Number6 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1418740595' post='2632842'] just wondering what everybody's reaction would be if an agent changed his mind about a series of gigs after the contracts had been signed [/quote] Is this agent in Canada? I feel we need this information to formulate a response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1418740595' post='2632842'] just wondering what everybody's reaction would be if an agent changed his mind about a series of gigs after the contracts had been signed [/quote] Depends how far down the line you've gone with it. We're talking about overnight. The agent has probably gone home and waited until he had the signed contract. Or should have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I'm not sure duress would really work. He might not enforce his clause, but he has got the right to. Whether it would be worth his while legally is another question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1418740879' post='2632849'] Is this agent in Canada? I feel we need this information to formulate a response. [/quote]not sure what Canada has to do with it, I'm from the "once you've said you'll do something you do it" school of thought, I was merely trying to point out that if the boot was on the other foot there'd be a load of bassist on here saying what a miserable bunch of robbing bastards agents where. Edited December 16, 2014 by PaulWarning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1418742763' post='2632874'] ...what a miserable bunch of robbing bastards... [/quote] It [i]is[/i] a good way of making a living from music without the bother of learning to play an instrument... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 The phrase 'if it (a decision) has to be now, it has to be no' has served me well as a contract engineer; as is the general understanding that all agents are sharks - even the 'nice' ones. Is it the same in the music 'biz'? You were probably just the next on his list - perhaps a lesson learned, perhaps not. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1418742763' post='2632874'] not sure what Canada has to do with it, I'm from the "once you've said you'll do something you do it" school of thought, I was merely trying to point out that if the boot was on the other foot there'd be a load of bassist on here saying what a miserable bunch of robbing bastards agents where. [/quote] It would possibly be the difference between whether i tell him to sling his hook or not tbh..... Many a contract has been binned over the years by both parties with little sleep lost..... If he was abroad i'd ditch him and say i'm not doing it.....if he tries to get his 12% let him foot the bill for legal counsel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBob09 Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 Just re read my contract, as my (very pissed) agent just suggested. There's a claus that says if I don't even get as far as the gig and terminate the contract beforehand, I owe them one or two weeks wages. That's about £1,260. sh*t. And the fact I asked for another contract come January, I can well and truly forget that. Lesson learnt. If I'm not comfortable in a situation, I need to take control and make sure I'm comfortable. I'll pay them what I owe them if they can get me another gig elsewhere. If not, I'll speak to my lawyer and think about paying them. But I would agree with everyone here that's said I'm an arse. I should not have taken the contract in the first place but on taking the contract and leaving tomorrow, I'm leaving a lot of family at Christmas without even saying as much as goodbye to them, nevermind just throwing them an unwrapped present lying around. I'd be letting guys down on gigs and sh*t too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Not going to give you a hard time over it... and I do get the point that if an agent had done this, we would all likely to be having our say about that as well. As tough as it is... all round, I think you should try and be cordial and sensible about it so your stance about paying his 'dues' IF he gives you more work is a way of mending fences...a bit... but if he is going to bin you, which he may well do AFTER the pay-off, I'd think he can wait for his money, with all that goes with a complex overseas haggle. And.... lesson learned and the maxim should now be..as the poster above said, if the answer has to be now, the answer is No. He then would have had a chance to ask elsewhere and maybe would still have had to come back to you as you'd still be a 'possible' to him and you would have brought yourself 24 hrs or so. I say this because the reason he was so tough on his stance is because he was under so much pressure as well.... and he'd had no luck getting a yes elsewhere....??