Comments on: Untying The Knot http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/ MCs, DJs, dancers, vocalists, musicians, and engineers. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:39:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael Johnson http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2411 Michael Johnson Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:14:57 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2411 SGS owes me for gigs done in August and September of 2008...yes, I said 2008. They still call me on a regular basis hoping that I will do a show for them in my area since no other DJ here will consider working for them. They are a terrible company with 98 complaints on "ripoff report" as well as more than 200 complaints filed with the BBB. They claim they "sold" the business a year ago and are no longer liable for the tens of thousands of dollars that they didn't their pay DJs and owed to customers in the form of refunds, but the same people still seem to work there. Two weeks ago, they had the nerve to call me using a different company name and said they had extra gigs in my area and wanted to know if I can do some of them. They gave a local phone number to return their call but my caller ID told me immediately it was SGS. It's really pathetic when you can't find one DJ in a large city to take your gigs. SGS owes me for gigs done in August and September of 2008…yes, I said 2008. They still call me on a regular basis hoping that I will do a show for them in my area since no other DJ here will consider working for them.

They are a terrible company with 98 complaints on “ripoff report” as well as more than 200 complaints filed with the BBB. They claim they “sold” the business a year ago and are no longer liable for the tens of thousands of dollars that they didn’t their pay DJs and owed to customers in the form of refunds, but the same people still seem to work there.

Two weeks ago, they had the nerve to call me using a different company name and said they had extra gigs in my area and wanted to know if I can do some of them. They gave a local phone number to return their call but my caller ID told me immediately it was SGS. It’s really pathetic when you can’t find one DJ in a large city to take your gigs.

]]> By: Tony http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2326 Tony Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:35:55 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2326 In response to the last comment. Actually "Jesse", you're wrong. Solid gold didn't do anywhere near 8,000 events last year, it's common knowledge that they have one office and they sub out to the lowest bidder. Your knowledge of statistics is mind boggling, considering you claim to be a customer yet use the industry term "shows." And the 60+ complaints (notice how you reduced it to 30) are just the ones who reported it, and in each case Solid Gold Sound did nothing about it. The award didn't say Baltimore, it said Columbus. Get your facts straight. Are you an employee of The Knot or A Solid Gold Sound? In response to the last comment.

Actually “Jesse”, you’re wrong. Solid gold didn’t do anywhere near 8,000 events last year, it’s common knowledge that they have one office and they sub out to the lowest bidder.

Your knowledge of statistics is mind boggling, considering you claim to be a customer yet use the industry term “shows.”

And the 60+ complaints (notice how you reduced it to 30) are just the ones who reported it, and in each case Solid Gold Sound did nothing about it.

The award didn’t say Baltimore, it said Columbus. Get your facts straight. Are you an employee of The Knot or A Solid Gold Sound?

]]> By: Jesse http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2325 Jesse Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:27:56 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2325 I used Solid Gold and they were good. I know someone who works there, so I went through her. They do like 8,000 weddings a year in something like 50 + cities so I do know first hand they do get a lot of complaints compared with other companies, but if you do 8,000 shows and get 30 something complaints that year, thats still like less than 1%. So I can see both sides of this arguments, but I was told by her that the Knot gave them this award because they did over 200 shows in Baltimore in 2009 and had less than 5 complaints I used Solid Gold and they were good. I know someone who works there, so I went through her. They do like 8,000 weddings a year in something like 50 + cities so I do know first hand they do get a lot of complaints compared with other companies, but if you do 8,000 shows and get 30 something complaints that year, thats still like less than 1%. So I can see both sides of this arguments, but I was told by her that the Knot gave them this award because they did over 200 shows in Baltimore in 2009 and had less than 5 complaints

