What Would You Do In This Situation/what Can I Do To Make
Decorating By sunflowerfreak Updated 4 Jan 2007 , 11:49pm by OhMyGoodies
What can I do to make sure this doesn't happen again?
A friend of an aquaintance called and asked me to make a Princess cake for her daughters birthday for 20 people. I told her that I would make the Princess cake and some cupcakes to make sure there would be enough for 20. I didn't discuss price with her. So I went out and bought the Princess head with matching sprinkles and cupcake liners and also made fondant flowers for the Princess cake and the matching cupcakes. So she calls me to move the date up a couple days and then tells me that she only needs a cake for 10 people. So now it's just the Princess cake and when I tell her that would be $25 she decides that is too much and now wants just a small round cake for $15. So I have invested money and time into a cake that won't be made. I know I should have discussed prices right at the beginning. My mistake. I also should have asked for the money up front. What should I do? What would you do? I feel so stupid and hubby is not a happy camper about the whole deal right now.
I think you just learned a good lesson. For me thier nothing you can do, next time get excatly what they want and how much they want to spend. Then you tell what the design would like and if she wanted to add more it would cost ...
sorry to hear that your hubby is upset he will get over it.
Take care
Well, yes, discussing the price upfront is a good idea, but $15 for a cake is just plain ridiculous imo! I don't turn my oven on for anything less than $25, regardless of size! I mean, by the time you deduct your ingredients, board cost, utilities etc, how much will you make - $5? I'd say thanks, but no thanks!
First thing I'd do is make a list of prices. 2nd when your talking to a customer you need to have that price list in front of you so you do not under charge. Also make sure you are very firm to the customer that the price could be higher if they want to add to the cake. Oh, if she didn't ask for cupcakes don't offer to make them. If she only wants a certain size cake then give it to her. I think that's where a lot of decorators mess up. I'd tell her that it wouldn't be enough cake & then let her decide if she wants a larger cake. Be firm on your price. Also be firm on dates. Decide when it's too late to change, cancel or move a date up. That's especially important. Get payment for cake when ordered. Something very important.. if you don't have the supplies for the cake don't do it. In my opinion a $25 cake isn't enough when you have to go out & buy the cake pan or other extras you'll need. Just isn't worth it. As for DH... he'll get over it 
Good luck & Happy Baking~
I pretty much don't ever do anything for less than $25 either. Unless it's a really, really good friend and I WANT to do something for them. If they want a $15 cake, sounds like a trip to the grocery store is in order.
For a cake to feed 10 people she's best off going to the grocery store if all she wants to pay is $15.~ I would tell her I'm sorry but I'm unable to do it for that price on that day. Or just tell her I'm sorry I'm already booked. But then she may move it back to the original day and you'd have to explain that you can't do it for just $15.~. I would make a small list of a few places to refer her to and just say very nicely and respectfully "I'm sorry but I am unable to fulfill your request for the budget you have set, but I offer you a few choices (IE walmart, sams, giant, foodlion, safeway, acme) I hope we can do business in the future. Best Regards _____.
Basically she wants something for nothing here and thinks because she is a friend of a friend she can get over on you. Don't let that happen she will continue to do so and will tell everyone you're a push over and you are willing to do stuff for cheap. Stand your ground and hold true to not turning on that oven for less then $25.~
You could also let her know that you are able and willing to fill her original order for a charge of $25.~ as previously quoted but you can not make another cheaper as that is your cheapest cake. It makes it clear that you sell quality goods and a reasonable price in comparison to the crappy cakes from the grocer
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