steady gig rate

i'm expecting a phone call from the district manager of a family friendly video store in the area in a coupld of hours. I have already quoted him $150 for 2 hours or $200 for 3. I need the work, and would like to get in here to get my name around in the area. I told the person i spoke with origionally to tell him the price was negotiable if we were talking about something more steady, like bi weekly between the 2 stores.

Whats the lowest you would go?

Depends. If it is for weekdays or other non-peak times then go as low as you feel comfortable (covering your costs and overhead of course!)

What I did for a steady three month summer gig every Sunday night was give them a sliding scale. For example: $100 for first hour, $85 for second hour, and $75 for the third hour on, and I charged them in 15 minute increments after that. Generally I was there two hours but I if the line was long I stayed to finish and billed them accordingly. I also was paid cash so that was part of the reason I discounted it - no waiting for cheques etc.

I guess i an say this although I'm taking a chance getting told off for being to cheap.
Usually the lowest I go is $50 an hour.
I have a regular gig at the cinemas for family day, i do this gig for $500 + $100 in tickets. I'm considering doing this weekend for just the cash and no tickets, that would mean I'm down to about $40... I only consider doing this because it is a regular gig I do whenever I'm not booked.
Then again I'm no where near Shannon,s skills and experience so it would only make sense that they wouldn't pay me $100 an hour, they are trying to make money by having me there not handing over all their profits to me.

$100 an hour is NOT that much around here. I'm actually cheaper than my competition!! Mind you that is a clown that offers EVERYTHING in the same amount of time!

I've gone as low as 1/2 my price for my non-peak times. Never on weekends unless I'm somehow not booked & it's a last minute thing. I had to do that to keep my restaurant gig. Just make sure they allow tipping & promo material for your business. This will help you get closer to you target pay & help you get future books.

i just found this in the search...thanks , it was helpful to hopefully land a steady seasonal gig with a local family U-Pick berry farm...looking forward to their reply. I used the sliding scale, great idea shannon

wow I just looked at my post and thought - what the heck???
then I read the date and went oooohhh yeeeah that's right 2010.
My all day rate which is 7 hours and over is $60 per hour now... I think $420 for a days work is reasonable.