We got a coupon in the paper today for 50% off at Michaels next Thurs only. I have been eyeing this decorating set
http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30CE7F-475A-BAC0-5C84F2613EBB520D&fid=3E32F5E3-475A-BAC0-560B229FE201C5B8
but it sells here for $169.99 (Canadian). With the 50% coupon that would make it $85.50 plus 15% taxes (Canadian. Do you guys feel it is worth the money? Are the items listed the most commonly used etc. As you know I am really new to this and very unsure of spending that amount of money.
What are your thoughts on this?
I was tempted to buy that set about a year ago and didn't. Since then I've purchased everything that's already in the set and it cost a LOT more than if I had bough the set. There's no way to get around it, cake decorating is an expensive hobby. If you plan on decorating for awhile and expanding your talents I would say it's definitely worth it.
How many cake decorating related things do you already own? When I took my first cake decorating class I had already bought a few things including the kit for the first course so many things were repeats. I decided to get the empty caddy instead. It comes with a good number of gel paste colors (Wilton's), of course, but after using Americolor I realized I like those better so I don't know what to do with my Wilton's ones.
I suppose that you need to consider whether you'll be using them a lot or not. Cake decorating is addictive so there are always opportunities to spend money.
Hope that helped.
Inma
I have that set and LOVE it! If you have an AC Moore near you, check there first. AC Moore accepts competitors coupons (call to verify first), and they generally are cheaper than Michaels. I paid 50% off of $119 at Michaels and the same exact thing would have been 50% off of $97 at AC Moore.
I would recommend that you buy it, what a GREAT deal with your 50% off coupon. Depending on what you plan to do in the future, everything in the kit is very useful. This would be much cheaper than buying the tools alone and then you would not have to search for things you may need later.
I have my old original set that came with 5 tips, two bags and a small spatula. I got it many years ago. Since being elected to make the wedding cake I have bought a few more tips, some pastel colours, 2 bags a larger spatula and a small leveler. I also got some gumpaste tools.( Find and read the thread....gone over the edge 
)
The future??.......well I can honestly say I really have no idea. I am really really enjoying these practice cakes and all the reading/learning. I just don't know that I would ever have the confidence to "sell" any cakes I do. I do have 3 people that have asked me to do cakes and at this time I have said no, I'm not ready to yet. I especially love and know that I will continue with gumpaste. I find it just amazing and will definitely continue expanding in that area. (always wanted to learn clay/pottery....this is just edible clay/pottery )
As I have stated before, I bought my original decorating set for dimensional painting etc. because art is my first calling. This kit offers colours that I don't have, some of the tips I have but some I don't. Bags and couplings you can always use more of. Fondant tools I have none. I have the practice board that came with my original set, I assume this one would be different.
Oh soooo undecided and fearing the rath of hubby saying " I thought the idea of you making the cake was supposed to be cheaper ????"
Forgot to add....never heard of AC Moore. We only JUST this past fall got a Michaels....before that...almost NO decorating equipment. And....our new Michaels is the ONLY craft store. We have a Walmart ( a couple of pans there maybe) and a Zellers (nothing available), neither of those two stores even have turntables.
The caddy has a lot of great tools that you will use! It would be much cheaper than buying them separtely. Sounds like a great investment to me if you are interested in continuing cake decorating. The caddies are really nice to store your stuff in too.
since you say Maritimes, not sure how far from USA. but, AC Moore is in Bangor and South Portland, Maine. If that is doable, can save even more $$ (of course, will gas $ eat up the savings?)
http://www.acmoore.com/locator.asp
I LOVE this kit. I didn't own any baking supplies when I first started out and now I still practice my techniques on the little board stand... Plus I need to be organized.. so the tool box itself was great!
At first I didn't use everything in there.. but once I got on a roll... 
if you go to wal-mart go to the area were they sell storage contaner and food storage and dividers and in that area they should have spice/seasonings turntable that you put in your kitchen cabinets. you can use those as a turntable for your cake but you would have your cake on another cakeplate, you just use the turntable to turn as you decorate it.
i hope that helps
(please excuse my spelling on some words)
i have that wilton caddy and it is well worth it for the money.
Thanks everyone for all the input...I really do appreciate it. You guys are great!!! 
I went in today with this weeks 40% off coupon to get the pans I will need and they have bumped up the regular price of this 101 piece tool set to $199.99!! Maddening but nothing I can do about it. They only have 5 in the store so I am hoping by the time I get off work there will still be one left for me to buy. Keep your fingers crossed I checked out the prices of the individual items and your right it is far cheaper to get the kit. As I said before I do have some tips, but with the kit I would get 14 tips that I don't have plus several other things I don't have. I only have 1 of the colours offered in the kit. Between just the tips and colours if I were to buy them seperately would cost $42. for tips and $21. for colours plus 15% tax....so the kit is much cheaper.
Our walmart has only one isle, both sides, baking items and no turn tables there. I'm into woodworking etc. and have all the items needed to make my own turntable.....just need the time to do it!! They offer the wilton 8" round, square, a 9x13 and a muffin pan. That's it. There are more "bakers secret pans" but not in larger sizes. I was able to get the wilton 8" round and 9x13 at the dollar store for $4 & 5 each.
Oh....and I have a friend who will not take "no" for an answer and wants me to use my new large cake pan to make her a cake for her MIL 95th birthday in June. She said "nothing fancy...what ever I want on it...I just need to get over the jitters of doing one for someone else"
Thanks again everyone....wish me luck and happy shopping for next Thurs!!!
I would get it especially if you have the 50% coupon.. I did and have been building on it since then
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