Travel Expenses for a "Trial Night"?

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04-09-2013, 01:09 AM
mdcdesign

Travel Expenses for a "Trial Night"?

Just been asked to do a trial set at a big club about 15 miles away from where I live; normally, I'd catch public transport there and hang around until 6ish when the trains start running again, but unfortunately there's no (even slightly) direct public transport route between here and the venue.

Now, I don't mind playing my first night there for free, but is it acceptable to ask that they cover my travel expenses, as I'm going to have to get a taxi there and back, which will likely come to about £40-50 total.

Any opinions guys?
04-09-2013, 01:13 AM
Volpe

I think it's the least you can ask for if you gig there for free, just a personal opinion though, i don't have any experience with that...
04-09-2013, 01:18 AM
Bassline Brine

It's not unreasonable, but someone who doesn't have to worry about "travel expenses" is much more likely to run favorably in the eyes of the promoters / owners for the evening.

Do what you feel is right however, and stick to your guns.
04-09-2013, 01:18 AM
mdcdesign

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volpe

I think it's the least you can ask for if you gig there for free, just a personal opinion though, i don't have any experience with that...

Well it's a tricky one, because around here the going rate for a full night DJing is like £150 on a Friday / £200 on a Saturday, so asking for like £40 wouldn't be too bad; I'm not sure how it works if you're only doing 1-hour sets though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassline Brine

It's not unreasonable, but someone who doesn't have to worry about "travel expenses" is much more likely to run favorably in the eyes of the promoters / owners for the evening.

Lol tell me about it... unfortunately car insurance for me would be £4000 a year, which is practically impossible for me to pay for atm :(
04-09-2013, 01:18 AM
the_bastet

If its an audition, work on getting a ride bruv. Show that you are down for the cause.
04-09-2013, 04:03 AM
DJ Asand

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellnegative

If its an audition, work on getting a ride bruv. Show that you are down for the cause.

I'm gonna have to agree with this guy ^

Now, if you get the gig and they ask you to come back.. DEFINITELY expect payment from that moment on.
04-09-2013, 04:04 AM
DJ Asand

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellnegative

If its an audition, work on getting a ride bruv. Show that you are down for the cause.

I'm gonna have to agree with this guy ^

Now, if you get the gig and they ask you to come back.. DEFINITELY expect payment from that moment on.
04-09-2013, 05:11 AM
Patch

Listen - it's quite likely that you are not being trialed, but that they have had a DJ drop out of that slot and decided you let you fill it for free - saving them some dough.

So - if you ask 'em for £40 travelling expenses, they may well agree just to save themselves the hassle of arranging another DJ.

BUT - it might come across as a little ameteur if you ask for travel costs......
04-09-2013, 06:33 AM
djmetalgear

Don't ask for travel costs the first day. Period. Don't do it. They'll find another DJ with a car... Whether he's better or worse, they'll more than likely move on.

These are sacrifices we have to make sometimes.

Now if I get a reg gig, it may be okay to ask for a bit more cause of travel costs, but more likely than not, they're looking for guys with reliable transportation. Then again I'm from the US, culture could be different.
04-09-2013, 07:29 AM
Karlos Santos

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmetalgear

Don't ask for travel costs the first day. Period.

These are sacrifices we have to make sometimes.

^^That is the correct answer^^

Asking for money before you have proved yourself is a big no no.
Promoters I know always piss and moan when they are asked to cover expenses for first timers.

Do a good set and when they ask you back, tell them about the costs and then ask for expenses.
04-09-2013, 08:05 AM
kooper1980

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdcdesign

Lol tell me about it... unfortunately car insurance for me would be £4000 a year, which is practically impossible for me to pay for atm :(

You are either very young or have a terrible driving record!! :p

I think you are just gonna have to suck it up and find a mate with a car or cover the cost.

Where is the club by the way? What set will you be playing?

Will you be using CDJ's? :p
04-09-2013, 08:13 AM
djmetalgear

Quote:

Originally Posted by kooper1980

You are either very young or have a terrible driving record!! :p

I think you are just gonna have to suck it up and find a mate with a car or cover the cost.

Where is the club by the way? What set will you be playing?

Will you be using CDJ's? :p

i know a buddy who DJs around my area with no car, but he brings a friend with him and usually just tells the friend for compensation of the ride, he will hook him up with a few drinks... plus u get to chill next to the DJ, and girls always come up to talk to the DJ... they usually end up going.
04-09-2013, 09:23 AM
balakoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlos Santos

^^That is the correct answer^^

Asking for money before you have proved yourself is a big no no.
Promoters I know always piss and moan when they are asked to cover expenses for first timers.

