A piper's rant

[thescot]

Nice rant. Ad welcome to the world of musicians. I had to pull the plug on my band's equipment in the middle of a dance one time until I got my money up front. I learned to get paid before the gig was up!

As to the present--the guys are right who say there's no percentage in a vendetta. Just learn from it.

In the planner's defense, you can imagine her position. I'm not saying it's the right one, but just think how she would have looked to her customers (and their guests) id you hadn't shown up. We all know that you would have showen up, but she doesn't know you. She does know that musicians are often . . . shall we say, a little drifty. And she was probably frantic when it was less than a week to go and you were out of pocket. It's not OK for her to recant on an implied contract, but at least understand that she probably wasnt' against you personally. Maybe that will at less lessen the sting.

Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration to all us old geezers, and we know you'll do well in the future. And one final little thing: be very cautious in lowering your tandard price. I'll bet she paid a fortune for flowers and useless crap like that, but people tend not to appreciate or respect the hours and years it takes to become a competent musician.

Slainte.

[DWFII]

I stumbled upon this thread and although I don't know anything about piping, I know something about being in business for yourself.

And if you are charging for your piping it is a business. So start there...

First, you need to keep in mind that if you value your work (time) low, others will value it low, as well. Set a fair price and never back down from it. Sure, you were trying to be a nice guy and perhaps you saw it as a pick-up gig that wouldn't be all that inconvenient. But business is business. There's no room for nice guys in a business.

Does that kind of attitude foster a certain "distance" and impersonal coldness? Yes, taken to an extreme it probably does (and perhaps that's really what is at the root of the Wall Street financial crisis). But look what happens when you don't keep your professional distance.

Nine times out of ten (and this case is no exception) it is the customer who doesn't understand, or wish to understand (or adhere to) the articles of a contract (or contractual arrangement) that causes the problem. From my point of view, she contacted you. She verbally engaged your services. You had a contract. She had as much of a responsibility to honour her part of the bargain as you did.

That said, never take a gig (or count your chickens) until you get a deposit.

[JS Sanders]

Some observations....

- The cost of tuition here was very inexpensive - I've paid much more.

- Always get a contract & a deposit. It makes people serious. Handshakes can be expensive.

- She's small potatoes and probably incapable of damaging you. Memories of you will be very short-lived.

- The statement, "We can't afford to pay that", is always followed by, "but you'll get great exposure". It's Bravo Sierra - walk away every time. If they really want you, they'll chase you down.

- Event planners at gratis/charitable gigs treat you with far less consideration than those plopping down cash.

- Exacting revenge on these morons will blow up in your own face.

Slan,
steve

[Cynthia]

When I took bellydance, I always heard them talking about not lowering their rates or dancing for free. It does them no good (afterall, their rate is their rate), and it undercuts the others. In fact, they get pretty angry when they hear about dancers dancing for free or far less than the majority. It doesn't help anyone -- restaurants and other venues need to pay the typical going rate if they want to have dancers. Even "new" dancers should try not to dance for free or way-too-low rates.

Now, of course, I have no idea what it's like for pipers, but regardless... unless it's a charity and everyone across the boards is doing it for free or a reduced rate, I say stick to your rates.

As others have said, I'm sure she was paying a lot of money for all the other things there -- I would hope she didn't try to get everyone involved to accept a much lower rate than they usually do. Why should the piper have to play for far less? If she keeps bumping into pipers who state their rates and won't play for her rates, then she's going to have to increase her rates and pay a fair price for what she wants, or at least offer a lot more than just "great publicity".

That said, I would definitely take the high road and not be upset about it or let anyone else get upset over it. If all the pipers simply state their rates businesslike and friendly and that's that, she'll figure it out eventually (that, or she'll get someone who has no business playing in public yet... "get what you pay for" and all that).

[beloitpiper]

Thanks for the advice/support, guys. I've since cooled down and don't plan on doing anything further to...elevate...the situation. What happened happened, and now I go on looking for new gigs.

Hey, at least the guys at the funeral parlor like me and pay my full price!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hey-- Jersey Lawyer! Why don't you draft a simple, one page "booking form" for all the pipers out there? Nothing too complicated, just something that sets out fee, terms, and location of performance, and requires a 50% non-refundable deposit on signing.

[tomcherv]

If you're developing a simple contract, how about making it generic enough for us other musicians too?

I'm holding a planning meeting with a couple tomorrow about their wedding. No, I'm not piping (I don't know how). I frequently play trumpet for weddings, but that's a little difficult when I'll be playing piano and singing.

I asked for a 50% deposit to be paid tomorrow with the balance due at the wedding. (If they want, I always let them pay full price early).

Since I'm getting a deposit, I told them I don't have a contract and was that OK with them? They replied that so many people from the church spoke highly of me that they felt one wasn't needed.

Bottom line: protect your reputation. You can't ever get it back. Like the others have said, take the high road and ignore it. If she ever calls you back for another gig, seriously consider taking the job but don't lower your fee. By always keeping a professional attitude and doing your job well, people will come to regard you highly, recommend you to others, and trust you at your word.

[McMurdo]

Gents
Lets remember the rules of the forum:

Seeking & Submitting Professional Advice
The X Marks the Scot Kilt Forum is not a trained or licensed medical or legal facility. Nor is it staffed by persons trained in medical treatment or in matters of the law. Please do not submit posts seeking or offering advice in these matters, as this forum is not a professional environment that lends itself to this type of exchange. Posts containing these topics and/or comments will be deleted.

[JerseyLawyer]

Hey-- Jersey Lawyer! Why don't you draft a simple, one page "booking form" for all the pipers out there? Nothing too complicated, just something that sets out fee, terms, and location of performance, and requires a 50% non-refundable deposit on signing.

I'd be committing the unauthorized practice of law in states where I don't hold a license. Sorry.

Gents
Lets remember the rules of the forum:

Seeking & Submitting Professional Advice
The X Marks the Scot Kilt Forum is not a trained or licensed medical or legal facility. Nor is it staffed by persons trained in medical treatment or in matters of the law. Please do not submit posts seeking or offering advice in these matters, as this forum is not a professional environment that lends itself to this type of exchange. Posts containing these topics and/or comments will be deleted.

And violating the forum rules, too. Double whammy.

Anyway, it seems like Beloitpiper has wisely moved on and chalked this up to experience. So, all is well in the universe.

[walkerk]

Hey-- Jersey Lawyer! Why don't you draft a simple, one page "booking form" for all the pipers out there?

Next topic: A lawyer's rant.

(Looks like he hit his "send" button first!)