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BabyMommaCakes
Newbie
Joined: Jun 08, 2009
Posts: 9
Location: Livermore
Birthday: Aug 09
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 Posted:
Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:32 am |
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I am brand new to this also. I've had two tastings so far and 8 cakes ordered. I meet half way at, usually, a starbucks. They're easy to find for both of us and they usually don't mind. I use baby cakes(mini cupcakes) for my tastings with the filling on top instead of frosting. I sit down we introduce ourselves then I dive right into it. Usually explain how I started, how they found me and then we go into details. I ask how many people will be attending, what kind of event it is, what ideas they have, or had in mind. Then we draw something up. I come up with two ideas and I let them choose the idea. Then we right up the contract and I get a 50% deposit. It's worked best for me and I've gottent the cake every time. As long as they find you friendly and trustworthy, and like what you've done so far, they will choose you. Don't give them the option to choose someone else, SELL YOURSELF! |
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indydebi
Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 22137
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:02 am |
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| Destinys_Delights wrote: | The bride doesn't like cake and really didn't care and was going to pick the yellow and lemon cake but the grooms favorite cake is carrot cake (he wasn't there) and the wedding planner tried the carrot cake she didn't like it said it tasted to much like spice cake. So they said they would call me back and let me know. I left the extra cupcakes there so the groom can try them but haven't heard back. Any suggestions on how to handle if the customer doesn't like the cake, I just felt like leaving.  |
As they get into their personal preferences, I always remind them "there will be 148 OTHER people at the reception ... what flavor of cake do you think THEY will enjoy?"
When they can't decide, I guide them into what I want to make. "The most popular cake I sell is white cake with red raspberry fillling. How about we have that one for the largest tier, since that's what the majority of your guests will be eating? We can make the top tier carrot for the groom ... he can have his own special cake."
I also remind them that what they decide here, today, is not etched in stone, "..... so let's go ahead and put down carrot for the top tier (for the groom) and if you change your mind, just let me know."
With SOMETHING written down, it's closer to an actual order as opposed to "oh we'll get back to you." It's a subtle psychological thing, but if SOMETHING is written down, they "think" they've decided. It's more effort to change something than it is to call me back. Sounds weird, I know, but it's a psychological thing.
(Dang this is good stuff! I should write this down!)  |
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miny
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 1054
Location: California
Birthday: Dec 27
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:29 am |
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Indy do you serve cupcakes or the actual cake? If it's cake, how big is your slice? And last question, how many choices do you offer in a tasting?
And yes, I agree with you, this IS good stuff, I'm writing it down!!!  |
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zubia
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 04, 2006
Posts: 444
Location: Kansas
Birthday: Sep 20
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:29 am |
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(Dang this is good stuff! I should write this down!) [/quote]
don't worry there are tons of people (like me) who are saving your pearls of wisdom. |
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miny
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 1054
Location: California
Birthday: Dec 27
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:30 am |
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Indy do you serve cupcakes or the actual cake? If it's cake, how big is your slice? And last question, how many choices do you offer in a tasting?
And yes, I agree with you, this IS good stuff, I'm writing it down!!! |
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zubia
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 04, 2006
Posts: 444
Location: Kansas
Birthday: Sep 20
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:31 am |
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(Dang this is good stuff! I should write this down!) [/quote]
don't worry there are tons of people (like me) who are saving your pearls of wisdom. |
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indydebi
Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 22137
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:56 am |
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| miny wrote: | Indy do you serve cupcakes or the actual cake? If it's cake, how big is your slice? And last question, how many choices do you offer in a tasting?
And yes, I agree with you, this IS good stuff, I'm writing it down!!! |
I bake once for every 9 samplings.
I bake three 8" square cakes (vanilla, choc and usually red velvet). Cut it into 9 squares. So each square is just under 3x3". Throw 'em in the freezer in a ziplok bag, and just pull one of each out for a sampling. They then cut bites from the cake(s) and mix-n-match with the various icings and fillings.
To serve each person 3 full size cupcakes is a LOT of cake ..... I couldn't eat that much cake in one sitting. |
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miny
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 1054
Location: California
Birthday: Dec 27
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:16 am |
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Yeah, you are right, it'll be a lot of cake wasted, after all those are classic flavors and maybe just put the fillings and icing on little spoons. Thanks again for the tip, you are always very helpful! |
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MessyBaker
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 25, 2007
Posts: 1064
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:18 am |
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I'm wondering for those of you who meet somewhere for the tasting....do you get permission? Do you at least buy drinks or bottled water from the establishment? I heard some say the meet at Panera Bread. I want to do this because I have five kids and it has not worked out to do this in my home!!! I not only have the stress of baking the samples, but making certain my house is spottless. I really want to find a good place for this! |
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Destinys_Delights
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 25, 2009
Posts: 29
Birthday: Jun 20
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:25 am |
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Thanks, I guess I have to take this first tasting as a learning experience, because indydebi is right If i would have been writing down the flavors that she did like she might have been more willing to just use th flavors she already picked and left the 3rd flavor out. Maybe my next one will be better. Also it kinda hurt my feelings I haven't had anyone say they didn't lke my cake before. But guess thats part of the business. |
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jammjenks
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Posts: 1996
Location: western NC
Birthday: Jul 21
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:49 am |
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| indydebi wrote: | | I couldn't eat that much cake in one sitting. |
wimp  |
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indydebi
Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 22137
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:53 am |
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mkm25
Regular Member
Joined: May 21, 2008
Posts: 135
Location: Florida
Birthday: Mar 13
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:44 am |
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Thanks, everyone, for your advice! Now, I'm just wondering, do you all use carbon-copy contracts or do you make a copy for the client before they leave the consultation? If you use carbon copies, where do you buy them? |
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miny
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 1054
Location: California
Birthday: Dec 27
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:20 am |
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If I'm not mistaken there are some contracts somewhere in the galleries that people had posted, you can print out one and fix it a little to make it your own. I'll try to look for it and get back to you  |
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jhutch04
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 30, 2008
Posts: 35
Location: York, PA
Birthday: Nov 07
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:06 pm |
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I am new to this as well. I have had one tasting, and got the order, and in the process of scheduling another one. I know I was more nervous than they were. I had them come to my house, so of course I was cleaning psychotically before they got here. The bride and I had exchanged many many emails, and had already decided on a design, so all that was left was the tasting and the deposit. The bride isn't big on cake so she kinda picked at her piece, but the groom polished his off in about 30 seconds and then finished the brides piece. I just made a 2 layer 8 inch cake because I didn't want to have left over batter, and then took the leftover cake to work the next day. The thing I was most nervous about was that I tried a new cake recipe and I didn't have a chance to try it before they came over, so I was so afraid it was gonna taste like crap. But they loved it, I hope I relax more the more cakes I do.  |
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