Renegotiated Pay

[Discount Bassy]

Some sort of paper trail is always handy, especially when its ownership is shared, such as email records. Band rules and communication are a pre-requisite. If there is a person who is going to speak for the band in financial or scheduling matters, that person needs to be established as the designated representative. All negotiation attempts should be directed to that person representing the group response, who in turn speaks for the band consensus. If someone wants to negotiate a pay cut for the band outside of that structure, they are welcome to do so out of their own share.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I'd almost guarantee they knew what price was set initially, they are trying to get you to lower the price, which, unfortunately was accepted. If the BL was on his toes, he should have countered "no problem. $650 for 3 hrs, see you then."

Good luck with whatever happens.

 

[micguy]

That's standard procedure around here.

Yousah!

 

[Fiset]

Any chance the guitarist is pocketing the extra hundred? I only ask because i've never had a venue try to renegotiate for just a single hundred dollar bill. They can pay $650 but not $750? Something about that seems off to me.

 

[Egg250]

Did the first agreement say that the lineup mustn't change? Imagine someone telling a big name that they're cutting the pay for having a different player.

No such agreement. The guitarist set it up. The same guitarist is playing as well as me.

If they're expecting a four-hour show, you can't cut it to three, that's ridiculous, and the audience didn't create this mess.

This works both ways. We were expecting $750, they can't cut it to $650. It's shady and, on principal, I won't feel at all bad if we decide to back out. Since we have decided to play, I feel since the venue opened negotiations, we should negotiate. First thime this has happened.

In the future, I will require at the very least an email from the venue to the band email account, spelling out commitments.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Lesson learned, hopefully. Most of my most valuable and enduring lessons have come at a price. This one cost you $100. Not bad, all things considered.

The Bar Band Band Bassman

 

[JRA]

I think it's time to introduce some type of contract, paper trail, deposit system.

 

[Marko 1]

It isn't about the money. It's the principle.

How do the other members feel about it?

Obviously the guitarist didn't sweat it too bad since he agreed.

 

[39-Bassist]

The mistake here is not getting the deal signed on paper. Sounds like that mistake has been made twice now.

THIS THIS THIS...
No sign no play...it will bite you.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Sounds like you've already agreed to play 4hrs for $650.

Guitarist has admitted his mistake in not checking with you all and getting pushed into taking less, but it's a done deal either way. You can either do what you've now agreed to or back out and burn some bridges (which probably isn't a good idea unless you've got lots of other options). You can try and negotiation down to 3hrs (probably good for everyone, so they probably will cut you some slack here), but you've agreed to play 4. What exactly a 4 hour show consists of is probably a little open to negotiation... start at 2, finish at 6 is very different to 4x1hr sets. 3x1hr sets over 4 hours is a lot less!

Realistically all you can do is move forwards. Get a confirmation email or text from the organisers confirming the pay, and times. Then if they mess you around again you've got something in writing to point to. THEN if they try and change the terms again, you can walk.

It sounds like Debbie and her crew are nickel-and-dimers. They appreciate a score much more than the possibility of a business relationship.

Impress them, then make up the difference with the next gig?

Some bridges are not worth maintaining.

 

[Egg250]

Impress them, then make up the difference with the next gig?

We played once before. Very small crowd. Very drunk crowd.

To your point, if this is how Debbie and company conduct business, there won't be another show here, at least for me.

 

[john_g]

If it were me i would get ahold of Debbie and say you will play it at that price only if its a 3 hour gig. I wouldnt worry about changing plans on them after the fact...they just did it to you. And, as nice as it would be to get "everything in writing", that doesnt happen around here for 99.99% of bands. Same with a retainer. If a band asked for either one of those, the venues would just cancel and get one of the other bands looking for gigs. And it would be filled in about 10 minutes.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Guitarist agreed to it. You do the show, and have a bands this doesn't happen again.

 

[covermego]

$750 for 4 hours = 187.50/hr.
$650 divided by $187.50 = 3.46666666667 hrs.
Now, go and have fun !

 

[Slevage]

Take it and give thought to the concept of a WRITTEN contract.

A campground gig warrants a contract (including weather stipulations).
A mom and pop corner bar is a different situation (unless it’s a holiday such as New Year’s eve).
Thanks yo a contract, my band once settled for 1/2 pay for a NY gig that got canceled 2 weeks before the date.

 

[ChrisB2]

That's standard procedure around here.

It's funny, before covid almost all shows here were 4 hrs, now it's about 50/50 3 and 4...?

 

[ChrisB2]

$750 for 4 hours = 187.50/hr.
$650 divided by $187.50 = 3.46666666667 hrs.
Now, go and have fun !

Good point.

 

[buldog5151bass]

For me, a 4 hour show means 3 60 minute sets, with breaks in between.

 

[USAJO]

The person who booked the gig and represented the band made the decision to accept $650.00.

Done deal. Your issue is with bandmate. Work out your band rules for next time.

Case closed.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Guitarist agreed to it. You do the show, and have a bands this doesn't happen again.

Meant to say band discussion