Thread: Don't Tell Me I Got Lowballed AGAIN...

It's enough to make you wish mad cow disease on anybody who eats a compensatory gift of shawarma...

I got a last-minute cancellation from a client for a gig coming up on Saturday. The e-mail was very cryptic: "We will no longer need to utilize your services due to overspending."

I don't know if they simply maxxed out their budget, or if they felt like they were overspending on me, per se, but I do know that this client had talked to a couple of other dancers and hesitated over 1. my prices and 2. the fact that my shows are 25 minutes long, not an hour. I am sure she went for one of the cheaper dancers. Probably the one who does a dance, a lesson, and a henna lesson for 2 hours, for half of what I charge ("But that's not all! Act now and get a free ShamWow!")

I'm just feeling really, really slighted right now. I dropped at least $75 on this gig, between special ordering a CD for the sword piece I want to do, and getting a bit of new makeup to match my costume. Plus, the time I spent worrying about looking "classic" enough for this lady, since she groused so much about Lycra costumes. People don't realize it costs us money when they cancel our shows

Why the f*ck does the BD world sometimes feel like it's all one big giant game of Pretty Pretty Princess? Why does my bottom line have to suffer because some dancers didn't play enough dress-up as a kid?

Sorry....I really just had to let this out.

Don't let it bother you. People cancel all the time, sometimes because they did change their mind / over spent and other times they hired someone else.

I couple of months ago a lady hired me to do a show with instruction, 2 weeks ahead then a few days before left a message saying they no longer need my services. That was it. I'm sure they found someone else for cheaper. What can I do? I didn't offer a discount, (I never do) but I didn't even think that maybe I should have. I have my price fixed, if they don't like it.... I could still think that It's better to make some money than nothing, but that's the mentality that will get you on the road of undercutting/ accidentally charging too little, so I don't even think like that.

Another customer hired me for a show at a restaurant that had no belly dancer, just opened. I charged my party rate. Then a few days before they emailed that the owner of the restaurant already arranged for belly dancers. Of course why would they pay me if they can have it for free?
What can I do? Get annoyed for a minute and move on.

So don't let it ruin your day.

Get a deposit.

Ditto - if you had a non-refundable deposit, they'd be LOOSING money by getting a new dancer. So they wouldn't, no matter how cheap she was.

This was the ONE time I didn't ask for a deposit and I'm kicking myself in the butt for it.

I've been so busy doing other stuff in preparation for my new website, I didn't get around to drafting up my contract. So I decided to waive the whole deposit/contract thing "just this once," until I got my ducks in a row ,r:; .

I wish I could just e-mail her, "You're still picking up the tab for my pre-gig MAC Attack, right?"

I'm trying not to get too annoyed, because I'm excited in the long run that I'm finally getting the website of my dreams. I've decided that having the slickest promo materials money can buy will be my biggest asset in the War on Shawarma Sluts.

LOL...Shawarma Sluts.

Humus Ho

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaa!!!!

Well, at least I can always count on Bhuz to help me put my frustration into words

How 'bout Falafel Floozy?

Whoa. I just noticed an extra star. When did I become a MEGA Bhuzzer?

about 75 posts ago, I think!

Contract contract contract!!! It doesn't take that much time to draft one if you have a template. Then just drop it in the mail and have them return it with the deposit. Or (when your website's done) put the pdf online and have them fill it out and send it in.

Sorry this happened. These sorts of occurences are far too common in our business. ,f::

Aazura, you can mark my words. This is the LAST TIME I GIG WITHOUT A CONTRACT AND A DEPOSIT!!!! .p::

Unfortunately, this lesson is always learned the inconvenient way.

I do sympathize - I've been canceled on before and it really, really sucks when you budget for that money coming in.

However, I don't think you can blame the client or undercutters because you spent money and time prepping for the gig without a deposit to compensate you in case of cancellation. Would a caterer order 20 pounds of basil, or a florist buy out of season tulips, without a deposit from the customer? I doubt it.

I stopped doing refundable deposits (up to a week before the event) because of this type of situation. My deposits are now completely non-refundable unless I have to cancel the gig myself. I'm very serious when I say I don't spend a minute of my time or a dollar of my money on any upcoming gig until I've got the deposit check in my hand. Until that happens, IMO the gig is nothing more than something that will hopefully transpire.

I am sorry this happened. But don't be mad at phantom undercutters! Who knows why the client canceled?

And yes...another strong vote for a contract and a deposit. Just let this be a lesson that you likely will never forget, and move on!

Again, totally stupid of me to have moved ahead with this gig without collecting a payment up front. Nobody collects deposits or contracts around here, so this is all a very new concept for me and something I'm all working on putting into writing.

Not like I won't put the goodies I bought to good use for a deserving client. It was a Suhaila CD and some nice MAC makeup. Nothing too esoteric or too specific to one event. But like George Bush likes to say, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice....you'll never fool me again!" I'm afraid I've learned my lesson the stupid way.

As far as undercutters? It's a semi-logical assumption, seeing that she told me that she spoke with a few specific dancers who explicitly list bargain-basement rates on their websites. Not saying this is why she cancelled, but it wouldn't be the first time I got passed up for somebody much cheaper.

