Why a song request should only be charged if the DJ accepts it
Paying for a request that is then declined feels unfair. Here is how reserving money first and charging after acceptance works, and why it is better.
Paid song requests are easy to get wrong. If a guest pays and the DJ says no, the guest is unhappy and the DJ looks like they took the money. A fairer approach is to hold the money first and take it only if the DJ accepts.
The problem with paying first
When money is taken at once, a declined request needs a refund. Refunds take time, guests worry, and DJs feel pressure to say yes to songs that do not fit. Everyone loses.
Reserve, then charge
The alternative is a reservation. When a guest sends a request, the amount is set aside on their card but not taken. If the DJ accepts, the payment goes through. If the DJ declines, the night ends before it is answered, or the payment cannot be completed, the reservation is released and the guest is not charged.
Why this is fairer
- The guest pays only for something they got.
- The DJ can say no without guilt, because nothing is lost.
- The room hears a better set, because the DJ is choosing freely.
What a guest sees
You choose a song, add a note if you like and confirm. Your bank may show a pending amount for a short time. If the DJ accepts, it becomes a charge. If not, the pending amount disappears.
Tips are different
A tip is a gift. It is taken straight away and is not refundable unless it was taken in error. That keeps the idea simple: requests are conditional, tips are not.
A note on some payment methods
Some local payment methods cannot be reserved. In those cases, the amount is taken at once and refunded automatically if the DJ declines. The result for the guest is the same: no charge for a request that was not played.
Who handles the money
Payments should go through an established provider, so that card details never reach the venue or the DJ. Roomcue uses Stripe for this.
The principle
Charging only for what was accepted is the simplest way to keep guests, DJs and venues happy. It turns a request into a fair offer, and an answer into the end of the story.
Roomcue lets guests send the DJ a song, a dedication or a tip, and helps people who came alone find company. Find people to party with or open your first night.