Customers Wife Comparing My Prices With Local Bakery

Business By pooky1969 Updated 4 Aug 2010 , 4:25am by PiccoloChellie

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nana_marta Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 2:14pm
post #31 of 67

To me, sanity is a bigger priority than this order. Her Poor husband! I would nicely tell her that it sounds like she really needs to go with the other bakery because you just can not beat their prices. No othe rexplination nesessary- although I am sure she will want to get into A BIG discussion about it, she sounds the type. Chin up chickie! thumbs_up.gif

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cakesbycathy Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 2:46pm
post #32 of 67

Who is the customer? Is she buying the cake or is her husband?

If it's her, then when she tries to talk you down in price don't get into much of a conversation with her. Just say, "I offer a different product than the bakery. My prices are what they are. I understand if you want to go somewhere else."

If her husband is buying the cake then tell her, "well, since Jim is buying the cake you really need to talk to him about your concerns. I'm still planning on filling his order."

Stick to your guns! thumbs_up.gif

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aej6 Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 2:57pm
post #33 of 67

"...would nicely tell her that it sounds like she really needs to go with the other bakery because you just can not beat their prices. No other explanation necessary- ..."


Perfect; couldn't agree more.

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pattycakesnj Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 3:02pm
post #34 of 67

You are way under charging for that cake. You should up the price, not lower it. Stick to your guns.

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pooky1969 Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 3:05pm
post #35 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by pooky1969

Somehow I have a bad feeling about this... she just sent me a message on FB saying..." hey dont buy any supplies for the cake yet until i see you on monday we have to discuss somethings first."

I know she's going to talk "how I'm overcharging her". Well, you know what?! What you are getting from me and what you would get from that other bakery is two different things! I'm sure they would not put into it as much detail as I am going to!

It is what it is though, right? If she wants to back out of it that's fine with me...I think I would hear whining from her everyday at work. I so know how she is!

Thank you all for letting me vent!
Kristi




I posted this last night and when I got on the computer this morning there was a plethora of responses! WOW! I think alot (if not all) of you have nailed "wifey" on the head!

Thank you so much for all of the advice and comments. I love reading them.

I will keep you updated if "wifey" contacts me again and is being a pain.

Thanks again!

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Kaytecake Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 3:15pm
post #36 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by

"...would nicely tell her that it sounds like she really needs to go with the other bakery because you just can not beat their prices. No other explanation necessary- ..."




ITA, too. She sounds like trouble. No matter how great tasting and beautifully decorated your cake turns out- she'll feel that you ripped her off, took advantage of her husband, yadda, yadda, yadda. I'm guessing that she would be the type to express this to anyone who will listen. She could cause tension at work and could also get angry with her husband for ordering her cake from you. I'm sure that you have plenty of other people who would love to do business with you. icon_smile.gif

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Cascades Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 7:36pm
post #37 of 67

I guess I am prety evil, but if she went with the other bakery I would make up the most fantastic dummy of that exact design, put it in my front window and all over my website. Let her see what she missed out on!

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thatslifeca Posted 3 Jul 2010 , 8:59pm
post #38 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cascades

I guess I am prety evil, but if she went with the other bakery I would make up the most fantastic dummy of that exact design, put it in my front window and all over my website. Let her see what she missed out on!







LMAO >>>>WOW!!! Know that's and idea! HEHEHEHE OMG I can't stop laughing. Could you just see her face.......ok ok I'm sorry....that's not nice....butttttttttt LOL.

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adventuregal Posted 4 Jul 2010 , 12:06am
post #39 of 67

Cascades-OMGSH I've done that before!!! It was very satisfying.

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CristyInMiami Posted 4 Jul 2010 , 12:42am
post #40 of 67

I would have charged well over $200 for 48 servings and all those handmade details. I'm in Miami and I know that that I am probably undercharging for what cakes go for here.

I make it a point on my page to tell people I do not offer discounts. I don't do pro-bono work.

