oral contracts

Subject: oral contracts
From: paddymac
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 06:17 PM

With the exception of "big time" performers, most folks play on the basis of a "gentleman's agreement and a handshake", otherwise known as an oral contract. My experience has been that such arrangements are usually satisfactory, but sometimes, one or the other party renegs. Success probabilities for litigation are variable and dependent on many factors. I would greatly appreciate hearing from any 'Catters who have had to wrestle with this problem before, from either side of the equation, and am especially interested in any creative solutions you might have come up with. No point reinventing the wheel unnecessarily.

Subject: RE: oral contracts
From: _gargoyle
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 08:20 PM

The standard lawyers saw is: oral contracts ...... they are as good as the paper they are writen on.

Subject: RE: oral contracts
From: _gargoyle
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 08:21 PM

Is this what Bill Clinton had with Monica????

Subject: RE: oral contracts
From: kendall
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 10:27 PM

If I'm dealing with someone I dont know, I tell them that I dont like legal contracts, but, I do need a simple letter for my files. This gets the job done (as long as it contains the necessary data, time, place, length of gig and fee) and they appreciate the down home style.

Subject: RE: oral contracts
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 14 Oct 99 - 09:03 AM

Good one Kendall, I like it and will use it. It is all a matter of "feel" I used to have a draft contract ready if I 'felt' that that was the way to go with a particular gig. That being said , 99% of my gigs never had a written contract attached and I have never been shafted. Unless you count late cancellations, in which case I insist on a 50% cancellation fee if I cannot get a substitute gig. But then again I am a big bloke and people don't like to refuse me when I "reason ";-) with them.
Tip: Answer to THE QUESTION "How much do you charge? " or "What is your fee?"
Answer "What is your budget?"
Surprising how many will blurt it out, and also surprising how many times their answer will be in excess of the fee you are thinking of charging.

Regards, Ted.

Subject: RE: oral contracts
From: kendall
Date: 14 Oct 99 - 02:54 PM

If I have someone who balks at my price, I tell them the fable of the oats.. IF YOU WANT NICE FRESH TOP QUALITY OATS, THEY ARE GOING TO COST YOU FULL PRICE....However, IF YOU CAN SETTLE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE HORSE, THEY ARE MUCH CHEAPER.