]]> By: lar http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2163 lar Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:10:42 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2163 The biggest issue with the knot is twofold. 1. The Best Of (and this is coming from a guy regularly voted as such). You have no idea how many Brides voted. Only 50 Brides could’ve voted, naming only 5 DJ’s, but the DJ’s with the most votes, i.e. 8 are the best of. WHAT!? Plus you have no idea how many vendors ask & ask & ask… their clients to vote, which many do. They will KNOT release the #’s. Worse are the vendors who aren’t advertisers but are also voted a best of. You’ll NEVER find the best of the knot’s web site. Isn’t that a bit odd? Why would they only publish it in print when it’s such an INTERNET MONSTER. Because a vendor spending well over 2 grand to advertsie online would be extremely upset when they don’t get the nod as a best of, while a vendor who has never advertised is. Instead the knot takes a back door approach making it available only on newstands. 2. POSTS. The posts are ridiculous. I’m not referring to the drama. That comes with being a Bride on the boards. I’m referring to a Bride being able to bash a vendor many of who are an advertisers. I’m sorry unless you were so wrongful in your product or service, there should be no character assasinations, or damaging of one’s character or business allowed. So an advertiser can spend 100’s to 1000’s a month but not make a best of list, they can still get slammed on the boards, while non advertisers can get free promotions every day in the chat rooms and they can also be a best of. WOW! I want stock in the knot. The biggest issue with the knot is twofold.
1. The Best Of (and this is coming from a guy regularly voted as such). You have no idea how many Brides voted. Only 50 Brides could’ve voted, naming only 5 DJ’s, but the DJ’s with the most votes, i.e. 8 are the best of. WHAT!?
Plus you have no idea how many vendors ask & ask & ask… their clients to vote, which many do.
They will KNOT release the #’s. Worse are the vendors who aren’t advertisers but are also voted a best of. You’ll NEVER find the best of the knot’s web site. Isn’t that a bit odd? Why would they only publish it in print when it’s such an INTERNET MONSTER. Because a vendor spending well over 2 grand to advertsie online would be extremely upset when they don’t get the nod as a best of, while a vendor who has never advertised is. Instead the knot takes a back door approach making it available only on newstands.
2. POSTS. The posts are ridiculous. I’m not referring to the drama. That comes with being a Bride on the boards. I’m referring to a Bride being able to bash a vendor many of who are an advertisers. I’m sorry unless you were so wrongful in your product or service, there should be no character assasinations, or damaging of one’s character or business allowed.
So an advertiser can spend 100’s to 1000’s a month but not make a best of list, they can still get slammed on the boards, while non advertisers can get free promotions every day in the chat rooms and they can also be a best of.
WOW! I want stock in the knot.

]]> By: Joel Schreibman http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2137 Joel Schreibman Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:30:16 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2137 Add me as another victim here in NY. I did a wedding for them on August 15, 2009 and haven't been paid as yet. I have been getting the runaround for 3 weeks now and they have no idea when I will be paid. I have already been advised to "write it off". I am real sick of getting ripped off and am taking it to the next step. I sent a nasty email to the local KNOT representative demanding to know how the KNOT can condone endorsing such a company. I have also sent CRAIGSLIST an email and will be going to the FBI to investigate possible internet fraud since the job posting was on the internet. I will also be going to the NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENTS OF TAXATION and filing sales tax evasion complaints. And, unfortunately for the couple's who wedding I did, I will be suing them for Theft of Service. Add me as another victim here in NY. I did a wedding for them on August 15, 2009 and haven’t been paid as yet. I have been getting the runaround for 3 weeks now and they have no idea when I will be paid. I have already been advised to “write it off”. I am real sick of getting ripped off and am taking it to the next step. I sent a nasty email to the local KNOT representative demanding to know how the KNOT can condone endorsing such a company. I have also sent CRAIGSLIST an email and will be going to the FBI to investigate possible internet fraud since the job posting was on the internet. I will also be going to the NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENTS OF TAXATION and filing sales tax evasion complaints. And, unfortunately for the couple’s who wedding I did, I will be suing them for Theft of Service.

