i am pretty new to decorating, at it now for 2 years. While I have recently had a wedding cake order they didn't require a tasting so I haven't really put much thought into it. However I have recently been asked about a cake tasting for a non wedding cake. I know before a bride and groom shell out hundreds of dollars for a cake they want to taste said cake but for a $50 party cake I'm not sure how to handle it.
1) should I charge for a tasting and if so what's fair?
2) does anyone else out there offer tastings to clients that are not there for a wedding cake? Or should I just have them order a small version of the cake they are after?
Any help you all can offer would be great.
Lisa
I offer tastings on servings of 100 or more. You can always ask how many servings they are looking for then let them know you only do tastings for a 100 servings or more. I would never do it for a $50 order and they shouldn't expect it. Of course, you will have some, but you just have to explain your policies.
Agreed. We only do free tastings/consultations for wedding and large events. If they really want to try your cake before they order the party cake, they can order an 8 inch or a dozen cupcakes.
Funny this subject was brought up....I'm very new....did my first fondant cake Easter...people have been asking me to make cakes every since...had a lady inquire about a Mickey Mouse cake for her 4 year olds birthday. I gave her a price and then didn't hear from her for 3 weeks (my cakes are VERY reasonably priced) then today I get an email from her wanting to know if she could get samples.....REALLY?? For a 8" cake? REALLY?? I just told her I don't do samples but if I could help her otherwise let me know.
Funny this subject was brought up....I'm very new....did my first fondant cake Easter...people have been asking me to make cakes every since...had a lady inquire about a Mickey Mouse cake for her 4 year olds birthday. I gave her a price and then didn't hear from her for 3 weeks (my cakes are VERY reasonably priced) then today I get an email from her wanting to know if she could get samples.....REALLY?? For a 8" cake? REALLY?? I just told her I don't do samples but if I could help her otherwise let me know.
Part of the reasoning for this, I think, is that people are used to storefront bakeries where they can come in anytime and try a cupcake or whatever before they order something bigger. (Of course they would still have to pay for it!) You just have to educate people that as a strictly custom cake business, you don't have samples on hand anytime. We get asked if they can come into our shop for a sample all the time, and we just let them know the nature of our business. The majority of people are fine with it once they understand.
I only offer formal tastings/consultations for weddings or events with 100+ servings. If someone wants to taste for something else, I put together a Baker's choice to-go box filled with small samples of whatever I have on hand.
The other day a lady ordered a flag cake but because her boss was soo picky she needed to taste it and see how it was going to look so she wanted a small flag cake before ordering the big one. I said of course but i am going to charge you for the cake (she wanted a waving carved flag). She said, "oh oh ok, i can pay you for it". Was she thinking i was going to make a carved flag cake for free as sample? Well, she truned to be my best costumer, she always orders big cakes wrapped in fondant with 3d decorations now 
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