Is this common with DJs?

M&R7111 · December 2010

My FI insisted on going with this DJ company he works with as he plans school proms and the like. They are a very good and well known company.

He called there and made an appointment to meet with a specific DJ he knows (professionally). The guy is open for our wedding date and I really like talking to him. FI has seen his work and says he does a great job.

I was a little put off, however, when we were shown the wedding packages and prices.

For a "Wedding I" we would get one DJ (which we wanted) in our price range, BUT we wouldn't be able to pick who our DJ was and we wouldn't be assigned our DJ until one month out from the wedding. We also would have no say if we didn't like this DJ as we would just be assigned another one from the company - I guess whoever is next on the list of open people.

For a "Wedding II", which is than our budget, we would be able to pick our DJ (this guy we wanted) and would get unlimited contact with him up until our wedding day. And we would get 2 DJs (which we really don't need)

Those are the two options.

I feel this price set up is bogus and forces us to pay more for a package deal we don't want so we can have piece of mind working with a DJ we know. Also, we are having a 15 minute ceremony outside of the reception site. I want a song to walk in on and a song to walk out with. If the DJ includes this - it's an extra $300!! (I'm getting some speakers from a friend and an iPod!)

Is this a common package deal for DJ's and weddings?

smw42 · December 2010

I've never heard of it being put that way- however we did get the bait and switch with our DJ and the owner didn't show (claimed he was sick but other things indicate he never planned on showing) the night of our wedding, even though during the entire process he said he would be the MC.

Danes983 · December 2010

Never heard of this. What company is it?

M&R7111 · December 2010

Synergetic Sounds and Lighting

The 1 DJ package is $949
"Up to 5 hours of music w/ 1 DJ; your DJ is chosen for you about one month prior to your wedding"

The other package is $1299
"You will meet with your DJ before you sign a contract; up to 5 hours of music with 2 DJs; basic lighting; 4 hours of pre-planning"

And that's it!
I find this fishy!

kristen8040 · December 2010

This is a bunch of BS, find a different dj.

peaches85 · December 2010

I've never heard of that. Since your FI has worked with him in the past, why not ask the DJ specifically if you can go with the first package and still ensure that the guy you want will be the DJ.

M&R7111 · December 2010

I just looked up some reviews on them:

Everyone who posted a review said they did a great job, but there were a few that mentioned having to pay more money to be able to meet with the DJ and then those meetings never happened. It was recommended that paying the extra money wasn't worth it.

I don't think I should have to pay an extra $350 just to make sure I'm hiring a person I want. Sounds like extortion to me!

M&R7111 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:1e23cd83-535a-433e-b9f9-bd6bfd553a33">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]I've never heard of that. Since your FI has worked with him in the past, why not ask the DJ specifically if you can go with the first package and still ensure that the guy you want will be the DJ.
Posted by peaches85[/QUOTE]

We asked that in the meeting and the guy said we couldn't do it.

It also doesn't help that FI was laid off during a whole "teacher round up and fire" and hasn't actually worked with these people in 2 years. The owner remembered him and they shook hands and chit-chatted a bit, but were not giving any give on the packages.

But FI seems to have glitter in his eyes because he says "well, we are paying for a really great company and we don't have to worry about anything going wrong so it's worth the price".

Granted, it's not going to really kill our budget that much - we aren't going to sink because of the extra $$, in all honesty, I budgeted $1000 for a DJ in the first place. So we are only going over by a little. Still, it rubs me the wrong way the way they are doing business.

mbcdefg · December 2010

I booked a DJ for a little under $1K. He was from a company, but I called and requested that specific DJ after reading good things about him on this board. I booked the most basic package, which was just him playing music and making minimal announcements (no lighting, giveaways, second DJ, etc.) and that worked out just fine.

We didn't meet with him before the wedding, although we could have. I just personally didn't see the need. We met him at our reception and we liked him and he did a good job.

I personally don't trust studios where you don't get to find out who your vendor is ahead of time. And I don't like the idea of photographers from a studio at all, even if you get to meet your photographer ahead of time. I'd rather hire an independent person.

