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CakeGrlPA
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 04, 2007
Posts: 328
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 Posted:
Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:40 am |
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Hello dear friends:
For some strange reason I’ve been asked A LOT lately to donate cakes…I don’t mind doing some good…but c’mon!
I started my business this year and I’m doing OK but I don’t feel my business is in the position to donate that much…whatever I give a this
point will come out of my day job paycheck and not only I’m not making a steady income on cakes but I barely have time to finish my orders.
My latest request if for some women’s group gala and they expect me to donate cake for over 200 people!!! . 
As always they say it would be great exposure for my business  …but honestly I would rather pass on this one.
How do I nicely tell these ladies I don’t want to donate?
Tia |
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marmalade1687
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 05, 2005
Posts: 286
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Birthday: Aug 15
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:48 am |
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Just be honest and tell them that you have reached your capacity for the year for donations - you can only afford so much per year, and you have reached it. Perhaps next year!
I have actually had to choose ahead of time which charities or organizations that I will donate to each year - it seems that each year there are more and more hands out...! I decide how much my limit will be, and when I reach it, that's it. |
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Aliwis000
Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 30, 2007
Posts: 371
Location: Tomball, Texas
Birthday: Jan 11
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:51 am |
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I think most people would just say that you are booked for the date requested. The same things happen at my parents print shop, from baseball teams to after school kids groups. When money was good my parents did these things, they have 20 years of pictures for various sports teams, but now they just can't. Sometimes poeple seem to think that since you own the business its all free to you, they forget that there are bills you have to pay no matter if you are making something to donate or to sale.
Alicia |
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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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Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:53 am |
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oh, i get hit up A LOT....
i just tell them i choose who i donate to, since i can't give to everyone who asks, i have choosen the women's shelter.
if it ever gets out you do donations...everyone will call...if you do everyone, you'll have to go out of business.
they try to trick you, and make you feel bad too...one of the last times they called they started out by telling me they heard i was "a real sweetheart"...ugh, i still told them no.
a woman came in one day dressed in an armani suit and wanted a donation for her kids school...i thought with that much money, why don't she just buy it herself and donate it.
plus they'll try to tell you that you'll get exposure for your biz....i'm sorry to say the only exposure i got was more people lookin for donations.
i'm not stingy either...i just wanna pick who i give to myself.
i gave 1800 cookies to a church last year to help out with a project that i really believed in. |
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Ironbaker
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 2045
Location: Atlanta, GA
Birthday: Oct 02
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:05 am |
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I agree with Marmalade. Many businesses who donate, start with a "donation budget" of sorts. If they reach their limit, they just say they've already chosen their recipients for the year and to try back January of the next year.
And there's usually a $$ max of what they will donate. Asking for a cake for 200 is a bit much, unless it's something you truly want to donate to. |
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lizamlin
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 72
Location: West Allis, WI
Birthday: Aug 26
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:07 am |
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I like the 'booked for that date' idea forthis particular instance.
Take some time to think over in your own mind IF you will donate and TO WHOM. What will the $$$amount of cake be? One cause or two or three? Be CERTAIN to find the tax bennies to you, too!
Be passionate in your selection of a cause - something that really matters to YOU...then you ought to have no problem in the future telling others you wish them luck and you're sorry you won't be able to help them...as the chosen cause this year is XXX.
hth |
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robinscakes
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 07, 2007
Posts: 284
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:09 am |
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I'd tell them just that--you can't afford it. They're asking for a donation because they probably can't afford to buy a cake. They should understand that. |
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LisaMS
Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 22, 2006
Posts: 497
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:17 am |
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I agree with the explaining that you have a "donation budget" and that you have already allocated those funds this year.
If you think you might want to give to them in the future, tell them to check back next year. If you aren't the least bit interested in giving to this particular organization, don't. lol
I love the "get exposure" angle. Sometimes we have more exposure than we can deal with.  |
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dinas27
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 487
Location: Alberta, Canada
Birthday: Nov 19
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:17 am |
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free cake for 200 people? did they ask the caterer to donate all the food too?
