Thread: One last (yea right!) vent undercutting...

I know such a tired subject. Here in Buffalo there is a dancer, she cliams to be a big deal, yadda yadda yadda.... Why would she possibly put on her website "family friendly affordable" at $50 per set? What the heck? Are these people so desporate as to do this? Or do they just not feel good enough to make the going price? (if so why dance?). No saying she would not know the prices, she claims to be a pro.

Last thoughts:

If dancers don't feel they are good enough to get the prices then go practice and learn more and when you are ready charge the going rate! If you feel you are, good enough, then don't under cut, simple right?

If you are considering yourself a "pro" then invest in pro costumes and give clients what they deserve for the money (charging the going rate helps in this area because you can maybe afford a decent costume if you make more money) putting on a cheap bra and a hip scarf and going out to do gigs is just so wrong on so many levels (not a costume snob at all just thinking that it goes with the job right?)

OK DONE! had to vent because I had to vent!

And how about adding: don't steal copy from other dancers. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

No, we've got a small handful of those "special" folks. Hip scarf and butterfly tops, bargain basement rates....and of course, everybody in the grand ya ya sisterhood must think I'm acting like a mean witchy woman for challenging their right to pro work. I'm sick of it.

I guess if your entire costume collection is barely worth the bra cup of a Neckelmann's, and I guess if you don't inconvenience yourself with taking lessons....maaaaaaybe $50 a show isn't unreasonable. Maybe? I'd love to hear their justification. If, that is, they even have one.

Have you ever seen any of the South Park episodes pertaining to illegal immigration? Well, lately I feel like I'm one of the rallying the blue collar workers chanting, "DEY TOOK URR JOBSSSSSS!!!!!"

THANK YOU!!!! SO sick of having to be a "sister" to these people! And yes I am sure I am the town witch! Don't care, this is just wrong! $50 should not get any self repecting belly dancer off the sofa!

Well I take it that she feels she is helping people out with being "affordable". Heck I can't afford a sports car so I don't get one! If you can't afford a belly dancer for the party then don't get one.

I guess there is a difference between fast food and a really good meal and people can choose either. BUT people often don't know the difference when hiring. So she is rock botem price and they pick her. (would not want to work for them most likely anyway) BUT she goes out and shows belly dance to people who have never seen it? That part is sad.

So I will go on charging the going rate and telling folks who call and tell me about these wonderful prices she has that "most times you do get what you pay for, good luck with your party!"

Thank you about not stealing, does anyone have an origianl idea any more?

Originally Posted by faaria

THANK YOU!!!! SO sick of having to be a "sister" to these people! And yes I am sure I am the town witch! Don't care, this is just wrong! $50 should not get any self repecting belly dancer off the sofa!

Well I take it that she feels she is helping people out with being "affordable". Heck I can't afford a sports car so I don't get one! If you can't afford a belly dancer for the party then don't get one.

Have you actually confronted her about her rates? She sounds like she is at that sophomoric level where she has a certain amount of knowledge so she feels confident. Yet she doesn't know enough to realize how little she actually knows.

From what I hear that's the going rate in the new town I just moved to. Hence me sitting on the couch surfing bhuz.

*sneaking in*
just out of curiosity, have u seen her in action? does she dance at a local restaurant or something?

Originally Posted by midnight_star56

From what I hear that's the going rate in the new town I just moved to. Hence me sitting on the couch surfing bhuz.

you're in ft.myers right? (saw from ur website) i'm in orlando and idk bout in ft. myers but $50 is not even the minimum here. u sure u heard right? granted, ft. myers is bout 3 h. away but i highly doubt that's the going rate...
i *think* the very min. for a restaurant set here is $75 and the very min. for private parties is $125/$150 (don't remember which one). at least i'm pretty sure that's what it is..sounds about right..

here's samira's website which has some great info about rates all over the world.
belly dance rates

but i do agree that stating that on ur website, not a good move. esp. considering that probably isn't even the min. for any venue for entertainment (like at restaurants).

Originally Posted by faaria

THANK YOU!!!! SO sick of having to be a "sister" to these people! And yes I am sure I am the town witch! Don't care, this is just wrong! $50 should not get any self repecting belly dancer off the sofa!

There's that sisterhood debate again. "You should always be nice to all of your womynly sisters in this great dance! Even the ones who undercut!"

Well I take it that she feels she is helping people out with being "affordable".

Helping how? By putting Aunt Edna out of her misery with a Raqs-Beaver-induced heart attack? I've always classified belly dancers with champagne or a cocktail dress. They're not everyday items, so you wouldn't expect to pay Wal-Mart prices on something for a special occasion. Why would you want to price yourself less than the balloons tied to the mailbox?

So I will go on charging the going rate and telling folks who call and tell me about these wonderful prices she has that "most times you do get what you pay for, good luck with your party!"

Yup. I get to hear about the dancer who offers a one-hour show/lesson plus a henna artist for half of what I charge for a party. Great, enjoy the show. Hopefully she throws in a Snuggie or a ShamWow?

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

I've always classified belly dancers with champagne or a cocktail dress. They're not everyday items, so you wouldn't expect to pay Wal-Mart prices on something for a special occasion. Why would you want to price yourself less than the balloons tied to the mailbox?

