Muse, one more thing to think about.
Some people are really funny....do you think the fact that you have a cat may turn people away from ordering cakes from you? Maybe some people who are allergic to cats may not want a cake baked in a house with a cat.
That does not reflect you whatsoever, but people are very very particular. I am sure you are very clean and I"m sure your cat is, but some people are soooooo funny about stuff like that. Just a thought???
I know your pain, unfortunately, most of my "bad" experiences have be caused my friends close enough to call family. I hurts, it truly does, but you just suck it in, because your the better person, and move on. It never goes away, but try to forget until you need to pull it back out. Someday, it will help you face another situation.
Well, aside from the aforementioned comment, I've heard "We didn't think about it" and "This was just easier". "This" being getting a store-bought cake.
I'm not really all that worried about them not wanting cakes from me anymore. If they don't want them, that's fine, it's less work for me. My whole thing here was my shock in that coworker's comment and how blunt and wide-eyed it was. That and her execrable taste.
LOL i have to agree with the olive garden post. Some people just have REALLY REALLY bad taste, like the crisco frosting that i absolutly hate, i used it at my fir st wilton class and my friend actually LIKED it , i though she was nuts. Id bet money your cake tasted waaay better. cheer up! 
Muse I am sorry that the cake order thing did not work out for you. There are lots of other potential customers out there.
I know it must have been hurtful for your co-workers to stop ordering cakes from you and that's their perogative. While it would have been polite for them to let you know they would no longer be ordering from you they do not owe you an explanation as to why they are not ordering any more. I mean really how many of you out there go to different stores? Do you go in and inform the manager that you will no longer be using his/her store?
I believe if a person wants to go buy a store bought cake so be it. I am not going to put them down for doing that. It's their money and their choice. There will always be people out there that prefer my cakes/talent over store bought and those are the people I will focus my energy on.
P.S. I like Olive Garden. I'm not saying it's the greatest but I like it and that's all that matters.
don't feel bad it was your co-workers I had a sister order a bakery cake but wanted me to make a free smash cake how can she think that was not hurtful to me? When last year I did all the familys cakes and this year I asked that every one at least pay a little something as I have a big family and it get pricey doing free cakes all year so instead of paying me a little bit she ordered a cake. hold ya head up girl
Muse,
Try not to feel bad. It might be the money, because people are cheap, or it might be that they have bad taste. I think people are conditioned to think that certain things are suppose to taste a certain way. One thing I have noticed about chocolate is that some people eat certain brands that taste like wax and are awful, but they won't touch the better brands of chocolate that are soooo good. Same with fruits and vegetables sometimes I'll have something with tomatoes for lunch at work and everyone tells me hoe disgusting that is (while I can see some people not liking tomatoes I can't believe they all hate them), I just respond with I guess you've never had a home gown tomato (since they taste so much better than store bought). I know that my husband would not touch tomatoes when I married him and then I convinced him to try a home grown one and he liked it. So I'd just say its their lose if they want to walk around having bad taste and eating cake that tastes like cardboard than let them.
Frankly - I don't understand why people get sooo upset when others express their opinions. Honestly - I love the crisco buttercream and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that I also prefer to use box mixes than scratch cakes. It's a free country and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Store bought cakes are ok (I prefer my own) but there is nothing wrong with someone saying they like a store bought cake - get over yourself
Frankly - I don't understand why people get sooo upset when others express their opinions. Honestly - I love the crisco buttercream and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that I also prefer to use box mixes than scratch cakes. It's a free country and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Store bought cakes are ok (I prefer my own) but there is nothing wrong with someone saying they like a store bought cake - get over yourself
I think she sums it up perfectly...we may think that our cakes are the best, and some will agree with us, but we all have different tastes...and just because they are different, it doesn't mean thay are BAD. I tasted a cake once that was moist, but it was sooo dense and some loved it, but I thought it sucked..I want my cakes light, and moist...and I think my cakes come out like that...most ppl rave, but I'm sure someone is going to have a different opinion...and I don't care...they can have whatever they like, If they are spending the money, I want them to like it...I don't want them to feel sorry for me and order...
