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Rob New user 30 Posts |
Let's say you are performing magic in a restaurant and someone starts talking about how much it would be to hire you for a private function. The thing is, you just know that they couldn't afford it.
I know that sounds quite awful but sometimes, you just know from speaking to them that they wouldn't be able to afford your fee. How do you deal with that situation? I suggest that it might be a better idea to bring the party guests to the restaurant for a meal on a night I am there as my fee for one ofs is "inflated by agencies and other people taking a cut". This of course is not always true but makes them think the fee is out of my hands. |
bigchuck Veteran user Nothing clever has ever been said in my 400 Posts |
One important thing I learned in my youth while doing electronic retail sales is that you never can 'just tell' who has the money to shell out. Some of my best customers were the ones who dressed the worst, complete with the obligatory food stains down the front of their wrinkled shirt.
They were sometimes the ones who would bring out the biggest wad of cash wanting 'nothing but the best.' And if your price happens to be out of reach, at least they know it, and maybe they will surprise you.
"The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact
mathematical design, but what's missing is the eyebrows. - Frank Zappa" |
Mr Amazeo Regular user 186 Posts |
I'm not sure you should assume that they can't afford you based on some perception that you get from their appearance or whatever.
They may work for some company that can, or have some other means or expectation of how they intend to use your services. I've been approached by people that have to organize an event and my performance just gave them a great idea. All I can say is, if they know your fee, and can pay it, it doesn't really matter how they dress or appear. |
keven Regular user Apple Valley Ca 106 Posts |
Not trying to stray off course, But I was in Barber College and a man looking like a bum walked in and wanted a shave . no one would work on him . Then one lady said I will take you down here . She shaved him and he said thanks . He then gave her a 100.00$ Bill and told her thank you for finding the time to shave me .
I shaved him some months later and we were talking , He told me that he has won the lotto twice now he is worth 5 or 6 Mill. He told me he does not care how he looks . He once had no money and now he does , he said that will never change him . So what they look ,dress, or act like does not mean they don't have money . Just tell them how much you charge and see what happens . This man I talk of TIPed her $100.00 just because he wanted to show everone that he had money, and that they messed up by thinking that he was a bum off the street.
Penn & Teller "God Bless Them"
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
Many folks will inquire about my prices for the benefit of someone they know whom enjoys magic performances.
Get it? Don't make any assumptions as many have said about any inquiries and certainly do not pre-judge any people or groups based upon your inferences...or you just might be passing on an opportunity. Only my opinion of course..~rr |
japanjazzy Regular user Crestview, Florida 139 Posts |
You can also do what I do. I pass them my business card and tell them to contact me. My feelings is that I am working for the restaurant that I am in at this time and not trying to book more jobs.
Yes, I like all of you want the extra work. I just don't believe I should be doing it on my customers time. I do not discuss costs at that time since it depends on the services they want. I tell them very politely that I would love to talk to them if they could give me a call when they have time and I would be glad to answer and questions they have at that time. I am sure a lot of you will give me a hard time about this but that is just my view, plus you don't have to judge anyone that way because if they call you it is then up to you to sell yourself at your going rate. Michael |
keven Regular user Apple Valley Ca 106 Posts |
Money is Money, I like money, if they like my magic they will pay the money.
My problem is every one wants a free show. Right now I am working for trade. Radio/Newspaper/Ball Park/The City. They like me, and working in trade will put me in the place I need to be. Everywere . But don't look at someone and say they can't pay. It's like the old saying goes, "What can they say no, you'll never know if you don't ask" It never hurts to try .
Penn & Teller "God Bless Them"
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-07-20 21:53, japanjazzy wrote: Michael, This is EXCELLENT information and right on target. It's always good to cut a deal when everyone is NOT distracted. In a restaurant situation, people are distracted regularly. Food getting to the table, coffee refills, desert trays and, for the magician, making sure of getting the tables taken care of while working all kill the possibility of a good negotiation happening. There is no time in a strolling situation to sit down and do a detailed cost analysis of a potential gig. Let the customer know that you want to devote the attention to their needs that they deserve and offer a time to call THEM - get the number and move on. Then make sure that you call them when you said you would. Obvious, but essential. Great points, well said, Michael! Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
theoldfort New user 47 Posts |
I have a hotel & restaurant on a small Caribbean island.
The island I am on is a little off the beaten track and attracts an affluent clientele. In my experience here I have found that you cannot tell a persons level of affluence by dress/appearence/education/accent or any other means. When I initially arrived here I was frequently suprised that the srcuffy, down to earth chatty person I had just been talking to was a mega gazzillionaire. I used to think that you could tell who was wealthy by appeareances/manner but I do not make that mistake any more. Unless you know the for a fact that your potential customer can't afford you I wouldn't give them the brush off. You never know. Ian |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
I agree with Ian 100% as one of my pet peeves is when people assume something about others without knowing anything about them.
