What to do about this friend??

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by art deco cakes by galidink on August 27, 2012 at 9:07pm

WELL SAID JUNE ,

 

Permalink Reply by Sandra I. Vazquez Lossiseroni on August 27, 2012 at 9:49pm

Loved reading this matter, and agreed with everything said, that's the way to do it. Let us know how it went Dee, it is always instructional how customers respond to our suggestions.

Permalink Reply by monica murphy on August 28, 2012 at 12:17am

I had a friend that wanted to spend only $225 for a cake to feed 350 peps, i explained to me that although she was only having 175 at her wedding she had designer cake bags and wanted everyone to eat cake at the venue and to take cake home.  She wanted a castles complete with horses and diamond rhinestones bling, carriage horses, and a 3d frog groom's cake with an isomalt slipper.  I told her she was out of her frakking mind!!!  My wedding cakes are priced and extra for the frog, carriage,slipper and rhinestones, i told her the rhinestones alone would be $75.00.  She was very angry with me.  I told her to go elsewhere, lets just say that wherever she went, she didnt get any of it.  Ended up with a cake that looked like her 10 year old did it.  We dont talk anymore and iam fine with that.  I tell everyone, business is business, respect it.

Permalink Reply by Danielle Dyskin on August 28, 2012 at 4:41am

I agree with what people have said previously about giving her a contract or quote.  Since she has had the cheek to expect a discount - put up your price a bit and then give the discount so it looks like you have given a nice discount even though it is a relatively small one.  Make sure you do this now because there is no way to get the money back and keep the friendship if she is shocked by the amount later.

Permalink Reply by Katy Nott on August 28, 2012 at 6:34am

I do notice from what you say Dee, that a mutual friend has told you that this person will expect a discount.  She hasn't actually asked you herself?  if that is the case then either the mutual friend is putting her nose in where it's not wanted or your friend is a bit of a chicken - wants a discount, but doesn't have the courage to ask you because she knows it's wrong to do so.  My advise would be to have a meeting with her to discuss wedding cake, then make your starting question - 'OK, so what sort of budget do you have for this cake, so that we can start on a level playing field?  I know what you want to pay and you know what I can do for that price'.  You should then be able to develop a sensible, friendly conversation without any conflict.  This suggestion is purely from a lifetime of customer service skills that I have developed......

Permalink Reply by art deco cakes by galidink on August 28, 2012 at 8:14am

lol , thats what the store's do lol

Danielle Dyskin said:

I agree with what people have said previously about giving her a contract or quote.  Since she has had the cheek to expect a discount - put up your price a bit and then give the discount so it looks like you have given a nice discount even though it is a relatively small one.  Make sure you do this now because there is no way to get the money back and keep the friendship if she is shocked by the amount later.

Permalink Reply by June Kowalczyk on August 28, 2012 at 9:10am

Yes
I highly agree Katy. I worked with the public long enough to know that you should start out with a smile and "let's see what we can do " attitude. As previously stated by someone & by me, TRUE friends don't knowingly try and cheat you. They like anyone else have no ideas how much it costs to make & decorate a cake. You have to educate them like any other customer. But, like Monica's "friend?", or my daughters friend who wanted a "deal", no loss if you don't use you. Like Monica, the cake they got for "cheap",.... as my daughter said, who was at the wedding, looked AND tasted as cheap as she paid!!

Permalink Reply by Jean Moore on August 28, 2012 at 12:08pm

No.  What you do for her is between you and her.  What makes this situation bad, is that your friend probably told them that she will get them a discount.  You need to let her know that although I give you discounts, it does not mean others will be treated the same.  Charge them as if they were new customers.

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 28, 2012 at 12:40pm

What a precious daughter you have, June!  I think you and Lisa are right - that true friends don't want to cheat you, but some of them still want a "deal" which sometimes amounts to cheating, however unintentional!  :)

June Kowalczyk said:

I agree Dee with all said. I ask what is your cake budget? Most don't have a clue what cakes cost. They look at lots of pics, even bring some with them. I show pics of cakes I have done & how much I charged. Gives them an idea of what cakes "actually cost." A friend of my daughters wanted a cake. I know she thought, hmmm, good friend, Mom does cakes.... gettin a deal. All Samantha said was, contact my Mom, I don't give quotes. Well she was looking for cheap, cheap. Could tell by the tone of her email. I Emailed her two pics with what I charged. She politely declined. She Emailed my daughter & as much as said.... it's just cake!! Oh my wonderful daughter. She said I made edible works of art, and I earned every penny doing so!!
Your friend will understand when you explain your time, talent & ingredients needed. They must realize this IS a business & NOT a charity.
True friends understand, & like Lisa said, wouldn't knowingly cheat you.
:0)

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 28, 2012 at 12:43pm

Haha!  I love that!

art deco cakes by galidink said:

lol , thats what the store's do lol

Danielle Dyskin said:

I agree with what people have said previously about giving her a contract or quote.  Since she has had the cheek to expect a discount - put up your price a bit and then give the discount so it looks like you have given a nice discount even though it is a relatively small one.  Make sure you do this now because there is no way to get the money back and keep the friendship if she is shocked by the amount later.

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 28, 2012 at 12:47pm

Katy, I would normally agree with you about the "putting her nose in" part, but the friend who wants the cake is well known in our circle of friends for being the, how do I put this, "frugal" one!! :)   We all know how she is and I pretty much knew it before the friend mentioned it.  I have, since starting this discussion, drawn up a contract and quote which I will give my friend, while smiling and telling her that if she doesn't want to spend that much we can look at other designs or she is free to shop around.  My feelings will not be hurt - it's business!

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice.  Y'all rock!!

Permalink Reply by Katy Nott on August 28, 2012 at 2:20pm

haha 'frugal' - what a great word Dee.  Sounds like you've got the right plan anyway.  You never know, you might be surprised.  Good luck and don't forget to post the outcome - we're all dying to know!

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