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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
I read Magicians state their fee and that it should include a meal. Why do they do that? Why not ask for more money and eat somewhere else?
I would think you'd want to perform and go home. |
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
It's never something I've asked for when I look for a new gig. When it is a private gig, like a wedding reception or cocktail party, I don't like to eat. At the most, I will drink water or iced tea. At most places I've worked, if I occasionally come in for dinner with friends or take something home after my shift, they have comped my check as long as I don't ask for it every week.
Currently, I perform at 2 regular restaurants. One pays me quite a bit less, but includes dinner which I usually have at the bar at the end of the night and it's mostly just the owner and family around. The food is absolutely incredible and it's usually the best meal of my week, steak, lobster etc. The other is a 5 star resort and while it pays quite a bit more, it is at an odd time and I want to just get out of there and home. I don't see anything wrong with it, especially if it is towards the end of the night. |
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Like Pepka when I do regular shows, corporate or partys, it is very often I am offered food and drink before or after the show. I always respectfully decline. And thank them for their generosity.
Restaurants are a different venue all together. I have never made a free meal as part of my rate. I find that to be very unprofessional. However it is very often the owner or manager of the restaurant will ask me to sit down with him for a bite to eat and or a couple of drinks if there is a bar in the restaurant. In these instances I almost always comply. Reason 1, I’m watching people eat all shift, I get a bit hungry myself. Reason 2, a restaurant is a repeat gig, and they best way to keep that gig is to build a lasting relationship with that customer. Sitting down for a free meal is a great way to build on that relationship. I took Christopher Lyle’s advice on honing in on franchise and privately owned establishments. A lot of times these owners treat their employee’s like family. I want them to think of me the same way. They are more likely to keep you, and refer you other business. All in all Don’t demand free meals. You will get them as compliments from the house.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
The are just offered to me. Andy's comment about building the relationship over a meal with the manager/owner/staff is on point. To that end, I do sometimes stay and eat after a shift. I do not include it as part of my compensation.
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Andy you are right.
Simply put it is about relationships. When "invited" for a meal as opposed to "demanding" it in your fee you have taken the relationship to a whole different level. That is the way to do it. Keeping restaurant jobs in non corporate environments is all about relationships. I have screamed this for decades. I think the OP is asking about those who make it part of the fee. Again to reinforce what Andy said, the difference is he has done his job so well the owner is effectively asking to bond with him. Others demand it as part of a fee.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
I'll echo most of the thoughts here. I would never include a meal as part of my fee or contract. Seems quite unprofessional. Often I am asked if I'd like to get a meal when my shift is over. Other times I'll have some friends meet me at the restaurant towards the end of my shift, and sit down with them when I'm finished. The owner is thrilled that more people are in to see me, and he'll almost always comp my meal.
But I decline a meal at private events except under specific circumstances, and when I do take one, usually I do so with the rest of the entertainers or staff in a back room if I'm at a big corporate party of sorts. |
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-11 10:00, Dannydoyle wrote: Danny, I was just inquiring about making the meal as part of the fee ( I'm not saying anyone is wrong, I just don't get that ). Being invited to dine by management/The Owner is the seal of approval on how you built that relationship. |
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Interesting...
I'm glad I'm not the only one who refuses (politely) food and drink at gigs. Water, yes... soda, perhaps. Just always seemed... impolite to partake as a guest if you're the entertainment. There have been those exceptions where a patron offered to buy me a drink and would have been offended had I refused, but they're far and few between. Food (literally) for thought.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I was booked by a friend who negotiated the deal. He arranged the price plus a meal. As a diabetic, it was welcome along with some water during the show. I find no shame there.
Years ago I worked with George Schindler in the Poconos, and that deal also included free food (restricted menu)).
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
When working bars, it is very often a patron ask to buy me a drink or a shot. In that case I always accept. They are paying, which means the house is generating more income. The down side to this, and it only happened once, Patrons of the bar had bought me so many drinks, and the alcohol crept up on me and next thing you know I was drunk. I was not performing as well as I should have, and I had to have someone pick me up so I could get home safely. The bar didn’t seem to mind, and they have re booked me over and over again.
