I Figured Out The Cheap Customer Code

Decorating By costumeczar Updated 17 Jan 2014 , 4:22pm by ellavanilla

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costumeczar Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:10pm
post #1 of 46

I think I've figured it out. Every time a potential costomer says the word "Simple" in the email describing what they're looking for, we're supposed to take $25 off of the price! If they say "very simple" that's another $50 off. Thnak God I figured it out, I've been charging these people the regular prices all this time! icon_lol.gif

45 replies
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cakesbycathy Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:13pm
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icon_biggrin.gificon_lol.gif

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cakesdivine Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:16pm
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Too funny icon_smile.gif

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cylstrial Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:22pm
post #4 of 46

LOL! So if they say "simple", 4 times during the conversation - do they get a $100 discount?

Just kidding.

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_Jamie_ Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:38pm
post #5 of 46

Simple automatically adds a dollar to the per serving price, in my experience! icon_biggrin.gif Muggles...

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kikibakes Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:41pm
post #6 of 46

lol thats funny! icon_biggrin.gif

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costumeczar Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 5:51pm
post #7 of 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by cylstrial

LOL! So if they say "simple", 4 times during the conversation - do they get a $100 discount?

Just kidding.




No, you're right! I mean, if they say it that many times it will DEFINITELY be something that you don't need to charge them so much for, right? icon_biggrin.gif

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Kitagrl Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 6:01pm
post #8 of 46

Oh man totally! haha.

And if they say "We won't be having many guests, only about 8" that means we are supposed to shrink a $2000 cake down to where we only charge about $50.

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cookiemama2 Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 6:15pm
post #9 of 46

Simple + not many guests + budget = FREE

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enchantedcreations Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 6:30pm
post #10 of 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

I think I've figured it out. Every time a potential costomer says the word "Simple" in the email describing what they're looking for, we're supposed to take $25 off of the price! If they say "very simple" that's another $50 off. Thnak God I figured it out, I've been charging these people the regular prices all this time! icon_lol.gif






I have a "simple neighbor"... we have a high end bakery that opened about a year ago. She decided to stop in and buy a birthday cake just to "check 'em out". She told the owner she wanted a "simple" birthday cake; (you're gonna love this) Without missing a beat, the owner said, Publix is across the street, they do "simple", my cakes start at $250". Completely dismissed her!!!!! I have been laughing every since then 'cause I know my neighbor wants everything for nothing.

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thecakemaker Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 6:45pm
post #11 of 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by enchantedcreations

Publix is across the street, they do "simple", my cakes start at $250".




That's great! I'll have to remember that!

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leah_s Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 6:52pm
post #12 of 46

"Just something simple. No decoration at all. Just really smooth."

My response, "You've just described absolutely THE most difficult cake to make." That's NOT simple. That's very advanced."

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indydebi Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 7:31pm
post #13 of 46

I would tell brides, "You're not allowed to use the word 'simple' when describing a cake because you are not really aware of what 'simple' is."

When they describe, "Something simple .... no borders or anything." then I'd reply "Oh .... so you want me to work HARDER on this cake!" Then I'd have fun being amused at their confused look on their face.

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LaBellaFlor Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 8:45pm
post #14 of 46

icon_lol.gif Too funny, but I think that sounds about right!

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CristyInMiami Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 8:57pm
post #15 of 46

what if they start the message with...

"I'm looking for a cake, but I just bought a house"

I almost feel like I should give her the cake for free and throw in a donation! icon_lol.gif

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t2caudill Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 9:16pm
post #16 of 46

I know I am dealing with a cheap customer when I answer the phone or open an email and the customer simply says, "How much are your cakes?" There is no explanation or description of what they want or how many people they need to feed. I have come close to replying - "Go ahead and call the other decorator, she always underprices me."

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tinygoose Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 9:31pm
post #17 of 46

So let me see if I have this...

Simple = $25 discount. So what about these....?

Nothing fancy=?
Basic=?
Can you whip me up a=?
Reeeally simple=?
Nothing difficult=? (clients with no clue?)
I mean, it's only cake....sugar, flour, eggs=? (It's only coffee & milk that you're holding in your hand but you just paid over $4 bucks a serving for that.)


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Spills Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 9:35pm
post #18 of 46

This is great that this thread got started. I just did a quote for a customer that wanted 200 strawberry cupcakes for the wedding, and when I priced it out with buttercream and/or creamcheese icing...they immediately responded to the email with "Thanks. What about a regular cake. Nothing too fancy?"

