Hi All,

I am a longtime lurker, sometimes poster and am posting
semi-anonymously for this touchy business question.

I am in a bit of a pickle and would really appreciate your collective
take on the situation.

A couple months ago a band booked 3 weeks of time and after much
wrangling and holding time (and turning away other clients for said
time) I received a deposit check for the time…several thousand
dollars.

Two weeks ago the band calls and cancels…muttering a bunch of
different reasons….leaving me with a three week hole next month and
owing him a lot of money.

I have since changed my contract but the one this clients signed says
the deposit is refundable up to 72 hours before the session ( We are
the kind of place that usually books 2-5 days so this clause was
always fine.)

My big mistake was spending some of this money on bills and some
non-returnable gear…so I have been scrambling to get the money
together. I completely intend to pay this guy. He, however, is not
being uhm…understanding…to say the least.

So guys, what degree of busting ass, going into debt, not eating etc
do I owe this guy? What sort of timeframe is appropriate for returning
the money. They did cancel 4 weeks before the booked time so
technically I owe them but I guess I just don't know how soon I owe
them.

Btw, I have *tried* playing nice and appealing to his logic and
compassion but to no avail.


Thanks for *any* input on this.