(Frequently Asked Questions)

HOW DO I OBTAIN PRICING INFORMATION?
As you can see from browsing our site, we offer more than most other entertainment companies.  Many factors go into determining a price for your event.  Give us a call.  After finding out exactly what you want, we will be able to give you an exact price.

WHO WILL SHOW UP AT MY EVENT?
We are not a "DJ House" with a staff of full-time sales people and part-time entertainers.  We do one event at a time... YOURS!  You will deal with Tom from the first phone call to the last song of the night at your event.

HOW MANY SONGS DO YOU HAVE?
We have over 10,000 songs on CD and MP3 Players. Other companies will try to impress you with their extensive library of songs.  While variety is great, the fact is that there is only room to play around 60 songs during a 4 or 5 hour event.  Having the right 60 songs is a lot more important than having 20,000 songs your crowd doesn't want to hear.  More songs don't make for a better time.  A seasoned DJ will know the right song to play at the right time and that's what makes a great party.

CAN WE COME SEE YOU AT A "LIVE" EVENT?
We put a video on our web site so you don't have to "crash" someone elses wedding or party. You can see more in that 10 minute video than spending an hour at a live event. The video takes you from start to finish. If you came out to see us, you might come during cocktail hour, dinner or a slide show that the client may have planned. You would not get as full a picture as the video can provide. We put the video there to make it convenient for you to see us in action without leaving your home. Feel free to check it out.

WE LIKED YOUR ON-LINE DEMO VIDEO, HOWEVER, IF WE WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE US?
Yes! We customize each event with the client to make sure you get exactly what you want. What you see on the video may be songs and scenarios those clients picked. Your event will be customized to reflect your style.

CAN YOU "HOLD" A DATE FOR ME?
I'm sorry but we cannot commit to a date if you are not willing to. When you are ready to book the date, give us a call. We have a simple one page contract.

HOW SOON DO YOU BOOK UP?
There is no easy answer to this question.  There are some dates booked a year and a half in advance... some dates may be available next month.  The best thing to do is call or email me and I'll let you know if your date is available.

WE SAW A COMPANY OUT THERE WITH A VERY LOW PRICE.  HOW CAN THEY DO THAT?
There's an old saying:  "If it looks too good to be true... it usually is."  If you are shopping entertainment by price, you'll find what we call "bottom feeders." The bottom feeder is usually only in this for some extra money. They don't re-invest in their business and equipment. They will only reinvest in their business when something quits working. They see no reason to spend the extra money to buy professional equipment and their music library remains very limited. They aren't concerned with improving their skills, attire, or in learning anything new. They see their competition as the enemy. Most of their bookings are based on their low price. They will promote that they are as good as the other companies but at a "reasonable" rate. Unfortunately, an uneducated consumer is easy prey to the bottom feeder sales pitch. Not until the actual event do they realize they didn't get a bargain, that in fact they over-paid! It cost them the quality of their event. Most of the bottom feeder's do not have any repeat clients. They will underbid any price just to secure the booking. They carry no insurance and little if any backup equipment. They are set in their ways, and run their business like a sideline. The only form of advancing their business is to take on more bookings. Many times the bottom feeder will promise the client the moon to secure the gig, and then find an even cheaper DJ and subcontract the event. In most cases it will be a DJ that is a newbie or another bottom feeder. He puts his best interest above the clients needs. As long as there are prospects looking for cheap entertainment, or they are uneducated on how to wisely choose the proper entertainment, the bottom feeder will thrive.

WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
Simple... 50% deposit is required with the contract. The balance is due the day of your event.  If you want to pay the final balance by check we will need that payment 30 days before your event date.  We do not accept credit cards.

DO YOU NEED A FLOOR PLAN OF THE ROOM?
We would love to see a floor plan if you can get one! I can't tell you how many times we arrived at an event to find that the banquet hall put us in the worst place imaginable! If we find out about it after we get there, it's very difficult to get them to change things (even if they see that it's a problem). Don't assume the banquet hall knows best. We've seen the best of places set up the worst of floor plans. If we know about a problem before hand we can bring it to your attention and try to correct it. If the facility won't work with us to make any changes, we'll make the best of what we are given. However, we find that most places will work with us if we contact them in advance. So YES, please get us a floor plan if you can!

ARE YOU INSURED?
Yes we are! It's important that you find a professional company that is insured. We are finding that more often than not, the event location will ask for a "Certificate of Insurance" in order to perform. Without it, they won't even let you unload your equipment. We will supply that certificate upon request.

WHAT HAPPENS IF TOMARDO GETS SICK?
Good question. It hasn't happened yet but for some reason I cannot attend, one of our 3 DJ's can take over.  I also have close relationships with other entertainment companies too.  I will do everything possible to make sure your event goes on without a hitch. Like I said, It hasn't happened yet!  In the video on our website (the Salzano wedding) I was sicker than I've been in years. No one knew except the bride and groom. Once the lights came on, I was ready to go. I've performed with 102* fevers, sinus infections, the flu... you name it. The show must go on!

CAN I CHOOSE ALL THE MUSIC FOR MY PARTY?
We ask that instead of picking ALL the songs, we work together to come up with the best mix of music that will satisfy ALL your guests. Songs that sounds great in your car or in a night club might fall flat at your party. We'll work with you to make sure your event is a huge success.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING TOMARDO ENTERTAINMENT?
1) Reputation.  We are one of the most respected entertainment companies in the NJ, NY, PA area and recommended by the best Event Planners and Banquet Halls.  Please read our "testimonials" page to see what our clients are saying about us.
2.  Experience.  We've done hundreds of weddings and parties.  We will work with you before your event and also during the event with your photographer, videographer and banquet manager to make sure everything goes exactly the way you want it.  Put our experience to work for you.
3.  Options.  We have many different packages to choose from.  Singers, MC's, DJ's, Percussionists, State-of-the-art Sound Systems and affordable rates for any budget.
4. We don't take breaks. You will always have music playing during your event.
5. MC. Not only is the music important, having a seasoned MC who knows how to run an event is essential.  Most bands or part-time DJ's don't have the experience or desire to MC an event successfully.

Benefits over a Band.
6. We're less expensive. We offer the same benefits as a band for less money. With our DJ/Live Music packages, you get the best of both worlds.  You could easily spend $2,000-$10,000 on a reputable band that regularly plays receptions.  Even some DJ companies are more expensive than our Live Music packages.  We also take up less space leaving you more room for guests and a dance floor.
7. Song list. We are unlimited in the types of music we can play. Big band, jazz, ethnic, current music... If it's been recorded, we can play it. We carry thousands of songs. A band is limited to the songs they have rehearsed with each other.
8. Actual artists. Do you like Barry White, Earth, Wind & Fire, Usher, Justin Timberlake, J-Lo or Shakira? Can the band sound just like them? With our DJ, you don't have to worry about that.  We can play ALL the songs you want by the original artists.
9. Volume control.  It's the number one complaint about bands. We can easily control the volume.
10. Current music. We have the capability of playing a song the day it comes out while a band has to practice it for weeks.
11. Reliability. If one band member gets sick, there might be NO band at all. We've never missed an event and can always supply you with a back-up DJ.
12. Meals.  It is customary to offer your entertainment a meal. With a band, there are a lot more mouths to feed. Imagine spending $1000 for band meals!
13. Personnel. From the time you hire a band to the date of your event, there may have been a few changes in the band. A different lead singer or guitarist can dramatically change their sound. You could wind up with an entirely new band on your wedding day.


..... If you have a question that is not listed here, feel free to email or call us and we'll be happy to answer it for you.