M&R7111 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:70a56277-fee3-4772-ac6b-7ea5978538fd">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]I booked a DJ for a little under $1K. He was from a company, but I called and requested that specific DJ after reading good things about him on this board. I booked the most basic package, which was just him playing music and making minimal announcements (no lighting, giveaways, second DJ, etc.) and that worked out just fine. We didn't meet with him before the wedding, although we could have. I just personally didn't see the need. We met him at our reception and we liked him and he did a good job. I personally don't trust studios where you don't get to find out who your vendor is ahead of time. And I don't like the idea of photographers from a studio at all, even if you get to meet your photographer ahead of time. I'd rather hire an independent person.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

Yep, this is what has me nervous. It's like they are holding that "security" you get by at least knowing who the person is hostage. I would at least like to look up a bio on the guy or ask around and see if anyone has had him as a DJ.

I'm going with a photographer from a studio, but my uncle works for these people and worked with the guy they have for us on other weddings so I have trust in him.

I have tried to go through family, friends, and word of mouth as often as possible with the wedding and less with the phone book.

Danes983 · December 2010

if you want a rec I am going with primetime entertainers. They have like 10 dj's and you go to a showcase and pick the exact one you want. They have good prices and are negotiable.

Reilly626 · December 2010

That is unusual but boy both prices to me are cheap! I paid a lot more for Vito at Dash of Class.

M&R7111 · December 2010

Danes - thanks for the rec - I'll check them out

Reilly - Yes, I do agree those are great prices for what wedding DJs could run. Which is why I'm not too upset about the more expensive package. It's the strange business package that puts me off, very shady and I don't like it!

akmackay · December 2010

I wouldn't trust it. But, I'm not a trustworthy person. I am also way to paranoid to not know who my DJ would be until a month out.

Also remember, the $350 is for another DJ as well. I would personally go with the second package b/c have an MC and a DJ made a huge difference on our wedding day.

M&R7111 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:fbc40483-31ad-4d11-9944-db2aa5e87d87">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't trust it. But, I'm not a trustworthy person. I am also way to paranoid to not know who my DJ would be until a month out. Also remember, the $350 is for another DJ as well. I would personally go with the second package b/c have an MC and a DJ made a huge difference on our wedding day.
Posted by akmackay[/QUOTE]

We did learn that having two DJs can be useful - the DJ we talked to said that he can be in constant contact with the photographers, VIP guests and all to set up certain events like our entrance, cake, special dances - and still have someone up taking care of the music.
I know the extra cost is for the 2nd DJ - but why hold out on knowing who your DJ is with the first package? I don't think that costs any money!

wedwed11 · December 2010

So basically you have to pay more to know who is going to be working at your wedding? I find that to be weird. Maybe you can express that you find that to be a concern.
I can understand if some DJs are more than others but why should you pay more to know who will be doing your wedding!

goaliegirl · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:82506c81-2e72-4033-9c58-a7eb7b3e595f">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]Synergetic Sounds and Lighting The 1 DJ package is $949 "Up to 5 hours of music w/ 1 DJ; your DJ is chosen for you about one month prior to your wedding" The other package is $1299 "You will meet with your DJ before you sign a contract; up to 5 hours of music with 2 DJs; basic lighting; 4 hours of pre-planning" And that's it! I find this fishy!
Posted by M&R7111[/QUOTE]

it looks like the extra $300 includes not only the 2nd DJ which I think is useful, but also basic lighting. So, you are not just paying extra to find out your DJ, you are paying extra for the extra items. $300 more seems reasonable for those extra 2 items over the basic package.

Tell them you will book elsewhere if you can't find out who your DJ is and if they say no, go somewhere else, there are plenty of DJ companies out there.

sgdc2011 · December 2010

Our Dj group we had to pay more as well, but ours is a bit different in that we have 2 vocalists coming and I wanted to pick the 2 vocalists. I would go wit hthe 2nd package regardless

M&R7111 · December 2010

We did do the second package just to make life easier.

We really didn't need the lighting and all as we are budgeting and counting every penny. To me, that $350 = 5 more people on the guest list, which is pretty small already!