My favorite line is "I already spent a lot on the party and can't spend a lot on the cake, can I get a discount if..." ME: no, my treats are already low priced compared to other items of the same quality work.

I make sure to use the word QUALITY. Then I wait and check out the cake they did get (usually on FB). Most of the time they end up with a regular supermarket cake. I usually assume they went asking for prices and nothing was within their budget.

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pooky1969 Posted 4 Jul 2010 , 3:55am
post #41 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatslifeca

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cascades

I guess I am prety evil, but if she went with the other bakery I would make up the most fantastic dummy of that exact design, put it in my front window and all over my website. Let her see what she missed out on!






LMAO >>>>WOW!!! Know that's and idea! HEHEHEHE OMG I can't stop laughing. Could you just see her face.......ok ok I'm sorry....that's not nice....butttttttttt LOL.






LOL!!! This is just too funny! I just love all the comments everyone is coming with! I look forward to them! You all make my day! icon_biggrin.gif

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GenGen Posted 4 Jul 2010 , 4:44am
post #42 of 67

there's a bakery that opened up locally in town about a year ago. some folks around know i do custom cakes etc and one even mentioned to me about how they knew some one who bought a "just a regular cake" at this new bakery (i'm guessing like whats in a grocery store 8" two layer) and how it cost $40. i just looked at them and nodded "Yup that sounds bout right. shoulda seen what *I* would have charged" then grinned and i think the subject got changed lol.

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tinygoose Posted 4 Jul 2010 , 7:59am
post #43 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by GenGen

there's a bakery that opened up locally in town about a year ago. some folks around know i do custom cakes etc and one even mentioned to me about how they knew some one who bought a "just a regular cake" at this new bakery (i'm guessing like whats in a grocery store 8" two layer) and how it cost $40. i just looked at them and nodded "Yup that sounds bout right. shoulda seen what *I* would have charged" then grinned and i think the subject got changed lol.




I had a MOB, who I knew from a decade or so ago, call because her daughter was getting married. I knew exactly where this call was going when she said. "We've looked around and wedding cake starts at $6 a slice here." My reply, "Yep, that sounds about right."

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Yum2010 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 2:24pm
post #44 of 67

I know this is probably kinda, "off topic", but I wonder why people have such "hang-ups" about paying for cake. I mean you wouldn't try to negogiate the price of bread or eggs or any other type of food. Nor would they flinch at paying $5 or more for 1 tiny slice of pie or cake for dessert at thier favorite restaurant. It's so wierd to me that people consistantly try to bargain, like they are car shopping or something. I understand wanting "bargain" shop or get the best price, but, jeez, some people can be down right rude. Not to mention, a total waste of time.

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cutthecake Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 2:38pm
post #45 of 67

What about ice cream cones, or a cup of coffee? You can't get either of them too inexpensively, and there's not much artistry involved in their creation.

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jlynnw Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 3:02pm
post #46 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by cutthecake

What about ice cream cones, or a cup of coffee? You can't get either of them too inexpensively, and there's not much artistry involved in their creation.




You have no idea how much goes into some ice cream cones icon_eek.gif I want to see this episode on Ace of Cakes or Cake Boss where some not it all decides that the cake is just a bit of flour, sugar, eggs - no biggie and offer to pay a fraction of the real worth of the cake! Sure the bakery down the street can always make a cake cheaper, there will always be a place that can - but, stop and ask yourself - "Do you really want to eat it?" Does the artistry they put into it make up for the taste? Do you want to shower your guests in a lard tasting creation you got at a discount? Yes? icon_confused.gif OK - please never invite me to a celebration of yours icon_biggrin.gif

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sullymel13 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 3:20pm
post #47 of 67

I just wanted to echo a little bit of what other posters have said. It sounds like the two different quotes are for two different cakes. Yours had a lot of seashells and 3D figures, plus sand, etc. "Dolphin cut-outs" can mean a lot of different things to different people, but it sure doesn't sound like 3D models to me! Stick with your guns, and whatever she decides, don't give it a second thought!

