i'm in a weird situation too. My DH's friends are getting married, and are moving back to girl's parents house to save money. Sunday, they tell me the parents had a couch set they want to get give away to make space (hardly used) and asked if we wanted it. I told DH the next day and he says OK, so he calls his friend to say we'll take it. I was out, so when I get home, he says they want me to make their cake, and for me to call them back. Sounds good right? Well, I'm talking to the friend, and he says, since they're giving us the couch set, they want me to make their cake for free!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? 
DH was so 
pissed, when I told him what they wanted - he says screw the couch (we don't really need it) and he's going to call his friend tonight- I'm so scared he's going to cuss him out. I swear, last night everytime I thought DH was asleep, he'd wake and say "Did they really ask you that?" He just can't believe they'd ask such a question.
Well at least you know why they thought of you to give the couch to. 
I wonder how big and elaborate they want their cake to be, probably worth far more than a used couch that might not be something you would pick. 
And what does "barely used" mean? Everyone has a different idea of that.
Maybe they didn't go about it the right way...but it kind of sounds like they just wanted to make a trade. Sometimes when people get something in their head or plan something out they get excited and it comes out wrong. It doesn't sound like something to get to overly upset about. I would just say no if you don't want to.
Definately not an equal trade...
They get to customize their cake and you end up with a used couch that is probably not something you would have chosen for yourself at the store!
Perhaps tell them the couch is worth a $100 according the want-ads so you'll take $50 off of the price of the cake, since you are customizing the cake and they cannot customize the couch.
my teacher had warned us on the last day of our class, that family and friends are the worst, with expecting freebies! i am finding that to be true.
Perhaps tell them the couch is worth a $100 according the want-ads so you'll take $50 off of the price of the cake, since you are customizing the cake and they cannot customize the couch.
Good one!
Guess you don't have a cake you don't want anymore that they can use for their wedding.
It seems very obvious to me that this was their plan. Offer the couch set to you, wait until you accept, then hit you with the now you can pay us back by making our wedding cake for free ploy. If it were me I'd cart the couch set, if you already have it, right back to them and tell them to call to set up an appointment to talk cake at a later date. That is, if you're interested in doing it. I surely would not do the trade thing OR give them a discount. They should have been up front with you in the beginning and not pulled this stunt. Give em an inch and they'll take a mile, geesh! If there's one thing I cannot stand is people being sneaky!
I agree with ge978...I think they were meaning well in the couch/cake trade, but they went about it in the wrong way. And also keep in mind that they maybe don't have any idea how much you normally charge for cake!
I say you at least take a look at the couch, see if you want it, and then have your DH tell them that you can do their wedding cake at a discount if they would like (that is IF you take their couch mind you!!). Maybe draw a few sketches for them so they can get an idea what they can expect in their price range. HTH!
I agree with Debbie157 - let your husband take the lead on this. It's his friend that is trying to take advantage of you. You know if they had said that maybe one day you can make them a cake in exchange for the couch - that wouldn't be so bad, but the fact that they said you could do their wedding cake - I might be cynical - but they are trying to take advantage.
Thet are likely sooo focused on saving money that they are thinking hey...this is a good idea!!!!
We had casual friends ask us when they were getting married if instead of presents everyone could bring pot luck and I could coordinate it!!!!!!
I really felt.........they should do what they could afford and stuck to that.
Felt awkward though.....
I would try to keep peace....perhaps tell them that you appreciated their offer for the couch and understand they want to save money every way they can....so it might be best to sell their couch to get ahead a little.
You would be happy to recommend cakes within their price range (Costco, Sam's club) or give some poiinters to the bridemaids on making a cupcake display. If they decide they want a custom cake, you would be able to give them $100 off the cost as your wedding gift to them.
It seems very obvious to me that this was their plan. Offer the couch set to you, wait until you accept, then hit you with the now you can pay us back by making our wedding cake for free ploy. If it were me I'd cart the couch set, if you already have it, right back to them and tell them to call to set up an appointment to talk cake at a later date. That is, if you're interested in doing it. I surely would not do the trade thing OR give them a discount. They should have been up front with you in the beginning and not pulled this stunt. Give em an inch and they'll take a mile, geesh! If there's one thing I cannot stand is people being sneaky!
Stole the words rightout of my mouth!
You guys are cracking me up with the comments LOL!! I love the comment PastryJen made about how I might have a used cake lying around that I can trade! I tell you- you hear about so many stories about people's expectations, and when it happens to you, it floors you. I'll keep you posted and let you know how it goes.
It seems very obvious to me that this was their plan. Offer the couch set to you, wait until you accept, then hit you with the now you can pay us back by making our wedding cake for free ploy. If it were me I'd cart the couch set, if you already have it, right back to them and tell them to call to set up an appointment to talk cake at a later date. That is, if you're interested in doing it. I surely would not do the trade thing OR give them a discount. They should have been up front with you in the beginning and not pulled this stunt. Give em an inch and they'll take a mile, geesh! If there's one thing I cannot stand is people being sneaky!
Stole the words rightout of my mouth!
ditto that. It's SNEAKY. and manipulative!!!
calling friend...."Hey man! We need to talk. You know the couch set you asked if we would like? I thought you were just needing to get rid of it to make room. We agreed thinking it was going to help ya'll out. We really don't NEED a couch. "Sugar" and I don't think it's a good idea to trade a wedding cake for a couch but I'm sure if your fiance would like to discuss the matter, "Sugar" work with her to help her find something within ya'll's budget."
calling friend...."Hey man! We need to talk. You know the couch set you asked if we would like? I thought you were just needing to get rid of it to make room. We agreed thinking it was going to help ya'll out. We really don't NEED a couch. "Sugar" and I don't think it's a good idea to trade a wedding cake for a couch but I'm sure if your fiance would like to discuss the matter, "Sugar" work with her to help her find something within ya'll's budget."
Wow! That sounds like a really good message to leave! I actually thought that was the OP for a second! LOL
I was thinking about this and how much work it takes to make a cake, let alone a wedding cake. They might have well called you up and said "hey I have a free couch you can have if you want it. All you have to do get it is come over clean my house from top to bottom, move all the other furniture in the room out of the way, move it to your house, come back to my house and put all my remaining furniture exactly where I want it and then clean my house again cus you know you tracked footprints while doing all this"... doesn't sound like a free couch to me 
CarolAnn -
That's exactly what I was thinking! I got halfway through the first paragraph, and smelled the fish!
LOL!
Theresa 
IF they told you what kind of cake they wanted and for how many, I would give them a written estimate of the cost, per person, charges for deco, time, delivery, etc. It is very obvious that this couple do not have any clue how much work a cake is. So kindly hand them the estimate (w/a discount if you want the couch), so they can realize what it is they are asking. They may back out and your husband won't have to get out his can of whoop a-- or they may end up paying for the cake and you make some extra cash. Voila!
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