• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Getting overpaid - owner wants it back

#61
I find it astonishing how many people have the opinion that it should be returned so that you get future gigs there.
WHY would you want to play at a venue where the owner was that petty? A decent owner would have reached out and said something to the effect of "Hey guys, just wanted to bring it to your attention that my bar manager overpaid you by $100. This was a mistake but, the bar had a good night so we are all good. Just wanted to ensure that we are all on the same page for your next show".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nigel Rahmshard, P. Aaron, Bass4Gsus and 16 others
#62
Bob Coldwell said:
Bar manager "said he loved our playing and thanked us."

No indication that it was a tip. BL should have brought it up immediately.

It was probably an honest mistake. So what? Definitely give the money back. And yes $100 IS a big deal to most club owners.
Click to expand...

If a club owner is sweating $100 the club is NOT in good shape.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, Omega Monkey, JazznFunk and 6 others
#64
It would be easier to give back if she wasn't trying to pin the mistake on the band. I feel like most people would be happy to help someone who said "I screwed up, can you help me out and give back what I accidentally overpaid you?" as opposed to "I screwed up, but I'm going to pretend it's your fault. Give back what you took."
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, Omega Monkey and JazznFunk
#68
JazznFunk said:
How much does the gig pay in total? Is it worth risking future gigs by giving in to their demands? What else might the venue demand if they screw up in the future?

If the manager on duty freely offered to pay you more because they appreciated what you did for the venue and the crowd, then that is not on YOU to return the cash. Your understanding, as communicated by the M.O.D., was that it was a bonus. The owner needs to take that up with the manager, not the band, and write it off, versus making YOU feel like you did something wrong (which you didn't). IMO, contacting the band to get the money back is a bush league move and makes me question how the venue does business in general.... especially over $100.
Click to expand...

It was not a hugely priced gig. The place has a history of cheaper solo acts and not paying that much. We spoke with her for a long time before the gig and actually discounted our rate for her which we will do for new venues on occasion with the hope of additional dates. The BL did the negotiation and I don't know how long or if she was even there to hear us. She was definitely not there at the end of the night...which was only 11 pm by the way so not that late. Left the bar manager to pay us. I need to verify with the BL if he said the extra hundy was a tip or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcake, csp, ReggieRochester and 1 other person
#69
If it were me, I would return it and then move on like it never happened. The potential for other gigs or the possible financial troubles of the club wouldn't really play into my decision. But, that's just my opinion. I'm also curious about how the phone call ended. I hope you can resolve it so that everyone is happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NC_Rob
#71
Good faith goes a long way towards you reputation. While $100 is a trivial amount of money, it's the principle not so much the amount. I would give it back with a smile on my face and know we'd be on a first call basis with the club in the future. Look at it as a very cheap investment in your band: $100 now will be many agreed-upon gigs in the future. If you get a reputation as honest and easy-going, you'll be viewed as very employable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NC_Rob
#72
If you give it back do it while requesting follow up gigs on the calendar. And at every follow up gig make a full band “out loud” production of counting the money in front of them and say why you’re doing it and that they are required to watch your band count it.
Petty. But what’s the cost of not playing there?

And make sure every other band leader who plays there hears the story.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steve Wiley, Omega Monkey and csp
#73
Sorry, I'm calling BS on the BL. This happened to me in the same club TWICE. Each time I told the truth. If they had shorted you would the BL have just assumed that it was because the crowd was thin or left early? Of course not, they would say, "Hey, the contract says XXX dollars."

Your BL pulled a fast one and got caught. It's as simple as that.

Funny how so many people wave the contract around to make sure that they don't get cheated, but then, when the club makes a mistake, all of a sudden the contract disappears.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Five or Six, NC_Rob and newwavefrank
#74
Pdaddy1978 said:
10,000 pennies...
In a jar of honey..
Click to expand...
this is hilarious in concept.

After reading everyone else’s thoughts, my opinion has changed only slightly: with a professional & polite smile, immediately return the money
ajschnitzelbank said:
in a check with … the memo line “(Hired Entertainer’s) tip remitted”
Click to expand...
so they definitely have to take it to the bank and absolutely do not play there again (sorry, we’re booked), absolutely do direct message every band and DJ in the area about this owner’s shortsighted cheapskate behavior.

I’m feeling fully Frank Costanza about it now, and I’ve never had to deal with anything like it.

F6823EAE-307B-4BD5-B534-8E089CDB3EEC.jpeg
maybe I’m a spoilt baby.

If the owner communicated the overpayment tip remittance via text, I’m 100% for posting that publicly on fb & ig with their own profile headshot. Probably a bad idea, but I tend to follow through on lots of those.
 
Last edited:
#75
Runnerman said:
This is a new one on me. We did a nice gig a few weeks ago. First time at the place. It was a warm spell that night here in NC. Club had the front doors open and a good crowd cycled in and out from the street, good vibes and a fun evening. After load out the bar manager paid our BL and gave him $100 more than was agreed on with the club owner. Said he loved our playing and thanked us. BL thought...that's pretty cool, and since we had pulled a good crowd he didn't think anything of it and took the cash.

A couple days later the owner called and said my guy over paid you $100. What do you want to do about it? The BL just told her we thought you appreciated our playing and the crowd we brought in so we accepted it. She made him feel like we did something wrong and we owe her something. Do we? Should we offer to discount another gig?
Click to expand...

Seems like the owner and manager were not on the same page. Those two should be the ones working that out.

Your discount idea is good, offering the owner a $100 rebate on your band price for the next booked contract, means she is motivated to book you for a 2nd contract.
(Your version of "refund for in store purchase credit")
 
  • Like
Reactions: Omega Monkey
#76
KenSmithFan said:
Sorry, I'm calling BS on the BL. This happened to me in the same club TWICE. Each time I told the truth. If they had shorted you would the BL have just assumed that it was because the crowd was thin or left early? Of course not, they would say, "Hey, the contract says XXX dollars."

Your BL pulled a fast one and got caught. It's as simple as that.

Funny how so many people wave the contract around to make sure that they don't get cheated, but then, when the club makes a mistake, all of a sudden the contract disappears.
Click to expand...
Interesting perspective. Pure speculation though - but the OP definitely needs to get more info from the BL.
 
#77
Without getting clarification that it was a tip, the BL took more money than was coming. I’d like to get the managers take on it. Did they know they were overpaying? Then it’s on them for giving away the owners money without permission. If it was a mistake then the BL screwed up by not acknowledging it then and there. Either way, a scenario where the band, owner and manager all come out smelling like roses looks pretty bleak, and trying to find the person at fault won’t end well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KenSmithFan and Goatrope

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back