Thanks for all the responses!
I live in a small, religious community. I advertised (by email) on the local mailing lists. I sent an ad out last night, and he got my email from there. He obviously looked at my website, and I don't know, thought he could pass on some expertise?
I never thought he might be trying to sell me something, or that he would refer clients. If he wants to refer clients, I would definitely take him up on his offer as his cakes DO look more prefessional.
I was just offended as I was so excited at my updated gallery on my website and then got an email from a local decorator which basically said they didn't look so professional! So I felt really deflated. I've thought about it and I will call him, but as a fellow busines owner, not someone looking for a mentor!
I'll mention that since I'm new to decorating I would love some advice about where to get cake boards and cheap suppies.
I don't think he's dodgy, I think he's tactless LOL.
As for not being a native English-speaker, I don't think so, because it was written as an english-speaker would write, not an Israeli.
Oh, and I've been living here for 5 years 
This is the email I just sent:
Hi X,
I hadn't heard of you, but your cakes are beautiful. I am a bit swamped with orders right now, but could possibly make some time to meet up next week. I'm not really sure what pointers you had in mind? I would be interested to know where you get your supplies locally (especially cake boards & boxes and tier systems).
I would appreciate a bit more info on you and your business before we meet up.
Thanks for your interest
Sharon
Sounds like a good reply to me. You are right to be a little wary of his offer.
I think your response was perfect. Should you choose to meet with him, be sure to have DH come along, just to be safe.
Be careful, either way.
And not to sound tactless myself, but...has anyone heard of a TELEPHONE?
Ask him to call you so you can chat sometime. You can tell a lot by someone's actual voice and pick up on things that you wouldn't *get* in an email. The whole thing seems, um, "spam-ish" to me, but I'm suspicious by nature. If I got that email, I'd politely say I'm grateful but too busy, yada yada, and not answer them again.
Besides that, I'd never agree to meet anyone, ever, for any reason, based on just an email and with no telephone contact beforehand.
mho
Be careful, either way.
And not to sound tactless myself, but...has anyone heard of a TELEPHONE?
Ask him to call you so you can chat sometime. You can tell a lot by someone's actual voice and pick up on things that you wouldn't *get* in an email. The whole thing seems, um, "spam-ish" to me, but I'm suspicious by nature. If I got that email, I'd politely say I'm grateful but too busy, yada yada, and not answer them again.
Besides that, I'd never agree to meet anyone, ever, for any reason, based on just an email and with no telephone contact beforehand.
mho
I would not be giving MY phone number to some strange man who emailed me, sorry. I advise caution. I am even more suspicious than you are, homecook. The guy did give her his phone number as I recall. If she wants to talk to him, she can call him. If it was me, I'd call from a public phone, so he couldn't caller ID my number. People already have too much access to our private information. And I have had my fill of unsolicited phonecalls.
As I said, I live in a small, religious community, of which he is a member. I don't think that I am in ANY danger from this man. I was just insulted that he thought he needed to give me pointers, that's all.
He has my phone number, it's on my website. He could also look it up in the local phone directory. Again, I don't think he is in ANY way creepy or inappropriate, just a little tactless LOL
Thanks for worrying about me! Things here are a little different to the US and if I was contacted my a strange man in America who wanted to meet up to give me pointers, I would set DH on him immediately!
it could be taken either way. question is...why did he pick you? question is...why did he pick you?
I am the only one advertising, and I just started my business.
If it were me I wouldn't respond. I'd still suggest that your dh be a part of any meetings with this guy. And I'd want a ton of info about him before I took that step. No matter where you live, religious community included, it always better to be safe than sorry.
It's a step up the ladder, and kissing butt on the way up is just the way it goes.
What?!?! Geez, that's sure not the way my world operates. Whatever my accompishments I'm making it on my own merit.
He didn't write back - must have insulted him ??
DecorateMe, I don't think your response to him was offensive at all. IMO, his not answering seems like either one of two things:
A) His fat-head got deflated and insulted just because you said you'd never heard of him 
or
B) Maybe he was being a donkey's behind and meant the initial email as a jab
Who knows? Either way, I wouldn't worry about it; your cake is YOUR art (that's what mine is to me) and w/ CC, I have been able to learn sooo much. Don't you just love it here? 
maybe someone is playing a joke on you. or he is getting scared that you will be taking business away from him and this is his way of trying to make you feel inferior. or he wants to know who your clients are so that he can steal them from you. i always think the worst. sorry
I think he wants to check out his competition. Since you are in a small community, I'd keep my distance only because you don't want him telling people how he "trained you" (so therefore his cakes MUST be better!). See if you can get a feel for his "style" and then concentrate on doing things differently in your own way ~ set yourself apart.
You have a huge CC community right here to help your work become more "professional", if in fact you need to (I didn't check your website, and I what do I know anyway?).
I'm so jealous!!! Israel is so beautiful!!! I want to live for a year on the mountain in Tabor and eat almonds all day!
I received the following message in my inbox:
"Hi Sharon, I don't know if you are familliar with my work or not, but due to the fact that in the next period of time i"ll be less avaliable to work, i want to get together with you, free of cost, to give you some cake decorating pointers, in order to help you make you cakes look more profesional. Give me a call and we'll set a date. (Name) Number."
On the one hand, it's nice to offer, on the other hand, ouch!
I once had a florist tell me that I shouldn't put my cakes on cake drums but just always use real silver. If a brides rents one, I do it, but sorry my cakes are going on drums, with the pretty silver or gold foil.
I just politely thanked him. Thats about all you can do.
See if you can get a feel for his "style" and then concentrate on doing things differently in your own way ~ set yourself apart.
No no NO!!! You do what is YOUR style and don't worry what he does. Make your mark doing what you like. Perfect that and make your mark. Don't let this guys flippant and unsolicited comments make you question your talent.
Sharon - just wanted to say that I looked at your website and your cakes are GORGEOUS!! Don't know how much help he could be, you seem to have it down! I for one can't believe you only just started in June and your cakes look so professional already!
I would not meet up with this man. It just seems a little fishy to me. Offering unsolicited help to competition is strange. I mean what is in it for him? Why would he be interested in giving you pointers? Now maybe his motives are pure, but I think it is possible he either wants to sell you something, scam you, or get you alone somehow. Just because you live in a small religious community doesnt mean there aren't bad people out there. You see it all the time...school teachers, childcare providers, priests....goodness. Unfortunately you need to be wary of people making strange offers.
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