I guess I'm a bit irked writing this post as I have just returned from a car dealership where the saleman did the same to me. {He assumed.} I stopped in the car dealership driving an old car temp given to me by a friend while I am searching for something new. I have done all the research and had narrowed it down to 3. I wanted to take one of those vehicles for a test drive at this dealership. He made several mistakes...one I asked about what exactly was meant by their ads: regarding having 2 grand off the purchase price if you were a grad from university. He blantantly said oh but you wouldn't qualify for that, without answering my question. That had been the only question I asked at that point. (I have two degrees) His next mistake- I point to the vehicle of my choice and say I want to take it out for a test drive. He says "I don't think you'd qualify for financing" GRRRRRRRR now I'm really insulted!!! I look him straight in the eye and say.."I wasn't interested in financing I was going to pay cash." Got in my beat up car and left. Ahhh I feel much better now having let off some steam!! Thanks for letting me vent. Just don't assume anything about someone it's insulting to them. |
G. LaBarre Regular user Vancouver, B.C. Canada 121 Posts |
I knew I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. "C" must be in the witness protection program. She's paying cash for everything. Hmmm
I too have been judged wrongly by the car industry. The right salesman who was listening to what I meant and not just what I said, actually sold me the car of my dreams, at that time. Plus it was twice the cost I said I wanted to spend, but I was happy. People will always find the money, if it's something they decide they want. I have heard of a Magician who snubbed a man dressed in shorts and t-shirt while waiting to be interviewed for a cruise ship job. The man snubbed was the cruise ship recreation director and later refused to hire this Magician. Even after a highly respected Magician vouched for the first Magician, it was stated that the man will never work for this cruise line. You see, if you would treat somebody like that just because there wasn't anything in it for you at the time; then how might you treat a paying customer of the cruise because you perceived your own time to be more important. Always treat people the way you would like to be treated. I know that sounds simplistic, but it is. (Thanks Shawn, you've taught us well.)
Glen Alan - "The HOW in your Magic should be Secondary to the WOW in your Magic."
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Loved your story Glen!
I'm now a bit calmer as the last time I wrote was a mere 20 mins after the episode at the car dealership. Here's another story that recently happened to me that may make someone think twice about making judgements. I recently performed at Whistler Resort (recently chosen as the next Olympic site) I was hired by the Minister of Tourism office to perform 1/2 hr street performances. I was in the middle of my act when I noticed a scruffy looking man approaching. He wasn't dressed like anyone else in the crowd and his clothes were quite wrinkled. (Whistler is sometimes referred to as the playground of the gods.)I was doing an audience participation bit and at one point included him and made myself the brunt of the joke. The show finished and he approached me with "excuse me?" He politely introduces himself and hands me his card. "I must apologize for the way I look, but I have been travelling for some time". He goes on to tell me his Tourism office has sent him down to Whistler to check out the performers as he needs to book some for a huge event his city is hosting in 2004. "I like how you treated everyone, and would like to hire you". ( I wonder if he purposely chose the way he dressed in order to view how the performers treated the crowd) Apologies for being long winded..but to reiterate what everyone was saying...never assume. Pss Glen...it's because I misplaced my cc. |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
japanjazzy brings up an important point. You shouldn't discuss your rates, etc while you're on the clock at the restaurant, not just because it is not a conducive atmosphere, but because you are being paid to perform, not to book, and you should be moving on to other tables. I flat out say as much, "I appreciate you asking me, and I'd be happy to discuss it with you, but I'm on the clock right now being paid by the restaurant, and I don't feel it would be right to talk about a different booking on their time. Here's my card--and may I have yours?--and I'll answer all your questions on the phone.
If they have a card, take it. They may forget to call you, but you won't forget to call them. Further, because you explained why you couldn't talk to them right then, you have shown that you are a professional and you aren't going to be hustling other shows on THEIR time when THEY are paying you!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-07-21 12:12, theoldfort wrote: Great story, Ian! And I can attest to the "dressed poorly does not equal no funds/social standing." I work regularly for Sandals Resorts and was the main show for the grand opening of their Beaches resort's new section a couple of years ago on beautiful Turks & Caicos Island. While there, I went into town and was doing the tourist thing for about an hour. A man approached me as I was doing a little sponge routine for one of the local children and her family. He was dressed in wrinkled shorts and a rumpled shirt. At the end, he asked who I was. When I told him I was entertaining at the resort that evening, he smiled and said - "I'm glad my people hired someone with a good personality!" He was the owner of Sandals & Beaches Resorts. Funny thing - that night at the dinner, before doing my hypnosis show, I was asked to do some table magic for all the reps (it was their annual sales meeting as well). When I did the card to forehead to the owner, he refused to look up into my face because he had heard I was going to be doing a hypnosis show that evening and he was afraid that I would hypnotize him! It took almost 5 minutes to get him to look up and see his card - much to the delight of his sales team. Even more when I laughed and said "Don't feel bad! YOU could have to do this -" pointing to the card - "for a living!" He loved it. Gotta love urban legends! Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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