Is It Okay To Deliver A Cake W/ No Box?
Decorating By my2sunshines Updated 14 Oct 2006 , 7:37pm by my2sunshines
I have 2 cakes to be delivered today and I don't have a box to fit 1 of them. Its a stadium cake and its too wide for the box the I have. Do you think its okay to bring to them w/o a box? My husband is out for the day w/ the car and I really won't have time to get one when he comes home.
Thanks for the help,Kim
PS- I should add that I only charge $30 for my cakes since I am just starting out. Does it sound crazy that I don't want to spend another dime on this cake for a box?
I would say Yes. I've delivered 2 cakes that they asked me to take the boxes away because they didn't have the space. Not the case every time, but I don't think it would be a problem.
probably its ok, but I just bought a rather large rubbermaid type container (clear bottom white lid) on which I put my cakes on the lid and use the clear top as the "box"..........I got tired of buying $2 cake boxes anyway so I am going to invest in a few different sized plastic containers and go that route, since family and friends are the only ones getting my cakes...I know I will get them back...and at $6 for my big container...it only takes 3 uses to be "paid" for....maybe for the future you might want to have a few of these?
Thanks, I like that tote idea. I will definitely get some of those for those times that I don't have/want to use a box.
I'm working on building my stock of "cake boxes" too. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding clear ones that work for the crazy-sized cakes I make....So I've bought a few solid color ones.
My husband had a wonderful suggestion - put a note or something on the top so folks who don't know what's in the box don't flip it over 
I've found some nice clear boxes at Walmart. Don't remember the brand name off-hand, but they're specifically made to fit a standard size closet shelf - 14" deep. They have one that's 14x14x7" tall, and another that's 12" tall. Going to get several for my smaller tiered cakes. Now if they'd make one that's 14" tall, my lamb cake would be all set!
Um..NO..and that's just my 2 cents. Remember if you're being paid...YOU"RE NOW A PRO..and as a pro you MUST come across as one.
you never know what kind of impression you are making for your future clientel.
Even a rubbermaid box would be better than none.
These are things that burn my toast!! lol....when people decide to start baking and charging for cakes..even if it's just for friends and family...THEY NEVER TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE HIDDEN COSTS!!!
there is time, labor, ingredients..boxes, pans, tools..etc..etc!
I once got the advice when I started to bake from my home over 20 years ago.....to always run your business as if you had a location. Take...EVERYTHING into account.
She told me to look at the rents in the areas that I would someday like to open a shop in and factor those costs into my cakes. Even if I had NO THOUGHT of opening a shop. She told me ...YOU NEVER KNOW.
Charge accordingly..you wouldn't undersell one of your children, or family members..so why undersell yourself?
Don't mean to be mean...just many years experience speaking..lol
I kinda think the same way...if it's a family member I really don't think it would make much of a difference...But if it is someone that you really don't know...a client that might come back to use your services again I think I would invest in at least the rubbermaid type things. JMO
I was watching a cake decorating show and the bakery made custom cakes. One of the bakers was delivering a motorcycle shaped wedding cake. He had put it in his trunk w/ no box and then brought it over. I was asking because I wondering how people would then transport any of these odd shaped cakes and maybe (as that baker did) , just transport w/o a box. So thats why I though it may be okay to transport w/o a box. Do they make boxes for cakes that are tall?
BTW- Thanks for the rubbermaid tip. I have ones I can use, and that is what I will deliver the cake in.
I transport every single cake that I make for nonfamily in a white bakery box with my label on it, or I get a bigger box from The UPS store. If it's for a family gathering, naturally I just bring it however I want (but my family's more into getting a cake at Costco 
) The UPS store or even U-Haul will have boxes in about any size you need. For me, it has to look professional. I took a cake to a friend (who's one of my DH's customers) as a birthday gift the other day, and I still bought a nice white box to take it in and labeled it, because they know I do it as a business, and I wanted to appear that way, rather than so-and-so's wife who likes to bake.
I've seen pics of cakes (even big wedding cakes) being transported open in the back of a car or trunk, and I always sort of cringe, but that's just me...
customer = box
family = whatever
mho
The Rubbermaid container is a great idea. I've had to make up boxes for bigger cakes, it takes time but can work very well. The biggest problem is height, so I've constucted a two-story plastic container using staples (cut out the top on one and slid the second one inside and instant glued them together.) It's a balancing act but the cake arrived clean and in one piece.
The Rubbermaid container is a great idea. I've had to make up boxes for bigger cakes, it takes time but can work very well. The biggest problem is height, so I've constucted a two-story plastic container using two regular plastic cake containers (cut out the top on one and slid the second one inside and instant glued them together). It's a balancing act but the cake arrived clean and in one piece.
In a pinch when I need an odd box, or am out of a large size, I've sometimes taken two boxes and put them together, and make a fit. It's better than not having a box. At least you can say, you were out of that size rather than apologizing for not having boxes.
You can "comandeer" boxes from BJ's COSTCO and SAMS club! lol
Thank you for the UPS store tip. I don't know why I didn't think of that. We have one in walking distance, so I walked up there but sadly it is closed on Saturdays. Still, I will go check them out on Monday then.
The cake is too wide for all my rubbermaid totes. So, sadly this is my solution- taking it there in a box it doesn't close up in. This was at least it is covered and then they have a box for leftovers.
Attached is pic of solution LOL. Do you think this is ok then? Thanks again,kim
I have been selling cakes for 34 years. I primarily do wedding cakes. I deliver them stacked. And I work for 2 large caterers & they have never said a word either. In all this time, I have never boxed a cake. The wedding cakes would never fit in one & I would not want them in one. I have never had anyone refuse a cake that was not in a box. And yes, Duff does not use boxes!
I agree with Cakeladyhelen - I've been doing cakes for 20+yrs if I delvier a weeding cake it is never in a box. I will take a couple boxes in case they have any left overs.
If a cake is picked up at my house it is always in a box. I have a local baker supply company and a 19x13 white box I can get for about $1.00 each so I use this size for everything. I will tape anything smaller into the box & if I need something bigger I will use two.
I have never had anyone say anything about no box. I make sure the back of the van is nice a clean - I don't care anything in the back but cakes or groceries anyway so that isn't a problem.
My 2 sunshines, when my boxes don't close, I stretch some seran wrap over the opening and tape it so nothing gets into the cake.
I've even given cakes like that to people to put into their cars, but everything is boxed.
When I did wedding cakes, I used to get the wedding cake boxes from my supplier so I never had a problem closing them.
They are special boxes made for tall or tiered cakes.
However you deliver the cakes, that's how you "train" your customers..lol.
Saran Wrap , thanks that is exactly what will work. Thanks!!!
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