with offering same day deliveries to all customers, but have found it since a god send for our own balloon deliveries, late bookings and taking deposits and payments for our other work.

Graham uses Paypal on his sempertex website maybe thats a cheaper possibility for entertainers to get their deposits and other payments on time:

Pam

[Fuzzy]

Hers' a tip to get paid on time.

Offer a discount.

On your invoice state

Full Fee £???
Discount £???
Total payable on the day £???

Note if payment is not made on the day the discount is forfeit the discount and the full becomes payable.

Fuzz

[Stevie_Babe]

Kev

Steve,
Not sure how to take those comments on 'one born every minute'?
Would you like to elaborate?
Kev

Yes sure Kev. Graeme mentioned about reminding him about games, so I thought it would come out funny, like when my wife asks me to remind her of something, I almost immediately remind her. I didn't mean to insult anyone if thats the way it looked. Thats why I put smilies after. It was directed at me. Most certainly not at Graeme.

[Krazy Kev]

Okey Dokey skip - got you loud and clear! (but don't forget to remind him!! )

[mandy]

not wanting to sound heartless but if there was a death and a party had to be cancelled at the last minute, its nobodys fault of course, i would still expect payment.

So do i tell my landlord he wont get any rent cos someone who isnt related to me and not even a close friend died?

yes it still sounds heartless no matter how i put it but we all have bills to pay. I would express my heartfelt sorrow at their loss but my services have to be paid for as its my livelihood and those hours have been booked.
I could give a hardship discount of 20 per cent, but unless its the person who is paying for the party who has died, i would still expect something substantial. there im heartless i admit it but we all have to eat. Is there an insurance which covers for this?