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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
If you are getting paid a good fee, don't accept tips.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
I'm with Pete on this. If you are getting a good fee for strolling, why accept tips? People that give me gigs In close up or stand up takes 15% and well...Is worth, they give me the work and handles all the business stuff so...the 15% its ok with me!
-H
Follow Me...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Hansels-Comedy-and-Magic-Show-929625643774678/ Youtube: HanselSP Twitter: @HanselSP Instagram: HanselSP |
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RJ Hunt Elite user Lakeland, FL 466 Posts |
Unless she's pulling in 5 to 10K per gig or in a week for ya...I'd tell her to take a flying you know what...20% are you kidding me!?!?!? That's what Leigh Steinberg took from me, and I was playing in the NFL...If she want's some "Tips" you can give her this one for free, "Don't smoke in bed..."
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
So we all agree that none of us agree. I thought a tip was to insure prompt service or to reward someone for going over and above the call of duty.
As for the sentiment not to accept tips on a big check, I had someone throw me three hundred because he liked my card work. I took it. On the other hand I've worked for a reduced fee and when someone offered me a dollar or two dollars I'd give it back saying I was already well-compensated. So let's break it down. At what point is a tip acceptable and at what point do you reject it?
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Hart Keene Inner circle Eugene, OR 1486 Posts |
Tips at a private strolling gig??? Hmmmmm...does this agent book many strolling acts? If she did then you would think she knows that there won't be much, if any at all at this type of gig.
In my opinion its like the guests just "know" that you are being paid by someone to be there. I get unsolicited tips at my restaurant gigs all the time, but rarely at private gigs. Might be different for some of you though...who knows. I also have people ask about tipping in the restaurants, but never at private gigs. Again, its like they just know... |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
The biggest cash tip I had that evening was AFTER I was done performing. I was sitting at the bar eating a fabulous shrimp linguine (complimentary btw) and having an interesting chat with a man who was at one time the personal airplane pilot to George Bush, Sr. This guy walked up to me, handed me a $20 bill and told me to work my "magic & mentalism powers" to get this cute blonde server working in the cigar lounge in the back to come and talk to his buddy who was single. I went back, chatted with her for a moment, told her what was happening and that I'd give her five bucks to talk to this guy, and showed her a cool trick. She played along real well.
An easy 15 bucks...
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
Hart,
BTW, this gig is a private, members-only club; basically a bar & restaurant with a cigar lounge, stage, and dance floor. It's not a typical private, strolling gig by any means. I.e. a table-hopping gig with an occasional stage show. I suppose I mislabeled the thread when I first posted it. Just an FYI...
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
Well, everyone, you'll be interested to know that things have indeed gotten even weirder.
I received a call yesterday from the agent and she absolutely exploded in a fury. The details are far too numerous and petty to even go into here. Suffice it to say that I've learned throughout my almost 43 years on the planet that when things seem strange, they most likely are--and for good reason. I've learned to trust my hunches, however I tend to have what some refer to as "rose-colored glasses." The tip issue, believe it or not, was really almost non-existent; but yes, she does expect a cut of those in addition to the commission. There were a host of other things so ridiculous they defy the imagination. The truth is, the fee she negotiated was ridiculously low; mainly because the manager had already spent his budget on entertainment for the entire weekend and he was squeezing me in at the last minute. I knew it was either hold out until weeks later when I could MAYBE get closer to what I wanted or take the gig and at least get my presence established there. So I told her I'd do it. Evidently if I continue to work with her I'm never allowed to make a mistake of any kind, whether in the act itself or in any other form. One example of this is that the club manager asked me if I had something for him to give me an introduction before the stage show. I normally have a small printed-out introduction that people can just read, but I forgot to bring it that evening. I had packed my props in a different, smaller case for this gig than I usually use. This is UNACCEPTABLE!! I told the club manager a few things about myself, and he made an intro of his own and didn't seem bothered by it AT ALL. The agent, on the other hand, was disgusted about this and was quick to tell the manager that this was no reflection on her (though she had no idea I even did such a thing). She was SCREAMING at me about issues such as this over the phone yesterday. That's only the beginning. Can human beings get rabies??
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-27 11:52, CurtWaltermire wrote: Yup. Remember the old joke: A man comes into the doctor's office, foaming at the mouth. The doctor checks him very carefully, tells him that he has rabies, and that he has only one week to live. The man asks the doctor for a pen and a piece of paper. "Oh, so you can write your will?" "No; so I can write a list of the people I'm going to bite." |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
That's great, Bill. Thanks!
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
My pleasure.
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Curtis, what would Dr. Phill say? This lady is a controlling b**ch with possible mental issues. If you were in a "relationship" with her the advice would be to "get out". Maybe you need to cut your losses and find another agent.
Jim |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
Oh, it's definitely over, Jim; I'm just backing away carefully from this sabre-toothed agent and tossing her some raw meat.