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1418754815' post='2633013'] and he'd had no luck getting a yes elsewhere....??? [/quote] I suppose Andy should take some comfort that at least he was on the list, all be it, at the bottom.....lol.... Hope you get it sorted AndyBob, and it all works out. Not a nice situation to be in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1418754815' post='2633013'] As tough as it is... all round, I think you should try and be cordial and sensible about it so your stance about paying his 'dues' IF he gives you more work is a way of mending fences...a bit... but if he is going to bin you, which he may well do AFTER the pay-off, I'd think he can wait for his money, with all that goes with a complex overseas haggle. And.... lesson learned and the maxim should now be..as the poster above said, if the answer has to be now, the answer is No. He then would have had a chance to ask elsewhere and maybe would still have had to come back to you as you'd still be a 'possible' to him and you would have brought yourself 24 hrs or so. I say this because the reason he was so tough on his stance is because he was under so much pressure as well.... and he'd had no luck getting a yes elsewhere....??? [/quote] Some very good advice here, I would also suggest getting some legal advice - you never know what wriggle room you might have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I wish I had a 5 week contract to play. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1418758850' post='2633064'] I wish I had a 5 week contract to play. Blue [/quote] PM AndyBob I believe he may have an opening somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 f***ing LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Admiral Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Not sure I understand the Canada bit well enough. Is he a Canadian agent, securing you work in Canada? Is the contract issued under Canadian law or English? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1418733073' post='2632736'] Given the time of year I'm assuming it's a Sanity Claus..? Sorry. [/quote] "There ain't no Sanity Claus!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Under pressure to sign or not, the OP has signed a contract he hasn't read, without having sorted existing commitments and without asking his family. Now, loads of people are suggesting trying to get out of paying any compensation, dumping the guy or making the agent wait for any recompense. I can't see that the agent is at fault here in any way. I assume that the OP is professional due to the nature of the post so this shouldn't have happened in the first place. I dare say we've all made hasty decisions in the past but you need to hold your hands up when you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1418783636' post='2633379'] Under pressure to sign ... [/quote] That's the sticking point. A fairly important point as well. Most consumer contracts have a 14 day cooling off period. Ok, this is a contract between two professionals. I would expect both parties to act proffesionally about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1418783636' post='2633379'] Under pressure to sign or not, the OP has signed a contract he hasn't read, without having sorted existing commitments and without asking his family. Now, loads of people are suggesting trying to get out of paying any compensation, dumping the guy or making the agent wait for any recompense. I can't see that the agent is at fault here in any way. I assume that the OP is professional due to the nature of the post so this shouldn't have happened in the first place. I dare say we've all made hasty decisions in the past but you need to hold your hands up when you do. [/quote] All pretty much true... I just don't think anyone is beating the guy up about it. They know the mistake, they accept the mistake and know there will be consequences. I think the OP is just trying to negate the consequences somewhat. The agent can hold the OP to the letter... and it will drag out. I think the thread is mostly about how to get beyond this in the best most amicable way. I think we are beyond lectures as the OP is not complaining about the deal... he just needs to get out of it. For the amount of money at stake.... both parties must know that total may not be the final total and how much stress...as opposed to being very very pissed off about it, is it worth? Edited December 17, 2014 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBob09 Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 I thought I'd update this topic. I was invoiced for one week's wage, due to the contract that I'd agreed to. I asked my agent that if I paid it, would it result in future work. He said yes. I paid the fee and on the same day, he sent me through a contract for another job with another company that begins in January, and we chatted on the phone about working together in the future and all seems positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 That's a result. Glad you got it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 AndyBob09 That's a good bit of news to start your year with. Long may it continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 [quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1420927687' post='2655265'] I thought I'd update this topic. I was invoiced for one week's wage, due to the contract that I'd agreed to. I asked my agent that if I paid it, would it result in future work. He said yes. I paid the fee and on the same day, he sent me through a contract for another job with another company that begins in January, and we chatted on the phone about working together in the future and all seems positive. [/quote] Nice one. A lesson learned and no harm done. I would call that a good result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Les. Have you gone off kebabs? [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1420930615' post='2655306'] Les. Have you gone off kebabs? [/quote] No mate First gig of the year this Saturday so my no doubt eagerly awaited status update/ post gig feast reviews will continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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