Thread: The summer of cancellations

I've been booked for several parties this summer, but well over half of them have ended up canceling on me for one reason or another. It is starting to get frustrating and really annoying.

What is with this summer?

Bad economy=tight wallets.

ok..wow
here, it is just the oppisite
we are booked because no one is leaving town!

Yep, bad economy. Money is tight everywhere, and high fuel costs are resulting in high prices everywhere.

Are you taking non-refundable deposits? That will usually stop people from cancelling. My deposits are refundable until a week before the event, but even that seems to be enough to keep people from cancelling - I've only had one cancellation ever (knock on wood!) and that was because they had called off the marriage.

What I have experienced a lot of this summer is calls and conversations that go no where. I have back and forths with potential clients to the point where they are giving me specifics about the event, or where I send out a contract for them to sign, only to have them change their mind in the end. That has never happened to me in the magnitude it is happening now. I can only guess that it is because, in theory a bellydancer sounds like a fun addition to a party, but when it comes down to do the party budget, they realize they can't afford it. It's getting so annoying.

Feelin' your pain, Shems. It's definitely the Summer of Conversations Going Nowhere here, too. I now enter nearly every booking conversation with next to zero expectations that it will lead to a "sure thing." I hate to have such a pessimistic attitude, but when the economy's in the crapper and there are half a dozen others who would jump at the chance to do it cheaper, it's very hard to have faith that the consumer will opt for quality over the best bargain.

Between PBD attacks, wishy-washy clients and undercutting issues, I'm feeling rather disenchanted with the situation at large....I'm finding it much more productive and enjoyable to channel all of my energies toward practicing at home, attending workshops, working on costumes, and modeling. If I get gigs, great. If not, I'll still have fun and I'll become a much better dancer in the process. It's a win-win.

I'm sorry you're dealing with cancellations Shems! I second taking deposits... it helps a lot.

For me it's just been the summer of the nowhere phone calls... no fun.

Shems, anyone who would cancel on you would have to be crazy! But the economy is hitting people hard right now...

SHems,
I've been noticing that its been pretty dry here lately as well. I have gotten lots of calls that lead no where! Hopefully things turn up soon!
xoxo,
-NJ

It might be worth changing the working on your promotional materials (or make some new ones) suggesting that people think about "Vacations in their own back yards/homes" promoting the idea that people coming together, sharing food and decorating costs, and getting a bellydancer can create a wonderful one-night unforgettable one-night affordable exotic vacation at a time when people who want to travel and see new things, can't.

Market youself as cheaper than a trip abroad!

Originally Posted by zamora

ok..wow
here, it is just the oppisite
we are booked because no one is leaving town!

Same here! I've actually been super busy this summer and I think its because
less people are traveling.

Haven't been having cancellation problems (knocking on wood...), but I *have* noticed a lot of relatively short-notice bookings. That's just been a little bit of a bummer b/c it's meant I've had to give away some gigs I otherwise would have worked around/been able to schedule. But...some of my dancer friends have benefited from that, and hopefully they'll remember me next time they have a little overflow.... ;-)

I have noticed that everyone's short on cash this summer. Lots of people are worried about that.

Yeah. 3 of us here got inquiries from the same woman. We all quoted the same price (yay, us!) and she emailed back and forth with one of us for a while, then just never responded again. Not even a "no thanks, found cheap dancer X with 2 months of experience to do it for us for $10" ... On the upside, my restaurant night was great yesterday but only because one group really showed a lot of love. I was talking to a friend who is in the restaurant all the time, and he agrees that it is really hard on people right now, in terms of hiring entertainment and tipping and so forth. Can't afford to be generous with such high gas prices and grocery prices and all.