GigSaladReviews 249

GigSalad.com isn't willing to put people above profits. One of their entertainers cancelled on my event at the last minute -- after being booked & paid for 2 months -- simply because they negligently double-booked. The entertainer (a Santa Claus hired for a party for children) made no effort at all to make it right. GigSalad's "worry free guarantee" is nothing more than a refund. When a vendor waits until late in the game to cancel, a refund doesn't create a "worry free" outcome. We don't need a refund, we need a last-minute Santa. A company that provides this type of service is only as good as the talent they contract, and GigSalad isn't willing to stop advertising for a vendor as long as they're making them money. As a business owner, I know that anyone I contract to serve my clients is an extension of my business. Sadly, GigSalad doesn't subscribe to that line of thinking. I recommend considering a more reliable option before booking with them.

As an independent event entertainer, I use this site for booking leads, but I'm quickly learning that their fees are really, really high. Example: someone booked me for a gig where my total fee was $150. After GigSalad took their portion and deducted another fee for PayPal, my total was only $124.50 and they still charged the client an additional fee as well!
--And this isn't even their subscription service (I don't live in an area with clientele that could support the event fees required to make GigSalad's subscription anywhere near affordable.)

You also have to pay a fee to list other events on the site calendar, leading to booking leads you can't use because the time is already blocked (last check, that fee was between $5-8).

I either have to raise my prices to use this service (which will impact the number of clients I can help) or find another way to get my name out there.

If you're just starting out, it's a helpful way to find leads, but I wouldn't recommend this as a long-term plan.

I'm signed up for a free/basic GigSalad membership. Most of the leads I get are not useful to me or any of the various ensembles I book. Still, for the few gigs it's added to the schedule this has proven to be a very reliable and well thought out operation. Some hiccups early on, but the system has been improved.
After several years using GigSalad, I'm not going to become a paid member -- most of the leads I get don't fit into my tour schedule -- but I am very satisfied with the service I get for the commissions I pay on the occasional gigs that do work out.

I have been with Gigsalad for over 5 years. I have worked many, many gigs through them. I would not have stayed with them for so long if I didn't get results. I am a member of several other online booking agency's and land based Agency's. I sometime don't get as many leads through Gigsalad but I get better quality leads. More in my general area that are solid leads and solid bookings. One good solid lead is worth 10 from people just checking prices. The service portion of their organization is also up to speed. Call with a problem and they will be on it immediately. I am a professional and do nothing else but play music to make my money. If your wondering if its worth it. It is certainly worth it to me.