this ones in Florida

[danielgchan]

john_emily1@yahoo.com

"Goodday,
How are you doing? I am Mrs John Emily, am organising a birthday party for my Son David that is 14yrs old and the party will takes place in my house in 2355 Newhall St. San Jose, California USA 95128 and i got to find your advertistment on the web,so i will like to know if you are still available for 13th of may,2006.
Also I want to have the price for the service for the date and you will take time for a good service cos the party will start by 2.00 noon in the afternoon and ends up by 4.00pm in the evening.So let me know the cost of the service ?
Also names to be used on payment? So let me know the cost for the service and also advise me back so that i can arrange in sending you a Money order as soon as we clearify with exact cost. I await your email today.
Regards,
John Emily "

I got one also from the same type of scam from the e-mail above.

[Frisbee]

that one sounds a bit more legit actually...unless there were follow thru emails that went astray.

[danielgchan]

Tip off

The thing that tipped me off was that he was unwilling to call me. He gave me some crap about only be able to receive in coming calls and wanted me to call international for a "maybe" gig. With the writing style similar to the Nigerian fraud scams and the fact that this house from satellite looks like its across from a cemetary. I figured that she's not that rich if her house is close to a cemetary. I always like talking to the client on the phone and asking questions like who did you have last year. If you use satellite images of the address or zillow.com you can really guess how much you can charge for "travel". I hate when I show up to a party and they tell me they are on a budget and when I show up to the party they live in a 15 million dollar estate or similar. I've been to too many of those events in the bay area. Now I always check zip codes and housing prices.

[le pire]

Re: Tip off

Originally posted by danielgchan
the fact that this house from satellite looks like its across from a cemetary.

Wow. Now THAT'S technology in action!

etienne

[jester]

"I'm on a budget." Is speak for "I don't want to spend more than this." It doesn't mean that they are pool

"I can't afford it." Is an entirely different phrase. I learned this the hard way.

[Frisbee]

Basing your show price for a Birthday party on whether you think that they are rich or not, I believe, is ethically wrong!

If you are a birthday party performer you should have different pricing based on the area you live and the amount of travel necessary to get to the gig your show and the demand for your show.
whether that is $100, $175, $200 or more. Saying that a birthday for one person is $100, but because I know you are rich it will cost you $300 i do not agree with...maybe I am in the minority here.

Basing your price on a satalite photo of them living across the street from a cemetary and stating that they look poor in my opinion makes you look poor.

I do agree that it is good to have a phone call with potential clients.

[le pire]

The actual price of my show is $10,000,000.

Most people can't afford this, and consequently I have to lower my price for every client I have had so far. I tell them what the show costs, and then try to get them to pay as close to $10,000,000 as possible.


etienne

[Frisbee]

thats a great way to look at it...


My new rate is $9,999,999

I hate to under price you Etienne, but with all this rain out west... well, you know.

[gav]

what really should have tipped the guy off was that it was from Mrs John Emily.

It is wrong to assume someone is poor from a sat image of where they live.
I live in Croatia and you may well assume that everyone here is poor. You won't be gigging here any time soon then.

[lucky john]

not only was it from Mrs.John Emily she signed it as John Emily
my bet is its a scam.

2355 Newhall St. San Jose, California USA 95128

but, enough info to check out easy enough. i would look up the phone number and call them.

lucky john

[jester]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with charging more money if you can get it.

You charge what you want to charge. I do so many free gigs for people who need it, I am more than happy to charge lots for people who don't. They don't have to book me.

I provide a luxury service. And I feel I am worth it.

[lucky john]

my rates differ as well. however, its based on type of event, number of people attending and travel expenses. not how much money the client may or may not have.

lucky john

[danielgchan]

Rates...

My rates are dependent on travel, one or two person show, size of the crowd, and number of hours. It's just a good idea to know who you are working for. I don't charge more because they are richer. I just don't bend my prices for them. I've been in many rich parties that say their budget is low for entertainment. Yet when I arrive, I see several name entertainers known in my area. Many of them have a minimum price at least double my prices. They may also have sushi bar and spent a huge budget on other things. Yet they insult me by haggling about $50 dollars. I add value like suggesting add ons like a microphone, full sound system or a backdrop. Charging more extras like backdrop I've invested in is fair. Also knowing that they have a budget allows you to suggest walkaround entertainment for a few hrs extra. I've gotten gigs for friends one I was confirmed.
And prices do vary by the season and how busy I am. I lower my prices on weekdays since the demand is lower.

[Frisbee]

video critique

I would not post your new video link here in the gigs forum...there is actually a forum for critique already started if that is what you are looking for....
but your video hurts my eyeswith the flashing rapidly and makes me feel ike I am about to have an eppileptic seizure.
Also I do not think you shouldl show you messing up on a trick.(diabolo)

Also it looks like it was all mostly shot in your living room.

Lets move the video discussion to blah blah blah...

[le pire]

Re: Rates...

Originally posted by danielgchan
I've been in many rich parties... when I arrive, I see several name entertainers known in my area. Many of them have a minimum price at least double my prices.

Maybe there's a reason for that.

Not trying to be a smart ass... (not trying, just am)