Is This Right..or Wrong To Do..

Baking By pinkcupcake512 Updated 19 Aug 2009 , 8:57pm by MichelleM77

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pinkcupcake512 Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 8:24pm
post #1 of 24

Hi:

I have been decorating cookies for a few months now, and I have my first oder of cookies for a baby shower, (this is my first big order).
The cookies will be individually wrapped with a pretty tag and ribbons.

My husband suggest I also include a label in the back of the tag with my name and number to "advertise my business"

I don't know if it's right to do that.. icon_confused.gif

has anyone done that??

any suggestions will be appreciated...

23 replies
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cylstrial Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 8:39pm
post #2 of 24

I think it would be fine to put it on the back of the tag! Hopefully, it will help you get some more orders!

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veronica720 Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 8:51pm
post #3 of 24

Sounds good to me.

What are your reasons for doubting it?

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tomswife Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 8:53pm
post #4 of 24

I most certainly would do it. I don't think that is improper at all. I am sure she will be asked over and over who did them. I say absolutely.

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verono Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 9:01pm
post #5 of 24

I do.
In fact, I do a label with ingredients and I put my logo and my website adress...
My labels are clear mailing labels from Avery.

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pinkcupcake512 Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 9:26pm
post #6 of 24

I've never done this before...I thought it may be a bad idea since it's for a baby shower, maybe the client may not like the idea..


But now
I will put my label in the back of the tags...

thank you so much for your suggestions..

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marknelliesmum Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 9:46pm
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Hi
I think that's a great idea, those who want to give you more business will know how to contact you, those who don't will ignore it. we are surrounded by advertising it is part of life - your client is buying your product not the right to dictate what you can and can't do - go for it good luck!

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LaBellaFlor Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 10:14pm
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I DO NOT think thats a good idea, in fact I think its tacky. IF the client is okay with it then knock yourself, but I always feel people who do that should give a discount for the free advertising. Some of the tackeist things I have seen were the event planner putting their info on the back of the wedding program, business cards next to the wedding cake, and to my horror, my name and number on the back of a wedding program as the person who did the cake.

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nickymom Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 10:18pm
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The only problem I would forsee w/ that is someone could (if they wanted to be hateful) report you to the health department. (I'm assuming you're not legally licensed)
I've never sold cakes until recently because I am unable to get licensed at this time but I called the Health Department and she told me as long as I am not advertising and promoting w/ business cardes, flyers, tags, signs etc. but that I can accept "donations" to make a cake ............so I'm "word of mouth".....I let everyone know that I'm not a "business"....I do not approach people, I do not advertise, i do not put my name or phone # out there....it's all word of mouth and people (friends of friends and family members and now their friends and family members have been calling left & right so much so that I have had to stop taking "orders for donations".

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Deb_ Posted 6 Aug 2009 , 11:10pm
post #10 of 24

The HD told you it was OK to bake unlicensed as long as you don't advertise, and you CAN accept donations? I'm not doubting your story, I just find it hard to imagine why any reputable HD would tell somebody that.

Are you sure it was the actual HD that said this or was it a secretary or some other office worker?

I would definitely get all of that in writing, signed and dated just to cover yourself. If someone gets ill from a food allergy from one of your cakes, you could be sued and your home and personal belongings would be at risk. Without a separate business LLC/insurance you are not protected. It is a HUGE risk.

Sorry to go off topic but this is a "red flag" to me.

To the OP, I absolutely would NOT put my advertisement/business name on those shower favors. This is not a "farmer's market" individual sale item, this is a keepsake for the guests. I agree with LaBellaFor, it's tacky in a way.

Leave some extra business cards with the hostess so she can hand them to anyone inquiring where the cookies were purchased. If you do want to put the sticker on the cookie package, ask the client first if she's OK with it.

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marknelliesmum Posted 7 Aug 2009 , 8:47am
post #11 of 24

Having read these other posts i'd say take the advice re HD etc - I am a hobby baker and know little about the regulations etc you guys have to work within especially since i'm from the UK and they would be different anyway. Re the tags- go with what you think is best and what you would be comfortable with. Personally i think it's a bit harsh to call it tacky, yes it may not be some people's 'cup of tea' but hey we are all different and i fail to see the offence it would cause (just my opinion!) Re having to give a discount for free advertising - that would be like expecting a discount from every store you buy something from if they put the goods in a bag with the store name on it and that's gonna happen - not! Don't mean to sound like i'm ranting ( apologies if i do coz that's not my intention ) just trying to show that we all see things differently. thumbs_up.gif

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jennicita Posted 7 Aug 2009 , 10:05am
post #12 of 24

I don't see a problem with it as long as it's not too prominent. I haven't lived in the States in quite a while so I don't know if it's done there, but here if you purchase a gift and have it wrapped in the store, they'll use a sticker with the store's name on it to attach the ribbon or bow to the present.
Advertising is a reality in this world and as long as you keep it decent (on the back of the tag like you wanted), it's just your way to package your product. What company doesn't do it?

