I do, and it's very hard with the current recession. Our fuel cost to run our van has more than doubled in the last two years, and I need to pass it on to the customers - but, with food and fuel prices skyrocketing lately, though people can understand the logic of increased fees, they're in "belt tightening" mode.

We live out in the country 50 k from the big city (Auckland) - we're 11 and 15 k from the nearest small towns. Lately I've been concentrating on trying to increase our bookings from the nearer areas, but the population base is so small compared to what's available in Auckland. I definitely have to charge travel to go to the Auckland areas.

Do you charge travel, and if so, how do you make it OK with the customers?

Cheers,
Kath 8-)

I don't think you have to mention about extra travel charges.

I charge a fixed rate for all local work and if I travel further I charge a different rate. I don't tell the booker that I'm charging £xxx plus £xxx for travel expencess, I just give them a quote for the fee I want for that area.

That sounds like a good idea, Graeme. I hadn't thought of just including those charges and not giving a breakdown. It might require a re-think of the phone conversation I have with the customer, because I don't want to sound all cagey and hesitant when they ask the price, while I'm madly working it out in my head depending on their location.  :lol:

What do you others do? I'm interested in different strategies.

Cheers,
Kath 8-)

Graeme, where do you find the "pound" sign on your keyboard? Or, for that matter, the "euro" sign? I've never been able to find these on my keyboard.

Cheers,
Kath 8-)

I do the same as Billy I just work it out based on how long it is going to take me to get there and if it is more than about 20 mins drive I start adding extra on but just don't mention to the client that they could have gotten it cheaper if they lived closer to me     This is for my face painting though but I think I will probably do the same with the balloons as fuel is definitely an expense that I cannot swallow into the business or I wouldn't have one.

The pound sign is on the same key as the 3 (the one at the top of the keyboard not the other set of numbers) over here.  Strangely enough my keyboard seems to have a $ but no euro symbol  :shock:

Thanks, Yvonne. This is what my "3" has: #

I guess the keyboards are different over here.

Cheers,
Kath 8-)

. . . but here is the answer for those who use Windows. Plus some other useful info. Sorry to change the subject.

Some other Currency Symbols:

ALT+0128 = € for Euro Currency

ALT+0162 = ¢ for Cent sign

ALT+0163 = £ for Sterling Pound

ALT+0164 = ¤ for Currency symbol

ALT+0165 = ¥ for Yen Sign

Some other useful signs & symbols:

ALT+0153 = ™ for Trademark sign

ALT+0169 = © for Copyright sign

ALT+0174 = ® for Register sign

Note: Just make sure Num Lock key is on

Cheers,
Kath 8-)

Thanks for those Kath

Like the others my travel time is included in the overall cost of the job - the booker pays from the minute I start loading my gear to the minute I finish unloading when I get home. This is even if I have more than one job on the same day the pricing is worked out the same way..

the reason for this is if say I priced the job from the last gig which may be quite close by and I have to do another gig for the same booker at a later date and there is no nearby gig I could end up charging a higher price for the second show and bookers being bookers will always ask why    

Quote from: "Smiggle"Thanks for those Kath

Like the others my travel time is included in the overall cost of the job - the booker pays from the minute I start loading my gear to the minute I finish unloading when I get home. This is even if I have more than one job on the same day the pricing is worked out the same way..

the reason for this is if say I priced the job from the last gig which may be quite close by and I have to do another gig for the same booker at a later date and there is no nearby gig I could end up charging a higher price for the second show and bookers being bookers will always ask why    

I aggree 100%.

As it happens I have been wondering about this as I normally quote travel in the total price, but I quoted a large amount for a job a long way away and it was for a company that has bases all over the place. I was thinking in these circumstances perhaps I may have been better quoting job price + travel as I may not get the job further away but may get ones if they come up closer.

Hi Roger,

I think if I had a company and was booking you for entertainment, I would automatically realise that the price will be different if the venue is further from where you were based. If I were you I would carry on as before. Just tell them that the prices are obviously different if the venues are further away.

I normally have the travel cost in with the price. However, if I am travelling a distance i add 40p per mile on top. That usually works.
Kev

Quote from: "Krazy Kev"I normally have the travel cost in with the price. However, if I am travelling a distance i add 40p per mile on top. That usually works.
Kev

Hi Kev,

what is the travelling distance you are talking about? I for example add it over 30 miles of travel.... you think it is ok? any suggestions?

Quote from: "Clown4Fun"

Quote from: "Krazy Kev"I normally have the travel cost in with the price. However, if I am travelling a distance i add 40p per mile on top. That usually works.
Kev

Hi Kev,

what is the travelling distance you are talking about? I for example add it over 30 miles of travel.... you think it is ok? any suggestions?

another question... is it both ways or one way??