Travel Expenses for a "Trial Night"?

Home :: General Discussion :: Travel Expenses for a "Trial Night"?Reply
Travel Expenses for a "Trial Night"?
Posted on: 09.04.2013 by Doreen Schurle
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 evening 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
Meaghan Machold
10.04.2013
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
Doreen Schurle
10.04.2013
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
Latina Samon
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by shr3dder

On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home
This! It's gutting sometimes driving to a gig then not being able to stay and enjoy yourself fully afterwards!
Ara Tima
09.04.2013
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 evening s 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 evening thing though


On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home
Jetta Drenzek
09.04.2013		From a club owner point of view, if I had to pay
Shawn Vanhaitsma
09.04.2013
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.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
09.04.2013
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 evening 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.
Marguerite Salsedo
09.04.2013
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 evening 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 evening 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 evening , the promoters will definitely not be cool with that.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
09.04.2013
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 evening job on a weekly basis.
Meaghan Machold
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by kooper1980
You are either very young or have a terrible driving record!!

I believe 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?
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.
Kristofer Krauel
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Lol tell me about it... unfortunately car insurance for me would be
Meaghan Machold
10.04.2013
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
Doreen Schurle
10.04.2013
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
Latina Samon
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by shr3dder

On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home
This! It's gutting sometimes driving to a gig then not being able to stay and enjoy yourself fully afterwards!
Ara Tima
09.04.2013
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 evening s 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 evening thing though


On the brightside, you can have a few drinks after if you get a cab home
Antonetta Wikel
09.04.2013		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.
Doreen Schurle
09.04.2013		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
Jetta Drenzek
09.04.2013		From a club owner point of view, if I had to pay
nayit ruiz jaramillo
09.04.2013		Well, clarity in a post always helps.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
09.04.2013
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.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
09.04.2013
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 evening 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.
Marguerite Salsedo
09.04.2013
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 evening 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 evening 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 evening , the promoters will definitely not be cool with that.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
09.04.2013
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 evening job on a weekly basis.
Meaghan Machold
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by kooper1980
You are either very young or have a terrible driving record!!

I believe 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?
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.
Kristofer Krauel
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Lol tell me about it... unfortunately car insurance for me would be
nayit ruiz jaramillo
09.04.2013
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.
Meaghan Machold
09.04.2013		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.
Brunilda Kora
09.04.2013		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
Ralph Alderette
09.04.2013
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.
Ralph Alderette
09.04.2013
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.
Emelina Chillson
09.04.2013		If its an audition, work on getting a ride bruv. Show that you are down for the cause.
Doreen Schurle
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by Volpe
I believe 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 evening DJing is like
Audrey Pinda
09.04.2013		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.
Margaretta Hebenstreit
09.04.2013		I believe 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...

<< Back to General DiscussionReply

Copyright 2012-2023
DJRANKINGS.ORG n.g.o.
Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan

Created by Ajaxel CMS

Terms & Privacy