How Would You Deal With This Co-Worker?
Decorating By Angelgirl Updated 17 Jul 2007 , 9:46pm by Angelgirl
I have never really sold cakes, I have mostly done them in the past because I enjoy doing them. I started to bring practice cakes into work to share with co-workers and making them for birthdays. A co-worker has shown particular interest in my cakes and asked me to make one for her parents' surprise anniversary party. She told me that her mom has cancer and this is a big party because they didn't think she was going to make it.
THAT being said, the ideas she is bringing me are way out of left field. She's a sweet girl, but a tad "out there." I've tried letting her know that i'm not a professional and that the things she's wanting is not something I can really do. (Think a colorful array of fondant or gumpaste wildflowers in less than 3 weeks). So, I've shown her more pictures of my work and let her know some ideas I had that were anniversary cake-esque. She said she would think on it and we would talk later. About a week later (now we have 2 weeks left) and she tells me she has her idea figured out. She wants something very "organic." I think she means the cake itself, made from organic materials from the health food store, which I'm totally willing to do. I mean, after all, her mom is ill, right? No, she's wants it too LOOK organic. When I asked for a further explaination she says, "Well, you know, lots of wildflowers sticking out the top." GAHHHH! It's like she hasn't heard a word I've said or been actually seeing the pictures I've shown her.
I really want to help her out and it would be nice to have a paying customer for once. But, I'm really not sure it's worth the stress.
What would you do in this situation?
Thanks for letting me vent!
Becky
I have been in your shoes and kept trying to tell someone I was to new at this and not experienced enough. They still wanted me to do the cake and in the end I don't think she was very satisfied. I still had many compliments (from others), but I knew I was in over my head.
So, unless you really think you can do it, I wouldn't. Or lets say, I won't do it again, if I feel like I am in over my head.
darkchocolate
I had a similar situation- a co-worker liked my cakes and we started talking about me making her sons b-day cake. we went back and forth forever and finally when we decided on a cake (two tiered carved) i told her how much i would do it for- she was like, i was thinking more like $15!! I wish i had been upfront about pricing and saved me all that back and forth! Make sure she is aware of your pricing to save you further stress 
I have to agree with Sun... price the flowers and see if she wants it then.
I agree with the other posters who said to offer to buy the gumpaste flowers on-line if that's what she wants for this price.. then tell her you can do silk or real flowers at this price.. and draw up something else that you feel you can do and tell her that price. Maybe she wants to go over the top and won't mind paying for the flowers since this is a big deal that her mom is still around when they thought she'd be gone by this time.
Make sure to tell her you limitations.. and only do wha you are comfy with.
So, today, my coworker came to me with her "final idea for a design." I need some help with pricing this out for her.
She wants a stacked cake, probably an 8 or 10 in and a 6 in on top. She just wants buttercream icing but she still wants some giant flower on top and leaves on the top of the bottom layer. (I hope that makes sense). She wants one giant purple, daisy type flower to cover the entire top of the cake. I told her that I can probably make big daisies but not one big enough for the whole cake. (I was thinking the biggest daisy from the Fondant and Gumpaste class). I am also considering just putting a silk arrangement of gerber daisies on top.
Can you guys help me with pricing now that she has a "final idea" in mind? I'm almost hoping she will hear the price and run for the hills. Is that horrible??? Since I've never sold cakes, I don't know about pricing.
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
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