Just need to vent!!!

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Permalink Reply by jeri c on February 12, 2010 at 1:18am

I have recently started telling people how many hours it takes to put together a wedding cake. they see all the cake shows and think you can just whip it up in a few hours.... in my experience that is just not reality!

That is when you gently say... I am sorry but I am over booked this weekend already but keep me in mind and call in advance next time. That keeps the door open but lets them know that you are busy and to respect you.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Happe on February 12, 2010 at 5:43am

Isn't it so unfortunate about cakes...it is a work of art that takes time like a painting. Then they sing, blow out candles and poof, it's gone! If it weren't for cameras, there would be no evidence. No, people will never get it. Maybe if you took a picture of what your kitchen looked like in the process they could sympathize. I was once part of a cooky self-help group and I made this huge cake that took several days. In the session following the party, everyone voted that I didn't make an effort to work with the group because I got to the party a little late with the cake, having decorated up til the last minute. Guess what? I was outta there. I was pissed.

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Permalink Reply by jeri c on February 13, 2010 at 2:49pm

I am pretty fortunate that most all of the people I work with know me and respect what I do. Every now and then there is a "self proclaimed" professional that comes to me and wants a 5 tier cake decorated to the nines for $200.... well... I just tell them I can not do it for that and if they can find someone who will then they need to go there by all means. I really do not do this for a living so I really am not into trying to get a customer. I work full time and this is a hobby and I tell them that. And I am to the point where I work Smarter not Harder.... I'd rather do one cake and enjoy it than make 5 cakes and hate myself when it is over.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa on February 13, 2010 at 8:51pm

Thanks everyone for listening to me complain... lol. She has officially been put on the 'no cake for you' list!!! :)

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Permalink Reply by Diana Viera on February 13, 2010 at 9:48pm

I too had to turn several people away for Valentine's Day. I already had my plate full and a fashion party function that I was hosting earlier today and had to bake for. Thankfully, they understood and said that they wanted to place an order now for Easter. Definitely not a problem!

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Permalink Reply by Angela Wright Pineda on February 15, 2010 at 11:19am

Theresa, please join the group I started on Cakes We Bake to help pass the Baker's Bill here in Texas so we CAN do a cake biz from our home kitchens. Go to Groups Tab and you will see it!

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Permalink Reply by melissa pappalardo on February 15, 2010 at 2:12pm

I feel your pain as well. I have always worked for a super market and the hard work of baking and leveling was always done ahead of time. the cakes only needed to be frosted and decorated. But even with that I know what goes into the details people want. ALot of times there are those that will say to you "it's just cake". THose are the people that when all is said and done, they tell you they could've done it. That's when I say......"next time be my guest" It really does stink that there are people who take what we do for granted. Keep up the good work!!!! I really and trulymean it when I say there are AMAZING works of art on this site.

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Permalink Reply by Tanya on February 16, 2010 at 1:10pm

Again a last minute order this drives me mad! I often get requests for a topper at the last minute and the stress can be too much! I am now quite firm and will not consider doing a topper at the last minute unless I have made it many times before as I have the added presure of posting it and it arriving on time which is of course out of my hands
Having said this if you have a gut feeling about the cake go for it!

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Permalink Reply by tracey lopez on February 16, 2010 at 5:38pm

I have a good one. lol My cousin is the one that got me interseted in cake , mind you she knows what goes into making a cake (decorated or not). She is the only person I know that calls me at the last minute to order a cake. On top of all that at a local cake supply store here in San Antoio they sell this product called "Whip n ice", supposed to be like elite frosting but better. Must be frozen and you use or lose it. Yet she still insist on having it and is not willing to pay. I finally told her to get serious and she wants the stuff that bad go to the place I bought it and get some for yourself and dont call me for cake! I felt great after that. I need to add her to Theresa's no cake for you list!! lol

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