I Love Fancy Dress

I helped out a friend at the weekend - Something that we all should do. In my case it was business but that is neither here nor there. I first met Sammy and Donna when they opened their Fancy Dress shop near to where I lived. I offered to entertain the customers at their opening for free. Not only was I helping them, I was publicising myself at the same time. The store was going fine for just over a year when somebody decided to set light to the rubbish bin outside the shop. The end result was the shop was gutted and all the effort they had put in was wasted. They weren't deterred by the fire and opened a new shop in a slightly different location. That's where I was on Saturday, helping with the re-launch. They only have one changing room at the moment so I was entertaining the queue of people waiting to try on various costumes. I can't just stand around when people look lost so I was also helping people locate various costumes and accessories when I wasn't performing. Sammy tried to pay me for performing but I refused. That is what friendship is all about. Businesses and people should spend more time helping each other - especially in these troubled economic times. A final plug, their website is www.ilovefancydress.co.uk

Corporate Stupidity

I've just lost a booking. Nothing new there. Every entertainer gets inquiries that fall flat but I can't believe the stupid reason that I've just been given. Starting from the beginning, I was contacted by the manager of a new office of a nationwide concern. They wanted me to entertain at the launch party. My brain went into overdrive thinking that this would be a fantastic foot in the door so I quoted them a price that was more for a local two-hour private party than a four-hour corporate gig some miles away - and made sure they knew what I was doing. The manager called back after consulting with their Head Office over my fee and told me that they had got permission to hire me. Then they asked for a VAT invoice. Like the majority of self-employed persons, not just entertainers, I'm not registered for VAT as my turnover is nowhere near the threshold for compulsory registration. I explained all this to the manager and was told that they would have to check with Head Office again. You've guessed it, when I got a second call I was told that Head Office will only allow dealings with VAT registered companies and individuals! What a bunch of plonkers. They are never going to get somebody who is VAT registered to do what I was prepared to do for the same price especially when they only have three days to find them! Looks like it will be a quiet, boring and forgettable launch but that is their problem not mine.