But, like I said before, I did budget for around 1K for a DJ - but to see a less expensive package on the table is tempting!

annandted86 · December 2010

This is crazy. I can understand a company doing one approach or the other because that's the way they work. But to do both and make you pay more just to know who your DJ is going to be feels almost like paying a ransom. I wouldn't do it on principle.

goaliegirl · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:9a810c5e-99c4-4408-9fe6-c2dadd28dd77">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is crazy. I can understand a company doing one approach or the other because that's the way they work. But to do both and make you pay more just to know who your DJ is going to be feels almost like paying a ransom. I wouldn't do it on principle.
Posted by annandted86[/QUOTE]

She is not really paying to know who the DJ is...if you look at the packages..there is more included in the second package, including a second DJ and basic lighting...so the original post is a little misleading...I don't feel like the company is doing anything shady or wrong...they are offering more in the 2nd package, hence the reason for the increased price. If she didn't want the extras and only wanted to know who her DJ was, she should have shopped around a little and looked for another company. I think it is unfair to say the company is wrong, when clearly they are not!

M&R7111 · December 2010

Well, the company is not wrong - I get that there is more in the 2nd package.

But we don't need all the stuff in the 2nd package. Why can't we know the DJ and still have the first package? Why is that only offered in the more expensive package?

Again, I just find it to be a very strange way to go about things.

goaliegirl · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-common-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:2cfa84a5-f816-426b-97bc-148e489ebbeePost:89d84577-a4d0-41c7-b220-1a6c8a73e72c">Re: Is this common with DJs?</a>:
[QUOTE]Well, the company is not wrong - I get that there is more in the 2nd package. But we don't need all the stuff in the 2nd package. Why can't we know the DJ and still have the first package? Why is that only offered in the more expensive package? Again, I just find it to be a very strange way to go about things.
Posted by M&R7111[/QUOTE]

Because that is how they choose to do business..it may not be the most brillant marketing strategy in the world...but if you didn't like it...then shop around and see what other deals you could find. Did you meet with any other DJ's? Nobody was twisting your arm to book with this DJ. I would be curious to see if you had said "well we only need the items in the first package, but we are insistent about knowing who our DJ is now, so we are going elsewhere" maybe you would have gotten somewhere with them and been able to choose, who knows.

M&R7111 · December 2010

True -

But I'm fine with the decision we made to stay with them - everything else about them is professional and I like the guy we talked to.
I was only asking if this practice was common with other DJs as this is the first DJ I've ever hired.

ShellyNMark · December 2010

I think if I were you, I would negotiaate the $1299.00 down a bit. Time are tough, there are a lot of great DJ's out there for the same money. I'd offer him $1050 for Wed II if not shop around.

michelle221 · December 2010

Another recommendation would be Mike Chieffo from DJMC. He has excellent reviews. Have also seen him in action, very professional and charming.

demarcosjd · December 2010

It might be helpful to post this on the South Jersey board. I believe Synergetic was based around the Cherry Hill area and a lot of girls from there have used them. We saw them at a few of the bridal shows and knew one of the owners. The price is reasonable but so are most prices down there. We paid $650 for our DJ and got to pick who we wanted and met with all their DJ's. We also had 2 assistants come along with him. We used Centerstage Entertainment and they were great. Not sure where your wedding is located. I would be a little worried not knowing who my DJ was. Although you would hope they could do a great job it would still make me a little nervous.

M&R7111 · December 2010

I'm in Mercer County - and here we call it "central jersey" It's strange because I don't consider myself "south", especially since I've lived in "south jersey" like Cape May. Now THAT is south! lol I live in a part of jersey that doesn't exist to anyone else - Central Jersey.

I think they might have been based in Cherry Hill, but now they are in Bensalem, PA.

We did go with this company - I was just wondering if the packages that hold out on you knowing your DJ was a normal practice with these companies.

I've found out it's not common - but we went with the more pricy one and know who our DJ is.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

cindy91788 · December 2010

I've never heard of this either. When we booked our DJ, we chose their basic/cheapest package, which included 5 hours (cocktail hour is included "free), a DJ and an Emcee..who we got to meet and choose personally and his name is on our contract.We will be working with him up until our wedding date. I wouldn't have it any other way. Unless you like every Emcee that they use, which is highly unlikely, what is the purpose of booking that company?

Robinbirdny · December 2010

Hi all,

I'm booking my dj for my april wedding and followed the thread here for suggestions. I reached out to primetime entertainers and Centerstage Entertainment. Any feedback from the group on favorite djs and/or pricing?

I have a ton of vendors to book and not a lot of time (or money) to work with.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS lovely brides!

RObin

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