I laughed when I read that. I pretty much know I won't be hearing from this customer again.

So this confirms... SIMPLE = NOTHING TOO FANCY = WALMART/COSTCO cake...HAHA thumbs_up.gif

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Deb_ Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 10:30pm
post #19 of 46

Thanks Kara for breaking that code for us...I think you hit the nail on the head!

In my day job code for "wanting a deal" is "I don't need a haircut, just a trim". To which I respond I have to do the same exact thing whether I take off a 1/4" or 3". icon_rolleyes.gif

It's funny though that people actually think they can fool those of us in business. icon_wink.gif

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Mrs-A Posted 3 Feb 2010 , 10:35pm
post #20 of 46

ive been a scuba diver for over 12yrs now and seen many newbies ask for "just a top up" for their tanks and expecting it to be free. my fav shop owner has a pricing list for air fills that reads:

air fills: $10
top ups: $50
complaints department: there's the door

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costumeczar Posted 4 Feb 2010 , 3:41am
post #21 of 46

Ha, I had a girl call today who said something about everybody wanting a discount, and I made a remark about the grocery store not giving me one, either. She thought that was funny, then proceeded to tell me that she didn't want to pay more than about $400 to $500 for a cake for 50 people. icon_eek.gif COME ON OVER! icon_lol.gif I told her that wouldn't be a problem.

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indydebi Posted 4 Feb 2010 , 3:44am
post #22 of 46

Man, costume, if you could clone her and sell her to other bakers, you'd make a fortune!! icon_lol.gif

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costumeczar Posted 4 Feb 2010 , 2:19pm
post #23 of 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Man, costume, if you could clone her and sell her to other bakers, you'd make a fortune!! icon_lol.gif




If I could clone her I'd be keeping her for myself! icon_twisted.gif

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kristenmbatt Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 4:33am
post #24 of 46

Oh, that is too funny! Or "it doesn't have to be big...." Ok, so you want a personal sized, custom cake, fully decorated with fondant??

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Lizzybug78 Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 11:15am
post #25 of 46

I am looooving the 'I don't do simple' quote!! Also, the 'it's only coffee and water you're holding'! I must remember them in the future :) 

 

You can literally tell in the opening line/sentence whether it's worth continuing with a conversation can't you? I've given up taking ages to work out a proper quote now in my first reply, I simply say my cakes start at a minimum of £50, and that's for a round/square with basic decoration. Just because it's for your child's first birthday, you don't want to pay much and they're not going to appreciate it doesn't magically make it easier/less time consuming for me to make it! Equally, changing the size from a 9" to an 8" is not going to halve the cost!

 

And for the love of God people, please give us more information than 'I want a cake for my son/daughter/friend etc, how much will that be?' Or maybe it's our fault for not finishing that mind readers course that we all apparently need to take....

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dukeswalker Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 1:55pm
post #26 of 46

Oh my gosh - you are SO right!!! Not to mention "just a simple cake" also seems to be code for "100% not simple"

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as you wish Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 2:10pm
post #27 of 46

AI swear some people think that we just mix up a bunch of ingredients, put it all in the oven and set the timer; when the timer dings we pull a fully finished cake with perfectly smooth buttercream or fondant (depending of course on which ingredients we used) from the oven. You know, "simple"! We then proceed to add decorations, and that's when we get to really stick it to the customer and over-charge!

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cakealicious7 Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 2:32pm
post #28 of 46

ALooool had a blast reading this thread!!!

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CindiM Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 2:42pm
post #29 of 46

You all are soooo right!

 

My favorite on the "simple" side of cake life, is when they pull out a picture on their phone, from a magazine, website or Pinterest, etc;, of a Ron Ben Israel design (luv you Ron) or, insert famous decorator name and say, "I just want something simple and small, like this".

 

Have you ever choked, trying to talk, laugh, breath and blink at the same time?

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howsweet Posted 16 Jan 2014 , 3:00pm
post #30 of 46

This was such a good thread!

Quote:

Originally Posted by t2caudill 

I know I am dealing with a cheap customer when I answer the phone or open an email and the customer simply says, "How much are your cakes?" There is no explanation or description of what they want or how many people they need to feed. I have come close to replying - "Go ahead and call the other decorator, she always underprices me."

Same here. Or just answer, my cakes are eleventy million dollars.

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