Do a good set and when they ask you back, tell them about the costs and then ask for expenses.

Yep. Though Id have an issue relying on a DJ who had to use public transportation to get to his late night job on a weekly basis.
04-09-2013, 09:39 AM
Citizen_Insane

Quote:

Originally Posted by balakoth

Yep. Though Id have an issue relying on a DJ who had to use public transportation to get to his late night job on a weekly basis.

Eh, it depends though honestly. In Toronto you can get most places before around 2am and after that there are night busses and it's quite reliable. In Waterloo, where I am for university, hell no.

Anyways, going back on topic, gonna echo what has been said here a few times: Don't ask for travel costs for a trial night, the promoters will definitely not be cool with that.
04-09-2013, 10:13 AM
Karlos Santos

Quote:

Originally Posted by balakoth

Yep. Though Id have an issue relying on a DJ who had to use public transportation to get to his late night job on a weekly basis.

Um... I didn't mention public transport.
The OP mentions that there is no public transport available.

If I were him i'd convince a mate to drive and offer to pay the petrol cost.
04-09-2013, 01:15 PM
balakoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlos Santos

Um... I didn't mention public transport.
The OP mentions that there is no public transport available.

If I were him i'd convince a mate to drive and offer to pay the petrol cost.

Uhmmm never said you did... Didnt realize some how my opinion had to relate to that... Sorry..

So fine ill rephrase it... so that it means the exact same thing. "Though, Id have issue relying on my DJ To get there on a weekly basis with NO TRANSPORTATION"

Public Transportation, no transportation ... same unreliability.. shrug.. Many employers normal jobs ask that you have a dependable way to get to work as well.
04-09-2013, 02:07 PM
Karlos Santos

Well, clarity in a post always helps.
04-09-2013, 04:39 PM
Sambo

From a club owner point of view, if I had to pay £50 in taxis for my DJ to arrive every week, he better spin 6 decks whilst on fire.

Learn to drive or get gigs closer to home is a fact of life for the working DJ.
04-09-2013, 08:50 PM
mdcdesign

Cheers for all the input guys :) Looks like I'll have to beg/bully/bribe someone into giving me a lift or just suck up the cost of the taxis and keep quiet about it lol :P

As for the ridiculously expensive car insurance; I'm 26, but I don't have a licence at the moment, so if I take my test, I'll still only have had the licence for less than a year == stupidly expensive :(
04-09-2013, 09:47 PM
SirReal

You got to be able to get some of your friends to come out and a support you, just ask one of them for a lift.
04-09-2013, 11:33 PM
shr3dder

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirReal

You got to be able to get some of your friends to come out and a support you, just ask one of them for a lift.

I imagine they'll be expecting you to bring some people along, most places usually do.

I'd keep pretty quiet about your transport issues, like others have said it'll just cause them to look for someone more reliable. I don't drive either, but taxi costs are just part of it. I mean some nights I'll throw away $40-50AUD in taxis getting to and from gigs, but if your getting paid a fair amount it's worth it. No way I'd be asking for anything for a trial, that said I've had 'Trials' where I've done well and been paid in the end as I did a good job. Maybe you'll get lucky?

Make sure you chat to the security, bar staff, management etc... you'll be surprised how many people are willing to give you a lift home if they live in the area. Maybe not a first night thing though :)

On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home :thumbup:
04-10-2013, 12:09 AM
KS2

Quote:

Originally Posted by shr3dder

On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home :thumbup:

This! It's gutting sometimes driving to a gig then not being able to stay and enjoy yourself fully afterwards!
04-10-2013, 01:59 AM
mdcdesign

Quote:

Originally Posted by KS2

This! It's gutting sometimes driving to a gig then not being able to stay and enjoy yourself fully afterwards!

Haha I don't drink, so not much of an issue for me ;) 'tis a shame really, most venues here tend to use "drinks vouchers" as a way of essentially paying you less, which I usually end up having to give away :(
04-10-2013, 07:42 AM
djmetalgear

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdcdesign

Cheers for all the input guys :) Looks like I'll have to beg/bully/bribe someone into giving me a lift or just suck up the cost of the taxis and keep quiet about it lol :P

As for the ridiculously expensive car insurance; I'm 26, but I don't have a licence at the moment, so if I take my test, I'll still only have had the licence for less than a year == stupidly expensive :(

everyone has travel expenses. if its not the cost of the Taxi... its the cost of gas in my own car.. As long as what you're getting paid covers your cost of getting there... and gives u a few extra bucks (whatever currency) in your pocket, then you'll just have to suck it up. Maybe you'll get a small raise if you impress! never know

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