Hello I am just starting out with selling my cakes.I was wondering How much time in advance should I ask for,when customers are placing orders.And should I deliver or have the customer come to my home to pickup?

When it's a simple design, like a few roses and a border, I ask for at least 48 hours. When it's a special design, I ask for at least a week's notice. Things have been picking up for me, so most people call me at least a week in advance now.

As for delivery, I try to deliver whenever possible. I'd rather not have any traffic in my quiet little cul-de-sac. But there have been times when they've picked up from me. Granted these are friends and family and people who have been referred by them. So, I guess you have to look at how comfortable you are if you have strangers come to your home.

I prefer pickup because that's less time and gas money out of my pocket. I offer free delivery up to about 30 miles for wedding cakes or LARGE cake orders... or if someone lives just down the road. Otherwise I charge $1/mile one way to deliver party cakes because that's time and high gas costs and making sure it gets there safely and gets set up.

I usually do not do last minute orders unless I have the stuff on hand and its a simple design. I prefer a week in advance for most orders, if its a large 3D cake or a unique design, two weeks would be the minimum.

I prefer pick-up as well. Of course, I don't have a booming business yet. But it does really save on time and gas money! As far as orders go, I like to have at least a week for party cakes and a month for wedding cakes. Also, for weddings, I don't allow any changes to the design later that a month before the wedding.

It also may depend on your zoning and license. I am not supposed to have "traffic" in the neighborhood. I deliver everything.

Except for wedding cakes, I don't set any specific time limits. If they call me and I don't have time for a cake "tomorrow", I just say no.

I have been delivering all my cakes and my husband brought up a valid point. He and his best friend use to deliver cakes when they were in college to earn cash money on the side. His friend's Aunt would pay them per cake.

He said that he would have the people pick up the cakes whenever possible because when you deliver you are extending your "responsibility time". If something happens to that cake when you are driving to the persons home well then you are out a cake, your time and the money for the cake. I am a nervous wreck delivering a cake. I have a magnetic sign on the back of my Expedition saying Wedding Cake on Board. I also have not been charging for delivery. Long story short. If it is a simple two tier cake or less then I am going to have the people pick up the cake unless they want to pay a large delivery fee.........like $15 for local delivery.

Luckily everyone has been calling me around a month in advance and I even got an email a couple of days ago for June and July!!! Word is getting out that I only do 2 to 3 cakes a week and that's it but if someone calls at the last minute and I don't have anything and I don't have anything planned I do it. Got a call on Saturday for a cake Monday. Never have calls for a Monday cake so I did it!

bj

The only cake that I deliver is a wedding cake. All other cakes are customer pickup, or I will take it to work if they want to come and pick it up there.

The timing is up to you. Can you get it done when they need it and do you want the $$? If I can get it done, am not that busy, have time, etc. then it doesn't matter when it's ordered. If I have plans, or just don't think I want to rush around, then I'd say sorry!

My clients pick up their orders unless it is a stacked cake - I feel better delivering it and I do charge a fee. Most clients will call a week or two in advance of an order, now I have had clients add on to their order - one lady added 2 dz extra cupcakes at 8am and she was picking up at 1, don't know who was more crazy, her for asking or me for saying yes!