I would tell them that you have reached your donation limit, if you feel like it donate a small door prize or raffle item - like an 8 inch cake. Give them a really nice picture to display... you will get WAY more advertising that way.
I would not tell them that you are booked - if they come up with the cash (and you're not already booked) then you could have a potential order. |
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GeminiRJ
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 28, 2006
Posts: 1935
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:25 am |
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They probably have a list of people to contact for donations, and when one of the contacts says no, they move on to the next one. Do not feel guilty for turning them down, just tell them as politely as possible that you cannot fit their free cake for 200 people into your budget. If they respond with anything but a "Oh, I understand" they weren't someone who deserved free cake! |
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jrpierce70
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Snellville, GA
Birthday: Oct 17
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:31 am |
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I have people who say those exact words to me.........."It will be great exposure for your business". What they fail to also mention is that they are looking for something free.......... may be even due to constraints on their budget. I understand, and I help out as well. However, you can't "give" your product away all the time. May be you could suggest if they purchase 100 cookies, then you will donate 100 cookies. This is only a suggestion. |
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jennifer7777
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2006
Posts: 356
Location: CA
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:39 am |
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I like the suggestions of not having the donation capacity. You could tell them the cost of the cake and maybe discount it. But for 200 people, I'm sorry, I would want to get paid for that. That's a lot of work. |
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southerncake
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 22, 2004
Posts: 768
Location: North Carolina
Birthday: Jul 29
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:44 am |
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| GeminiRJ wrote: | | They probably have a list of people to contact for donations, and when one of the contacts says no, they move on to the next one. Do not feel guilty for turning them down, just tell them as politely as possible that you cannot fit their free cake for 200 people into your budget. If they respond with anything but a "Oh, I understand" they weren't someone who deserved free cake! |
I completely agree -- they will move on to the next person/business on their list! If I gave something to every single group looking for a donation (big or small), I would be beyond broke!! The longer you are in business (and the more you donate), the more you will be asked. I do what many suggested above...I simply tell them that my maximum donation amount has already been assigned to different charities/groups for the year.
With that said, some donations are a great way to get your name out in the beginning -- especially if you are actually at the event. It did wonders for our business in the beginning! |
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kimblyd
Regular Member
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Joined: Apr 13, 2007
Posts: 113
Gallery Supporter Member
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:47 am |
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Great idea about substituting a small cake to be used as a raffle item or door prize, DinaS. That way you won't be remembered as the cake lady who said no and feel bad about it or give away tons of cake for free and feel bad about that, too!
If they really need donations they will take whatever they can get and be happy about it. A small cake might not be what they need right now, but they can contact you in the future if they do.
(This is from a former PTA mom who has shamelessly begged for donations from anyone and everyone in my town!)
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aobodessa
Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 09, 2004
Posts: 722
Location: Essexville, MI
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:09 am |
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| jrpierce70 wrote: | | I have people who say those exact words to me.........."It will be great exposure for your business". What they fail to also mention is that they are looking for something free.......... may be even due to constraints on their budget. I understand, and I help out as well. However, you can't "give" your product away all the time. May be you could suggest if they purchase 100 cookies, then you will donate 100 cookies. This is only a suggestion. |
I like the idea to ask them to purchase 1/2 of what they want, then you will donate the other half ... that is, if you are able to do so without compromising your other orders for that day or your bottom line!
Explain to them that you would LOVE to donate to their cause, but financially you are unable to do so in the quantity they are requesting. However, if they would be willing to purchase 1/2 of the quantity they need, you will donate the other half.
Alternatively, you can tell them that you would donate the whole 200 servings, provided they will pay 1/2 the cost as you simply are unable to donate an item of such high value. If it helps, tell them your limit is $75.00 (or whatever you determine your limit is) per donation, and they would have to pay for the remainder of the cost. Remind them gently that there is a cost of doing business to you, and ingredients are just as costly an item to you as it would be to a family. If they don't understand that, then politely smile and tell them you're sorry, but you will not be able to donate this time around.
Always leave the door open, though, because at some point in the future you may be in the position to donate to them and it could be a boon for your business. You don't want to cut off your nose to spite your face!
hth,
Odessa |
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