]]> By: Meredith Tomasulo http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-2112 Meredith Tomasulo Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:19:47 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-2112 amen - great post. Yes I think brides need to do a little research and don't take the knot as their bible. amen – great post. Yes I think brides need to do a little research and don’t take the knot as their bible.

]]> By: saundra http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-1895 saundra Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:52:45 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-1895 Whoaaaa! What controversy! I like it. My mom endorses me as the Best Wedding Planner. While we have received other local professional accolades, I'm really thinking of just promoting her opinion on a shiny, bronze plaque. Have you contacted theKnot about this DJ? Whoaaaa! What controversy! I like it.

My mom endorses me as the Best Wedding Planner. While we have received other local professional accolades, I’m really thinking of just promoting her opinion on a shiny, bronze plaque.

Have you contacted theKnot about this DJ?

]]> By: Allison http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-1890 Allison Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:54:30 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-1890 The Knot's requirements - they choose their top advertisers! Come on, brides don't know this, but any vendor who has been around for any length of time knows the Knot's deal. They have successfully positioned themselves as the wedding planning site with the most traffic, and this of course had made it one of the the top places where vendors across the country spend their advertising dollars. However they started to see a dip in advertising a few quarters past from more veteran companies, but have picked up what I see are newer companies advertising in the Knot. Do a Google search for "Knot quarterly report" and find out yourself...though they put plenty of spin on it to keep their shareholders happy. Every year their "best of" selections are pretty much a joke to most of us in the industry. Brides - everything you read in the Knot is PAID FOR with advertising dollars. It is hardly an objective source. To some extent, the only exception is the discussion boards on their web site, but obviously, most of the posters there have already been greatly influenced by the articles they've read on the Knot. I can usually tell which of our potential clients are "knotties" - they are usually the most paranoid and disrespectful people we meet, but I don't blame them, it's the strange paradox that exists between vendors who literally subsidize wedding magazines, and the horrible articles and fear they would have readers believe dominate our industry. I stopped advertising in the Knot and other magazines years ago for this reason. AND, don't be surprised that the most troubled and complaint-riddled business (who make us all look bad) are the biggest spenders on advertising. If they had to rely on word of mouth, they would be out of business. There are several less-than reliable companies who are the top advertisers on the Knot, and also get picked for their best-of edition each year. The Knot’s requirements – they choose their top advertisers!

Come on, brides don’t know this, but any vendor who has been around for any length of time knows the Knot’s deal. They have successfully positioned themselves as the wedding planning site with the most traffic, and this of course had made it one of the the top places where vendors across the country spend their advertising dollars.

However they started to see a dip in advertising a few quarters past from more veteran companies, but have picked up what I see are newer companies advertising in the Knot. Do a Google search for “Knot quarterly report” and find out yourself…though they put plenty of spin on it to keep their shareholders happy.

Every year their “best of” selections are pretty much a joke to most of us in the industry. Brides – everything you read in the Knot is PAID FOR with advertising dollars. It is hardly an objective source. To some extent, the only exception is the discussion boards on their web site, but obviously, most of the posters there have already been greatly influenced by the articles they’ve read on the Knot. I can usually tell which of our potential clients are “knotties” – they are usually the most paranoid and disrespectful people we meet, but I don’t blame them, it’s the strange paradox that exists between vendors who literally subsidize wedding magazines, and the horrible articles and fear they would have readers believe dominate our industry. I stopped advertising in the Knot and other magazines years ago for this reason. AND, don’t be surprised that the most troubled and complaint-riddled business (who make us all look bad) are the biggest spenders on advertising. If they had to rely on word of mouth, they would be out of business. There are several less-than reliable companies who are the top advertisers on the Knot, and also get picked for their best-of edition each year.

