I'm Sorry, But I Have To Say This....
Decorating By ge978 Updated 6 Jul 2007 , 11:28pm by mbdecorator
Seriously , if someone could have done a 1/4 sheet decorated tractor cake for $25 I would have been all over it.
I would have done it............does that make me cheap? 
I'm with those who say they wouldn't pay some of my prices. I think I'm pretty reasonable with sheet cakes, but when it gets to tiered and more complicated cakes, I make sure I get paid for my trouble. 
potatocakes; hahah , nope doesn't make you cheap
I guess I was surprised when everyone keeps saying, oh they can go to the grocery store and get a sheet cake for $15...so I go to the grocery store expecting 1/4 sheet to be $15...nope...$25.
I wanna know which grocery stores you guys are talking about
I live in Lancaster CA, the temperature here is 105 to 115 right now, Nooooo way I'm going to get in the kitchen and bake a cake and you know what would happen to the decorating part. So on tuesday for my son's birthday I went to Sam's club and bought one of their delicious white cake with my favorite cream cheese filling and frosting, I absolutely love it! I hate baking I just love the decorating part. Everytime I read one of those threads I felt like I was the only one liking those cakes. My son loves his cake because it had a little boy with a skateboard on it, just what he wanted...
I have to agree with the people above...I have actually DONE a quarter sheet with a tractor on it...for $25. Where I live, it's about $18 to get something SIMILAR at walmart, so I just remind people, if they comment, that it's just a few dollars more and it will taste and look so good! I spent only $8 to make that cake, so $17 profit was okay with me!
.............What I find funniest is that my family have become bigger cake snobs than I am. If we're at a party where someone else made the cake (even other homemade or "real bakery" cakes), I'll eat the cake, but my mom and my granny will pick at theirs and whisper to me about how dry the cake was, how greasy the icing was, and how mine are SO much better. Gotta love family!
My sweet DH did that at a wedding recently....wow babe you could do better than that on the fondant! LOVE HIM!!
potatocakes; hahah , nope doesn't make you cheap
I guess I was surprised when everyone keeps saying, oh they can go to the grocery store and get a sheet cake for $15...so I go to the grocery store expecting 1/4 sheet to be $15...nope...$25.
I wanna know which grocery stores you guys are talking about
Me too, our grocery sells their 1/4 sheet cakes for $20.
But I think sometimes on here the rant is misconstrued about people wanting that special thing for a chain price, that's all I am saying.
I think this is the crux of the whole conversation. People come on here to vent, rant, rave, etc....share the good stuff too, of course. I think if you were to ask most of the people on the treads that prompted this one you'd find that they really didn't mean to offend.
That said, however, there are however some pretty strong egos and opinions here - as in any artistic community. So things are always entertaining when you come see whats on the boards.
Me? I say thank goodness for the stores and their cakes and their decorators who work their hineys off for too little. And thank goodness for those artists who put out cakes that I can only aspire to - could probably never afford and take my breath away...and everyone in between.
Hmmm....methinks I'll go hug a tree and sing Kumbaya after that last little paragaph 
.............What I find funniest is that my family have become bigger cake snobs than I am. If we're at a party where someone else made the cake (even other homemade or "real bakery" cakes), I'll eat the cake, but my mom and my granny will pick at theirs and whisper to me about how dry the cake was, how greasy the icing was, and how mine are SO much better. Gotta love family!
My sweet DH did that at a wedding recently....wow babe you could do better than that on the fondant! LOVE HIM!!
This sounds just like my family!!! It doesn't matter if the cake cake from a bakery, grocery store, or someone made it at home -- my whole family is full of cake snobs!! It does make you feel good when DH (and mine will eat anything) can't eat cake somewhere because it is't as good as mine in his opinion. Both of my stepsons are now cake snobs and think they are cake experts.
This did get me in trouble a couple of years ago. My DH and I had only been married a few months and my youngest stepson was probably 12 at the time and is our little garbage disposal, as he will eat anything at all! DH's mom made a cake for DH's sister's birthday and took it to the restaurant where we were having her party. She cut it and passed out pieces to everyone. As soon as he took a bite, he spit it in his napkin and said, "this is nasty, why didn't Amy make the cake!" Since then, he will not eat his grandma's cake!! Needless to say, this did not earn me any points!
