Update! Need advice on DJ contract

$1350 sounds like a music and photobooth price to me! He's now saying you have to pay $600 in addition to the $1350? Super unprofessional and sketchy. You signed the contract stating it was for both, so in my opinion he is obligated to follow the contract.

ETA: a word

That's what I was thinking I should do. This is the email he sent me. I cut out his email address.

100% with @Sarah. There is a way to speak to him without sounding argumentative, just state exactly what is in your contract.

I'm with PP. That was his mistake, and he needs to honor the terms of your contract. If he isn't willing to do that, he needs to be willing to refund all of your money that you've paid so far so you can find someone else.

Should I say that if he can not provide the services listed on the contract I would like my deposit back?

Okay thanks everyone!

Good luck Kayla! Pps gave good advice. I can see why you'd be afraid to be a little tough, considering he will be a big part of your wedding (if you keep him). But just remain professional and kind, and see what he says!

Please keep us updated! You made an agreement and signed the contract which says both for $1350 and he should honor that.

I would word it like "We had chosen to use your services because a photobooth is very important to us, and your quoted fee was within our budget. An additional $600 is not within our budget to receive the services we contracted you for."

1350 is a great price for a DJ. And an even better price to throw in a photo booth. I'd badger him a little bit about the contract and maybe he can even come down to 300 for the booth instead of 6?

What is a contract for if he can choose to change it? There's totally a way to be nice about it but you are legally in the right. Also, you weren't shocked it was in the contract, were you? You had already been lead to believe it included the photo booth.

Nope. It's in the contract, so that's what you get. However, if the contract doesn't state a time duration of the photo booth, he could give in and say you only get it for one hour. So, there could be room for negotiation. Also, take a look at your contract to find the penalty if either of you breach the contract. Unlikely, but he could owe you more than a security deposit if he decides to break the contract. If there is a penalty, I would add what ever the breach penalty is and $150 (for one hour) and then subtract both from $600. Then, I'd counter offer that amount. Example: If the contract says that if he breaches for whatever reason, he'd owe you $250. In that case your conversation for him should be for him to either 1. Give you the photo booth for the standard 4 hour time 2. Counter offer him with $200 ($600-$250-$150) for the additional hours, or 3. Let HIM break the contract. Either way, it's his mistake to correct.

ETA: words

Can you prove that you had discussed the photo booth being a part of the contract before signing? Maybe include that in your correspondence with him.

It is his mistake, but getting him to own up to that and actually show up with a photo booth is going to require some ammunition. Don't make enemies just yet. Be polite yet firm and make sure you get your point across. I recommend having someone outside of the situation read your email before you send it to make sure emotion is not a factor when you're writing it.

No not shocked at all it was something that had been discussed. What was not discussed was how long it would be there for because I didn't realize they are usually only there for part of the night. So that's why I emailed him, which now I'm glad I did so that I have at least 6 months to either get a new one or see if he will do it for the contracted price. He also sent me two contracts the first one had the wrong date and he corrected it and gave me a new one with the correct date, I went back and looked and they both have photo booth on it so he not only apparently over looked it once but twice.

I agree with Richard, but would add while you are waiting for him to respond, I definitely would reach out to other DJ companies to get quotes. So you can make an informed decision on what leaving him and going somewhere else would look like. Also it would help to know there are options available on your date before canceling completely.

Since he forgot to remove the "photo booth" from the contract, he should honor it for the original contracted price. That's what professionals do.

Did he ever quote you a new price for what you wanted or was it always the 1350? If that's the case I'd bring it up and quote the contract.

I agree with PPs, and I strongly suggest getting quotes from other DJs. I find it a little unsettling that he sent you a corrected contract once already and STILL forgot to remove the photo booth. If he's not willing to honor the original contract I would probably take my business elsewhere.

Remember nobody wants a negative review. Be clear and be polite that you have a contract. You are not out to make friends or enemies. You just want your contract fulfilled. (I see some mention of negotiation. I wouldn't be against it if he initiates something reasonable but you are in the right.)

What @sarah said. Hope you enjoy that photobooth girl!!