Just my 0.02

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BlakesCakes Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 5:44am
post #13 of 24

I'd advise checking first with the customer. If it were me, I would be extremely unhappy to find an advertisement on every cookie bag.

I won a wooden household item from Ebay a few years ago. The artist had several photos of it--none of which showed the rather obvious logo on it. I was furious to discover it when I received the piece.

I still feel that it should have been MY choice to do (and pay for) his advertising for him--and I think that the price should have been lowered for my having done so.

I usually give several business cards to the person who requested the item(s) and leave it up to them about distribution.

Just my .02
Rae

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jennicita Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 6:40am
post #14 of 24

But the difference there is that the advertising was on the item itself, something you're going to be using and seeing for years to come, not the packaging. As long as it's on the packaging I personally wouldn't blink an eye.

Jenny

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miny Posted 12 Aug 2009 , 7:22am
post #15 of 24

You can always use those clear tags with small black letters because the white ones are very "in your face" advertising

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CindyM Posted 15 Aug 2009 , 4:08am
post #16 of 24

I use the small return address labels and only put 2 lines on it - my website and phone #. I put the label on the back of the bag behind the cookie so you can't see it all. No one has ever complained, they are usually happy their guests have my number.

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madgeowens Posted 15 Aug 2009 , 4:40am
post #17 of 24

Its smart and savy, I would do it. I have seen that many times, and never thought anything wrong with it at all. Its smart.

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ruthi Posted 17 Aug 2009 , 5:23pm
post #18 of 24

Why wouldn't you???? Whenever I see something nice, especially at an event, I WANT to know where it came from and who made it if that is applicable. And in the kosher world - any event that has food will display the name of the caterer, etc....people want to know. On a personal basis, like I said, if I see something really nice, I would like to know where I can find it and order it myself if I want....there's nothing more frustrating than wanting to source something and not being able to get the info....of course, I understand that it is for a more informal occasion, in which case, why not just ask the customer ahead of time? So far, everyone I have done orders for, especially cookies, has been astonished if I don't put some kind of info out, or business cards, etc....it can certainly be done tastefully so as not to offend anyone, and also to benefit from your hard work and creativity and artistry. On that note - has anyone ever tried to put something on the back of a cookie identifiying where it comes from??? I actually saw it on a cookie in a store once - they had baked, I think, the label on the back of the cookie - THAT I found a bit off-putting...but how about a stamp that could ink the company name on the back? Anyone know?

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gottabakenow Posted 17 Aug 2009 , 6:01pm
post #19 of 24

when you buy something from a bakery, they put a sticker with their logo on the box. what's the difference?

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BlakesCakes Posted 17 Aug 2009 , 7:24pm
post #20 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by gottabakenow

when you buy something from a bakery, they put a sticker with their logo on the box. what's the difference?




Well, the box is usually left in the kitchen and the cupcakes, cake, cookies, etc. have no identifiers on them. The purchaser knows where they came from, but the guests do not.

In some cases, unfortunately, the purchaser chooses to tell guests that she/he MADE the item. That's their option to misrepresent the situation, since they paid for the item--not ethical, but it's been done.

I still think it's necessary to ask the purchaser. If the purchaser wasn't expecting the info to be on every bag, or didn't want it there (for WHATEVER reason), it could be an ugly situation for them having to damage the packaging to remove it.

If you buy your daughter a darling dress at KMart, or Saks 5th Avenue, etc., do you leave the tag hanging off the zipper, or do you simply tell people where you bought it when they ask????????????

Just my .02
Rae

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babykonst Posted 17 Aug 2009 , 7:47pm
post #21 of 24

i think its fine!! put a little lable in the back, and call it a day!!! as for having 'advertisments on the keepsake......when i go to weddings i get bonbonieres (favors) they alsways have a little sticker in the back...no big deal!!! and certainly not tacky...........

baby

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Alagoas Posted 18 Aug 2009 , 12:11am
post #22 of 24

I put a little sticker on the back of the bag with my name and phone number... many clients have reached me that way...

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KristyCakes Posted 19 Aug 2009 , 7:44pm
post #23 of 24

I only put the labels on items that's I've donated. I do leave a stack of business cards with the customer, though, so that they can be distributed if someone asks for one.

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MichelleM77 Posted 19 Aug 2009 , 8:57pm
post #24 of 24

I have used clear return address labels with my web address and phone number on the back of the bag behind the cookie. I have never put these on wedding favors though. And of course stick a few business cards in the box and a label on the front (I also am required to put an ingredient label on the box which has my contact info).

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