Am I Being Silly? A Word About Consults
Decorating By Lenette Updated 30 Dec 2006 , 6:19pm by flourgrl
I have had two wedding cake consults this week and neither one booked. I called the first one back to see how she liked the samples, no return call. I have had a few brides book on the spot. I am new to this, am I silly to that if they were really interested they would book on the spot? Is it normal for them to call back later? I am wondering if I am doing this wrong...
Although I do not sell cakes, I know from conversations with professionals that not all brides book right away. Prices and selections are such these days that they are willing to shop around, to try and get the most bang for their buck.
I also have read that this is a feast or famine time of year for wedding cakes. I have read several posts here and on other forums that indicate that this is a very slow time for weddings and bookings.
Theresa 
I've never done wedding consults but I did as a customer when I was a bride - I actually only did one b/c I went to a bridal show and got to taste and see a lot of what was available at the shows. THen I went to my consult. I would assume that these two brides might just be shopping around...... and they may feel that you're being pushy if you call. Plus they may just be very busy planning other things. DOn't feel too bad about it. It may be nothing against you - they may want something cheaper - they may not even care much about the cake and want to spend the least amount of money on that part of the wedding - so you may save yourself some trouble and a headache by just letting it go. It's probably nothing against you personally or your cakes..... it could always come down to their personal lack of taste too And not knowing a good cake when they see one
Well, thanks for your input. I called the first lady back because it was the first time I had ever packaged samples "to go". I figured it only courteous to follow up. I guess I can see how someone could perceive that as pushy. I am big on service and friendliness but maybe I am trying too hard. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. I'll not worry much about it.
Sorry, but with all the professionals I know, I have never heard of any of them packaging samples "to go." Does anyone else out there do this?
She may have let them sit for a couple of days before she got to taste them. By then, they could have been yucky, and gotten thrown out. How can she get back to you if she had to throw the samples away?
You might want to rethink that policy, and in the future tell them to make appointments that they can actually keep, or give you a day's notice for cancellation.
Theresa
I know a local bakery who packages several samples of her cake flavors in a "to go" box with a written something on her deal. I ask what flavors they would like to sample and bring them with me to the consultation (a 6x2 undecorated cake.) No frills.
I agree that it is nothing personal. A lot of couples make many appts with many bakers.. They want to try as much as possible before making a decision. I think they like the fact that this is their one time to try lots of cake.. especially if they like sweets..LOL You may hear back from them within a couple weeks you never know.
Duff from Charm City Cakes sends his samples home with his potential customers.
Lenette~ I agree with everyone else...your brides are probably just shopping around or busy with other things. Good luck!!!!
ive done few consultations but from the ones ive done maybe its just my area, they want CHEAP and i refuse to lower my prices..i politely direct them to local supermarket if they low prices...remember cake is a luxury not a necessity to getting married..
ive done few consultations but from the ones ive done maybe its just my area, they want CHEAP and i refuse to lower my prices..i politely direct them to local supermarket if they low prices...remember cake is a luxury not a necessity to getting married..
Amen!!! That's exactly what I told that one consult who bluntly stated she wanted a 6 foot tall (yep 6 feet! 
) cake and "I don't want to pay for it..." 
Seems I busy that weekend... 
It's funny too, I told her I charge per slice with buttercream starting at $3.50/slice and how I computed slices per cake and she told me I was too expensive!!! However, not only am I competitive in my market, if she does any shopping around she will find I am her new best friend... 
I used to do my tastings on site, but now I pack them up to go...with instructions for tasting and keeping.
It's a preference of mine, I dont' really want to do dishes and spend extra time with the clients as they eat in front of me.....
I've heard of many places doing it this way as well.
It's nothing personal....sometimes I have lots of consults that book right away, others wait, and others just don't book at all.....just the business
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