If you are not used to asking for a deposit, you may want to consider saying something along the lines of "Thank you for selecting me for your event, I will be holding this date for you and not accepting other bookings. I will need a 25% deposit which is non-refundable (insert whatever percentage you want)
Then resist the temptation to say more... let them speak next. It will generally be "Where would you like me to send the deposit?" And yes, make it non-refundable and DO cash the check as soon as you get it in case they cancel and are stinkers that stop payment on a check.

I must be the anti-belly dancer: no safety pins, no contracts.

Hahahaha! Don't feel bad, Azh. I hate copious amounts of fringe, loathe chiffon pouffy skirts, and refuse to enter my performance space wrapped in a veil.

I must be the anti-bellydancer, too.

I've seen SO MUCH of the undercutting stuff lately that my first gut reaction is to assume that is what happened. Also, what is Pretty Pretty Princess? I don't think I ever played that game. Although my childhood method of 'punch them in the teeth if they're jerks' would come in handy these days. Where's the bellydance mafia when you need it? I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.

I agree - contract AND deposit! If you don't want to do a contract, make sure you get a deposit, and specify non-refundable.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I've seen SO MUCH of the undercutting stuff lately that my first gut reaction is to assume that is what happened. Also, what is Pretty Pretty Princess? I don't think I ever played that game. Although my childhood method of 'punch them in the teeth if they're jerks' would come in handy these days. Where's the bellydance mafia when you need it? I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.

Pretty Pretty Princess was this stupid board game where you spin a dial and get to collect various pieces of costume jewelry. Whoever piles on the most plastic baubles, at the end, gets to wear a crown and be the Pretty Pretty Princess. Way to encourage conspicuous consumption and competition from a very young age ,r:;

I don't think my mom ever let me have that game in my household, probably for that reason! But I was much more content, at that age, to read books about alien abductions and giant squid. Cause that's just how I rolled.

Bellydance Mafia would be the BEST.

Brea, here it is - behold the creepiest, most perturbing board game cover I think I've ever seen.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Aazura, you can mark my words. This is the LAST TIME I GIG WITHOUT A CONTRACT AND A DEPOSIT!!!! .p::

Unfortunately, this lesson is always learned the inconvenient way.

Hey Satin, didn't mean to sound like I was lecturing. Of course, I've never made a foolish mistake that I later regretted. .w.:

As for asking for a contract and deposit, I'm a little confused when you say that it's not customarily done in CT. Unless things have changed drastically since I was there, it was pretty standard practice. If things have changed, I would think it wouldn't be too hard to get them back on track since it wasn't all *that* long ago when I was out there.

Again, really sorry this happened. I can tell you're upset if you're turning to GW Bush for inspiration!

Aazura, I know that you know I wasn't being snarky with ya. I think you were one of the first people who really encouraged me to start using contracts, so I really do wish I listened to you the first time around! Hee hee.

Things have changed out here a lot. None of my teachers or my friends in Southern CT use any type of contract, but in the Hartford area, things could be a little different. I don't really know the North of Middletown crew very well.

George Bush comforts me on many levels. If I mess up a project at work, I can say, "At least I only messed up one small project. Bush screwed up an entire world order!" ..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

George Bush comforts me on many levels. If I mess up a project at work, I can say, "At least I only messed up one small project. Bush screwed up an entire world order!" ..l;,..l;,

..l;,..l;, I think I need to take that attitude! Oh, wait, I've never messed up, right?

Satin, I do wish you'd stop blaming mythical free dancers in hip scarves when things go wrong. Where in the email did that woman say she'd replaced you? She said she'd overspent. The chances are very high there is no belly dancer at that party now, because the first thing you cut is the stuff you don't need, and people do not *need* belly dancers as much as they need venue, drink, food, music.

It's a shame, and it sucks, and you should get a deposit next time, but the world is not full of undercutting belly dancers in costumes that you hate. Moreover, in a free market world, which you occupy, clients have a right to employ anyone they want. And they get what they pay for, but if they are entertained and happy then they got the right person.

There's a recession. There are about 100,000 vehicle related jobs going in your country in the next 12 months alone. You've got to be realistic - belly dancers are not a priority.

that really sucks...i have had stuff happen like that in the past too...my prices are on the higher end and they usually go for someone less expensive....I always use a contract and have a non refundable $50 deposit. I did a gig Friday night and I didn't get the deposit..luckily they didn't cancel on me...or I would have been kicking myself....
it always happens when you least expect it ..or ...maybe its the opposite..when the client is more trouble then its worth...then you DEFINITELY get one!!

Zumarrad, I don't want to argue with you, though it seems like you want a reaction from me. This was just a quick, stupid rant. I learned my lesson and I completely forgot that this even happened.

Please try not to lose any more sleep over the rantings of strangers.

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

it always happens when you least expect it ..or ...maybe its the opposite..when the client is more trouble then its worth...then you DEFINITELY get one!!

Exactly. There should be an extra scary, menacing contract specifically for those "red flag" clients!

I don't want a reaction, I just don't understand where you got "I booked a free nippletassler instead" out of the woman's email.