How To Answer This Potential Customer?
Decorating By Kitagrl Updated 30 Apr 2007 , 3:48pm by VACakelady
I got an email today asking some questions, someone loves the way my cakes look and is interested in a certain cake. However they want to know if they can taste the cake first and they want to know if my cakes and icings are from scratch.
I usually only offer tastings for large or wedding cakes because otherwise the time and effort and money involved is not worth a party cake. Also I use doctored cake mixes (but homemade icing of course, except the fondant is store bought) but I know from experience that some people, no matter how much you tell them that everyone raves about the cake, they will get huffy about something that is not completely made from scratch.
I use doctored cake mixes because number one, my customers all love how they turn out...and two, they are reliable for my 3D work, which is what this customer wants.
What would be the best way to say "No you can't have a tasting" and "Yes, some of my stuff is from scratch but not all of it" without making the potential customer think I'm hiding something or am not quality work?
Sounds to me like your cakes are "your own recipe" .... and don't elaborate more than that. If it's just a party cake, you could offer to sell them a 6" cake or some cupckaes so they can see how they taste ... just like they would do if they wanted to try a cake from a "real" bakery.
Sounds to me like your cakes are "your own recipe" .... and don't elaborate more than that. If it's just a party cake, you could offer to sell them a 6" cake or some cupckaes so they can see how they taste ... just like they would do if they wanted to try a cake from a "real" bakery.
That is a good idea, I did not think of selling them a cake. Duh!
I like to be honest about how my cakes are made and I'm not ashamed of what I do because so many people love them (they are always super moist and I use alot of real vanilla and pudding mixes or other combinations) and they don't care how I make them as long as they taste good. Like I said I want to be honest, but I know a few people who will refuse to eat a box mix just for the sake of it not being homemade.
Wouldn't "my own recipe" be stretching it a bit? Sounds good though if you guys don't think its fudging on the truth...I really do like to be completely honest with customers.
I don't think that it would necessarily be stretching it to say that your cakes are your own recipe. They are not just a box mix, so you couldn't say that they are, and they are not completely from scratch so you couldn't say that they are. So I agree with indydebi that they are "your own recipe"! 
Well....to me the box mix is an actual ingredient(a bunch of em lol) in your recipe...so you could say it is your own recipe truthfully. JMHO, Jen
I don't think that it is stretching it. Most people don't know about extending the mixes. As a matter, the mix is altered, making it no longer a mix.
I would just say that it is the recipe that you use, which is true! If they like it, what does it matter?
I did a cake tasting with 6 cakes, 3 scratch, 3 mix. The mix ones one everytime and were less work!
Stephanie
You could always say that you start with a box mix as the base and then you add all your own special touches, so that when you are done with it, it is your creation. very honest.
That's true, I was thinking about maybe something like that....
I guess she can always buy a small cake and decide for herself....
To be honest, it sounds like you really want to do this one way. Your conscience is telling you one thing and if you go against it, you won't feel "right" about it. Imho, you should tell her the truth. You start with a box, but by the time you're done with it, it's nothing like the recipe on the back. It really is your own, and everyone loves it. If she doesn't like it, at least you have been honest and your conscience won't bug you later. (Even though you might not like losing a sale.) As for the tasting -- if it isn't worth it $$$, then you could offer to do it for a small tasting fee (This could be the cost of making it, but don't let her know that.) Let her know that for a smaller party cake, you must charge a tasting fee because it isn't worth it otherwise. Hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you decide -- I highly recommend that whatever you do, that your conscience is comfortable.
Sarah
It's your recipe, regardless of whether a box mix is an ingredient. And as a professional, you don't feel comfortable sharing the recipe, but would be happy to let them have a cupcake. As for the fondant, if it's Wilton, I'd make sure to place that blame where it belongs. 
(kidding)
"My cakes start with a commercial base. I use the freshest ingredients and my own secret recipe to create cakes that my customers rave over."
I've found saying "commercial base" makes people think you have some privileged industry connections. It also avoids those booga-booga words "box mix".