Yup. I get to hear about the dancer who offers a one-hour show/lesson plus a henna artist for half of what I charge for a party. Great, enjoy the show. Hopefully she throws in a Snuggie or a ShamWow?

haha love this.

ShamWow!!!!..l;,..l;,..l;, You are to funny! (We think alike maybe we are really "sisters"!) Maybe the snuggie would be a really good prop! After dancing with it you could give it as a gift to the guest of honor (after all I do live in Buffalo Ny and it is pretty cold here in winter!..g.:) Oh wait at $50 per set you CAN'T AFFORD a snuggie or a ShamWow for yourself much less to give away!

OK snark alert!!! having a really bad week, sorry.

No have not confronted her as I have no contact and frankly do not want any. Many people in my area lurk on bhuz and never join in so I would think this is may give a heads up to the area. (Waves to all the dancers here!!! Speak up, join in!)

Yes I've seen her in action....Not giving opinions on dance here at all, just rates.

Of course here many dancers go all over town dancing for free so I guess she is one step up from that.

Just curious - have you ever emailed or told the offending party your exact rant? I hear this complaint from people in my town too about a person who pulls similar nonsense... however, none of them have ever even told her that what she's doing is wrong. So, it perpetuates.

No, I have not. I don't feel like I should appoint myself the Belly Dance police officer of the area. Just venting here because I need to. Hopefully others from the area will read the posts here about this and other subjects and it's affects on everyone.....

Originally Posted by faaria

ShamWow!!!!..l;,..l;,..l;, You are to funny! (We think alike maybe we are really "sisters"!) Maybe the snuggie would be a really good prop! After dancing with it you could give it as a gift to the guest of honor (after all I do live in Buffalo Ny and it is pretty cold here in winter!..g.:) Oh wait at $50 per set you CAN'T AFFORD a snuggie or a ShamWow for yourself much less to give away!

OK snark alert!!! having a really bad week, sorry.

Oh jeez....I could only imagine the possibilities for bad fusion when you throw a flammable mass-produced blanket with sleeves into the mix. Hey, maybe for BIG events, you can throw in one of those Amish space heaters, too! It gets cold in Connecticut, so I'll be sure to remember this for the winter season next year

Yes, it's kind of hard to buy prizes for your clients when you get paid in foodstuffs. Maybe you can re-gift your kefta kebabs for party clients. "Book now, before the shawarma goes bad! Last one to book is a rotten falafel!"

Bwaaaahahahahaha I'm feeling mean lately, too. I need to shut up and be nice.

Question:

I'm returning to the performance scene after...oh, about 10 years of being out of it...I'm no longer performing with my instructor/partner, because we fell out of contact when I moved here and she moved out of country, I'm in a different city...so trying to get new footing so to speak. I recently volunteered to dance at a local event that is a fundraiser...since I felt it was a cause I believed in and I felt guilty not having the money to donate to the cause I opted to donate a 20-25 minute set for entertainment at the event. I felt like I was doing the right thing for the cause, but now wonder if I made a faux pas by undercutting (although, to be honest, the event is in a county where the only performing belly dancer I know of is clearly a newbie who puts out interesting little flyers advertising her services in the bathrooms at the college I work for...I am almost certain she's taking lessons at a local adult school and thinks she's pro after a few sessions)...anywho...I hope I haven't screwed up, but I thought it might be a good thing to do for the cause (naturally, I charge for all other events...heck, I'm charging the Girl Scouts for a demo I'm doing tomorrow).

Sorry to hijack, just wondering...do not want to incur wrath, especially when most dancers I have encountered in the city have been so nice.

Originally Posted by bellydancebyleyla

Question:
I'm returning to the performance scene after...oh, about 10 years of being out of it...I'm no longer performing with my instructor/partner, because we fell out of contact when I moved here and she moved out of country, I'm in a different city...so trying to get new footing so to speak. I recently volunteered to dance at a local event that is a fundraiser...since I felt it was a cause I believed in and I felt guilty not having the money to donate to the cause I opted to donate a 20-25 minute set for entertainment at the event. I felt like I was doing the right thing for the cause, but now wonder if I made a faux pas by undercutting

I think you're fine with this. Many people donate all sorts of services to charity functions. As long as the event isn't generating profit for the organizer you're in the clear. I have many friends with various skills and talents who donate their time (or services) to fundraising charities they believe in.

I feel the same way. Donating to something you belive in is different. There are dancers who will do any charity who calls them for nothing, this is not right. They do pay for the band/DJ, the hall, for food, why not you? (you should be considered one of the expenses of the event, one that will generate more people coming and there for making the event more $ for the charity)
I have done it for charity, one or two not a whole slew! Many people as stated give their treasure, time, or talent to a cause they believe in.
I was talking more about private parties for retirement, birthdays, that sort of thing.
I have no problem explaining to a charity that I make a living dancing and although I believe in their cause can not do it for nothing or a reduced rate. I then say that I would be happy to do another one for them if their budget allows. Most people understand this. (then go and "hire" someone who will dance for free just to dance I am sure)

Gotcha! :) Yeah, just doing the one....gotta justify to my husband at some point all the $$$ I spend on costuming, swords, music, etc....right?