So I do cakes for friends and family and am trying to rent space at the local cafe - it's a work in progress. But I do get the occasional order from the teachers at the school etc... Well I guess one of the other parents heard and I have been getting orders for some graduation cakes and sweet 16 parties.
So my phone rings - it's one of the Mothers (I don't really know her) and she is all excited - wants a sweet 16 for her daughter, total princess theme, 3 tiers - the whole works. At the end of the conversation she asks sort of sneakily if I had any other cakes booked for that weekend...I told her no. She then said that her cake was huge so she was sure I wouldn't have time to do a really good job if I took another cake.
I am quiet, as I detest being told what to do. I take a breathe and advise her I am always careful when scheduling my cakes and when I fill up, I have to turn down orders. (Totally shooting from the hip at this point since I have yet to have the delightful opportunity to 'turn down' a cake.)
She persists....she is adamant that this be the only cake I take for that weekend. I am somewhat speachless and honestly want to tell her to get hosed because I am sorta rowdy, lol. Then she tells me her other friend is having a party the same weekend and she just knows she is going to call me for a cake and she really wants to have me as her 'Ace in the Hole' for HER parties, so could I please turn her down.
Ok, I am not kidding....at this point, I am thinking my husband is punking me. She then tells me to think about it and let her know, says she knows of one other decorator that would love the business and I should get back to her.
My jaw is still grazing the ground......what the heck? How is being her secret cake baker beneficial to me and who the hell does she think she is.
BTW, my DH swears he did not set anyone up to do this......
veejaytx Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 24, 2005
Posts: 12557
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Birthday: Aug 21
Posted:
Fri May 02, 2008 7:07 pm
I would consider telling her if she wants you exclusively that weekend, it will cost her and give her your price for not doing any other cakes.
Your time has to be worth a lot, see if she is willing to pay for it.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14285
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Fri May 02, 2008 7:12 pm
veejaytx wrote:
I would consider telling her if she wants you exclusively that weekend, it will cost her and give her your price for not doing any other cakes.
Your time has to be worth a lot, see if she is willing to pay for it.
Ok, after I quit laughing hysterically at your story and this nutty lady (I thought for sure she was heading down the road where she didn't want any other parties at ALL on this weekend! If they can't get a cake, then they can't get a party, I guess!), I gotta say I love the above idea. If you book an entire restaurant for the whole night, I bet they charge you more than $100/hour! I'm pretty darn sure you have to compensate them for loss of "normal business revenues".
Curtsmin24 Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 05, 2008
Posts: 245
Location: florida
Birthday: Oct 28
Posted:
Fri May 02, 2008 9:34 pm
You have patience my dear. I would have asked if she was joking. I agree with everyone else, give her a nice list of what it will cost you and how much business you would lose if you don't create anything for anyone else. I would have told her nicely "cocacola would not stop selling soda to walmart just to make mcdonalds happy. They wouldn't make any money that way" Business is business and her issues have nothing to do with with you and your business. I would also tell her unfortunately I didn't check my schedule and I do have a cake that weekend.
Good luck with her, she already sounds like a handful.
WOW. Sounds like somebody has gotten her way a little too often. I totally agree with other posters--is she wants you exclusively for the weekend, she'll have to pay a fee. Otherwise, it should totally be your call whether or not you can handle more than one cake order!
pjaycakes Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 27, 2007
Posts: 586
Location: East Central Florida
Birthday: Oct 05 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 4:43 am
I would charge her double for the cake since you won't be doing her "friend's" cake (some friend she must be).
It is hard sometimes to turn down cakes when people ask, especially when you don't have customers lined up down the block. Wouldn't it be nice if people planned their parties around when you were available to do their cake
Good luck with her. If you take the cake don't expect it to be the last thing she asks you to do.
Mike1394 Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 943
Location: Michigan
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 4:49 am
Perfect opportunity. Think about, being exclusive means $$$$$. Yeah she will probably be PITA, that just means she spends more.
Mike
cakemommy Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jan 25, 2005
Posts: 2806
Location: The great PNW!!!
Birthday: Dec 16 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 8:26 am
Now why in the world would she tell you, in so many words, that she doesn't want you to do any other cakes so you can focus on making hers the best ever, and then pretty much lay on the threat that her friend will go to another decorator if you don't take her order as well AND THEN tell you not to take her order!!!!! What a loon!!!!
I certainly don't let anyone dictate to me how I organize and schedule myself! You were very nice by not dumping a bunch of load on this woman!
Okay, I just reread your post and understand it better but still! This woman should not have threatened to take her business elsewhere!
Amy
lanibird Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 646
Location: Melting in the West Texas Sun
Birthday: Apr 24 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:15 am
Wow. She's a piece of work, ain't she?
Yeah, I agree with the others, exclusivity means extra $$$. If she doesn't want to pay up, then let her take her craziness elsewhere.
She sounds like she'll be a total PITA Momzilla cake customer too.
HerBoudoir Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 617
Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Birthday: Oct 18
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:23 am
See, now I'd be on the phone soliciting the woman who's cake she DIDN'T want you to do I would probably even consider doing it for free just to be a witch.
But then, I'm like that
smab109 Regular Member
Joined: Aug 16, 2007
Posts: 188
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:38 am
I'd hate to have her for a friend, geesh!!!! Sounds VERY competitive!
I agree with what others have said....if she wants you so "exclusively" she is going to have to pay for it!
cakesbyallison Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 27, 2005
Posts: 604
Location: San Diego, California
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:39 am
Too funny!! Sounds like she's trying to "one up" her so called "friend"... nice.
Plain and simple, if she want you exclusively, you need to charge for that. If she doesn't want to pay for your time, she can certainly find another baker - who probably won't do as nice as job as you!!
bobwonderbuns Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Nov 17, 2006
Posts: 3686
Location: one block from the edge of the earth...
Birthday: Nov 01 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:47 am
A, if she's adamant about hers being the only cake that weekend, then she should be more than willing to pay for your lost income to compensate.
B, if she wants hers to be the best ever cake, then she made the right decision coming to you in the first place, didn't she? Sheesh!
I had a lady last year beg me to do a cake (which I did and charged her $$$$ for it), then she told me she wanted it to be the best ever cake in the universe (or something to that effect) to which I responded "well, that's why you came to me in the first place, isn't it?"
poshcakedesigns Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 15, 2008
Posts: 462
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:47 am
OMG how funny - the nerve of some people. I agree with the other posters if she wants you exclusive she'd definetly pay for it. Good luck.
annieliz Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Indiana
Birthday: Aug 15
Posted:
Sat May 03, 2008 9:58 am
HerBoudoir wrote:
See, now I'd be on the phone soliciting the woman who's cake she DIDN'T want you to do I would probably even consider doing it for free just to be a witch.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
I would probably even consider doing it for free just to be a witch.