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carmijok Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 3:38pm
post #48 of 67

Oooo...I can't wait to hear how this ends up! I have a friend/acquaintance that is throwing a bridal shower in October and wanted to know what cupcakes with a fall theme would be...I quoted her a range not knowing exactly how she wanted them decorated. I know she wants more than just icing so I quoted $2.25 to $3.00 each and up depending on degree of decor. She seemed surprised and said 'I don't necessarily want them to taste good, I just want them to look good". What is she thinking? That cheap ingredients will lessen the cost? Hardly. The work is the same. And I really don't want my name associated with something that only 'looks good'. Geesh. icon_confused.gif

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Yum2010 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 5:03pm
post #49 of 67

I want to see this episode on Ace of Cakes or cake boss where some not it all decides that the cake is just a bit of flour, sugar, eggs - no biggie and offer to pay a fraction of the real worth of the cake!

So do I, jlynnw! It irritates me that these cake shows do not include price/ budget discussions. They really need to because, as we all know, money and budget is at the base of every cake we create. IMO, it makes the public think that these cakes can me "whipped" up in no time because these bakers have a small army working on every element of the cake. I find that since the popularity of these shows have increased, the demand for over the top creations have also increased, which is great for all of us; BUT it also leads to alot of "sticker shock" because these shows leave the consumer unaware of what these creations cost.

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tinygoose Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 5:27pm
post #50 of 67

I just spent $5 on a teensy bag of cotton candy at the fair last night. $8 for the big bag...it's just sugar right? lol....what is it about cake?

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cutthecake Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 5:28pm
post #51 of 67

Don't you remember Steve Martin's comment about cake in "Father of the Bride"?
"It's just flour and eggs!" (Debi, I know how much you love that remark.)

(As for the ice cream cones I mentioned, I was referring to the product that is made by dumping pre-measured ingredients into a machine and flipping the switch.)

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nana_marta Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 5:32pm
post #52 of 67

Right on yum2010! I love that they don't want plain cakes, but they must realize they have to pay for all the extra work that goes into these cakes. And about that that woman who doesn't care how they taste-she just wants them to look good------sputter,sputter gosh, words fail me!!!!

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Yum2010 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 6:22pm
post #53 of 67

I love how people say it's just flour and eggs!!! Hahahahaha!! Well, even if they really just think that, which is pure ignorance!! A mid sized wedding cake that I just did had like 60 something eggs in it....and that's just what was in the batter!!! The eggs I use cost around $1.50-$2.00 per dozen, soooo, that's like over $10 JUST in eggs! Not to mention, the time it takes to crack the eggs, and separate the eggs, beat the eggs, and buy the eggs and the gas to get you to and from the store. And, I didn't even mention the flour yet!!! I bet if they had to tack this onto there regualr grocery bill every week, the "just flour and eggs" line would have a new meaning. Sooo, my point is.......even if it is just flour and eggs, these things are not cheap either!!

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thatslifeca Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 6:39pm
post #54 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yum2010

I love how people say it's just flour and eggs!!! Hahahahaha!! Well, even if they really just think that, which is pure ignorance!! A mid sized wedding cake that I just did had like 60 something eggs in it....and that's just what was in the batter!!! The eggs I use cost around $1.50-$2.00 per dozen, soooo, that's like over $10 JUST in eggs! Not to mention, the time it takes to crack the eggs, and separate the eggs, beat the eggs, and buy the eggs and the gas to get you to and from the store. And, I didn't even mention the flour yet!!! I bet if they had to tack this onto there regualr grocery bill every week, the "just flour and eggs" line would have a new meaning. Sooo, my point is.......even if it is just flour and eggs, these things are not cheap either!!