"My cakes start with a commercial base. I use the freshest ingredients and my own secret recipe to create cakes that my customers rave over."
I've found saying "commercial base" makes people think you have some privileged industry connections. It also avoids those booga-booga words "box mix".
That's a great idea. I think it's honest, and it sounds good.
Emphasize all the high-quality ingredients you use: real vanilla, sour cream or whatever.
Play up the quality of your icings, too.
LOL lots of great insight!! Thanks!
I decided to go ahead and offer her to buy a small 6" or 8" layer cake (which I generally don't sell those alone but for this its fine) so she can taste the cake. I also told her I use a high quality box mix for the base but then add other ingredients and that the cakes end up more moist and flavorful than most scratch cakes (in my experience anyway, I know you CCers can beat that!) and that my customers rave over them, and offered her the opportunity to contact a few references.
We'll see what she says!
you know....even if you're doctoring a mix...you're still cracking eggs...adding things , and baking. it's hand made.
not like you're opening up a packet and adding water.
the people who ask all this stuff really hack me off.....what's the difference if it tastes good?
i always tell them my stuff is "specially handmade by somebody's mom".
if they ask much more...i tell them ..." i could tell you, but then i'd have to kill you".
"My cakes start with a commercial base. I use the freshest ingredients and my own secret recipe to create cakes that my customers rave over."
I've found saying "commercial base" makes people think you have some privileged industry connections. It also avoids those booga-booga words "box mix".
That's a great idea. I think it's honest, and it sounds good.
Emphasize all the high-quality ingredients you use: real vanilla, sour cream or whatever.
Play up the quality of your icings, too.
Oh yeah, I made sure I emphasized "real butter" and "pure vanilla" haha...
Your cakes are LOVELY. Even if they tasted like dirt they would be worth it simply becaue of your creativity. That falcon is the bomb! What is this client wanting?
Thanks... 
This particular client wants a Hello Kitty.... she did say she thought my prices were reasonable so not sure why she is so worried about how it tastes haha... most people who want a cake want it for the looks, and if it tastes good its an extra bonus.
I remember one time I was in a hallmark store with a chatty nice old lady and somehow cakes came up, and she found out I decorated cakes (oh yeah I was buying a Precious Moments to use for a topper) and she bluntly asked if I made from scratch or used cake mix.... I was startled and slipped that I use doctored cake mixes and boy did I get a lecture for THAT! haha.....she went ON and ON about how she never does anything but scratch, blah blah. Oh well. haha.
boy did I get a lecture for THAT! haha.....she went ON and ON about how she never does anything but scratch, blah blah. Oh well. haha.
I have a rule that little old ladies have to be forgiven for everything simply because you know they're someone's grandma and if someone was snotty to your grandma you would deck them... but just bless her heart anyway, and yours for having to patiently listen.
boy did I get a lecture for THAT! haha.....she went ON and ON about how she never does anything but scratch, blah blah. Oh well. haha.
I have a rule that little old ladies have to be forgiven for everything simply because you know they're someone's grandma and if someone was snotty to your grandma you would deck them... but just bless her heart anyway, and yours for having to patiently listen.
Yeah....she was nice, so I just smiled and nodded.
I like how kelleym put it. If she wants to taste she can purchase a small cake or cupcakes. She shouldn't expect or get a free sample to decide whether or not she'll order from you. How big a cake is she wanting anyway?
I am not sure how large...the Hello Kitty in my photos is what she saw, but that serves quite a few (40) so I will have to find out if she wants that same cake or a smaller version.
I don't answer questions like that. I had to learn the hard way.
I had a client call today to ask what frosting I use. I told him that I have an excellent decorator frosting I think he would like, it's not too sweet. And left it at that.
I agree that she couldn't go to a bakery and ask for a taste sample. At least most bakeries.
Somebody like that sounds like they are going to be a pain.
I tell customers that I can make either doctored box or scratch. I also remind them that the scratch may not be as moist as the doctored and there will be no refunds if she does not like the cake. I only do that for yellow cake because I can not find one moist yellow cake.
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