Playing 3.5 hours for expenses? Who are they kidding?

I once took a call from someone wanting to book the ceilidh band for a similar-sounding gig. 'You'll get expenses and we'll make sure you get your band's name in the press coverage ... so is there anything else you would like?'

When I answered 'yes - money, our usual fee is ... ' the conversation came to a very short ending. Like this one, a commercial company wanting to pay us nothing to increase their revenue.

Anyone who takes this gig needs their bumps feeling,
(a) because they're getting ripped off, and
(b) because the Trafford Centre is a drafty shed and the acoustics will be appalling, even if you can make yourself heard over the echo chamber din of all the shoppers.

Unless they can get their 'expenses claim' up to three figures per person of course :)