Stefy: Your right, we all have the right to our own opinions.
That being said, I think the last line of your post "get over yourself" is a little harsh.
We all come on here to vent & get each others opinions & advice & I don't think we have to be rude to others in the process.
Just my opinion
People think that because it is a box mix it should be cheap. At the risk of letting people know your recipes (if that bothers you), I almost feel like cake people should give their customers and itemized list of ingredients. Then they will see it in NOT cheap. Whether you do a box mix or scratch the ingredients are not cheap. Milk, sour cream, yogurt and butter can cost a bit. It cost 3 times as much money to make a scratch cake for me as it does a doctored box mix. Let them have their Walmart cake!
Although I am new to the cake baking scene; I am mad at those ladies for saying that to you. 
They are probably just jealous. In the same note, there are some folks that love WALMART cakes. My husband was one until I started making cakes. Now he says he prefers mine(better or I'll bash his head in). Just take it in stride and feel relieved you don't have to lose money making cakes for them anymore.
After several months of agreeing to do cakes WAAAAAAY below the profit margin because I was afraid of losing the bid, plus, taking it personally when family members and co-workers showed up with store-bought cakes at birthdays, holidays, etc. I stopped. I made it (one of many) New Year's resolutions to
A) not to accept a cake job for less than it's worth because I just want to do the cake. I end up resenting the customer and not enjoying the job as much.
and
B) understand that there are people out there who 1) really do enjoy store bought cake for their own personal reasons. and 2) are intimidated by people who have skills that they don't. Therefore they passive aggressively try to tell you that you're not good enough for THEM by knocking your skills or trying to underprice you.
I've to turn down about three cake jobs in the last six weeks. People have been offended when I've told that my prices are no more negotiable than a retail store and if they want a $12 quarter sheet cake, they need to go to Wal-Mart. But I am enjoying what I'm doing a lot more.
Just food for thought!
GCF
I have a friend who is the one that started me with baking .... we sometimes get jobs and I let her handle all the negotiations ... I don't know why but I hate the charging part ... I almost feel bad asking friends and people in general for money ... it's stupid... I know ... I'm going to have to get over this phobia soon because she is moving in the summer and I won't have my partner in crime anymore 
2) are intimidated by people who have skills that they don't.
"intimidated"..we can't all have the same skills...just like we can't all be doctors or lawyers.. no one should be intimidated by the fact that you can decorate a cake...I'm sure there are things that intimidate cake decorators too...we are all human...
2) are intimidated by people who have skills that they don't.
"intimidated"..we can't all have the same skills...just like we can't all be doctors or lawyers.. no one should be intimidated by the fact that you can decorate a cake...I'm sure there are things that intimidate cake decorators too...we are all human...
OK, maybe "intimidated" isn't the right word. But I can't think of a better explanation as to why some people treat cake decorators the way they do. (It's not like I walk around my office lording my pastry bag over people's heads, singing "nanana, I can make buttercream roses and you can't.")
You have to admit there are some people out there who will underplay the value of what you do simply because they can't do it themselves. It's played out dozens of times in stories from people on this forum. It's one of the reasons we all come here for support. We understand each other.
I agree...but that goes with every profession. Maybe she's jealous of some work-related matter....they do work at the same office and office politics are big...
I just think that there are certain skills that come with every profession and not everyone can have all of them.
But, it could be...maybe she wants to be able to decorate a cake and she just can't......
2) are intimidated by people who have skills that they don't.
"intimidated"..we can't all have the same skills...just like we can't all be doctors or lawyers.. no one should be intimidated by the fact that you can decorate a cake...I'm sure there are things that intimidate cake decorators too...we are all human...
OK, maybe "intimidated" isn't the right word. But I can't think of a better explanation as to why some people treat cake decorators the way they do. (It's not like I walk around my office lording my pastry bag over people's heads, singing "nanana, I can make buttercream roses and you can't.")
