Cake Decorating Community - Cakes We Bake

Hello all! Hope your holidays were great! I took some time off from baking to relax over Christmas and am back in full swing.....too bad it didn't take but a short while for someone to just step over the line a bot too far.

I had a phone call this morning from a woman who got my number from someone else. She wants a carved dinosaur cake for her sons birthday. No problem....so far. Wants it delivered and she lives about 40 minutes away. Not a biggie, but I do let her know that I would charge for mileage. Not a problem, she says. She sends pictures of two that she thinks are cute, one far more detailed and complicated than the other. Of course, that's the one she likes. Asks me how much it is, and I send her a quote of $65. Seeing as it's a cake for 20 - 25 people, I consider this far more than reasonable. Feel like I'm being a pretty nice guy. Yeah.

She emails back asking if it's a firm price! Goes on to tell me she's been out of work for 3 years and can't afford that. She's trying to get her photography business off the ground so maybe I can do it for less and ahe can give me a discount on a photography package. She even goes on to tell me it's the only thing he asked for. Talk about laying in the guilt....I don't need a photography package! I need to be paid for my time, effort and expenses. Haven't replied yet because in thjos frame of mind I know I wouldn't be pleasant......and I don't want to be nasty.

I haven't worked in 4 years since I decided to stay home and care for my dad, who is 97 and lives with us. This is what I do to try to help bring an income of some type into our home. People don't realize how much work goes into these creations.....if she needs a cheap cake she can go get a mix, and tub of icing and make her own. Just had to get that off my chest, and I know you have all been here too. Grrrrrr!!!!!!

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Thought you might wanted to see what she wants.....see attachment!

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lol Joanne - I do like a good vent.  Seriously though, imo $65 is an absolute bargain for this.  So you need to tell her that you are in the same situation, not working and this is your only source of income.  So, sadly, you are unable to drop the price as it would not be worth your while doing it otherwise.  She can take it or leave it.  I suggest you say to her 'if you do a bit of research, you will find that this price as actually very reasonable and I don't think you will get the same thing for anywhere near what I have quoted you'.  I know it's tough, you're a nice person, you want to help, don't like to see a kid disappointed yada yada, but at the end of the day, it's business, not charity.

Thanks Katy! I actually went back onto the website and figured the currency conversion - emailed her that their carved cakes started at $115 and went up, just for a price comparison. Told her if she needed to save money, she could go with the less detailed cake and come pick it up instead.....oh no, she didn't want to do that. I politely told her that I wished her luck in finding a baker closer to her that could help her out, and that I hoped she had a great party, but there was nothing else I was going to be able to do. If I had done everything she wanted, I would have lost money, and I certainly am not willing to do that. 

Good for you.  Every time I hear one of these stories, I am glad that I never bother to sell my cakes.  I do them only for family & close friends and give them as gifts.  I couldn't deal with this.  Did customer service for too many years and no longer have the patience.  

She'll be back..............

Joann Gottermeyer said:

Thanks Katy! I actually went back onto the website and figured the currency conversion - emailed her that their carved cakes started at $115 and went up, just for a price comparison. Told her if she needed to save money, she could go with the less detailed cake and come pick it up instead.....oh no, she didn't want to do that. I politely told her that I wished her luck in finding a baker closer to her that could help her out, and that I hoped she had a great party, but there was nothing else I was going to be able to do. If I had done everything she wanted, I would have lost money, and I certainly am not willing to do that. 

Kudos to you for standing up for yourself and holding steady.  that was an amazing price for that cake.  I get $40 for a simple cake that feeds 20 and there is no carving...   I have never carved a cake but I can only imagine the time it takes.  once again good for you. 

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