I just have to say, it sucks to be new and not know what to charge. I charged $60 for a "baby" cake BEFORE I knew how much work went into it and by then you can't change your prices. That has to be the most undercharged cake I have ever done. I can't imagine having the ball in the customers court. I feel your pain.

I feel for you guys, I wish these ignorant people had a special mark on their forhead so we could tell them apart and just stay away from them.

I have been so fortunate so far (knock on wood/head/whatever).
Everyone I have baked for has been really appreciative of the work I did. They have like the product and I or my DH have been the only critics (he is really picky so I love it when he tells it like it is, then I change something or change recipe.)

It took about 2 1/2 weeks to get together with a friend last month to find out how the cake was and I was getting a bit nervous and when we finally talked, she was super happy and loved it and it was great.....

I just know if I got into a bad situation I would want to fix it, but that would also be the last time I ever baked for that person.
If I am mistreated somewhere I do not go back, there is enough people and places in this world that we dont need this kind of disrespect. If we are lucky enought these people will end up buying their cakes from Wally world because no one will want to bake for them EVER!
I think the best way to judge a person you are going to make a cake for if you are doing it as a hobby or from home, is to ask them if they are a baker or if they bake or cook. Because if everything the make is out of a box into the microwave and maybe onto a plate, then I wonder if they even deserve our cakes.
If they dont have a passion for food, why should we work so hard to give them a product they:
1. wont appreciate the work and timethat goes into it.
2. wont appreciate the ingredients that go into it.
3. wont appreciate the love that goes into it
4. Will not think it's worth compensating us for it.
ARGH!

I am thinking we need to start to interview these people and figure out if we want to make a cake for them!!!

Ok, maybe it's the hormones, but man I would like to get a hold of these people and have them spend just a couple hours in the kitchen with us to see how much work goes into it and then make us look in the eyes, and still say "It's just cake" !

NO MORE CAKE FOR YOU!!!! is what I say!

Lepaz, I really hope you DH came home with a check.

If he has not, I do suggest you contact her, make nice at first, ask how the research went. Does she need a few sites to visit to help her determine how much more she should give you since you are basically just asking her to reimburse you for the supplies and that a cake like you did needs an extra $60.00 just for the time and work involved. All this still talking with a smile. Hopefully she will get the gist and give your husband a check tomorrow. I dont think there is need to give her a piece of your mind over the phone. Hopefully she will come around. But if she does not respond or says it's was not worth it. I would say in the nicest tone you can muster, I am sorry you feel that way, I expect my $40.00 and then there will be NO MORE CAKE FOR YOU EVER! Ok, maybe the hormones, but COME ON!

I would hate for your DH to have to defend you at the office, that's just not the place.

Here is hoping you get a big fat check.

Good Luck!

Wow! Still no payment? Chick has a lot of nerve!

That just horrible. I guess they will not be eating anymore of your cakes.

I'm new at the pricing thing and it can be hard.

I have to say that I would have probably charged more for the castle cake BUT...I understand why you didn't..your trying to get started...want to give a discount etc....I've done this too!!!

From the bit of excperience I've had I would give it a day or two....call her! I would NOT e-mail her. The reason I would avoid email....she can say that she didn't get it...she didn't check it etc..... I would then tell her that I would appreciate payment for the cake. IF she gives you more I would thank her....if she gives you the set price that you asked for I would again thank her.....and THEN I would promise myself to NEVER to a cake for her again!! If she feels the freedom to do this on the first cake that you've made for her can you imagine what she's capable of a few cakes down the road. Sometimes it's better to just say....no thank you to an order.

In the long run everything will work out. You will get some sort of payment and you have also learned a lesson about payment. It's better to learn this lesson with a cake that you charge $40 for then a cake that your charging $400 for!!

cant' wait to hear about this one...and to both of you "cake hookers", (and I say that grinning because I have been accused of the same!!) I was taught something in a class and I will remember it forever.

You can charge whatever you want the first time. After you've done it, you chalk it up to experience and double the price. If you have a customer that has the nerve to ask WHY-you simply say it was a "test cake" and NOW it's NOT.

Good luck lepaz!
You obviously have a lot of support here on CC!
I am not a confrontational person, but even I am ready to "talk" to this woman for you!
Keep us updated!

I definetly would call her and confront her now. Just say to her nicely that you still havent received payment for the cake and you wondering if it was sent out. If she says she mailed it then give it a couple of days and if you dont, call her right back and tell her you expect the payment to be brought to you in cash. If its one thing Ive learned, is that if you give people an inch, they will take a mile. Let her know your not a push over and that your in business for a reason. Not to do thank you jobs!

From what I understood of the original post, this lady received the cake last Friday - she's had enough time to research, lepaz has been more than generous. It's becoming appalling. Even if she didn't have the money, was waiting til payday, anything like that - she needs to communicate.

