Getting "paid' with gift certificates?!

ashtray · #1 11-22-2008, 01:18 PM

Played a gig last night that essentially ended in us getting paid in Disney Dollars!

I shouldn't complain, but I will...

We played a gig at a bar we often play at. Place wasn't packed, but there was a decent crowd there. When it got time to get paid, there was an "issue" (long story), and essentially we were going to walk out of there having drank more than we got paid. So, after we already paid our bar tab, we negotiate and the club owner gives us gift certificates to the bar. (*after* we already paid!)

So now I have a stack of gift certificates that I'll likely never use. It was a kind gesture (they could have just stiffed us, but they want us back) - but at the same time, we couldn't believe they'd use Mickey Mouse money to pay us. (btw, this wasn't actually at Disney, just making a reference) We got a good laugh out of it - but we'll have to get something in writing next time we play there.

Has anyone else gotten paid with Monopoly money?

fenderhutz · #2 11-22-2008, 01:21 PM

If you are drinking more booze as a band than you are getting paid as a band you need to adjust band priorities.

undeadbass · #3 11-22-2008, 01:57 PM

"Well, normally we pay the band $200, but you done drank $300 worth of beer!"

You wouldn't happen to be playing for the Good Ol Blues Brothers Boys Band, would you?

**Stumbo** · #4 11-22-2008, 02:01 PM

Of course the bar wants you to run a tab against your pay. So let's say the band is being paid $200 and the bar is charging retail price for the drinks, the bar's cost is probably less than $50 for all the drinks. So that's really what you're playing for.

ashtray · #5 11-22-2008, 02:02 PM

I think we just might be!

Actually, a couple people got food, and some others got a few drinks. Overall, people spent about $30 on food and drinks - but the cash payout at the end of the night was about half of that!

My wife and friend came out to hear us and got full meals, so they spent $30 easily. Just wish I had gotten the gift certificates *before* we had paid for all our meals and drinks. Then it would have been worth it.

CerealKiller · #6 11-22-2008, 02:25 PM

LOL.....sounds like that old lady paying for her singing lessons with meatballs.....

paganjack · #7 11-22-2008, 02:30 PM

you got hosed. bummer.

nicoli · #8 11-22-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray

they could have just stiffed us, but they want us back)... we'll have to get something in writing next time we play there.

So you'd actually go back and play a venue again after being treated this way, and you wonder why you're being treated like this? I'm guessing it's because you let them.

Getting it in writing is definitely the way to go - but I wouldn't play that place again unless they were giving me a sizable raise and a contract.

ashtray · #9 11-22-2008, 03:18 PM

It's a nice place to play - large stage, good sized dance floor, large crowd (usually), and they have house lighting and whatnot. Plus it's only a 2 hour gig - so it's not much work. It's enjoyable to play there - and usually we'd get paid decently as well. This last time though wasn't the case. We still had a lot of fun that night. Next time we'll see about at least getting a minimum. Maybe I can sell the gift certificates to people who are already sitting down eating! hahaha

Jazzdogg · #10 11-22-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Of course the bar wants you to run a tab against your pay. So let's say the band is being paid $200 and the bar is charging retail price for the drinks, the bar's cost is probably less than $50 for all the drinks. So that's really what you're playing for.

I haven't kept track of cost-of-sales ratios since I retired, but back in the day, the cost of $200 in beer sales would have been closer to $20; the cost of $200 in well-brand mixed drinks would have been about $40 - somewhat higher for high-cost premium brands.

JustDavid · #11 11-22-2008, 04:03 PM

Am I right in reading that you were paid under $30 for this gig?

vlxyooper · #12 11-22-2008, 04:20 PM

Contract ....especially the part of specifying how much you are compensated for your services and in what form you will receive it, and when it will be paid.

Do some research and google "band contracts."

Also, be sure you do a cover of "Won't Get Fooled Again" if you play there again.

Mcfunkinstein · #13 11-22-2008, 04:33 PM

i think this should be in the "you know your in a lame band when" thread lol you know your in a lame band when you drink more than you got paid at a gig

ashtray · #14 11-22-2008, 04:51 PM

Anyone want to sell me a bass? I can pay for it with bar credits! hahaha

tomvelsor · #15 11-22-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undeadbass

"Well, normally we pay the band $200, but you done drank $300 worth of beer!"

