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missmeg
Frequent Member
Joined: Jun 04, 2007
Posts: 497
Location: Seacoast, NH
Birthday: Nov 09
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 Posted:
Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:17 am |
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I just need to vent/whine about this, so bear with me.
I am providing the cake for our church's 50th anniversary next weekend. Buffet banquet at a hall. It's going to be a nice event.
When I asked the banquet committee chair over the summer, she was thrilled. She mentioned at that time that the budget was pretty tight. She did not give me an exact figure, but mentioned that the dessert portion of the budget was not alot.
Now, I am used to giving discounts to the church for my cakes. I do it as both a courtesy to them, as a donation, and to the Glory of God.
I am also looking forward to using this cake on my website as the closest thing I have ever done to a multi-tiered wedding cake. Four tiers, 3 tortes per tier, four different cake/filling flavors. First time I'll be doing colorflow, and first time I've ever made lilies and mums.
Knowing I was going to probably offer a discount after the fact, I submitted the contract for a cake to feed 202 people. Final price $572.
the chairwoman came back to me last night to inform me that they only hve $250 in the budget for the cake  . She asked about options. My response is that "the cake is what it is". I can't really downsize the cake, as it needs to feed 225 people. I'm NOT going to do sheet cakes. I want something spectacular to commorate the occasion.
I'm whining more because in my head I'd started to spend that $572. The $250 is going to barely cover the cost of ingredients and supplies (had to purchase a 14" and 12" square pans...went Magic Line).
*sigh* I'm still looking forward to doing the cake. And it will give me good practice. |
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crazy4sugar
Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 28, 2007
Posts: 670
Location: Massachusetts
Birthday: Sep 07
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:21 am |
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Sorry to hear that. Yeah, you'll have to consider it good practice which will lead to better cakes in the future AND good exposure to 200+ potential customers.
Good luck  |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:34 am |
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THey budgeted about $1 per person for cake. Woo. (she said with sarcasm!).
The information about how much was in the budget should have been exchanged during the conversation, not after the quote was submitted.
We are not used car salesmen. The phrase of "he whos mentions a price first loses" does NOT apply to our industry! I cannot plan a cake/buffet around an imaginary price. If you tell me your budget is $2000, I will not try to sell you the $4000 package. I will work to get you a menu UNDER the $2000 figure!
But people have a used-car-salesmen mentality!  |
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vickster
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 407
Location: Searcy Arkansas 72143
Birthday: Dec 11
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:29 am |
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Just this Sunday I did a cake for my church's youth dinner--about 90 including adults. Parents take turns providing the food, and it was our turn along with 2 other couples. It was my first three tiered cake, I used my airbrush for the first time, and I did some sugar paste music notes sprouting out of the cake. It was a 10, 8 6, which I guess serves somewhere around 75. I did it for free. I got to do whatever I wanted and it was a gift to my church. And, a lot of people saw it. Which to some extent is why I did it, but wasn't the main reason. The only thing that bugged me about the whole deal is when it came time to pay for the other food (burger meat, buns, etc.,) they held out their hand to my husband to chip in for that as well. Kind of made me mad. He said that some of the others had brought brownies and stuff. SO WHAT! I says to him. Why it peeved me off was that we said in the very beginning that we were going to take care of the dessert. That was going to be our contribution. I think hubby would have said something except he didn't realize I'd probably spent $25 or $30 on the cake stuff. Anyhoo. The lady kind of warned you up front they didn't have a big budget, so I think you need to accept that and either do some kind of sheet cake or go ahead with your plan and use it as a gift (which you could do and take a tax credit) and/or advertising. People complain a lot on this forum about prices they get for cakes, but we also tend to be a little arrogant and don't really want to do the budget cakes. We want to do the fun stuff. Last weekend I did a sheet cake for a lady that was also for a church harvest fest. I charge $1.25 per serving for sheet cakes ($36) for a 9x13. I just went ahead and did some fondant leaves and pumpkins on it and didn't charge her. I already had the fondant made up from another cake and I got to play with my airbrush on the leaves. It was fun and I don't think it ever hurts you to go "above and beyond". I agree with IndyDeb about the used car mentality. But, on the other hand, I've yet to see a website that lists flat prices for their cakes. We've set ourselves up to negotiated prices from the get go so we need to expect to negotiate. |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:06 am |
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| vickster wrote: | | I've yet to see a website that lists flat prices for their cakes. We've set ourselves up to negotiated prices from the get go so we need to expect to negotiate. |
See my website, darlin'. All prices, cake and catering, are posted loud and clear. I even created a BUdget WIzard that I send to brides so they can plug in their headcount and figure out TO THE PENNY what their reception will cost before they even call me. It weeds out those who decide they can't afford me and I dont' waste my time with window shoppers.....I spend my time ONLY with those who have pretty much already decided that I'm the one. |
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swick55
Junior Member
Joined: May 30, 2007
Posts: 65
Location: Missouri
Birthday: Feb 04
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:54 am |
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I also do cakes for my church for free. Please remember when we give to God he GIVES back. I have gotten so many orders from doing those free cakes. I have definitely made my money back in orders from people that didn't even go to our church. Word of a good cake will spread like wild fire. I heard the other day through Joyce Meyers we should do things as we are doing them for God and don't expect anything back. God will reward us! Don't worry, keep up the good work! Ask the church they may let you put your business cards next to your cake. You may be surprised at how God blesses you.......... |
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txkat
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 1272
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:05 pm |
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Sorry, I have to interject here. God does not eat cake. You're not making cake for God. You're making it for an institution that has decided to have a big fancy dinner. If they wanted you to make a donation to that big fancy dinner, they should have asked for it. I get about three calls a week asking me point blank to donate this or that. I think it is dishonest to lead someone to believe they are getting a paying job, when it is really just charity work. I really don't believe God approves of tricking people. |
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punkin712
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 62
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:17 pm |
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Doing things for your church often presents a sticky situation. While I agree that it is an opportunity to give back to your house of worship and do something charitable, sometimes it just leads to disappointment and headaches.
