FAQ

At Porky's Disco, I've done my best to create a Web site that anticipates and satisfies our customers' needs. With that goal in mind, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer to your question here, contact us at 01332 668978 or DJ@porkysdisco.com.

PLAYLIST
“Will you play my requests”
Absolutely, the key to a great night out is the music being right for the function and for the people at that function. I will happily play your requests all I ask is keep the list to a reasonable length, you may love the work of Leonard Cohen but to play 12 of his songs at your wedding may delight you, but will send your guests home early in droves.

“Can I give you a list of songs that I DON’T want played at my function”
Of course, but better yet is two lists, the red list of records not to play under any circumstances, at all - ever and a list of tracks to play only if your guests specifically request them, many brides have tunes they want to avoid for a number of reasons but if that reason is just personal preference it may be that you guests ask for it, and if it’s a mainstream track I would be reluctant to tell a guest that I don’t have, say, Angels by Robbie Williams.

With all playlist requests it’s best to keep it to the essentials, you are booking ME with MY expertise to get your guests dancing, I appreciate the steer and will tailor my playlist to your needs but you wouldn’t take your car for new brakes and dictate which brands of spanner the mechanic uses, would you? Remember also in one hour I play about 17 tracks.. this year I had a request list for a night where a band played most of the night and I did 90 minutes for 50 tracks and another for a full night, for 300 tracks. If you know every single track you want playing at your party... why book a disco?

One of the best things is to email me a set of 5 short lists List 1. The first dance (weddings mostly) and the second dance. List 2 - Some MUST plays (keep it to a minimum about 20 is over an hours worth and remember it’s for a party, not listening to in the car on the way home from work) List 3 is some generics that you like (Motown, 80’s, Rock) List 4 generics that you’d prefer not to have too many of and the red list, list 5 - the DO NOT PLAY LIST (keep it short and remember, your guests may love some of those tracks.

PRICES and DISCOUNTS
How much do you charge?
Probably the most frequently asked initial question... If you want the cheapest disco in town, this is the WRONG place to look, if you want reliability, flexibility and quality entertainment, then you will be paying a little more for it, however, my customers tell me that I am “in the middle” of the pricing range for mobile disco’s and I know this does not answer the question, but it does give you an idea. Remember, a £1000 disco is not necessarily better than a £100 disco, he just has better holidays!

It’s only a Kids party/ birthday/wedding/engagement will you do it for less? Seriously, I get asked this three or four times a month. If it’s any party that is described by the words, “it’s only a” then why bother?. To answer the other part though, nobody EVER challenges the bar prices at a venue, nobody ever says to the caterers “can we have less meat in the sandwiches and save a few bob” no-one ever haggles over the price of the cake but for some reason, the disco is fair game. if the gig costs me less to perform, I’ll offer you a discount. if it’s in a room where I don’t need a roadie (this is my call to make) if it’s close to home and a short night, the base price will come down a bit.

“Will you do a free one for charity?”
Er No! And here’s why. I do support my favourite charities, mainly the Round Table Children’s Wish and a couple of other kids charities but in the past I have done free nights for a charity and the only enquiries I get as a result... are other charities. If an event has cost nothing to organise, then often that’s the level of effort that goes into ticket sales. I may well make a donation to the charity at the end of the night, and often do, but that’s my choice.

FUNCTIONS
“Kids Parties?”
I will perform children’s disco’s and I actually enjoy doing the end of term bash, but 2 hours on a Saturday Night will cost you the same as a wedding. The best option is to go for a midweek or Sunday event and watch the prices tumble!

“Prom Nights?”
Yes Please, loads of fun but only if it’s in a supervised venue with one or two “security advisors” The only thing worse than a school prom with no supervision, is one with all the teachers there frowning and pontificating over the proceedings. In 2008 I did 12 prom nights with no trouble, no bad behaviour and no big attitudes except from one or two of the staff..BRING IT ON!

“Weddings” I LOVE weddings. Tell me the colour scheme beforehand and I’ll dress accordingly

“Christmas Eve” The only night of the year I never work.

I’m sorry but I WILL NOT normally take 18th and 21st Birthday parties, Stag Nights, Hen Nights, Political Events You need to be 18+ to book Porky’s Disco

BILLING
“How do I Pay You”
Money’s good! Seriously though, deposits can be in cash or I prefer a cheque which will have cleared one month prior to the event.

The balance is payable on the night, without exception. Cash is fine, cheques must be backed up with a valid card to cover the whole amount.

More people nowdays prefer to pay electronically and we can do a BACS transfer but this must be cleared before the event takes place, sorry but I cannot take cards.

I work in Sterling and Euro’s by prior arrangement - ALL payments to have taken place BEFORE the music starts.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING
So what happens if Porky’s Ill?
It does happen! In 2006 for the first time ever I had a “cosmetic” illness that prevented me from working for some weeks, this is what I did.

Communicate - I contacted all of my customers up to 7 months in advance and explained the situation,

Cover - I covered the bookings for some, and a couple, covered their own. The immediate bookings I covered at whatever cost to myself, you have to be fair to your customers. Two customers still insisted on ME attending the event, which I was delighted to do

Follow Up - As a courtesy, I followed up all the bookings that I had arranged cover for and made sure the customers were happy with the cover. Obviously there’s not much I could do if not, but I needed to know the replacements were up to scratch.

Finances - One of the customers had to pay a few pounds more for my replacement which I was happy to pay for them.

Here’s a tip for you... when you are about to book a Disco for your wedding, ask him what would happen if he fell ill on the day before and couldn’t work. My best contacts are here, in my web pages, I TRUST these guys to treat my customers with respect.

Customer service is not measured by the way our suppliers behave when everything is going right, it’s measured by the way they behave when something goes wrong.

Click the link below to go to my DJ Buddies!