What Do You Do When.....

Decorating By cambo Updated 27 Jul 2006 , 1:44pm by alip

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cambo Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 11:45pm
post #1 of 7

a customer sends you a picture of a wonderful 4-tier whimsy cake (which I'm dying to make), and then tells you, "oh, by the way, I only need it to feed 20 people!" The pictured cake probably feeds 150-200 people! I think I could remove one tier, or even two, and then make those a 6" and 8", but it's like some customers want the biggest, coolest cake and just because they only need it to feed 20 people, only expect to pay as if it only feeds 20! GRRRR!

6 replies
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BJsGRL Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 11:48pm
post #2 of 7

Could you replace a couple "cake" layers with "dummies?"

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MissT Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 11:53pm
post #3 of 7

I have come across this problem before and have explained that the cake they want can be done one of three ways: 1) I make it exactly as they asked, it is for more people and they pay for what they get, or 2) I alter their idea a lot, sticking to the original as much as possible, and they still pay for what they get or 3) I have also had to tell them that the cake they want absolutely cannot be made the way they envision and try to work with them for an alternate design. It isn't always easy, but if they look for the cake they want elsewhere, they will have the same problem. Good luck!!

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mmdd Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 12:49am
post #4 of 7

Hmmm.....I agree with the above posts!


So, I'll just wish you luck!

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peacockplace Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 3:17am
post #5 of 7

It seems like I run into that a lot! Don't sell yourself out. Tell them how many a cake like this will feed and what you can make to serve twenty. Then let them make the call. Just make sure you charge for the servings you make!

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cambo Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 1:39pm
post #6 of 7

Thank you so much everyone! I spoke with the customer last night and told her I would be happy to make the cake for her, however, the smallest I could make would be fore 50-55 servings, only three tiers and I would need to charge her accordingly! SHE AGREED! Yoo hoo!
Thanks, again!
Cammie

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alip Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 1:44pm
post #7 of 7

Glad things worked out! Can't wait to see a picture!

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