A friend of mine asked me to do a wedding cake for her son's wedding. When I quoted her the price (large amount of detailed piping & detailed extension work to be done on the cake) her response was the same. Two weeks later she happened to go shopping with me for products I needed to do on another cake(no were near as elaborate as the one she wanted). I turned to her and said "Just eggs and flour". LOL I LOVE THOSE MOMENTS!!!!!

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LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 6:45pm
post #55 of 67

Geesh, I can't believe the audacity of this woman to suggest the OP check out the other bakery to see what they charge!!! Does she go into someplace like Williams Sonoma and tell them they should check out what Wal-Mart charges for their kitchen utensils and appliances??

AND it's not even that big of a difference in price! It's between $110 and $144 which is all of $34! It's not like the OP quoted even $100 more than the other bakery.

I agree with everyone else, you are most certainly not overcharging, and you should definitely stick to your guns!

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tinygoose Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 6:54pm
post #56 of 67

So what happened weren't they suppose to meet on Monday?

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Yum2010 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 6:58pm
post #57 of 67

thatslifeca, I LOVE those moments too!! I was just in Wal-Mart last week stocking up on supplies because alot of my ingredients were marked down that week, one of my customers (and, a very cost concious one, at that) was in line in back of me and when I got my bill she about fainted. She said, "OMG, please tell me that that will last you the rest of the year." I replied "Rest of the year!! I'm lucky if I get to next month." She was floored and shocked that 2 buggies stuffed full of eggs, flour, powdered sugar, etc. wouldn't even last a month. I thought, Ha! that will show her not to complain about price again! After all, these are just ingredients, and doesn't include what I spend on boards, boxes, foil, etc that I have to order from a supplier. Seriously, people have no idea.

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Yum2010 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 7:00pm
post #58 of 67

Geesh, I can't believe the audacity of this woman to suggest the OP check out the other bakery to see what they charge!!! Does she go into someplace like Williams Sonoma and tell them they should check out what Wal-Mart charges for their kitchen utensils and appliances??



Hahaha!! LOVE this comparison CakeMasterSRC! It's says it all!

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pooky1969 Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 9:39pm
post #59 of 67

Ok Ladies! I'll end the suspense.

I talked to her today at work. I said, "oh, BTW, what did you want to discuss with me?" She said she was worried that a half sheet cake wasn't going to be enough servings. "I have a big family and I can get a full sheet cake from **** bakery, I really don't want to run out of cake!" She kept humming and hawing around the subject never mentioning $$$ but was trying to get to that... so I finally said to her that if she wanted to go with ***** bakery then go with them. No hard feelings. Then she said she still wanted the cupcakes that her hubby had ordered but increased them to 4 dozen instead of 2 dozen.

My co-worker, who works in the same department overheard and after Mrs. Wife left she said that I should make 2 little 3-D dolphins and put them into 2 of the cupcakes just to show her what she would have gotten! lolol.

The funny part is that Mrs. Wife's sister also works there and when she heard, she said "Why is she worried about having so much cake, no one is going to go to her party cause no one likes her!!!"

Thank you everyone for all the support and advice that you have given me. I appreciate it so much! I am not going to worry about how much I charge people anymore for my cakes. I know how much time and effort I put into these cakes and I take pride in them and should get paid for it!

Thank you again!
Kristi

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BlakesCakes Posted 6 Jul 2010 , 9:54pm
post #60 of 67

Mm, mm, mmmm having cake from another baker(y) is a deal breaker for me. If I don't provide ALL of the cake, then I don't provide ANY of the cake. icon_cool.gif

I don't want any confusion among guests about which cake came from where.

I'm glad you're happy with the resolution???, but I think she gave you sloppy seconds so as not to create too much tension between you and her DH.

She found a way to get off cheap. She just should have put on her big girl panties, told you that she was the one who wore the pants in the family when it comes to spending money and that she'd be getting a cheaper cake elsewhere.

Rae

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