Our church holds an annual plant and bake sale in the spring and the first year we were members, we were asked if we would like to bring something for the bake sale. I went completely overboard and baked 12 large pound cakes (in those large commercial loaf pans) and 12 dozen cookies. I had everything nicely wrapped and labeled with prices (they asked each person to price their items). Things went swimmingly and my products were a smashing success. I found out after the event that another longtime member of the church who is a hobby cake decorator said she felt like I was trying to "show her up". I disregarded the comment because that certainly wasn't the case and I hadn't even provided decorated cakes for the event.
For 3 years, I brought the same items in the same quantities at the same prices. Then one year my husband and I were helping out during the sale when the hobby cake decorator stopped by to drop off her cakes. She didn't know who I was and right in front of me picked up one of my cakes and said "$12 for this?! That's insane. Whoever priced this is crazy." I was livid. There are so many things wrong with that comment. It wasn't like I was getting any money from the sales - everything went to the church - so what does she care how I priced anything? And, considering my products were the only ones to sell out, I'd say the people buying them didn't have any issues with the pricing.
That's the last time I participated. I know I shouldn't punish the church for one person's ignorant comment, but it just made me so upset that I can't bring myself to be exposed to that again. |
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meancat
Regular Member
Joined: Jan 12, 2007
Posts: 140
Location: Wylie, TX
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:20 pm |
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$250 for supplies?! That seems kinda high for that cake.... anyways - that sucks you will have to eat most of the cost - I would definitely down grade it though. |
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newlywedws
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 17, 2006
Posts: 598
Location: MacDill AFB, FL
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:29 pm |
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I am no means "God's gift" to cake decorating  however I do believe that a person should be paid fairly.
Not ONCE - have I ever had anyone pay me for any cake that I have made (though once I was reimbursed "cost")...of course I did make a bridal shower cake back at the end of July and I agreed to allow the hostess to figure what she believed to be a right amount...I pretty much have kissed it off though, b/c here it is October, and no payment yet 
Having said that...I only plan on doing one more cake to bring to a church function and no more after that...my thinking is simply, that they would not hesitate to go spend $30 or so at a local grocery/club store, so if I am asked to provide a cake I should be paid.
While you may want to do an elaborate cake...I wouldn't do it, for 2 reasons:
1 - they aren't paying what it's worth
2 - a fancy cake or sheet cake is still cake, and will get eaten
If you want to do a smaller, fancier cake - do it for the pastor though |
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ShortcakesSweets
Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 611
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:32 pm |
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| swick55 wrote: | | I also do cakes for my church for free. Please remember when we give to God he GIVES back. I have gotten so many orders from doing those free cakes. I have definitely made my money back in orders from people that didn't even go to our church. Word of a good cake will spread like wild fire. I heard the other day through Joyce Meyers we should do things as we are doing them for God and don't expect anything back. God will reward us! Don't worry, keep up the good work! Ask the church they may let you put your business cards next to your cake. You may be surprised at how God blesses you.......... |
Well said. I completely agree!! |
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shortNsweet
Frequent Member
Joined: Oct 22, 2005
Posts: 234
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:35 pm |
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I am sorry you are out the money, but I have to go on the side of charity. I have to agree with the other post that said good things will come out of this! Be it other people giving you orders or just the good that comes from GIVING. I would hope this would overtake the feelings of wishing you had gotten more money from you work for YOUR church. If this truly bothers you, then learn from this experience, and do not agree to do it again in the future...it's your choice. I do think you will feel good about yourself, and the fact that you gave to your church. |
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nickymom
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 22, 2006
Posts: 405
Location: Somewhere in the Good Ol' USA
Birthday: Apr 18
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:35 pm |
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Well I think she told you the budget for desserts wasn't going to be a lot, right? I think it's always best to find out what they can pay before you start to plan the cake. If the church can only fford $250 and you don't want to contribute to it then go simplier but if it's you that wants the cake to be extrvagant then you'll need to put your own money into it w/out complaint.
Personally, I would never charge the church for a cake UNLESS I was asked to do something out of my price range but then I would only request they pay for the ingredients alone. |
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ShortcakesSweets
Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 611
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:42 pm |
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| swick55 wrote: | | I also do cakes for my church for free. Please remember when we give to God he GIVES back. I have gotten so many orders from doing those free cakes. I have definitely made my money back in orders from people that didn't even go to our church. Word of a good cake will spread like wild fire. I heard the other day through Joyce Meyers we should do things as we are doing them for God and don't expect anything back. God will reward us! Don't worry, keep up the good work! Ask the church they may let you put your business cards next to your cake. You may be surprised at how God blesses you.......... |
Well said. I completely agree!! |
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ShortcakesSweets
Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 611
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:43 pm |
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| swick55 wrote: | | I also do cakes for my church for free. Please remember when we give to God he GIVES back. I have gotten so many orders from doing those free cakes. I have definitely made my money back in orders from people that didn't even go to our church. Word of a good cake will spread like wild fire. I heard the other day through Joyce Meyers we should do things as we are doing them for God and don't expect anything back. God will reward us! Don't worry, keep up the good work! Ask the church they may let you put your business cards next to your cake. You may be surprised at how God blesses you.......... |
Well said. I completely agree!!
Sorry, didn't mean to triple post. |
Last edited by ShortcakesSweets on Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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