Booking priorities

[smokin Jim]

What do most of you caterers do when you get 2 or more parties that want your services on the same day and you can only accommodate one of them? Do you take the first one that contacted you or do you take the first one that confirms the booking with a deposit?
_________________
18.5" WSM & 22.5" WSM
Weber 22.5" grill
BDS clone
VC5007 gasser
KCBS CBJ

[G's BBQ]

First one to show me the money. You get people who cant make up their mind or use you to get pricing to get better deals elsewhere etc... next thing you know you dont have anyone for that date. I tell everyone that the date isnt secure until I have a deposit. Some think you are just tryin to get the money until oppps Im sorry your date has been filled.

[chef_hog]

Who ever gives you the deposit first......I let them know that someone else is also talking to me about that date and it is not confirmed until the deposit is recieved

[smokin Jim]

Well in my case I let both parties know that there were 2 of them looking at the same date. The first one hasn't got back to me in over a week and the second is hot to trot. In that I mean they are ready to cut a check for the 50% deposit to secure the date. Both of you have the same opinion as me, first paid up gets the job. Thanks, I more or less wanted to hear it from someone else as well.
_________________
18.5" WSM & 22.5" WSM
Weber 22.5" grill
BDS clone
VC5007 gasser
KCBS CBJ

[G's BBQ]

[smokin Jim]

Chef Hog--just wunderin. I checked out your site and if I am reading it right, each menu item (meat) does not include any sides. Each side is ala cart. Is that right? EG: PP=$9.99 +pot salad=$2.25 +beans=$2.95 +slaw=$2.50 for a total per person of $17.69. How do adjust the price for groups, that is, for what size group do you charge this price and does the price go down some for larger groups?
_________________
18.5" WSM & 22.5" WSM
Weber 22.5" grill
BDS clone
VC5007 gasser
KCBS CBJ

[G's BBQ]

[smokin Jim]

I guess I should read the whole thing and all the small print Thanks Gordon. I knew I needed to get some new glasses.
_________________
18.5" WSM & 22.5" WSM
Weber 22.5" grill
BDS clone
VC5007 gasser
KCBS CBJ

[G's BBQ]

[soonerjimmie]

sign the contract and the check. We are set up for more than one catering a night though. Not all of our caterings are cook onsite like a lot of the other guys in the forum.
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Thanks,

Jimmie
JJ's (almost famous) BBQ

www.jjskitchen.com

[marvsbbq]

My wife and I have done 2 in one day before (cooked on site) and it was a KILLER!! the first one ate at noon. We were on site at 06:00, went home and reloaded and headed for second job that ate at 8:00 PM we were on site at 2:00 PM for that one.
This was a week day when we did not have our 'extra help available.
We have done 11 catered jobs in 9 days before with 2 bbq's going....Also a killer but great for the ol' bank account..

Some times the client says they HAVE to have us and are willing to change their eating times to accommodate our schedule.
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Often imitated but never duplicated

[BBQMAN]

I also do the same!

Have a question for Chef Hog myself. You mentioned his web site Smokin Jim. How about the part where refunds are made with a 48 hour notice?

Just curious- I don't refund deposits to clients that back out on a reserved date. As it applies to this thread, it would then prevent me from booking that second party!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[soonerjimmie]

We do not refund any deposit if they cancel. Must be paid in full with in two weeks of the event. I have refunded 2 deposits: the groom got sent to Iraq and the other the bride past away. Two very good excuses.
_________________
Thanks,

Jimmie
JJ's (almost famous) BBQ

www.jjskitchen.com

[smokin Jim]

This is how I got my reservations worded:

[BBQMAN]

Your a good man Jimmie- I surely would have done the same thing!

Short of something along those lines, no there is no refund.

Sorry (not really) but as we get busier, all of our dates are important. Once we lock in that date, it almost always insures that it is yours, and yours only. During my busiest month's (Jan-May) I could book just about any weekend two or three times over! When clients back out it hits me directly in the old pork butt if you know what I mean!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[marvsbbq]

Another thing about the 'booking fee' (some STILL call deposit )...Even if you do rebook that date, you still have time invested in the client that canceled. You deserve SOMETHING for that time spent with that client.
_________________
Often imitated but never duplicated

[BBQMAN]

Thanks to you Marv, my contract has been ammended recently!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[smokin Jim]

Do any of you refund if notified early enough-say a month ahead of the event?
_________________
18.5" WSM & 22.5" WSM
Weber 22.5" grill
BDS clone
VC5007 gasser
KCBS CBJ

[Slamdunkpro]

[BBQMAN]

I book some events a year or more in advance (my retirement community clients are booking for next March). I try to be flexible but there are just so many dates availble and they are all valuable to me.

I have also booked 4th of July and New Years Eve. already. Holidays are a no questions asked, no refund period.

Like slamdunkpro, I do make some exceptions at my discretion.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.