📋 Overview

You have received a demand letter from a client claiming you failed to provide adequate DJ or entertainment services at their wedding or event. Entertainment complaints often involve subjective music preferences, equipment issues, timing problems, or MC/announcement disputes. Your primary defenses focus on contract compliance, client-approved playlists, and external factors like venue power issues.

🎵 Music Is Subjective

Guest reactions to music vary widely. Client-approved playlists and do-not-play lists protect you from subjective complaints.

🔌 Equipment Documentation

Photos of your setup and equipment logs help prove you brought what was contracted and it was functioning.

🕒 Venue Factors

Power outages, venue restrictions, and electrical issues are often venue problems, not DJ failures.

Common DJ/Entertainment Claim Types

  • Music selection complaints - Wrong songs, too loud/quiet, not enough dancing
  • Equipment failures - Sound issues, microphone problems, lighting malfunctions
  • Timing/duration issues - Late arrival, early departure, missed cues
  • MC/announcement errors - Mispronounced names, missed announcements, wrong introductions
  • Professional conduct - Dress code, interaction with guests, intoxication claims
  • Cancellation disputes - Client seeking deposit refund after canceling

Attorney Services Pricing

  • 📄 Demand letter: Flat fee $450
  • ⏱ Extended negotiation: $240/hr
  • 📊 Contingency: 33-40% for strong claims

🔍 Evaluate the Claim

DJ claims frequently stem from unrealistic expectations or factors outside your control. Evaluate whether the complaint involves services you agreed to provide and whether external factors contributed.

Claim Risk Assessment

Claim Type Typical Exposure Defense Strength
DJ complete no-show Full refund + potential damages WEAK
Venue power/electrical failure Generally not DJ liability STRONG
Wrong music played (vs. approved list) Partial refund may be appropriate MODERATE
Subjective "not enough dancing" Defensible with playlist approval STRONG
Equipment malfunction (your equipment) Partial refund for affected period MODERATE
MC mispronounced names Minor issue, gesture of goodwill STRONG

📄 Contract Review

  • ✓Hours of service specified
  • ✓Equipment list included
  • ✓Limitation of liability clause
  • ✓Cancellation policy terms

🎵 Performance Evidence

  • ✓Approved playlist on file
  • ✓Do-not-play list signed
  • ✓Setup/equipment photos
  • ✓Timeline/cue sheet used

⚠ Playlist Approval Is Critical

Your strongest defense against music complaints is a client-signed playlist and do-not-play list. If the client approved the music selections before the event, they cannot claim breach for playing what they requested.

🛡 Your Defenses

DJ and entertainment vendors have strong defenses when claims involve subjective taste, venue issues, or services outside the contract scope.

Client-Approved Playlist

If the client provided and approved the playlist, must-play list, and do-not-play list, you performed as directed. Subjective complaints about guest reaction or "not enough dancing" are not breaches when you played what was requested.

When to use: Client complains about music but you played from their approved list.

Venue Power/Electrical Issues

Power outages, tripped breakers, inadequate electrical capacity, and venue sound restrictions are venue problems, not equipment failures. You are not liable for venue infrastructure issues.

When to use: Sound cut out due to venue power issues, not equipment malfunction.

Force Majeure

Weather, power grid failures, emergency evacuations, and other unforeseen circumstances may excuse performance issues. Document the event and your reasonable response.

When to use: External circumstances affected your performance despite best efforts.

Contract Scope Limitations

Your contract specifies hours, equipment, and services. If the client expected additional hours, upgraded equipment, or services not included, you are not liable for uncontracted services.

When to use: Client expected lighting package, photo booth, or other add-ons not in contract.

Substantial Performance

If you performed 4.5 hours of a 5-hour contract due to a minor timing issue, you substantially performed. Minor deviations do not justify full refund demands.

When to use: Minor timing or announcement issues in otherwise successful performance.

Client Caused Delays/Changes

If the client changed the timeline, requested songs not on the list, or their wedding party caused delays, their actions contributed to any timing issues.

When to use: Client made last-minute changes that affected your performance.

🚨 Weak Defense Situations

  • Complete no-show or abandonment of event
  • Showed up without working equipment
  • Played music explicitly on do-not-play list
  • Intoxicated or unprofessional conduct
  • Left significantly early without cause

⚖ Response Options

Choose your response based on the validity of the complaint and your documentation.

Deny with Playlist Evidence

If you played client-approved music and performed contracted services, deny the claim with documentation of approvals and performance.

  • Attach signed playlist
  • Show setup photos
  • Cite contract terms

Partial Settlement

If a legitimate issue occurred (equipment glitch, late start), offer a reasonable partial refund proportional to the affected portion.

  • Acknowledges minor issue
  • Protects reputation
  • Quick resolution

Redirect to Venue

If the issue was venue-related (power, sound restrictions, electrical), direct the client to pursue the venue for any damages.

