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iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
Quick breakdown: I was hired by a religious group to perform a show plus make some balloons. We agree on a price and I travel to the show. Upon arrival, I am told that they are running late, so I end up waiting over an hour to go on. After the show I am asked to do the balloons off the stage so the DJ can setup. In the mixup, some of my props go missing. They pay me (half check, half cash). Luckily, I get a call when I arrive home that they have found my props. Since it was a two hour drive, I ask for them to mail them to me. They say they will.
Then I go to cash the check...I can't since it wasn't endorsed (signed by them). I call up my contact and they say that as soon as I return the check they will fix the problem and mail my props along with a new check (mind you this is for a religious group). Now here it is a month later and I call the contact who says the new check is "in the mail" and that they can't find my props. Like an idiot I have faith that there is a check coming, but this guy is claiming that the props were thrown out?!? Any advice? |
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-15 17:37, iwillfoolu wrote: Become a mentalist Posted: Sep 15, 2011 7:24pm I'm just kidding It doesn't sound like you can do much other than keep contacting them. You left your props so it isn't their fault that they got thrown away. Make sure you get your money. A month sounds like way too long for a check to be in the mail. Send them a paypal request for money. That way they enter in the credit card info and you get the money immediately. |
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Sorry to hear about the incident, a few thoughts:
"In the mixup, some of my props go missing." - Sounds like you should have better control of your props/takedown. I know things happen that are out of your control, but I consider my show, my show space, and my equipment to be paramount during any performance. People don't come on stage without my permission, and my contract says that. I often do balloon twisting afterwards like you, but I pack up the show on stage, and THEN move off stage (again, that should be stipulated in your performance agreement/contract) They should have no problem waiting a few minutes for you to clear your gear especially if you accommodated them at the start of the show. If your contact with the group doesn't seem to be helping you, consider addressing someone higher up in the organization. Let them know what happened, explain the need for either your props, or compensation for your props, and politely ask them if they can help you. Write a letter to the higher ups in the organization explaining exactly what happened, and politely describing your need for the return of your props or compensation. I don't think you'll have a problem. Worse case scenario, get new props and consider it a lesson learned! BOTTOM LINE: It's your fault for leaving your props there. Consider only accepting cash or credit cards from first-time clients in the future. |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Yes, keep calling and keep waiting,
I would push more for the show fee first. Asking for both could be the hold up. Honestly, I'm not sure you will get or should even expect payment for the props. Doesn't hurt to keep asking for the props, but it's going to be hard to blame anyone other than yourself for the loss. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
"Any advce?" Sure if you are of this faith, convert. Not much more you can do but pester, then go to small claims court.
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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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Did you offer to pay for the shipping of your props, or to supply them a box & pay for the shipping?
Sounds like it was a very confusing day, with the misplacement of props (and you not realizing it), the event running late, and the customer giving you a cheque that wasn't signed (and you not realizing it). - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Wow, that's a hard situation.
The props are probably the most important of the two (between the check and props). I doubt you will get the props. Is it worth the two hour drive to go back and try to find out in person what is happening? As far as the check is concerned, churches are notoriously slow-pays. Usually it is not an intentional effort to stiff you. Usually you are working with volunteers. They wait until next Sunday to ask the treasurer about it and may forget, then the treasurer says they will check on it and tell them next Sunday, before long you are a month out. Don't depend on your contact. Call the church office during office hours. Talk to the pastor, preacher, minister (whoever is in charge). Explain what happened and ask for his help. Wait one week and send a register letter return receipt requested. Then call the church and ask for the person who signed for the letter. It will usually be the secretary or receptionist. Like many organizations, a good secretary often is the one who gets things done. Explain the situation to her, tell the name of your contact, tell her you talked to the pastor and when you did. Ask her to make sure that this is being taken care of and tell her that you will call her next week to find out how it is going. If all of this does not work find out who is up the chain (denominational headquarters, diocese, or other group) and follow the same procedure with the registered letter but state in that letter that you are sending a copy to the local church (and send it registered as well). That will get results (if anything will) for the payment. Also, one of these people you contact (pastor, secretary, or someone else) may take it upon themselves to champion your cause and find out from their volunteers what happened to the props. Trust me, churches don't throw out ANYTHING (especially something that looks visually striking like a magic prop). Your props are sitting in a Sunday School Teachers' Resource Room or on the shelf in the Children's Ministry area, or in the Youth Group's meeting place. Probably somewhere very close to where you performed. If you have a picture of the props email it to your church contact, "magic props" to a church worker may only mean a top hat and bunny because they don't know what magic props should look like. The props could be sitting next to the phone and the person on the phone will not know that is what you mean when you say magic props. But, if they know what they are looking for from the photograph you send the props are far more likely to turn up. Hope this helps.
