Haggle with Vendors? DJ specifically....

Are you kidding me????? The most I've seen for a wedding DJ in our area was $1200. Unless the guy's like... World Famous, I'd laugh in his face and tell him what he can do with his "4K".

I live in an area where venues are average 20-40k. VENUE ONLY.

We are also NOT paying for the venue, I should've added that. That's the only reason I would consider spending on the DJ.

I wouldn't *offer* $3000, but I think it would be okay to let him know your budget and that you really can't afford to go over-- "unfortunately our budget is $3000 and we really can't afford to go over that. Thanks for taking the time to meet with us." If he is able/willing to come down at all, he will.

Ah. Well then I have no idea lol

Our DJ is $2500. We're okay with his price because we know that we'll get an incredible experience.

4k for a DJ sh*t! that is a LOT. what all is he providing?-- let him know that you guys were impressed by his experience and would love to work with him but 4k is a bit out of your budget, then see what he can offer... sheeesh,

I told our DJ that with the extras he was offering, he was out of our budget, and he gave us a significant "discount". Worth a try!

Wow! our DJ is $200/hr so $1k...what services does this price get?!

I am getting married in a crazy expensive destination wedding location where everything is outrageous, but the best DJ in town was just $900. And that includes our uplighting and mic hookups, etc.

What is included in this?

Ceremony & reception. All speakers & microphones included - he'll add as many as we need for the space, no additional charge.

He also actively DJs - you know, song mash-ups, etc.

Unlimited song downloads. If we want a list of 100 songs we want h e doesn't have, I get them.

He's also lending us as many speakers as we want for the after party, with an AUX hookup for music.

Also seriously, compared to the others we've talked to out here, he's a godsend.

We spoke to one like I said that was 900, but he was total crap. He showed up in a tshirt & sweatpants, dirty ( I don't' need a suit, but don't look like you smell) & brought an old-ass iPod (frist gen!) to show me music on , and then told me the price will constantly change based on his needs. He also had NO idea what kind of music I was going for, and was telling me "so-and-so" are his favorite songs, when he clearly didn't know them.

Sure, I could get some decent music for 1k or less, but as we're paying $0.00 for the venue, I thought it might be worth it.

4k? For just the dj? Does he offer any other services? To answer your question I would just say "I am sorry but our budget is xyz, and that price doesn't fit into it." Just to see what he says.

Well it seems like you want the DJ so if he's in your budget than you're the only one who can make that decision. Not us.

Didn't' ask if it fit into my budget, I asked if you had haggled before, successfully

I've only haggled with car salesmen lol Good luck with the DJ!

He's a good guy, and he loves that we're local. I think 99% of weddings are DW here. I think I'm going to go back, just as most said, and say "We really like you, but our budget is 3k. Can you work with us?"

Maybe if I commit to getting him one dozen of our fresh eggs every week, we can barter....

I would def try to haggle.

I had a photographer come down almost 5k. I found it suspicious she came down so much so I didn't go with her but people do like to get your business.

It can't hurt and it will be a good piece of mind to have someone who knows what they are doing.

I haggled with my photographer. She is crazy expensive, but totally amazing. Her starting package is $6500. That just wasn't in my budget, but since we are having a Sunday wedding and said we only wanted the high res image package, she cut the price down to $4500.

I think thats really high. Ours was around $3500 but that also came with a photobooth and unlimited pictures. I would just tell him that you were really impressed with him and he would be your first choice but unfortunately you can only afford $3000. If he doesn't want to accept that he'll say "i understand" if he can work with that he'll let you know.

Thanks all! Good to hear it's not totally gauche to come back with a smaller number.