I sell my 1/4 for $30 and I hand draw all of my designs too. I really try to work with some people ('cause you know when they are sincere and truly want something great but just can't afford it) BUT I try to stay within my means as well to get the cake done. I used to work for a bakery and the cakes were really good as well as the buckets of certain icings. I don't knock anyone buying a cake from a chain store....that's ridiculous. BUT as stated by Kitagirl, CelebrationsbyLori etc., people can be so nasty towards you just because of your prices. No matter how well you market, there are still some that slip through with the craziness. I had someone flying off the handle with me last week 'cause I charge $3.50 per serving for 3-D cake. The funny thing was....she had a budget of up to $200. I discussed several options with her...and for what she wanted, she couldn't go to Walmart and get anyway plus anyone else would charge her double what I was charging her in my area. Never heard from her again. Oh well. If she went to another decorator, I'm cool with that but don't get upset with me over a price quote. Unless it's a wedding, there's no contract saying anyone HAS TO get a cake from me. And really, I shouldn't have to explain why I charge what I charge, especially when they aren't buying from me or complaining. It's just the overall rudeness and almost audacity of some people. I think that there are some really nice decorators out there that will give people on a budget a chance 'cause we have all been there but it's not fair to knock us 'cause we need or want to make a profit. I'm not a rude or crude person that says to anyone on a budget "well, take your a** down to Walmart then" but respectfully, I do have to make at least my supplies back and a profit is nice. I've worked with a LOT of customers and I have some people almost in tears 'cause I've worked with them at least like with their wedding etc. There are always options, sometimes both ends can be met within reason (like bringing the serving size down etc). I'm easy to work with but some people aren't, that's why I don't do that for everyone ...just because of the rude customers (or swindlers, con jobs etc). And yes, they will try to con you over a CAKE!
I totally get that there are those customers that complain about the prices and are a pain....but this thread wasn't directed toward that.
I've read many threads lately complaining that a customer dare to ask them for a cake on short notice, work with the price, etc.
I'm just giving a customer perspective: according to alot of the threads lately this is how my conversation would have gone if i would have called a bakery or other decorator for a cake..
Ring Ring:
Decorator: Hello?
Me: Yes, I know its late notice, but I'd like to order a cake
Dec: (rolling eyes thinking hmmm..ok. $10 charge for late date) Sure, what can I get you
Me: How much would a 1/4 sheet with a tractor pan cake on top be?
Dec: $65
Me: Oh..ok..thats a little more than I wanted to spend...what if I did the 1/2 sheet with a tractor drawn on
Dec: rolling eyes again...Its still $65 because of artwork, time etc etc etc....
Me: Ok..I will look somewhere else..thanks.
Dec: Logging on to CC to let everyone know about the insulting cheap a** that tried to order a cake
Now, please don't everyone get insulted...I'm not talking about all the deocrators, but we have to admit that lately it has been like this with threads.
I totally get that there are those customers that complain about the prices and are a pain....but this thread wasn't directed toward that.
I've read many threads lately complaining that a customer dare to ask them for a cake on short notice, work with the price, etc.
I'm just giving a customer perspective: according to alot of the threads lately this is how my conversation would have gone if i would have called a bakery or other decorator for a cake..
Ring Ring:
Decorator: Hello?
Me: Yes, I know its late notice, but I'd like to order a cake
Dec: (rolling eyes thinking hmmm..ok. $10 charge for late date) Sure, what can I get you
Me: How much would a 1/4 sheet with a tractor pan cake on top be?
Dec: $65
Me: Oh..ok..thats a little more than I wanted to spend...what if I did the 1/2 sheet with a tractor drawn on
Dec: rolling eyes again...Its still $65 because of artwork, time etc etc etc....
Me: Ok..I will look somewhere else..thanks.
Dec: Logging on to CC to let everyone know about the insulting cheap a** that tried to order a cake
Now, please don't everyone get insulted...I'm not talking about all the deocrators, but we have to admit that lately it has been like this with threads.
I don't have a problem with that at all.... unless the caller gets an attitude like "Oh THATS too much just for CAKE....goodness...." OR unless you spend an entire week sending emails and giving quotes and coming up with designs only to find out the customer isn't happy with the prices and then after all the plans deciding to go elsewhere.
I'm all for shopping around and I have no problem giving quotes or even encouraging people on budgets to try Sam's Club or a local bakery if I feel I can't give them what they want for their price. Some people honestly haven't thought of going there and I don't mind helping them out. I'm a tired out mommy and I don't feel like making their cake any more than they feel like paying for it so hey, we are both happy. haha.
I have no complaint about the taste of grocery store cakes. Before I started decorating (less than a year ago) I'd always go to a local bakery and spend way too much on cakes. I did this because I always wanted a custom over the top cake. That you can't buy at a grocery store and it was worth the expense.
Kitagrl....you read my mind all the time!! I SOOOOOOOO feel ya on that one.
