What Was She Expecting To Pay?!?!
Decorating By cykrivera Updated 13 Sep 2007 , 6:36am by CoutureCake
I had a tasting with a girl I met while delivering another cake on Monday night. She wanted individual cakes for each table totaling about 16 tables plus tiered cake for herself and bridal party. I normally charge between 3.50 -4.50 per serving, which for around here is a very fair price. Even though I think it was a very reasonable price I told her $4 a serving for her cakes and each would serve 10. I swear she almost shat a brick! Then I said that it didn't include the cost of the bows that she wanted on top of all 17 cakes, but that if she wanted to do the cakes that I would not charge extra. Then she expects me to justify my price! I said it's alot more work involved, blah blah. 17 bases, boxes, bows... I really think she expected me to feel bad cause she was on a budget and lower my price. I was on a budget when I got married, so I looked for less expensive alternatives. To be honest I am not that hard up for business that I need to do cakes for almost no profit just b/c she "didn't think cake would cost that much". I honestly didn't really want her order anyway. She emailed today to let me know that they loved my almond cake but decided to go with another baker. Works for me! Let somebody else deal with the annoyance.
Oh and while you're reading this. Let me tell you I had a tasting on Sunday and was there for 1 hr 30min and walked away without the bride deciding on anything! Not design, flavor, nothing. Maybe it will be round, maybe square. I really get annoyed when brides don't come to these things without at least a general idea of what they want or like. then they always ask for their fiance's opinion and let's be honest how often to they give an opinion? It's always "whatever you think!" Okay that's all for now.
uuugh brides.
In Culinray school one of my instructors has 35 years in the cake decorating business-- she was like Do NOT undercut yourself no matter how strapped for cash you are.. and remember that a bride's budget is NOT your budget. You get what you pay for!
When I was browsing wedding forums I got so annoyed by so many of those brides who were like OMG MY BAKER IS RIPPING ME OFF!!! I always feel like telling them, Well, if making "just a cake" is "so damn easy" then why don't YOU make your own freaking cake!
Even a simple cake is hard to master and make look good, let alone something like a tiered cake.
Some people, I swear.
Thank you! That's what I am saying. I went to culinary school too! My main pastry/baking instructor said the same, he also wantedu s to double the price for any bride that orders last minute. I have had a few last minute orders but can't bring myself to double charge. But I have been doing this for several years now and am past the point of catering to the brides pricing needs. If she doesn't like it there are places below me and places above. Go elsewhere.
I totally agree with you..................I WILL NEVER(and yes I said NEVER)be desperate enough for money to come down on my price for a bride on a budget or otherwise............(especially if she tells me she has a guest list of 300 people)(of course thats another story)
Stick to your guns because when one door closes another OPENS!!!!!
I came down on my pricing ONE time for a bride on a budget....let's just say "lesson learned". I will NEVER do that ever again!
Yeah, I was on a budget too when I got married, so of course, looked for less expensive alternatives. I didn't pick up a bridal magazine and search for the most posh, in-style cake I could find and present it to a baker and say "oh, by the way, I'm on a budget!" I don't know what's wrong with people these days! I love my cake shows n' all, but unfortunately, I think a lot of people are watching them because, let's face it.....they're fun! But, I think it's influencing the Bridezillas of the world to want it all for next to nothing! They just don't understand!
Hubby came up with the best answer to a bride who says "I don't have much money."
He says, "Neither do we .... that's why we don't discount." 
And I'm with the above post re: lesson learned. About the only time I've had a problem with a client is when I've tried to 'be nice' for them. When it comes to price, "it is what it is".
I met with a mom I sort of know a couple weeks ago for a cake for her daughter's 16th birthday (in my photos). She wanted it to be special because it's such a special bday and she was having a party. She was totally leaning towards a 10" base and 6" top, but she didn't want to spend the $15 extra dollars, so she opted for the 8" base and 6" top.
I ALMOST, ALMOST made the 10" just because I felt they were strapped for cash - the Mom is 8 months pregnant, they are in a new house and still haven't sold their old house. She is going on about how they will be so crowded in their house now with 4 kids, yada yada, yada.
So, I did make the cake as she ordered and when I delivered, I was SOOOOOO glad I stuck wth what she paid for. HOLY COW!!! We live in the Northern VA/DC burbs. My 30 year old town home with no garage is worth over $400,000.
Their home???? It's in a wooded area (but still in the suburbs area near the train). It's Brick, has a circular drive, double garage, has ONE acre of land, and is HUGE... Just on their main level they had a big entryway, a formal living room, formal dining room, full bath, butler's pantry, an eat in kitchen with granite eveywhere and a HUGE island, and an informal living room. Off to the side is a 'spare' room wich they use as a THIRD living room.... A waterfall in their backyard, a manicured volleyball court and so on...
She was balking at paying $15 extra??? OMG!!!! THREE of my homes would fit in hers! Ugh...
So... I will never feel sorry for anyone again! LOL
Melissa
I have only done cakes as a hobby, but you are right--most people are clueless about how long it takes to make a basic cake look decent let alone a big wedding cake. Kudos to you for being smart enough to know that you don't need the business from everyone that walks through your door.