]]> By: Keith KoKoruz http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-1889 Keith KoKoruz Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:11:42 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-1889 Don't get me wrong, I don't see anything wrong with recognizing excellent companies for doing a great job or for winning some type of talent contest for entertaining, photography, etc. I have a competitor that years ago won a certificate at a dj conference for participating in the consolation round of the competition because he hadn't made it into the actual competition. He was at the next bridal show though with a huge trophy that he had made to replace the certificate calling it 1st place in that division. It was all a big lie and the problem is there is no one to enforce it. He still has photos of it on his website. As Jim pointed out there seem to be a ton of these awards being given out. The question truly is how and why? I won the Bride's Choice award from www.weddingwire.com and I have no idea what I did to win it. I don't know what the criteria was. I am still glad I won it though. If you look at The Knot's criteria/explanation of this year's awards, they still have last year's dates and such listed up there. If this award has any true meaning, the least they could do is update their own website with regard to their awards. Some may say that these contests are popularity contests and that may be true but people don't recognize people they don't like or that have given them poor service. Unless of course you paid for the award. Could the editor's pick be such an award? It may clear things up here with regard to the company in question. I don't know, just a theory. I don't know anyone involved with the company listed above but something obviously doesnt make sense here. Just my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see anything wrong with recognizing excellent companies for doing a great job or for winning some type of talent contest for entertaining, photography, etc.

I have a competitor that years ago won a certificate at a dj conference for participating in the consolation round of the competition because he hadn’t made it into the actual competition. He was at the next bridal show though with a huge trophy that he had made to replace the certificate calling it 1st place in that division. It was all a big lie and the problem is there is no one to enforce it. He still has photos of it on his website.

As Jim pointed out there seem to be a ton of these awards being given out. The question truly is how and why?

I won the Bride’s Choice award from http://www.weddingwire.com and I have no idea what I did to win it. I don’t know what the criteria was. I am still glad I won it though.

If you look at The Knot’s criteria/explanation of this year’s awards, they still have last year’s dates and such listed up there. If this award has any true meaning, the least they could do is update their own website with regard to their awards.

Some may say that these contests are popularity contests and that may be true but people don’t recognize people they don’t like or that have given them poor service.

Unless of course you paid for the award. Could the editor’s pick be such an award? It may clear things up here with regard to the company in question. I don’t know, just a theory. I don’t know anyone involved with the company listed above but something obviously doesnt make sense here.

Just my opinion.

]]> By: Jim Frericks http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/comment-page-1/#comment-1888 Jim Frericks Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:12:19 +0000 http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com/blog/2009/04/21/untying-the-knot/#comment-1888 I've been saying this for years and absolutely agree with Keith KoKoruz regarding the Knot's clever marketing campaign. Local company's display their "Best of" sticker on their front doors. Unfortunately, there are an increasing amount of other "Best of" or "Bride's Choice" awards going around from other media sources including television, newspaper and radio stations - all of which encourages people (and not specifically brides-to-be) to visit their official website(s) to vote on their favorite and/or nominate a wedding business. This becomes a "win/win" for these media outlets since it promotes their station's name as well as increase their web traffic - which in turns allows them to increase ad rates due to the presumably high volume of online traffic. These 'awards' are given away like candy and have deluted the marketplace so much that they've become relatively meaningless. I’ve been saying this for years and absolutely agree with Keith KoKoruz regarding the Knot’s clever marketing campaign. Local company’s display their “Best of” sticker on their front doors.

Unfortunately, there are an increasing amount of other “Best of” or “Bride’s Choice” awards going around from other media sources including television, newspaper and radio stations – all of which encourages people (and not specifically brides-to-be) to visit their official website(s) to vote on their favorite and/or nominate a wedding business. This becomes a “win/win” for these media outlets since it promotes their station’s name as well as increase their web traffic – which in turns allows them to increase ad rates due to the presumably high volume of online traffic.

These ‘awards’ are given away like candy and have deluted the marketplace so much that they’ve become relatively meaningless.

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