Ge978, I hear ya. I understand whatcha saying. I've been across a few post with a tad bit of that going on. But some people just feel they have the authority to do that...especially if they have been doing this for awhile. That's not me. I refered someone to Sams just today. So I really don't have a problem shifting my work load to a cheaper vendor. That's what they are there for....to provide an economical choice for customers. I guess there's just bad biz on both ends....bad customers and bad designers. But I do know, it's not everyone.
I dont have a problem with store cakes and their great when your in a rush or in a bind and cant make one. My only problem is when their IS enough time and your best friend would rather buy a store cake then give YOU the business and perhaps get you more business from the attendance. So my beef isnt the cake quality its the friend that didnt consider my feelings being hurt over it!
Hi ge978,
I just looked at your cakes and your cakes are great. I don't know about your situation and why you couldn't make the cake but you should have taken the money and made a plain decorated 1/4 sheet cake for the party. That would have been extra money for you and not much time to do.
I understand your frustration about the posts as some people just aren't able to purchase custom made bakery style cakes every time and that's understandable.
I, myself, am one of those women and I got into cake decorating because it was something that always interested me and now I am able to make cakes look and taste professional for my family and friends and that just pleases me, personally. I also love the fact that I can experiment on them too!
Veronica
My only problem is when their IS enough time and your best friend would rather buy a store cake then give YOU the business and perhaps get you more business from the attendance. So my beef isnt the cake quality its the friend that didnt consider my feelings being hurt over it!
Why do you assume she didn't consider your feelings? Maybe she just likes the taste of the store cakes better as others here have said. Or maybe she just wanted you to be a guest at the party, not a paid worker.
If you're really that upset/hurt, you need to talk to her rather than continuing to be upset without her knowing. Otherwise, you're just going to build resentment.
[quote="mrsscurry"]Hi ge978,
I just looked at your cakes and your cakes are great. I don't know about your situation and why you couldn't make the cake but you should have taken the money and made a plain decorated 1/4 sheet cake for the party. That would have been extra money for you and not much time to do.
Thanks mrsscurry: I was originally going to make the cake, but as we had a bit of a family emergency, it became impossible. Thank you for the compliments on my cakes 
By the way Kitagrl congratulations on your pregnancy!!
Because she flat out said she did it because her uncontrollable son was having a fit over a plastic Diego he saw on one. She loves my cakes and what I cook when she visiits. I wouldnt of charged her so its money out of her pocket.
And I dont say anything to her over it because I dont want to start a fight over it. It hurt my feelings but Im not going to lose her as a friend over it.
I think some find the savings in going to a grocery store or Sam's because if you are willing to buy off the shelf and not get a special order or pick from a handful of mass produced cakes and if it makes you happy then you can save.
I do agree with the posters who are saying that it is rude to expect a custom cake that may have to be carved or built or have crafty gumpaste or fondant work at basic cake/buttercream design at a grocery store price.
[quote="southerncake"][quote="Kitagrl"]
I can completely understand being in a pinch and picking up a cake! I also give lots of credit to anyone who stands for 8 or 10 hours decorating cake in a big store under all of the pressure of a corporation -- I know that has to be hard!!
""I salute all you chain store decorators. You have a hard job to do with very little compensation."" Thanks! I understand the debate that runs between CC dec's, professional big-box dec's and extreme cakers that can do anything imaginable. I'm a decorater that happens to have a job making cakes. It's just that- a job. I don't get to choose the flavors, the icings, the colors, the kits, the shapes or the sizes. I don't even get to step outside of the box and try new things. At home, I'm in a different world. I'm out of my comfort zone, and I become another CC rookie... trying new things. I want to be an extreme caker. Badly. Someday.
As me, tho, I can honestly say that nothing burns my tush than hearing someone call in the evening and ask for a cake for the next morning... come on! Give me a break! Did you forget that you were having a party? That it was your kids/mom's/dad's/dogs birthday and you were having 50 people over?? ggrrrr..... And I don't even get to charge them a $10 late fee!!
But anyway, to those that do, thanks for the support. I meant it when I said "Thanks for keeping me in a job" because I don't know what I would do if I wasn't a big box decorater! I'm not suited for desk work.... I don't want to be a nurse or a teacher or anything else. The only other thing I would want to be is a better decorater with less orders that I usually get!! 
I'm a grocery store decorator and have been for 15 years. I am very lucky to work for one that let's me decorate the way I want. I have customers come and ask for something that no one else would do and I have been able to accomadate them. Only because of my experience. But there are so many things I can't do because I am limited to the sizes of the cakes we carry. I wish I could give my card out when this happens but it's not allowed. I think it depends on the individual chain and the cake they use we carry Dutch-Maid and they really are great. Just my 2 cents.
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