[quote="indydebi"]Hubby came up with the best answer to a bride who says "I don't have much money."
He says, "Neither do we .... that's why we don't discount." ---OK as soon as I clean off my computer (hoping my boss doesn't catch me) I'm am sooo stealing this line
Why is it people try again and again to use the "I'm on a budget card" and expect it to fly? And if they're on a budget, why expect so much???
I've got my own little bundle of frustration I deal with here, and like your customer Melissa, I heard budget.. blah blah this much for what? blah blah.. I was new enough to the area at the time that her name didn't mean anything to me and since it was for 'the church', I discounted 6 dozen, individually wrapped decorated rolled sugar cookies. She detailed me TO DEATH on color of ribbon the cellophane bags would be tied with, to the color of the frosting on the cookies.
Later that week I find out SHE is the one that owns the house outside of town I thought was a really fancy school! She torments everyone about every nickle.
I can't believe I let her get away with it once, you best believe she'll never pull the "I'm on a budget and it ISSSS for the church" card on me again.
...btw, when I asked at the next chamber meeting had anyone ever had dealings with her before the place burst out laughing and then gave their stories...
Some people..
I once had a bride make me come down by $5. I was just thinking... what does it matter anyways it's just $5. But, in the end I didn't end up making her cake anyways... she phoned me up the night before (I didn't make the cake yet because she hadn't paid me) and apologized for never getting bakc to me. I found out later that her sister ended up making her cake and she just never had the guts to let me know. Oh well... I guess she was just that cheap. 
Oh, and she had 500 people at her wedding.
Brides are mostly ridiculous.
You can bet your ass they shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for one or even TWO dresses, but they can't bear to cut the price on a gown they'll wear ONCE to make sure that something their guests are actually going to get and enjoy is quality. Same with demanding tons of live flowers or stupid favors that the guests are just going to throw on the floors of their cars anyway.. I mean everybody knows that FOOD makes many weddings memorable as does a great cake. IMO it's just some Brides being typically selfish. Mind you not all of them are.. it's just that so many more seem to be turning into Bridezilla!
My family lives right downtown in our city. There are some very nice homes in certain areas, however, we bought a home in a not so desirable area. Our intention has been to start some sort of "inner city ministry". One that would help meet some needs that people have, but teach them to get on their feet and learn to live on their own. Many have addictions and things like that.
OK, here's my point. I have found most people are looking for a handout only, and few want real help. My experience has been that those who truly need a discount or help, rarely ask for it. It has been true in my neighborhood as well as with cakes. Everytime anyone has ever asked or hinted for a discount on a cake.........I know they didn't need it!
We deserve to be paid! If I want to offer a discount, then I will offer the discount!
Brides are mostly ridiculous.
You can bet your ass they shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for one or even TWO dresses, but they can't bear to cut the price on a gown they'll wear ONCE to make sure that something their guests are actually going to get and enjoy is quality. Same with demanding tons of live flowers or stupid favors that the guests are just going to throw on the floors of their cars anyway.. I mean everybody knows that FOOD makes many weddings memorable as does a great cake. IMO it's just some Brides being typically selfish. Mind you not all of them are.. it's just that so many more seem to be turning into Bridezilla!
Kerry Vincent said in Vegas this past week that she ignores the "I'm on a budget" speech when she hears how they've spent $85,000 on the imported dress from Italy, the flowers flown in from Hawaii, etc. As she put it, "No one walks around the tables ooh-ing and aah-ing the flower centerpieces ..... everyone is standing around the cake table, looking at the CAKE!"
Yea, I usually get the "I'm on a budget" then act like I'm paying attention and still design the cake that they love, hook them in with the taste, and charge what I realistically need to charge for it and have yet to have anyone try to get me to lower my prices... In one instance, I was over $800 lower than a bakery across town for the same cake.. Yea, guess how I felt about THAT part of things..
What I hate is when I do the tasting and they don't call or email me back to even let me know that they're going to use a different bakery. I emailed with a gal about a cake for next week (I got the initial contact yesterday AM), name brand purse replica for 20, I've got anther heavy detailed shaped cake to do next week that's going to take a LOT of time, so I quoted high for the purse, she emailed me back to say that she found someone to do it for $115. I replied back to thank her for letting me know and that normally my rates are lower but that because of the short notice it pushed the price up because I would be working overtime hours to complete it to the quality that I insist upon for each and every cake I do and what my normal rates are if she were to have booked at least a month in advance and keep me in mind for the future..
The other one I absolutely "love" are the ones who try to say they'll get you free advertising if you discount or give them the cake for free... I've learned the reply is "I'll gladly accept the free advertising, but the cake still is $$$".. Ugh...
But a lot of people never have stepped back to consider that time is the most valuable commodity going into the cake. Granted, with the price of corn going up it's forcing everything up in its wake, but labor still remains the most expensive portion of the cake. If they want to pay grocery store prices, that's where they can go, if they want a custom made personalized design cake, they've got to realize that it comes with a price tag.
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