Thread: You have GOT to be kidding me!!!

I don't always post these because, let's face it, this happens ALL the time. But this one struck me as *extra* ridiculous! A "very good" "experienced" belly dancer for two 30 minute shows for $100. Oh, and on one day's notice. What a douche! ,m::

Belly Dancer Needed - Friday, 2/26

Not only that, but you have to come in sometime earlier and "have a chat"? So it's 2 shows PLUS an interview during the day- for $100? No thanks.

If I was in the area, I would probably shoot an email, just letting her know what the going rate is, plus the last-minute upcharge, plus the fact that I only interview for high-end weddings and corporate events, not private parties. Just so she has sone realism. Only if I had the time, though.

Ack!! My brain hurts!

Last time I did a show that required 2 sets and a meeting, I got paid $450. And that was for a weekday gig planned 6 months in advance, and for 2 10-minute sets that were spaced only 10 minutes apart.

This Craigslist gem has all the PITA factors written all over it. Last-minute, on a weekend (you could have other gigs booked), two long-ish sets, significant wait time between sets, plus an interview.

No joke - I would quote at LEAST $600 for this type of gig

Like Amara, I'd drop her a quick and tactful e-mail to ever-so-sweetly let her know just why her idea of "quality entertainment" just isn't feasible. Unfortunately, I have complete faith that this lady will find exactly what she's looking for. For some dancers, desperate economic times call for desperate business practices ,f::

Originally Posted by aazura

I don't always post these because, let's face it, this happens ALL the time. But this one struck me as *extra* ridiculous! ,m::

Belly Dancer Needed - Friday, 2/26

Gack. Yep, *extra-premium-ridiculous*.
People watch too much TV..............they have no idea what the value of live entertainment is..............AND they're a douche, agreed.

I wonder how they came up with that amount? Maybe they had someone willing to do it for that then came to her sense and backed out or they have absolutely no clue of how much it actually costs.

Originally Posted by aazura

I don't always post these because, let's face it, this happens ALL the time. But this one struck me as *extra* ridiculous! A "very good" "experienced" belly dancer for two 30 minute shows for $100. Oh, and on one day's notice. What a douche! ,m::

Belly Dancer Needed - Friday, 2/26

This just makes me ..l;,

"I am sure you understand."

Yes, we understand about cheap hosts all too well (um, especially in San Francisco). Clueless. Two last minute prime-time 30 minute sets *and* "come in for a chat" during the day, all for a hundred bucks?!

Would I sound too cynical if I told you that I wouldn't be surprised if they found someone?

Wow...that is just...wow. They probably will get someone, but they'll also likely get what they paid for!

maybe if someone contacted them and educated them as to how much it really costs, they may have paid the correct amount. you never know.

what if all the local dancers replied to the request with an appropriate quote amount? that might be a good way to let the poster know she is way under the local rates.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

what if all the local dancers replied to the request with an appropriate quote amount? that might be a good way to let the poster know she is way under the local rates.

I've done this on every Gigmasters gig request to which I've responded. Most of the posts do not indicate an amount to be paid, but even if there is an amount indicated, I word my response something like this (after indicating my fee): "You'll find that experienced, high-quality professional entertainers will quote an amount similar to $$."

At least this gives an idea of what to expect to pay for a quality dancer. Never did get any type of gig from GM, though.

Deborah

Originally Posted by Monica

"I am sure you understand."

Would I sound too cynical if I told you that I wouldn't be surprised if they found someone?

*someone*... yes, maybe. But "quality entertainment"...

I'm as broke as anyone right now, but I'm not getting off my can, crossing the bridge, dealing with parking and PITA hosts (etc etc etc) for that pay!!!!

when are these women gonna start valueing their time more? I'm such an old snob now I won't dress up and bellydance unless it pays good. And with what I'm banking as a go go dancer right now, bellydance can't match it

I don't really pay any attention to Craigslist ads for belly dancers. Craigslist is where you go when you're NOT willing to pay and don't mind taking a risk on the outcome. I mean, look at the ads for models, photographers, web designers...

But these ones, where the poster expects people to jump through hoops for peanuts, are super annoying!

i would probably reply to it, with the NORMAL price, and talk them down to ONE set (and give them a price for that) and send them to my website/youtube/for references, and one might get a gig out of it AT the going rate

sometimes people just dont know

Originally Posted by bellyfina

I don't really pay any attention to Craigslist ads for belly dancers. Craigslist is where you go when you're NOT willing to pay and don't mind taking a risk on the outcome. I mean, look at the ads for models, photographers, web designers...

But these ones, where the poster expects people to jump through hoops for peanuts, are super annoying!

My husband has gotten some good gigs off of Craigslist (he's a musician, and his trombone quartet has gotten a couple of weddings). But, his going rate is less than mine ..g.:, and he's not gotten that many. I've never gotten a gig off of Craigslist, and I've tried advertising classes there and have never gotten a student from it.

Originally Posted by amarasdance

My husband has gotten some good gigs off of Craigslist (he's a musician, and his trombone quartet has gotten a couple of weddings). But, his going rate is less than mine ..g.:, and he's not gotten that many. I've never gotten a gig off of Craigslist, and I've tried advertising classes there and have never gotten a student from it.

Hey my husband plays trombone too! I believe it's an equal practice payoff- trombone for Arabic music. Hehe.

And yes, I'm sure they found someone. There's lots of dancers that I know who would consider this gig. ..cr.:

They will always find "someone" ....

Do you think there is any chance at all they are hoping someone will respond with a counter offer, knowing it will be much higher, but hoping it is within some lower-than-the-going-rate range? Or is that giving them an unreasonable benefit of the doubt?

Originally Posted by laura 2

Wow...that is just...wow. They probably will get someone, but they'll also likely get what they paid for!

This

I'm getting the creeps reading that want ad. I wouldn't be so sure it was asking for a show the way we define show. 'private' 'must be really good' 'come by and have a chat' = this spells creep to me

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

i would probably reply to it, with the NORMAL price, and talk them down to ONE set (and give them a price for that) and send them to my website/youtube/for references, and one might get a gig out of it AT the going rate

sometimes people just dont know

This would be my approach too. Quote them a rate, suggest getting it closer to their price range by only doing one set, and assume they just don't know any better. I probably don't know how much it should cost to hire a whatever-they-do either.

If no one takes the job for the $100, you could get it. It can be done without alienating the potential customer. In my neck of the woods, people who even think about hiring live entertainment for parties are special gems and I try to be nice to them even if they're a little uneducated when I first meet them!