Wedding Tastings

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Permalink Reply by Eileen S on April 25, 2010 at 5:36pm

I did have her sign the form we filled out at the tasting with the price agreed to. So that, at least, is o.k. I haven't checked with the venue, but I will have my serv-safe certification by then (I'm taking the class and the test on May 27). I will also be baking in a licensed kitchen. This is a really small town - there is a lot of "wink-and-nod" when it comes to stuff like this as sources for specialy items are scarce.

Thanks for the help!!

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Permalink Reply by jeri c on April 25, 2010 at 7:52pm

Eileen.. sounds great! I am terrible... I do not require a deposit. I have only ever had one cancellation and that was because the wedding was cancelled. And in that case, I would not keep a deposit anyway. I know most of my clients really well... we too live in a small town so a handshake still goes a long way in this area. Not so true some places but until I get stung, I guess I will keep at it the way I do. I do ask that payment in full comes one week before the wedding. I guess I want to be sure a check does not bounce! So far so good though. I have been pretty fortunate.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Qualls on April 25, 2010 at 8:20pm

Well Eileen, looks like you have all your bases covered!!!! great job. I too live in a small town and alot of the wink and nod goes on here too!!!

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Permalink Reply by jeri c on April 26, 2010 at 2:46am

Small towns are not all bad... ! ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Eileen S on April 26, 2010 at 8:44am

Oh, and I did let them take home some of the cake. They were so excited and said they would serve it for dessert after going to dinner with some friends - and all the people there were going to be locals, so it's more advertising for me. :)

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Qualls on April 26, 2010 at 9:44am

Eileen, its so fun to watch your business progress...thank you for sharing it with us...I am sure so many can learn from it

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Permalink Reply by Sandra I. Vazquez Lossiseroni on September 11, 2012 at 2:31pm

I always like to search the forums first as to no repeat the question, this was posted two years ago, I just hope it does not get unnoticed.  What do you do when a customer insists in a tasting for a birthday, after you explain you only do it for weddings for a 100 guests or more.  How can you politely say NO for a second time?

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Permalink Reply by Deah on September 11, 2012 at 2:46pm

Sandra, your answer should be the same.  Reminds me of my kids when they tried to wear me down by asking me something a zillion times.  Stand firm to your policy.

 

However, if you want to handle it another way you could say something like if she really, really wanted a tasting  you could do it for a fee of say $40 or $50 - non-refundable and not applied purchase of a cake, of course.  Whatever number you choose make it worth your time and ridiculously high.     

 

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Permalink Reply by Sandra I. Vazquez Lossiseroni on September 11, 2012 at 3:05pm

Thank you Deah for your reply, 

I was thinking the same way, maybe she will insist, thinking that I am desperate for $185... (I'm upset already is a Tupsy Turvy Cake and wants an exact replica of one of The Pink Box- I don't like replicas, ideas - of course) I do not want to set a precedent of cake tastings that are not weddings (and they have to be over 100 guests).  When I have explained this before to brides with less than 100 no problem, or even others, have tried getting cake tastings for baby showers...My gosh, I don't see them going to any grocery store, "ah can I have a taste of the those cakes, to see if I like them to buy them".  

I just needed to hear from you "cakey girls" to get the strength to stay firm in my policy.  I will feel so bad with myself if I give in to her and not the ones that I already said NO.   

Well, I thank you again Deah, 

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Permalink Reply by ann pallett on September 12, 2012 at 10:47am

Well I don't do any tastings. 

I do two big wedding fayres a year and do tasters there.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra I. Vazquez Lossiseroni on September 12, 2012 at 12:25pm

But when they ask you directly, how do you say NO?

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Permalink Reply by June Kowalczyk on September 12, 2012 at 2:12pm

 I also agree  50% now..... If as a business you  are only comfortable in charging  25%, I WOULD NOT give back the whole amount if they cancelled 2 weeks before. You would have bought supplies by then, so in essence, you're not getting paid for those supplies. If you want to give a refund, perhaps 1/2 of the 25%.  Don't forget if customers/clients were to cancel two weeks before, no venue, the hall, florist, tuxedo rental etc., would give them ANY MONEY BACK. This is because they cannot make up the revenue on such short notice. So I would think twice before that agreement.  Most places I have dealt with over the years, deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE.  This is, of course, a personal choice.   

 

 I have only ever taste tested twice. Once was an aquantaince through my family, and she paid for my coffee at a local coffee shop, and I only brought 2 cupcakes, chocolate & vanilla. They were actually leftover from a previous event about a week before, so on hand already, no big effort put out.  2nd time was a good friend who has MS, can't get out much, kind of house bound. But she tipped me extra when I actually made the cake, I am sure as a thank you for my consideration.

If I were to do a tasting again, it would probably be cupcakes, and not sure I would do exotic. The basics gives them a idea as to how well your product tastes. I would charge to make up for time & ingredients.  If they really wanted different flavors etc. there would explain there would be a extra charge for the time & effort.

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