You have to admit there are some people out there who will underplay the value of what you do simply because they can't do it themselves. It's played out dozens of times in stories from people on this forum. It's one of the reasons we all come here for support. We understand each other.
IMHO . . . I think it is one of those things that people think they shouldn't have to pay for. Especially if you do it out of your home. People just automatically assume that you will charge LESS than a regular retail store. After all, they think you don't have any expenses.
I have only made one cake that I got paid for. I have only been decorating cakes for a short while. But I always send any leftovers, and sometimes the whole cake, to my husband's work. He is a sergeant at a prison. Not ONE person there has ever asked to order a cake. They love all the free cakes and always ask when they are getting the next one. People just don't want to pay, especially when they have been getting it for free.
my prices are no more negotiable than a retail store
Excellent way of putting this! It's firm but polite. I'm making a mental note of it.
I just think that there are certain skills that come with every profession and not everyone can have all of them.
Agreed, I'm complete rubbish at open heart surgery, trying to teach Latin and sewing.
Maybe I just can't relate...and that's why there's conflcit here. I have never had anyone not pay me...infact, I always have ppl offer me more than I asked for...and I think I charge fairly.
Part of my problem is I started off giving people my classwork cakes. I didn't feel right about charging for them, so they got used to free cake. And then it was, well, can you make your nephew's brthday cake? With no mention of payment. Or why don't you make the cake for SIL's baby shower? No mention of payment.
From there, anything I charged was going to be too much in their minds! 
Has anyone thought of the fact that some people can't afford to pay the high prices associated with a custom cake. Especially offices that may not want to dish out the dough for every employees birthday?
I know that if I didn't decorate cakes myself I couldn't pay the prices I charge others on the strict budget my family is on.
However I have never had any of my friends or family ask me for free cake, I have given it at times but they almost always offer to pay me more than I ask. Maybe it's because they know what a tight budget I am on.
Also I don't think most people know the time and effort that goes into decorating a cake. They honestly don't know the difference in Wal-mart decorations and custom decorations. They have never tried cake decorating and just don't get it. So the kind of look at it like it looks pretty simple, I could probably do it myself, why should I pay you.
goodcakefairy, I understand what your saying about people purposefully not asking you. I have some friends (more acquaintances) that could not compliment a cake I make even if it killed them. I think some females (I know i will really get it for this!!!) cant be happy for one another. Its really sad. I do think most of us love to praise one another. Some people are just insecure about certain things. Your right, thats why this site so great!!
I have one lady who orders from me quite a bit, but EVERYTIME she picks up whatever she has ordered she has a complaint about the cost of it. She always tells me she loves them and raves about them, but it drives me crazy that she without fail tells me about my pricing everytime I see her. (and I do give her a quantity discount for ordering so much stuff too)
I know I will probably catch some negativity for this comment but....................I love the taste of store bought cake too.
I do cakes. I take orders and I receive payment for the work I do. I make sure my cakes are moist and delightful and have had numerous repeat customers and new customers from referals from my repeat customers. Everyone makes comments about how there is absolutely no comparison between my cake and store bought cake, they are on two totally different levels.
With all that being said.... I still love Wal-mart or Publix or Costco cake.
I've been making all of the family cakes for years. I usually make the cake and give it as the gift (i refuse to do both, at least for free). Recently, I attended a family birthday party which was four hours away. I was not asked to make the cake and did not expect to be since I would have to travel a long distance with it. We arrived at the party to find a Wal-Mart cake on the table. No one in the family had eaten store cake for years so it was almost taboo. We dug in and didn't turn back. It was better than I ever remembered. We all fell to the floor eating every morsel of this cake. LOL. I wasn't hurt that it got such raves being a store cake. I liked the thing too!! It wasn't anything special, just a normal cake but was sooo good. I know they like my cake so it wasn't an issue.
ITs true, some people just love store bought cake better. It isn't anything to be ashamed of.
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