Dirty Secret #2 agencies and Dallas Wedding Planners  don't want you to know.

This is going to blow you away and maybe even anger you. Did you know that many Dallas Party Planners  mark up their talent by 100% to 300% or more? If a performer normally charges $500 for a show, an agency will charge you up to $1,000 for the same performer. Are you getting a $1,000 show? No, you are getting a $500 performer but paying twice what you should. The agencies practice of charging you double what you would have paid if you hired the performer on your own, is quite common. In fact, in a best-selling training manual for entertainment agencies, the author boasts about this practice and has charts to show agents the obscene amount of money they can make by doing this. Of course, there are some agencies that do not do this. Instead, they require that their talent discount their fees to them so that they can charge their clients the same amount they would have paid if they hired the performer directly. Here are some ways to avoid being scammed by agencies.

For example, say you wanted to hire a fort worth dj ,try booking your corporate event entertainment directly. This is not as difficult or time consuming as it may sound. Just do a search for the type of entertainer you are looking for, and compare your favorites to see which can offer the service that best suites your needs. If you are going to book through an agency, do not tell them what your exact budget is. Give them a general price range and ask them to give you options within that range. (Example: "Well, Mrs. Agent, I am not exactly sure what our budget will be, please send me information on corporate event entertainment packages within the $1,000 to $4,000 price range.") This way you can decide which person is best for you regardless of price. Another way to see if the agency is honest is to call up the numbers of the entertainers the agency recommends directly. Important: Do not tell them that you have spoken to the agency. Ask them what they charge. If it is the same or very close to the fee the agent quoted you, you are dealing with a reputable agent and you should hire the entertainer through the agency. Don't undercut the agent and hire the performer directly, this is not fair to the agency. However, if you discover that the agent has grossly marked up the entertainer's prices, drop that agency quick.

Bottom Line: Remember that an agency's first concern is about the amount of money they can make. Many times your needs come in a distant second. Use the advice I have given and take control of the situation so you can get the best entertainer to fit your specific needs for a fair price.