Do you provide a written DJ contract?
Yes, It is important to get your booking confirmed in writing. The terms of our DJ contract is well defined to avoid future complications. Do not hire a DJ who does not provide a written contract, plain and simple.
Do you have back-up equipment in case of emergencies?
Yes, Even professional equipment can fail, don't let this put an early end to your event. It is important to know that there is back-up equipment should an emergency arise.
Do you use equipment of professional quality?
Yes, There is a difference between home audio equipment and professional equipment. An Entertainer's equipment should be designed to sound crisp at all listening levels as well as durable.
Will you listen to all my concerns and inputs?
Yes, A professional Entertainer should welcome your input and ideas. You should meet with your Entertainer prior to your event to discuss your selections and make suggestions. Special requests should not be a problem.
Should we tip our DJ?
At Locomotion DJ Productions, we never expect a tip. We are happy with just knowing we did a great job for you, but we do find that cost couples tip us, especially if they are more than pleased with the DJs efforts. Some DJ companies now add a predetermined gratuity (18 - 20%) so you MUST tip the DJ no matter how good or bad they are, up front. Some competitors don’t tell you about adding their mandatory gratuity, and quote you a price without it, then send a contract, and now the price has just increased by 20%! Avoid ALL DJ services who do this unethical practice. This is not the proper way to do business. Report them to the BBB. We let you decide the amount, based on your satisfaction with our service.
Will the entertainer I meet be the entertainer at my function?
Simply put, yes. Locomotion believes that you should be able to meet the person that will entertain you & your guests, unlike other agencies that do not allow you to meet your entertainer until the day of the event.
What if my entertainer cannot make my event?
Locomotion has DJs who are on-call, and you will always be guaranteed to have a DJ at your occasion, if this becomes the case. Locomotion looks at this as the type of job that you cannot just call in sick, but we must all understand that there are circumstances which are beyond all of our control, so again we do have back up DJs on-call.
Will the music be played at an appropriate level?
Yes, A professional Entertainer knows to keep the volume at a level appropriate for the guests, especially during the cocktail and dinner hours.
Is your company a business or just a hobby?
Locomotion DJ Productions is a full-time business - meaning that our office is manned 5 days a week 10:00am - 8:00pm to answer your questions and concerns, and also so that you may speak with a person and not a machine. If you do get a machine, we will return your call with 20 Mins. (If the call is received during normal business hours)
Will my Entertainer dress appropriately?
Our Entertainer's will always be dressed to the occasion. Tuxedo's are a must for Weddings (unless specified different from the client), all other occasions require Suit, Shirt and Tie, or Smart Casual, and yes we do have Entertainer's who will dress in costume for your Halloween Event's.
Do your Entertainer's specify a set-up time?
Your Entertainer will specify a set-up time that should be no later than a 1/2hr. prior to your event.
Does the set-up time affect the time that I have scheduled for my Entertainer?
No, the set-up time is the Entertainer's time to prepare for your event. This time should not affect their hired time to entertain at your event.
What type of experience do your Entertainer's have?
Our DJs have over 20 years experience in DJ'ing weddings. You need to ask other DJ companies that you may have interest in if he or she is experienced enough to be able to handle gracefully any unforeseen circumstances, and help to emcee the whole night, not just the dance. They should offer to have dinner and cocktail music playing during the meal and work with the other wedding professionals such as the photographer and caterer.
What type of events do your Entertainer's most regularly play?
The correct answer of course is weddings. There are many Entertainer's out there who serve other "markets" and only dabble in weddings when one comes along. For instance, Locomotion DJ Productions does over half of its business in wedding receptions. You want an experienced professional like many of the Entertainer's represented within our site! One of our DJs did 75 weddings in 2006 alone!
Can your company supply local references?
The real key to an Entertainer's service is repeat business and word of mouth advertising. You can believe a person a lot more than a slick brochure sent to you in the mail. Our references can be furnished upon request.
Is the price of your Entertainer a good value?
Shop around but don't go for the bottom line. There are bargain basement Entertainment services out there and there are Entertainment services where you really get more than your money's worth!
Will my Entertainer play a wide variety of music?
You want someone who will entertain everyone at the reception and know how to gear the music to you and your guests. The music library should contain everything from big band, oldies and disco to the latest dance, country and rock, and should be on digital compact disc. They should also offer to purchase any of your special songs that they do not currently have in their music libraries.
Who will be my Entertainer be at my function?
Watch out for the bait switch. Will you know who is going to be the entertainer? You have asked many Disc Jockey questions with the person you expect at your event. This DJ knows your event best! It should not be a surprise of who he/she will be. You should be able to have contact with your Entertainer from the date of signing your Entertainer's contract.
Are there any options for overtime?
We are always available for overtime, but the deciding factor is within the policy of your venue.
How much of a deposit do you require?
Our deposit policy may vary depending on the type of event, but generally between $100.00 to $500.00
What happens in the case of cancellation or postponement?
Our DJ Contract states: If an Agreement is cancelled or breached for any reason (other than an act of God), the client forfeits the deposit. If breached or cancelled within 90 calendar days of the engagement, the client agrees to pay the DJ the full balance due. The client also agrees to pay the DJ interest at the rate of 1½ percent per month on any unpaid balance beyond the engagement date, and all costs of collection, including attorney's fees.
Can I see my Entertainer perform?
For your convenience our Disc Jockeys have online videos that you can view from the comfort of your home. We respect the privacy of the people who have hired us, so we do not practice allowing possible clients to view us at events. We are now seeing that some function halls ask us to sign a waiver stating the same.
How much do you help to coordinate events?
This has to be one of Locomotion's strong points. We have found over the years that many events need a little guidance. We will coordinate with your caterer, photographer, etc. to insure that your event runs as smooth as it possibly can. From scheduling your introductions to your farewell dance. All of your entertainment concerns will be handled in the most professional manner. Locomotion offers free online planning software for every event. Here you will provide all of your details and requests. Your Disc Jockey will go over all of this information 30 days prior to the event.
Do you play requests?
Yes. Within your client access area you'll be able to provide requests and also tell us what you do not want played. You can also share this access with your guests so they can make requests too! You would have the final say when you meet with your DJ. We also take requests at the event if you would like us to.
Do you take breaks?
No. We do not wish to break-up the flow of the music unless appropriate. Unlike a band we keep the music going for the duration of the event.
How do you handle yourself on the microphone?
We try not to overdo it. We feel your guests are not interested in hearing our Entertainers "ham it up" over the microphone. While we make all the announcements with our microphone, it is not uncommon to see us out among your guests encouraging requests.
Do you put on a show?
No. That does not mean that we won't interact with your guests, but what we do and say is meant to draw attention to the attendants not the Entertainers. We feel that you have spent an awful lot of time in your planning for this day, and you don't need "The Blues Brothers", "Elvis", or any other member of "Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus" taking away from a day that will be gone before you know it., but on the other hand if that is what you want we are sure that we can make arrangements to help you out.
How far in advance do we need to book?
Our dates start booking out twelve to six months in advance. However, on many occasions we book dates as late as a couple of weeks ahead of time.
We want to book. What do we do next?
We hope that these Disc Jockey Questions have given you some insight on hiring a professional DJ. Why not give us a call at (978) 833-2164 or email us at info@locomotiondj.com - Let's set a time to meet to further discuss your event and our services.
