Thread: I need your advice please

Hi all
I need advice please. I was meant to do a gig last night for a young promoter I found out about 10 days before that the gig had been canceled I was told this by another performer not the said promoter. When I finally got through to her she told me yes it was canceled and made some excuse about bad internet. My problem is that she booked me for this gig in January and I did her a really good deal on two acts. Over the months I had been offered gigs on that date and the day after but I turned them down. I felt that it was fair of me to ask her for my cancelation fee because she had not bothered to get in touch with me about the cancelation so not giving me the chance to get another gig booked. She agreed to do this and then this morning I got a letter from her with my travel expenses in telling me that as I new about the cancelation 48 hours before the gig she does not feel obliged to pay me my fee. Its really upset me. I phoned her up and she says she does not have the money. What should I do?
Best
Diva x

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Unfortunately without a contract it's difficult, the reality of the situation is that you're lucky to get your travel expenses.

When we book performers for corporate-level work, our contracts always state that if a cancellation occurs within 14 days, the performer receives 50% of their fee and if they cancel within 7 days, they receive 100% of the fee.

Thanks James
its made me realize I need to draw up a contract. Even if its a simple one that I make myself would that cover me?
Diva x

Unfortunately at the club level, contracts are pretty much worthless - and here's why!

In order to enforce a contract, you will been to take the matter further - and this would involve a solicitor. A solicitor would normally charge at least £75 an hour to handle your case, plus another £75 (at least) to send a legal letter to the promoter. Essentially your costs are going to be at least £200 and that's not to mention the time you're going to take to persue something like this once legal action is necessary.

If a promoter is ordered to pay your fee, it's not even definite that they would be ordered to pay any legal costs either.

One thing you could to - and again it's something we do with our corporate bookings - is to insist on 50% of the fee up front. Paypal is good for this.

sadly it's as james states BUT i'm a tad more hopeful. Equity might take on your case since 48hours isn't reasonable when travelling expenses are concerned.

Give them a call, they might not be able to do anything but might send her a letter so she doesnt do it again.

I always try to get my expenses paid for by the promoter in advance so that if they do fail to pay or cancel late i won't be out of pocket massively. Only started doing this after something like that happened to Edd so really feel for you hun

xx

Thanks again James and Amelia
I don't even think its the money to be honest it was the way she dealt with it. As I said if I had not heard form a fellow performer that the night was canceled I would have turned up there on Friday. When I sent her mails and spoke to her on the phone she was very friendly and said she completely understood and said she would sort me out. We even had the odd joke and laugh over the whole thing. Then when she sent me the travel expenses the letter was very blunt and implied like she was doing me a favor and tried to give off an air of professionalism that she had never shown before.
I think thats what hurst if she had just called me up or mailed me about it I would not have been so pissed off with her. I guess I need to harden up and I am just going to put this one down to experience as it has taught me a lot.
Diva x

Awwwwww x honey that's awful x

Yes i tink it's best to draw contracts up , we had something simular happen last night with a photographer attending the event two hours later as he had been told the information by a thrid party wrongly but was still wanting the full fee,

some shots were taken but no performance ones, A contract would have solved the problem.

I have to sign a contract for a promoter in birmingham called mz La Vey,

The stipulations in it are harsh ! No Lebain inuendos , No wang inuendos, And worst of all no fondling the door staff ! -

That's half my act ! - Cut out my heart - feed my liver to the dogs -

Hmmm I have heard things about that mz La Vey don't let her feed you any of her apples you will wake up covered in golden honey dancing for strange men in the desert or thats the rumor I heard but lets keep it between ourselves. lol
I am fine babe its a new day and I have had a great day feel better and have learnt a lesson

Diva x

Originally Posted by DivaHollywood

Hmmm I have heard things about that mz La Vey don't let her feed you any of her apples you will wake up covered in golden honey dancing for strange men in the desert or thats the rumor I heard but lets keep it between ourselves.

Ooooh dear I'm working the door that night so I better be careful!

DG x

( Breaking contract - meanders over to dg and is innapropriate )

How do you like 'dem apples !