Ok, i know I asked how long in advance you gaurantee prices.....but now I need to know how far out I should reasonable book a cake.
I have a bride wanting a tasting for a wedding in June of 2010! Am I jsut new to weddings and this is normal or is this too far in advance.
Now how in the heck can I garantee a price for 2 years away? And how do I know what I will be doing then....
Crap why can't they jsut stau on a 6-9 month schedule.
bonjovibabe Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jan 27, 2006
Posts: 2339
Location: Quickstepping across the ballroom, cake in hand!
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Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:36 am
I would ask her to call you in 16-18 months time as you could not give her an accurate price that far in advance. I would think any reasonable person could understand the reasons for this! So much can change in 2 years.
leahs Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 2854
Location: Louisville, KY
Birthday: May 29
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:42 am
I've stopped guaranteeing prices for events more than 1 year in the future.
robinscakes Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 07, 2007
Posts: 234
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:45 am
I'd certainly put her on my calendar, but as far as price goes, I'd only give her an estimate and explain that the price will probably go up in 2 years. My flour prices have gone up 4 times in one year, so I'm sure your going to run into the same thing. I also think that she's probably excited to be recently engaged and wants to get going on planning her wedding, not realizing that she has more than sufficient time to find her cake.
Classycakes Junior Member
Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 87
Location: Canada
Birthday: May 15
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:51 am
I've been finding the same thing - brides are looking to book so far in advance. It still seems very strange to me too but I'm taking the booking because I figured if they are interested enough in my cakes to want to book that early, then I should return their interest by accepting it.
My 2009 bookings I've been quoting at today's prices - I don't think supplies will go up that much in the next year.
For 2010 bookings, I've given them the estimate of what it would cost now and I've told them that I cannot guarantee that price two years in advance. I tell them that I will guarantee that their base price will not go up any more than $50 max. If my prices go beyond that in 2010, they will still only have to pay the $50 extra. I figure that gives me a little tickle room but it still gives them some reassurance that their price won't go sky high. $50 is a fairly comfortable number for me - it might be different for another decorator.
My policy right now is to ask for a deposit to confirm their booking. For 2010 brides, I also give them the option that their deposit is refundable up until the end of 2009. As of January 1, 2010, their deposit is no longer refundable. Two years is a long time and if they break up or change their plans, then they have the comfort of knowing they can get their deposit back.
Good luck!
Bev
txkat Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 1224
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:57 am
I only book one year in advance. I used to book further out, but those are the weddings that have a tendency not to happen, and that gets to be a whole different problem.
I just booked a wedding cake for 200 for NEXT WEEKEND, hows that for cutting it close ?
I only book one year in advance. I used to book further out, but those are the weddings that have a tendency not to happen, and that gets to be a whole different problem.
I just booked a wedding cake for 200 for NEXT WEEKEND, hows that for cutting it close ?
Wow those are some great ideas. I think I will tell here this....
1. You can book your date with a 50% deposit using today's rate.
2. Your deposit will be refundable until Jun 1 2009. After that non-refundable.
3. Your price will be finalized on Jun 1 , 2009 based on the rates for 2010.
Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks for your help!
Julia
loriemoms Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Nov 09, 2005
Posts: 2474
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Birthday: Feb 12
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:34 am
I think a lot of brides are booking so early so they can get today's prices. (I swear there must have been an article somewhere, because all of a sudden brides are doing this) For 2010, I am getting a lot of brides who are just feeling out prices right now to get their budget together. Or like you said, just excited.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14285
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:46 am
To be honest, if I get a lead (from decidio, respond, eventective, etc) that is for 2010, I just delete it. I'm not even interested in talking to someone that far in advance. I think brides may have to book some facilities that early or maybe some photographers that early. These are the vendors that pretty much can only book one event per day, so if you're not first, you're out. But I can book more than one cake/catering per day, so it's crazy to try to "book" 2 years in advance for a cake.
Unless you're Duff or Sylvia ... which I ain't!
SweetConfectionsChef Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 21, 2006
Posts: 986
Location: Texas
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:57 am
acookieobsession wrote:
Wow those are some great ideas. I think I will tell here this....
1. You can book your date with a 50% deposit using today's rate.
2. Your deposit will be refundable until Jun 1 2009. After that non-refundable.
3. Your price will be finalized on Jun 1 , 2009 based on the rates for 2010.
Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks for your help!
Julia
There are a few problems I see with your plan! Sorry! But I really want to point these out to you knowing you have planned wedding shows coming up!
1. 50% deposit of today's rate? How does anyone (or why would anyone) sign a contract when the price isn't set in stone? The entire reason for the contract is so the bride gets a secure price/design and you get a solid date with all of the payments in writing.
2.Why would you ever refund any deposit? The deposit is taken to secure their date....you might have turned away 6 brides because that ONE gave you a deposit. So if you let her cancel and give her back $$...what if you can't rebook the date because you've told so many you were booked? NO cancel mama...they lose what they've paid if they do! In all honesty that is a risk they take booking a wedding so far out!
3. Refer to #1. When you buy something today...you pay today. If you are giving them a contract and a payment plan then it is off what you charge at that time.
IMO....I never take orders more than a year out. Too many problems could arise on both ends.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14285
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:07 am
SweetConfectionsChef wrote:
How does anyone (or why would anyone) sign a contract when the price isn't set in stone?
Actually, there is a major caterer in town that says, flat out, on their website what their terms are:
- To get on their calendar, $1000 deposit, non refundable under any circumstances.
- Final price will be confirmed 6 months prior to the event.
So if you book with this guy 18 months ahead of time, you are going to hand over $1000 that you will never see again, regardless. AND ... you have no idea how much your food is going to cost for another year.
It must work for them because they are one of the biggest caterers in town. I should DREAM to be as big and successful as they are!
drowsyrn Junior Member
Joined: Apr 09, 2008
Posts: 70
Location: Oklahoma
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:35 am
I wouldn't even consider taking an order over one year out. Like others have said, too many things can happen on both sides.
SweetConfectionsChef Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 21, 2006
Posts: 986
Location: Texas
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:13 pm
indydebi wrote:
SweetConfectionsChef wrote:
How does anyone (or why would anyone) sign a contract when the price isn't set in stone?
Actually, there is a major caterer in town that says, flat out, on their website what their terms are:
- To get on their calendar, $1000 deposit, non refundable under any circumstances.
- Final price will be confirmed 6 months prior to the event.
So if you book with this guy 18 months ahead of time, you are going to hand over $1000 that you will never see again, regardless. AND ... you have no idea how much your food is going to cost for another year.
It must work for them because they are one of the biggest caterers in town. I should DREAM to be as big and successful as they are!
Wow! That is crazy! As a consumer I wouldn't even think of using their services. I would never sign a contract not knowing what I am responsible for! As a business owner I would never expect anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself!
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14285
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:29 pm
SweetConfectionsChef wrote:
Wow! That is crazy! As a consumer I wouldn't even think of using their services. I would never sign a contract not knowing what I am responsible for! As a business owner I would never expect anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself!
I so agree! First, I could never afford these guys (one bride showed me her quote .... it came out to over $100/person for food, linens and staffing). Second, I'm not contracting with someone and not know what my price is going to be.
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Am I jsut new to weddings and this is normal or is this too far in advance.
Sorry! But I really want to point these out to you knowing you have planned wedding shows coming up! 
That is crazy! As a consumer I wouldn't even think of using their services. I would never sign a contract not knowing what I am responsible for! As a business owner I would never expect anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself!