I just need to get this out of my system -and inevitably I more than likely have caused my own frustrations...but I need to get some ideas how to prevent the same issues from happening in the future.
Admittedly, I'm not some great worldwide known cake decorator- I'm still a "newbie" and I know there are some skills I still need to master, so in the meantime I have made cakes to give away -kinda like word of mouth...in the hopes that it will lead to some profit.
Here's where 1 of my issues arises. The church I go to from time to time has the usual functions where you may find a cake - whether it be a baby shower, graduation party, etc., Those in charge of arranging these functions are aware that I enjoy decorating cakes, they have seen my cakes, and have given compliments on the taste - however it really is getting on my last nerve b/c when they ask me to provide a cake ( I don't volunteer) they want me to provide the receipts, and then they want to reimburse the expenses, therefore I've done it free of charge.
The reason why I'm so irritated is simply b/c of the fact that I KNOW that if I were to NOT make the cake - they would simply turn to a local grocery store and easily spend a good $30 for a mass produced cake. I don't think it's right that I'm only paid cost (which equals no pay) but they have no issue chunking over $30 for a grocery store cake.
Another source of frustration is that dh's military unit from time to time will order cakes from the local commissary - when they KNOW and have also seen the cakes I can make (like the turkey cake and dh's promotion cake)- dh made the comment that he will talk w/ the lady in charge of ordering cakes for their functions to see if she's interested in going through me instead...but can't make any guarantees.
Can anyone make any suggestions on what I could do tactfully to where I'm paid (more so w/ the first issue, b/c I know that dh's unit would pay me).
Unfortunately adding "labour" to the receipts won't work, b/c I've experienced issues where they won't even reimburse for items -simply b/c the receipts didn't state what the item was (thanks to a local cake store that rings the items up weird!)- so I know they would never reimburse for time or labour.
I know when I do cakes and such for my church, the church needs receipts for tax purposes. Is the church assuming that you are donating your baking and decorating time to the church? If so, you should be accounting for the donated time as well. If not, then you need to be clear to them that this is your time and talent they are using, and you need to be reimbursed.
More than likely, the folks in charge of arranging functions have just been told they need a receipt before they can be reimbursed. If you provide a receipt (for, say, $30 for a sheet cake) to them, they will more than likely pay for it without question, since all they need is a receipt to turn in to the church. Unless these folks are clearly telling you that they will only pay for cost, I wouldn't assume that they aren't willing to pay for your time and talent.
Next time, just give them one of your own invoices (WITHOUT listing out materials, time, etc. ~ only listing what you charge for a cake), and tell them that you need to do it this way for tax purposes. If they balk, then you can re-think things, but I really believe they only need a receipt to get reimbursement from the church, or to keep an account of what was spent for the function.
HTH!
<Starkie>
I have the same problem at work. They'll sit down right next to me and order from a bakery or Walmart. They don't want to pay me but they will pay anyone else. They are giving a shower for one of the girls at work and it was my understanding that I was going to do the cake. I walked into work and there was the invitation for everyone and then it also said that our boss would be providing the cake. S0000!!! If they don't want to pay, you don't want their business. I have plenty of work to do without them. It will happen for you. Just say no when it comes to FREE. You are worth so much more than that!!!!
LU
Simple - if you aren't getting what you feel your cakes deserve - don't do it. Me personall, I would cut the church a little slack. It's not like the church is a profit oriented business PLUS I don't know if you're legal or not but they could run into problems there. They probably have very specific guidelines for reimbursements and expenditures.
in the case of the military, they may not be able to use you if you are not licensed as a liability thing. as far as your church goes...try talking to the person in charge of the budget...not the secretary about it. Ask them why you are only being paid for ingredients. Have they taken into consideration electricity as well, since that is also part of making the cake? I say just be open about it. Tell them that you would like to be paid for your time as well. Like someone above said, make your own reciept with what it costs. If they don't want to do that ask them why they can go to *insert store name here* and spend the same amount of money, but can't pay you that. it is usually the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. =)
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