  • Proper liability allocation
  • Document venue issue
  • Your equipment worked properly

Enforce Deposit Policy

If client cancelled and seeks deposit return, enforce your cancellation terms. Non-refundable deposits are industry standard.

  • Deposit holds date
  • Lost booking opportunity
  • Preparation time invested

📊 Response Analysis

Example: $1,500 DJ contract dispute

DJ fee charged$1,500
Client's refund demand$1,500
Hours performed vs. contracted5 of 5 hours
Playlist compliance100% of approved songs
Legal defense cost$1,000-3,000
STRONG CASE TO DENYDocument evidence

📝 Sample Responses

Customize these response templates for your situation.

Denial - Playlist Approval Defense
RE: Your Letter Dated [DATE] Regarding [EVENT NAME] We have reviewed your demand letter regarding DJ services for [EVENT NAME] on [DATE]. We respectfully deny your claim that we failed to provide adequate entertainment. Your complaint regarding music selection contradicts the documented facts: 1. PLAYLIST APPROVAL: On [DATE], you approved the attached playlist containing [X] songs for your event. We played music exclusively from this client-approved list. 2. DO-NOT-PLAY LIST: You provided a do-not-play list on [DATE]. We did not play any songs on that list. 3. PERFORMANCE: We arrived at [TIME], completed setup by [TIME], and provided continuous entertainment from [START] to [END] as contracted. 4. EQUIPMENT: Our equipment functioned properly throughout the event, as documented by photos showing our complete setup. Guest reaction to music is subjective and varies by individual. We played the music you selected and approved. This is not a breach of contract. We have fully performed our contractual obligations. No refund is due.
Denial - Venue Power Issue Defense
RE: [EVENT NAME] DJ Services - Response to Demand We acknowledge your letter regarding the [DATE] event at [VENUE NAME]. Your complaint concerns a [X-minute] sound interruption during the reception. However, this interruption was caused by a venue electrical issue, not equipment failure on our part. At approximately [TIME], the venue's circuit breaker tripped, cutting power to our equipment and other devices on that circuit. This was a venue infrastructure issue. Our equipment was functioning properly before the outage and resumed immediately when power was restored. Our contract provides at Section [X]: "[DJ/Vendor] is not responsible for venue electrical issues, power outages, or infrastructure failures beyond [DJ/Vendor]'s control." We recommend you direct your complaint regarding the power interruption to [VENUE NAME], as this was a venue-caused issue. We brought functioning equipment and performed our services when power was available. We deny liability for venue infrastructure failures.
Partial Settlement - Minor Issue
RE: [EVENT NAME] - Settlement Proposal We have reviewed your concerns regarding DJ services for your [DATE] event. While we believe we substantially performed our contractual obligations, we acknowledge that [describe specific minor issue: "the groom's name was initially mispronounced during the introduction" / "we started approximately 15 minutes late due to traffic"]. We apologize for this error. However, this minor issue does not justify a full refund. We successfully provided: - [X] hours of entertainment as contracted - Complete sound and lighting setup - All announcements and MC duties - Music from your approved playlist In the interest of goodwill, we offer a refund of $[AMOUNT], representing [X%] of our fee. This offer is made without admission of breach and is contingent upon mutual release. This offer expires in 14 days. We believe this fairly addresses your concern while recognizing the successful entertainment services we provided.
Cancellation Policy Defense
RE: Demand for Deposit Return - [CLIENT NAME] We acknowledge your request for return of the $[AMOUNT] deposit for DJ services scheduled for [DATE]. You cancelled this booking on [CANCELLATION DATE], which was [X] days before the event. Our DJ Services Agreement, signed on [DATE], contains the following cancellation policy: "[Quote policy: e.g., "Deposits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 90 days forfeit the full deposit. Cancellations more than 90 days prior may receive a 50% refund of the deposit."]" This policy is standard in the entertainment industry. The deposit compensates us for: - Holding your date exclusively and declining other bookings - Initial consultation and planning time - Lost opportunity to book another event Per the signed Agreement, your deposit of $[AMOUNT] is [non-refundable / refundable in the amount of $X]. We wish you well with your future event planning.

🚀 Next Steps

Take these actions after receiving a DJ/entertainment claim.

Step 1: Find Your Playlist

Locate signed playlist approvals, do-not-play lists, and timeline documents.

Step 2: Gather Photos

Collect setup photos, equipment documentation, and any event photos.

Step 3: Document Timeline

Note arrival time, setup completion, performance hours, and departure.

Step 4: Respond Professionally

Address each complaint specifically with supporting documentation.

Protecting Future Bookings

  • Written playlist approval - Get signed confirmation of all music selections
  • Equipment photos - Document your setup at every event
  • Timeline sign-off - Have client approve performance schedule
  • Venue walk-through - Identify potential power/electrical issues in advance

Get Professional Help

Entertainment disputes can be resolved with proper documentation. Get a professional response on attorney letterhead.

Schedule Consultation - $450

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