I agree that many just don't know or understand the time and dedication that goes into doing what we do. But if you agree to a certain price beforehand, you understood to a certain extent. There's no room for negotiation after the fact unless something was seriously wrong with the product you received. And she's said nothing about that either.

I feel so invested in this right along with you lepaz! I hope this lady does the right thing.

Where's Judge Judy when you need her?

I agree Ironbaker! A week is more than enough time. If you dont want to do the confrontation, Im sure all of here will call her for you! She's has to understand that you dont mess with a cake decorator and their CC members!!!

All I can say it...I take 50% down prior to making the cake. It's non refundable within 7 days of the date and I collect the balance upon pick/up or delivery. No money, No cake.
Jacqui

I don't know about this theory that she is investigating prices to pay MORE. That would mean she is a thoughtful person and her actions prove otherwise!

I don't think it needs to be said but I'm going to say it for all the other's out there that are just starting out!

CASH BEFORE STARTING!!!!! If they give you a check make sure it's good BEFORE you buy or make ANYTHING!!!

I made the 4 cakes for my step daughter (flowers and barbie character cake) (it was before I was aware we can't sell character cakes) I was made aware before payment was received so she only paid for the 3 flowers and my time Anyway. It was my step daughter... I trusted everything would be alright. I delivered the cakes 10 minutes late, I forgot the childs present lol So I set up with all the exwife's family and friends watching feeling even more out of place then I was to begin with... Anyway the party went on for 3 hours and then it wsa swimming time lol. So she (the ex wife) goes to change into her swim suit (she still loves flirting with my husband even though she's remarried) and comes out in a bikini too small for her lmao Anyway!!!!! it takes her 3 1/2 hours to give me a check for $35.~ 1 I undercharged BIG TIME! 2 I was stupid enough to trust her that she'd pay me on delivery 3 it was a check!!!!!! an out of state check at that! (they had just moved back to MD from NC a few months before and hadn't changed things yet) So needless to say I had to deposit it in my bank and wait 3 weeks for it to clear!!!!!

Lesson learned! Do NOT accept payment in form of out of state check lol. Do NOT trust your husband's ex wife whom has always and will always hate you with every ounce in her body to pay you upfront lol. Do NOT do favors for family reguardless of who it is lol....

So yeah always get your money upfront! and always have cash or LOCAL check and make sure it clears before finallizing the order

Dear Cake Support Group,
The suspense is over, the check came. After all this, I am just hoping it does not bounce. What I have learned: make sure to exchange cash before cake; make sure they UNDERSTAND their cake quote; NEVER, NEVER undercharge by as much as I did; NEVER make any cakes for this lady again!!! Thank you all for your support and your laughs (you all are cra'zay)! I truely would not have gone through this with any grace had I not had you folks there for advice and ideas. See you around in the forums!!

How much did she pay you and what did she say????

yes, what did she pay. We have been waiting with baited breath. What was the result of her research. That she got a good deal. That she will not get again. you must feel relieved.

Goodie!! I'm glad it came and I am also curious as to whether or not she said anything to your husband about her "research".

She probably realized she got one hell of a deal and wrote that check quick.

Sorry to say it was for the quoted amount of $45.00. But it was a learning experience. I feel cheap and used, I need to take a shower!!!!

I am so sorry that she did not pay you more for the wait. She sure should have.

What happened to tipping ? are we so cheap that we cannot appreciate good work?????

I was finally able to post the picture of my cake. I miss it! I want it back---!!!!

Wah, nothing is popping up under your name, so I can't see!

Melissa

I think the gallery is having issues! I am looking for a cake I saw. I can't find it!

Lepaz- I sure am glad you got paid! Can't wait to see your cake! If you can see it copy and paste the link for us huh?!? I am sure all of us watching would appreciate it!

Lepaz, I just saw your castle on the new pics of the homepage! It was gorgeous! I didn't know the whole story behind it at first; I just saw this beautiful castle on the new pics and clicked on... I don't know if that "lady" (I use the term loosely ) has a conscience or not but I'd think that she should be ashamed of herself! What a filch-monger!!!! I bet she must've gotten tons of compliments on that cake. I hope she DOES want another one of your cakes so you can tell her where to stick it I've been burned before (long time ago) and ever since then I only take checks from my regular customers and of course it has to be when the cake is being picked up. I always joke (NOT joking) that I'll beat my fists into the cake right in front of their faces if I don't see some Mula in hand (after I've photographed it, of course! ) Don't feel bad, though. You know that you did a fabulous job and have integrity on your side; she is a little person indeed

Lepaz, none of your pictures are coming up, I really want to see your cake.

Is anyone else having this problem.

Maybe it's just too late... ok patience, maybe it will be better in the morning.

Good Luck

having problems as well. Haven't been able to open any pics in the gallery and none of "my photos" all day.