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YouTube channel specifically for family & kids show magicians. Click -- You need to subscribe. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
To be serious you have to take better care of them in the future.
Also, how is it that they are not worth the drive? If they are not worth the drive, they are not worth the worry.
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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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Danny; I concur
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Do you mind sharing with us what props were lost?
I hope it all works out, but you really need to slow down and take care of business by being more thorough in the future....remember there is no show without the business, as the saying goes. |
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I think Professor QB has given you the best path forward. The only thing I might add is that if you wind up having to call the pastor, you might mention small claims court. And name the person who signed your contract. And if you're going to go that far, it might be worth the two-hour drive.
One possible problem with a higher headquarters: there's a lot of independant churches that don't answer to anyone above them. At that point, you are stuck dealing with that church and it's leadership. Sometimes the pastor works a full-time job, the secretary is his wife with kids, and the staff are all volunteers with noraml daily work, home, and personal crises abounding. Whatever the church situatin, it seems that in this midst of whatever else is going on right that moment, your situation just isn't as important to them as it is to you. If you really want to resolve it, you're going to have to rasie the importance of your predicament in their eyes. Ed |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
There is no such thing as a dishonest believer. You obviously have made a mistake. Perhaps God didn't want you to have either the money, or the props. The lord works in mysterious way.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I've learned that when working with churches I treat them like my family shows, cash before I start the show. No checks, No crap. As for the props, that one's your fault. Your props, your responsibility, you have to watch your props so they don't disappear. AS Danny said if they aren't worth a 2 hour drive, then why should the church get their undies in a bundle over them. Now, every kid at that show knows the secret to the props you left behind, so probably the whole congregation knows the secrets. NO ONE touches or carries my props except me so that I don't lose anything.
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Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
Leaving one's props behind at a venue sounds like something a beginner or rank amateur would do. Your website paints you as being reasonably professional.
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iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
Thanks for all the thoughts. This was obviously a learning experience (just when you think you know it all...) that I intend to not repeat. It happened because I acquiesced to all of the clients requests, instead of following my gut. I'm not sure how the hat full of props got lost that day, or how I didn't notice before I left.
@Donald- Yes, I told them that I would pay for shipping, etc. and they told me that they would ship the items out. Then I called them about the check. @Danny- You're right, they aren't worth the worry. However, combined with the remainder of the payment, my feathers are ruffled. @QB and Ed- This is one of those cases of an independent group that doesn't answer to a higher power (pun not intended) @Paddy- Great policy. That's one I'm going to use. @Devious- What was missing was a cheapo collapsible top hat, a CC vanishing cane, a few silks, a deck of cards, a McBride Jumbo Finale set, and a professor's rope set. Luckily I have double/triples of all my main act. @Futureal- This does sound like a beginner mistake. Entertaining is actually my livelihood, so I am doubly embarrassed. Hopefully others can learn from my mistake. |
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Thank you so very much Mr. DiDonna. Your website seems very nicely done and you certainly don't strike me as a rank amateur but the oversight certainly was. I appreciate your candor. The fact that you shared this event speaks much of your character. On that note, this mistake sure does build some character eh?
The items you mentioned won't break the bank. Everything will be alright. I do hope that you receive payment for services rendered. All the best Joseph! |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-15 17:37, iwillfoolu wrote: Did you ever get the check? Did you ever get the props back? |
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iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
The check arrived today. Once it clears, I'm going to call the client one last time. It's not worth the trouble.
Joe |
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Sorry for the hassle you had to go through.
Just remember that once the show is over you pack up. Then do balloons. That way when your time is up you're ready to go. Glad they finally paid you!
Life of Magic!
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Agree with most of what was said here especially about packing first then make balloons or walk around magic or what ever.
I don't want to start or steal this thread but I don't get what people are saying about churches. as a full time evangelist and illusionist I have performed in hundreds of churches and never found them to be a problem. oh wait maybe its because they all have to read and sign my contract and tech rider! you see having that will solve lots of problems in the future. I am sorry that this happened and yes its true of any organization that something can go wrong I just don't want the slap on churches as they are not the problem in general! good luck in your shows sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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