Advice on collecting deposits // Advice for Magicians

Michael O'Brien discusses the do's and don'ts about collecting security deposits!
Find out what to do if a client wants to reschedule you HERE: • What do you do when a ...
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Michael O'Brien is an award winning magician who has performed magic all over the world including the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California as well as the Magic Circle in London, United Kingdom. He has made several television appearances including: Penn & Teller fool Us, KTLA 5, Mitú TV, and America's Got Talent. In addition to performing magic, Michael spends much of his time creating his own magic effects, giving his audience a unique experience they will not get anywhere else as well as teaching up and coming magicians the tricks of the trade!
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Bumper by Buck Bowen Featuring “Salty Dog” by Flogging Molly

[@tap585grad706]

I always tell the customer to pay up front before I accept a booking. Once a customer let me do the show and said they did not like it. He said I will pay you half? Luckily his son heard and told his father to pay the guy his money! From now on I say I cannot perform until I get paid. Cheers!

[@OBrienMagic]

Yeah, if you don't like the service, then you can air your grievances but you don't just NOT PAY! so rude!

[@vincentlem2534]

When you go to a hockey game, you pay at the beginning. When you go to a concert, you pay at the beginning. Letting them pay at the end puts you in a very vulnerable position and gives all the power to the customer. Not good. Not going to happen with me! Cheeers!@@OBrienMagic

[@westonding8953]

Have you ever had any experiences where the client did not pay you the remaining 50% of the balance or refused to pay you the remaining 50% of the balance?

[@OBrienMagic]

Yes I have. This happened once and the client swore up and down they paid it. I asked for proof and they never provided it. Eventually I dropped it as it was not worth stressing out so much over $100 (at the time my rate was $200 an hour for strolling.) This is another reason why I collect up front before the performance. At the very least if they refuse to pay you can just leave. Tbh though this is not a significant enough issue I worry about it too much. It has only happened to me once. The other thing that happened was I showed up without collecting a deposit at all and the client was like “yeah we decided not to have a magician…. Sorry…” lol Ouch! Always collect a deposit. This puts skin in the game on their end so they don’t bail.

[@westonding8953]

@@OBrienMagic thanks for the advice! Makes sense you collect a deposit. Do you provide receipts to them at both payments? Do you recommend Venmo, Zelle, checks, or physical cash? Do you think one is better than the others?