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
In no time at all she will be out of business and people will call you directly. Agents = middlemen = lost wages and miscommunication.
Just my feelings but I usually find that agents tell the customer what ever they want to hear then I show-up to 600 people (with a pocket full of coins) being asked to perform close-up on a dance floor, while they are eating and the disk jockey is disk jockeying. Yes there are exceptions to the rule and if you know their names would you please PM me?
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
It is possible that you simply have not worked with the right agents.
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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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
I have never used an agent to book my shows until just recently. The only time I've ever worked with agents has been for TV commercials and commercial printwork advertisements. Of course, that is a completely different thing altogether.
I never had any reason to believe she was anything like she showed herself to be the other night, except for the fact that she seemed to have a slightly quirky personality. If I went by that alone, I couldn't trust a lot of people I seem to come in contact with. You're right, Danny, I haven't worked with the right agents and she definitely isn't the right one. What a freak...and I've given her the benefit of the doubt all of this time. I don't care how much experience she has in TV and film...no one talks to me like that, especially when I did absolutely nothing to deserve it. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm an 8-year U.S. Army veteran, have raised a family, have a daughter serving active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, am a full-time businessman and entrepreneur, own my home, and have been a performer for over 20 years, etc. She had the nerve tonight to call me and leave a voicemail. Her tone of voice was as if nothing had ever happened, and she said she could get me into the same gig tomorrow night. I will not return her calls and will never do another engagement for her again. I'm not afraid of what I MIGHT lose. No lawyer worth their salt would dare to take any case she fabricates against me. She has nothing.
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I am glad to see you understand this is an individual and not necessarily across the board industry wide.
A good agent is not one who simply picks up the phone and waits to be asked for something. A good agent has a network of clients and a network of people who can fill the needs of those clients. The real problem is like any industry it is the bad ones who get most of the attention. They can be quite useful and gain you quite a bit of money and gigs that may not be attainable without them. I am not saying they are the be all and end all of anything. Don Alan always told me NOBODY will sell you or represent you the way you will. He didn't generally use agents. Agents are a funny thing. They are not usually willing to use you, till you really don't need them. Good agents don't want miscommunications because that = unhappy no return client. It is bad business. Jay you paint with a mighty broad brush and it is shockingly misinformed. As for lost wages and middleman, a GOOD agent will put you incontact with clients and fees that you would not have access to in the first place. IF they take 15% that is 85% MORE than the 0 you would have had if they had not passed the gig along. So don't paint all agents as such. It is not a good agents fault you have not managed to find one. Keep looking because they do exist and are worth working with. I am not even getting into when to accept tips or not accept tips. I have a rule that if someone is moved enough watching what it is I do to feel the desire to tip me, I don't turn down the gesture any more than turning down a hand shake. Many will tip out of pride and want others to see them tip you. I don't want to get into a contest of "take it, no thanks" with them. Along with this goes the fact that I NEVER use "Tip lines" in any way shape or form, in any circumstance. SO I DO accept them, I do not solicit them. It may not be right, it is just what I do personally.
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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MAKMagic Special user I got banned for one of my 555 Posts |
Good advice all around there Danny. I don't have experience with agents, though I am thinking of looking into it as I'd like to increase the corporate strolling venues I get.
The tip portion you noted there is spot on and exactly how I handle it. I tried a few different ways of turning down politely etc... Not worth it. Gracious acceptance, and a note that while it's certainly not necessary it is very much appreciated seems to always make everyone happy with no awkward moments. Glad you got out of it while you did Curtis. Let us know if she calls you crying for not returning your calls or leaves you notes in your locked car.
.:Michael Kelley
On the Level, By the Square |
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CurtWaltermire Special user Curtis The Mentalist 505 Posts |
Danny, that is precisely how I handle tips as well. Of course that's not really the issue. I always appreciate your advice and have enjoyed reading your stuff in the Magic Menu.
I never intended for this to be an agent-bashing session, however the crazy course of events recently has sort-of steered it that way. Bad agent stories have been around for ages I know, and now I have a good one of my own to tell. Though I really don't like telling it! What is kinda funny about this whole thing is that I have had a rash in recent years of incidences where I've just come across some really crazy characters in different endeavors. Half the time I feel like the world around me is going mad because people can be so irrational and emotional. Maybe I'll write a book "How to Attract Nutjobs in Every Walk of Life." Michael, with biceps like those, I think I WILL let you know if she gets nasty...
Curtis Waltermire
Mentalist/Magician/Speaker/Actor/Grandpa/Cool Dad & Above-Average Husband CurtisTheMentalist.com YouTube Channel My Touring Public Show "The Mastermind Show" Check Out My Podcast "The Mastermind Show with Curtis The Mentalist" |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Danny you are correct. I have never found an agent that works for me... in 30 years.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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