But here a tip my father gave me. When you arrive, you ask the bartender to fill an empty bottle of Vodka with some water. Or an empty bottle of Whiskey with apple juice. Any time someone offers to buy you a drink or a shot, the bartender pours you a shot of water or juice. This way you don’t get drunk, and you don’t have to seem rude by refusing a drink. My parents did this on their wedding night because they didn’t want to be all hammered and forget half the night. We are magicians, and deception is what we get paid to do.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
Andy, I don't think it's a good idea to have patrons buy an alcohol beverage and have the bartender pour from a liquor bottle filled with water/juice. Alcohol beverages cost more than just a glass of juice. Deception is in the the magic performed, not hoodwinking patrons. Maybe just ask them to make it a virgin version of the drink.
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
There were times it is part of the fee. And times when I never went after a meal as part of the fee. And there is a lot more info that I could give about this however I am not going to tip it.
I don't drink. But back when I did I never drank when working.
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
First, I never eat at the venue on my "night" b/c I want there to be a separation between me (the person) and me (the entertainer). If I'm there trying to eat dinner, I want to be left alone or if I'm there with my family, I want that to be "family" time.
If I'm eating either before my shift begins, or after my shift, then I will always have people coming up to me asking me "when I'm done to come to their table." I can't relax and I can't enjoy my meal or unwind. This is my personal preference but your mileage may vary... As for asking for a free meal, I never do...they just always give it to me. I haven't paid for a meal at one of my restaurants EVER! I don't take advantage of that either. I will usually dine at one of my restaurants once a month and my full meal is always free. But I have never asked... My 2 cents...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Countage Veteran user Charlotte 361 Posts |
Bill Malone mentions something about this in his On the Loose DVDs. He claims that breaking bread with your clients can be a good opportunity for relationship building and generating more business. I think adding this to your fee for a restaurant gig should be a case by case basis. There is no right or wrong.
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-11 18:01, Zombie Magic wrote: I don't consider it hoodwinking, that's not my intention at all, As far as what the bar charges for my "drink" is their call. I'm not there to manage it. But I always felt it was rude and disrespectful to turn down gifts. A good example is right after I started seeing my current girlfriend her parents found out I did magic and for Christmas they bought me a criss angel magic set. Though I have no need or want for a kids magic set, I did not say "thanks but no thanks, can you return this and get me a gift card to the local magic shop instead" I gladly accepted the magic kit and it still sits in my closet.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-11 23:01, Countage wrote: I agree with this. If I'm invited by my client to dine with them then that's a different story.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-11 23:01, AndyLuka wrote: hood·wink transitive verb 3 : to deceive by false appearance : dupe If I paid for a shot of Jack (or whatever) for someone and found out that he and the bartender had conspired to serve him apple juice, I'd feel hoodwinked, intentions notwithstanding. Perhaps that's Zombie's point as well. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wow Andy, I know what you are going for but brother what you end up with is a whole lot of trouble.
The place could be shut down. You are not allowed to marry bottles (Pour vodka into a vodka bottle for example.) much less put apple juice in it and charge for Jack! You are charging the customer for one thing, and giving another. Wow. It is plain to see you have never worked on the management side of a restaurant. Any place I have ever worked would show you the door for suggesting such a thing. It is deceptive and against the law. NOBODY should try to work their way around this. It is a good idea not wanting to insult a person, but to get a place shut down or fined is also pretty bad. You can get a fine for every bottle that has the wrong liquid in it! They are quite serious about things like this. Andy it is a good idea on the surface but you put the entire place at risk and if it came out the publicity would be horrible. The SECOND you charge them for one thing and what is received is another you are asking for a whole lot of trouble. No way around it. It is simply not the best idea on the books. I understand your intentions and they are good. But the law does not consider intentions.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
WOW,
Thanks Danny. I was unaware of a few of the items you mentioned. Shots for everyone except for naughty boy Andy Luka. I think it's tacky to demand a free meal, sounds too needy. If you are hungry after your gig, come over to my house, I'll make you a sam-ich. |
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magicbart New user Chambly, Québec, Canada 85 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-09 00:32, Zombie Magic wrote: It is my understanding, in my region, that restaurant have small overall margin and if they have the choice to pay 100$ cash or a 100$ meal, they will go with the meal. So it is common to see a magician that will not charge the full price but charge less with a meal included. So it will give them a better chance to get the contract and still have the perception that they have charge the full price. BTW I do not request a meal in my restaurant show. In a few occassion, they will give me a free meal for two because they are happy with my work and they want to be sure that I will continue with them. See ya
What your brain can imagine, you can create it. Dont wait, just do it.
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