Aparatas?????

Started by Stevie_Babe, July 13, 2008, 06:45:49 AM

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koolkatkiwi

#15
I wish I'd noticed this post earlier. Now, about the gazebo - for anyone else who reads this thread - there's also a very cheap solution - read "free". Fill plastic juice bottles - the ones with handles - with water, and attach to the corners of the gazebo.

I've also thoughtfully taken notice of Graeme's advice re non-refundable deposits in December. We have our summer then, and summer holiday bookings, so it's doubly hectic.

Cheers,
Kath 8-)
************************************************
Bill & Kath Worsfold - Kiwi Entertainers!
http://www.billkath.co.nz
************************************************

Stevie_Babe

#16
Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a little while (for any amount of time, only little looks) Billy you mention about a contract, did you go to a solicitors to do this?

I suppose that several clients have asked about deposits, I've said that they can pay me on the day. Mmmm maybe I should be doing the deposit thing now.

Do you also take a deposit for a charity function as well?

Pam Pearce

#17
I always ask for a deposit on all private bookings - Agents dont pay deposits, and with corporates it depends on what and when - it stops them finding someone else cheaper - and makes the booking legally binding as a token has been exchanged

Pam

Stevie_Babe

#18
Thanks Pam. I didn't see it that way. But I can see the value of asking for a deposit.

Stevie Babe

YvonneH

#19
Personally I have stopped taking deposits (too much hassle banking cheques) but will always insist on a booking form being completed and signed by the client before I will commit to anything.

My booking form is really set up for face painting but can (and will shortly) be tweaked for twisting.  It has in there about cancellation fees, all the booking details (inc billing address, clients phone numbers and number of kids expected), about breaks and various other things.  I am happy to email a copy to anyone who wants a look but like I say it is a face painting agreement rather than a twisting one.

However, in this time of the credit crunch I have started asking smaller companies for payment in advance or on the day in cash.  I will take cheques off agents or larger organisations (but always provide them with my BACS details) however, I now WILL NOT take personal cheques.

Scary thing is I have just heard on a different forum that Bennigans in the USA has just gone under leaving some entertainers thousands out of pocket and of a theatre company over Kent way (I think) that has also gone belly up so even more reason to insist on cash on the day with all businesses cos I don't want to end up right at the end of a huge list of creditors  :)
Yx
<a href=\"mailto:yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk\">yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk</a>
http://www.loonyballoony.co.uk

Stevie_Babe

#20
Yvonne, you insist on having a booking form being filled out. A lot of my work seems to be last minute bookings, so unfortunately I can't do that  :(

I'm not getting the work at the moment for some reason, it is so demoralising  :x

Yvonne, I wouldn't mind having a look at your form, please.

Thanks
Steve

YvonneH

#21
Yes I do!!!  But I send them via email and will accept them back via email too, however, it must be a scanned copy and not a typed one as I am a little suspicious in this respect.  

I will fill in as much info as possible from our telephone conversation but always send a covering letter that makes it very clear that they must check and (if applicable) correct the details in the form and return it within x days.  If I have enough time I let them have 10 days if not I usually have a cut off of about 5pm on the Friday.

Half of the reason I do this is because I am a worrier and if I didn't have the info in writing in front of me I would panic that I had written it down wrong or I was going to the wrong place.  The other reason is I know of other entertainers that have turned up at a job only to find another painter there and to be told that they were not booked (when they know they were) and have been refused even petrol money.  At least if I have something in writing I can turn round and say well I have a signed contract here and you need to pay me whether you use my services or not  ;)

I shall email you a copy of my contract and if you are planning on emailing it to clients I would advise either password protecting the document or downloading a free pdf creator so that client's cannot change any terms that they don't like  :o
Yx
<a href=\"mailto:yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk\">yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk</a>
http://www.loonyballoony.co.uk

YvonneH

#22
Oh sorry Steve I didn't realise I don't have your email address  :roll:
Yx
<a href=\"mailto:yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk\">yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk</a>
http://www.loonyballoony.co.uk