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FlowerGirlMN
Forum Addict
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Joined: Jul 06, 2007
Posts: 548
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 Posted:
Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:26 am |
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Hey everyone,
Just received an email from someone asking if I would discount for a November wedding. Given the interest in October and November weddings this year, I definitely wouldn't consider those months to be slow or whatever.. I only have 1 spot available on her date as it is. The only months I'm not getting many bookings for are February-April.
Anyway, I was wondering.. do you discount for any reason, and if so, what?
If we get a really cool couple who would be open for something REALLY crazy, we sometimes discount the extra design charges a bit so they can afford it (and we can do a really cool cake!). That's about it.
Thoughts? |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:05 am |
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Not me. I've had them ask me "how much of a discount will I get if it's ONLY for 50 people?" to which I've explained that they will most likely pay MORE because it's "only" 50 people (a tablecloth/skirting still costs $25 to rent no matter if there is food for 50 or food for 100 sitting on it. Takes the same amount of gas to get to the venue, no matter if there is food for 50 or food for 100 in the van. It's called overhead!)
I've had them ask if I discount for a Friday or Sunday wedding, to which I've had to explain that it actually costs me more because my staff works part time for me .... they have day jobs, so it's hard for me to staff Friday weddings, ergo I have to pay them more to get them to be there. Sunday are not only the traditional double-time pay days, but my staff is already worn out from the Friday and Saturday events they worked, so I have to pay them more to get them to be there. (and it's not a blackmail thing where they are holding me hostage .... I pay them what they are worth and they are worth every penny to me!)
You can also point out that Nov/Dec may not be peak for weddings, but it's peak for holiday events, putting you in high demand and your oven time is at a premium, so if they want squeezed in on the baking schedule, they need to book quickly.
Never imply you are not busy at any time. If anyone asks me "how's business?" my answer is ALWAYS, "I'm covered up! Going great!" No one wants to deal with a company that isn't busy .... it implies they aren't any good. Regardless ... you are ALWAYS busy!!
Ignore anything else I've ever said, but remember this one ... you are ALWAYS "busy"!" |
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marmalade1687
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 05, 2005
Posts: 286
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Birthday: Aug 15
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:17 am |
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Nope, no discounts here either! I may have slower periods throughout the winter when I am not baking fulltime, but I fill those times with inventory, taxes, paperwork, marketing, consultations for the next year (perhaps even a teeny well-deserved vacation!!) - I always have something to do! |
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ccr03
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 1476
Location: Independence, MO
Birthday: Jan 31
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:42 am |
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ha! discount because it's the winter! under that theory I should get a b-day cake for free!
Anyway, I'm like you FlowerGirlMN, if it's a cool design I won't charge as much or I'll put in the discount on the invoice. I'll always discount for loyal customers. A friend of mine actually ordered a cake for 50 ppl. this weekend and I gave him a 20% discount. He's a GREAT friend and is one of the first people to support me in all this.
edited: I should correct myself. I don't ALWAYS discount for loyal customers, but if I've had a good week or in a good mood I'll take a LITTLE off - just like a couple of buck or soemthing. |
Last edited by ccr03 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:02 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wendl
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 62
Location: Spring, TX USA
Birthday: Jun 23
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:44 am |
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A sales guru once told my company (office job, not cake, but it still applies) - NEVER discount your work. If they don't want to pay what it's worth - they can move on and get shoddy product for shoddy payment.
Last fall, a fellow saw my gumbo cake pic and told my friend "I'll pay anything for it!" and needed it 4 days later (during a work week where I have an office job 40+hours). I gave him a quote (it was still a deal under $100, but still not a walmart (ICK!!!) price) and he said it was too expensive. I wanted to make the cake but not for less than I quoted and I told him why I priced it as I did, that maybe another time when I had a more open schedule...but I did NOT drop the price, NOR did I apologize for it, either. Granted, w/more experience under my belt and improved skills, he won't be getting it under $100 anymore, either! His window of opportunity for beginner bargain basement is shut! 
Wendl |
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minie
Junior Member
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Joined: Aug 30, 2006
Posts: 94
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:59 am |
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I'm not in the cake business, to me cakes are just for fun.
I own a grooming salon, my slow month is january (95% get their pet groomed right before christmas).
I can only imagine my face if someone asked for a discount because it's january.
It doesn't make sense, my shampoo and conditioner (your flour, sugar...)never costs less. Why would you do it?? |
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homecook
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 1503
Location: At my desk, in the garden, or in the kitchen
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:22 am |
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Well, I can tell you exactly *why* brides will ask that.
It's because they've watched every "How to get an expensive wedding for nothing" show on Good Morning America, etc.
I actually have saved a video link from a morning show who had a guest wedding expert who flatly stated that "You should definitely book your wedding in the *off* season, because ALL your vendors, from the dress to the cake, will discount 50-70% for wedding during these *off season* dates."
I was like  ! On what planet?? I know you can get bargains on wedding dresses from last season off the rack, etc., but for a cake or catered meal, that's just ridiculous! |
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TexasSugar
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 01, 2005
Posts: 4401
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Dec 08
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:03 am |
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I have a real problem with people asking for a discount. If I want to give you one that is one thing, but for you to flat out ask? Umm nope! You pay full price. |
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ccr03
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 1476
Location: Independence, MO
Birthday: Jan 31
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Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:00 pm |
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Exactly!!! Couldn't agree with you more TexasSugar!!!! |
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littlecake
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 18, 2006
Posts: 1646
Location: the fine line between genuis and insanity
Birthday: Nov 21
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Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:00 am |
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i'll give them a discount if I decide to .....never if they ask.
if it's january, and something breaks down that i need money for, i'll discount if i decide too...but cakes are my only income...and i still have lean times...and girl gotta do what a girl gotta do.....to bad i aint got a husband,dad mom or a rich uncle bob...ha ha...i know i need a sugar daddy! |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:50 am |
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homecook is absolutely right! It's why I start lots of conversations with "Contrary to all of the lies the wedding magz and websites tell you ..... " |
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costumeczar
Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 18, 2007
Posts: 723
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Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:41 am |
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A lot of reception sites around my area do discount for "off-season" weddings (whatever that is these days) so I think that brides assume everything will be discounted the same way. I've never had a bride ask for a discount for off-season, and I'm so busy all year anyway I don't think I'd know what the off-season is. |
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merissa
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 4417
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Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:57 am |
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Hey, well you can't blame a guy/girl for tryin! But you don't need to feel badly about saying "no" either.
If you gave everyone a discount, then you would have to raise your prices in order to accomodate for all the discount! LOL. It doesnt make any sense. |
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Mandica12182
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 398
Location: Grove City, Ohio
Birthday: Dec 01
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:58 am |
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People crack me up...I got an e-mail from someone wanting a discount because they wanted a cake for friday and then another for saturday!! I e-maield them back...no discount, it actually would be MORE trouble for me to make 2 cakes and 2 deliveries...ha! They never responded. |
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yummymummy
Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 25, 2006
Posts: 526
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Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:58 am |
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TOTAL VACATION!!!!! 