You wouldn't happen to be playing for the Good Ol Blues Brothers Boys Band, would you?

i happen to play with the goold ol blues..brothers..boys..band..from chicago, im elwood, this here is my brother jake..

IanStephenson · #16 11-22-2008, 05:20 PM

You drank $300 this time, and have a $200 credit. Sounds like if you go back you'll have NO problems using up all your credits.

Personally I'd be pissed of (as I don't drink at gigs), but as you're spending/drinking more than you're getting paid, then there's no real problem. Use it to your advantage - $200 cash or $300 credit. Sure the it's better for the bar to give you $300 credit than $200 cash, but you're spending the cash there anyway, so it's better for you too. It doesn't matter to you how much the bar paid for the beer - what it costs you is what you have to pay.

I'd be pissed off at them making the switch after you'd payed your bill, or pulling a switch at all, but if it's agreed up front you can come out ahead.

A good trade is a transaction where both parties come out better than they went in.

Paying you in credit means it costs the bar less. Getting MORE credit than cash (which you'd spend anyway) would costs you less.

fdeck · #17 11-22-2008, 07:17 PM

I have gotten paid in a variety of odd ways. Once I played in a little coffee house, and the owner offered to pay me in coffee. Given how much coffee I drink, it was the same as cash to me.

Another time, I played a NYE gig, we got paid the agreed rate in cash, then the owner gave each band member a very generous gift certificate. I took it to the cash register and asked the lady if I could exchange it. She said OK and handed me the cash. I gave her a little tip. A lot of places will give you cash for a gift certificate.

D.Don · #18 11-22-2008, 07:32 PM

Normally on the "tap" beer you have a cpl of hundred percents margin ...

Booze can be more expensive to the bar owner but if he's a smart guy he has a sponsor contract with one of the big booze manufacturers/distributors and does not pay a lot for the "battery" booze (ie. the normal ones used for drinks, gin, vodka etc) if he sticks to their brands and do some marketing for it in the bar (sometimes all you need is to have their brands of booze well visible behind the bar on the shelf).

I say you got effed.

Hope you had a good gig though, if you all are in agreement that this is ok there's really nothing to worry about.

D.Don

**butchblack** · #19 11-22-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray

It's a nice place to play - large stage, good sized dance floor, large crowd (usually), and they have house lighting and whatnot. Plus it's only a 2 hour gig - so it's not much work. It's enjoyable to play there - and usually we'd get paid decently as well. This last time though wasn't the case. We still had a lot of fun that night. Next time we'll see about at least getting a minimum. Maybe I can sell the gift certificates to people who are already sitting down eating! hahaha

Tough call

Where you enjoy playing there and you usually don't have trouble getting paid, I'd give them another chance. I would make sure the terms were spelled out clearly, preferably in a contract, and let them know that payment by gift certificate is not acceptable.

We ran into a similar situation recently. We did a Wednesday gig at this place, found out that they close earlier on Wednesdays and they wanted us to do 1 1 1/2 hr set instead of the normal 2 1 hr sets. Their normal deal is free dinner and drinks and $100. We found out that they normally only pay $60 for Wednesdays. We were given the option of the $60 or $100 in gift certificates. Where most of us lived pretty far away we took the cash and decided not to take any more Wed. gigs from them. Part of it was our fault for not clarifying the terms beforehand. Good lesson learned without major loss on our part. I think the hardest part of being a musician is being a savvy businessman.

mutedeity · #20 11-22-2008, 08:38 PM

You guys need to smarten up if you find yourself in this situation.

The band should never offset pay against the bar tab, that is just unprofessional. If there is no rider with the venue the members should be responsible for buying their own drinks. There is also no way you should ever accept being paid in anything other than cash or an endorsed cheque unless you have made previous arrangements with the venue. You should provide an invoice to the venue for the amount and you should always have a prior agreement with the venue for the fee unless you are taking a cut of the bar or there is a door deal.

It's not a "kind gesture" at all that you got given gift certificates. To be quite honest with you you have been played for a complete tool here. As someone else pointed out too if they are charging you retail on the bar you are getting ripped off as well anyway. Didn't you guys ever see the Blues Brothers?

All round this story is a good example of what not to do when gigging.