Dilemma...easy Or Harder Cake? Which To Do?
Decorating By springlakecake Updated 10 Apr 2007 , 11:22pm by springlakecake
i just had someone call me (a friend of my mom's) and say they knew it was short notice but they wanted a cake for Saturday if I could possibly do it. I said I could do a round cake with a FBCT of a train or I could do a 3-d train, but i would charge more money. She sounded excited about the 3-d version, but decided to just go with the simpler version (I think because it would be cheaper) Part of me just wants to do the FBCT becasue I just dont have a lot of time between now and then, plus that is what she is paying for, and I dont want people to get the idea that that is the callibur of cake I do for that kind of money. But then part of me likes the challenge and I love having great cakes for my portfolio. I wouldnt charge her more for the 3-d cake obviously and I did tell her originally how much I would have charged. And she is a friend of my mom's. I know most of you have gone through this.
What I like to do in instances like this is to go ahead with what I would like to do, in this case the 3-D train. Then tell her when you deliver it that you did it for experience but you are still charging her as if it were the round. I know that didn't come out right, but I am sure you get what I mean. Just let her know that you only want her to pay the round price. You can always ask her to tell people the higher price if they ask so that others don't think you do that great of a cake for cheap!
HTH!
Crystal
Well I would first figure out the time line if you have enough time to get it done nicely then proceed to asking her if she would rather have the 3D cake instead, but at the same price as a first timer or as an incentive for return business whatever you can come up with. If she wants the better cake for the same price, which I wouldn't know anyone that wouldn't lol, then go for it.
But you have to take a step back and put yourself where she is. "Why is this cake lady offering me a cake worth Xamount for so much less then what she originally quoted me? and does she do this often?" etc. etc.... I myself would have some questions concerning why you were offering me a cake at a lesser price after quoting me a higher price before.... so you have to look at it both ways and make sure she understands why you're doing this and that this is a one time discount or she may be expecting this in the future 
Yeah, see that is what I was thinking. If I do the 3-d cake and charge her for the other, then I just dont want people to come to expect a cake like that for that money. So next time if I dont go above and beyond, I dont want people to think they are getting ripped off. Or then I dont want her to feel like she needs to pay me for the price I originally quoted her for it.
maybe I should just do the FBCT. Any more opinions? Thanks for the help!
I agree with OhMyGoodies, figure out if you have enough time to do a 3D cake justice.....and if you do, then make sure the client understands this is a one-time deal and tell her what price you would have charged for it (in case others see it and want one too!). Good Luck!!!
The other thing to consider is what will this customer tell other potential customers? Will she be thankful for her one time discount and be discreet, not passing that info along? Or, will she be so excited about the great price she got and tell others? Even though you may ask her to tell others the true cost of such a cake, you can't guarantee that will be what's said. I hope I making sense. I know what I'm trying to say, can't always write it though. 
Best of luck with your decision.
ps...I love your cakes, can't wait to see what you do for this one. 
I know it's hard because you put your heart into your cakes, but it's also about business at this point. You may turn off potiential clients in the future when they realize your not offering them the same deal. Can you call the lady and offer to do the 3D with a small discount? Keep in mind she is also giving you little notice. I wouln't want to be up until 01:00 am working on a cake I've discounted, no guarantees future business will come of it either.
I am personally REALLY enjoying today off. I do miss the smell however, the house usually smell pretty darn good by now. 
okay thanks for all of the help guys! When I discussed this dilemma with my DH and I said " I think maybe I should just do the easy cake" and he said, "it's for Saturday 
! And you have to teach wilton class tomorrw (my first class!), so you only really have Thursday and Friday to work on it? Then YES, do the easy one!" He says this because he knows I get all stressed out when cakes dont go right or I am in a time crunch. I guess I must not be very fun to be around LOL! He says " I just know how stressed you get when you are pulling off the fondant for hte 18th time."
So I think I will just take the easy way out on this one. If I had more time, I think I might have gone for the 3-d cake. I sort of feel it wont be spectacular, but oh well.
I know it's hard because you put your heart into your cakes, but it's also about business at this point. You may turn off potiential clients in the future when they realize your not offering them the same deal. Can you call the lady and offer to do the 3D with a small discount? Keep in mind she is also giving you little notice. I wouln't want to be up until 01:00 am working on a cake I've discounted, no guarantees future business will come of it either.
I am personally REALLY enjoying today off. I do miss the smell however, the house usually smell pretty darn good by now.
Totally agree here. I have spent literally all weekend on a cake, basically neglecting my family and other household duties....for $15! I put a stop to that, but it is still hard not to do your vision. and absolutely, from a business standpoint, I have never hired anyone and gotten or expected a bunch of free stuff or services. I am not a real business or anything, but i would like to have one in the future and I suppose it is good practice now to learn where to set limits.
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