Hi all!
I'm on the verge of getting my shop open. The room is ready, appliances will be here by the end of march. I have almost all the smaller equipment but I need to make a decision. I'd like to open with a pc to keep track of customers, make presentations, communications etc so I don't have to use my home pc. However, I also still need to buy some of the smaller stuff like a few pans, extra spatulas etc. Either one will cost about the same.
The question is, where do you think the money would be best placed?
I can't decide.
Thanks, 
I think having everything you need to work, is more important. A binder or small file will serve you for a while. I would rather have lots of spatulas than a computer record of a customer. And you will never regret having enough baking pans.
You can always update and add records to your pc at another time.
You could use index cards or one of those large receipt books with self-carbon pages. I also keep a telephone message book that has self-carbon pages. That way there is a semi-permanent record of at least the names and phone numbers.
I think it's 6 of one and half a dozen of another. I advertise solely on the internet, so to not have a PC in the shop would be a BIG handicap for me! 99.9% of my inquiries come in via email. I can't justify working all day in a shop and then going home and spending 3 or 4 hours catching up on my "electronic phone calls".
It would be like having to run out and rent a pan every time I did a 10" cake.
It's also not just keeping track of brides. I do all of my invoicing, my checkbook, my ledger, my marketing, my research, my sales, my sales tax payments, EVERYTHING on the computer. Running a cake business isn't just making cakes ... it's the paperwork, too. HOw much time do you want to spend doing all of this manually vs. electronically?
If you have zero pans and spatulas, then you need to get those. If you have enough to get started with, then I'd go with the PC and pick up the small items a little at a time. (Try www.equippers.com - I get all my stuff from them. Great pricing and low cost shipping.) I just got my new laptop a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, I have a son-in-law who does computers for a living, but I got a new laptop from Dell with Vista installed, it's wireless and it was under $1200. There are lower cost ones available, too.
How much business do you do via email and internet?
You have to have ALL of the tools you need to do your job properly. Lots of pans and no mixing bowls doesn't make any sense. Some pans and some mixing bowls work. These days, with clients and brides so dependent upon internet and emailing, I'd say my PC is as valuable as my pans and mixing bowls.
I'm not advocating one over the other, just suggesting that you really need to look at what you are going to need to make you more efficient. The more efficient you work, the more profitable you are. As JoAnnB says, having everything you need to work is more important. I just want to suggest that all of your work isn't done in the kitchen.
Hey there! If you are looking for a PC/Laptop, here is a great place that will beat anyone's price. You can purchase online or at their store. I don't know where you are located, but I've attached the URL. It's called Fry's Electronics at www.frys.com.
Also, I've purchased quite a bit of brand new baking stuff off of Ebay. It's not for everyone and you need to do your research, but it was a great alternative to high priced stores, especially if you aren't buying in bulk and only need a few things here or there. Good luck with your decision.
http://shop3.outpost.com/template/help/index/FE30/Service3/Assistance/Middle_Topics/D2StoreHours
You need a computer for other things!!
Like printing forms and making fliers.
Like indydebi said... you will need to receive emails and look up photos. When a customer wants a design you can google search images and have a photo to go by. Customers can email their photos and ideas to you. When you have down time you can cruise cake websites for ideas. When you have a problem you can post on CakeCentral for help.
You need a printer.
You can build your website.
I couldn't live with out the computer. I have 2 desktops and a laptop in the bakery office.
I vote for the PC!! 
mpc
www.mypastrychef.com
Ok I am bias on this. Being an IT major I vote computer. Starting out being able to print forms, invoices, etc is a good way to go. Keeping track of your customers from the get go is much easier then going back and inputting all the information in. Plus you can easily store and organize information on each customer (ex. Sally Smith is allergic to whatever). Plus its a business and you have to keep your books, much easier on a computer with some accounting software then on paper.
Just my thoughts...congrats on your new shop, you will do wonderfully!
~alicia
As a 22 year old, I must say that you NEED a computer. And I would be more than happy with helping you figure out what works best for you. Because if you talk to someone who knows something about computers before you get something you could end up saving a lot of money. Because if I assume, this computer is going to stay at the shop? May I ask if you are only selling wedding cakes or other things as well?
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