I read somewhere (maybe on Earlene's website?) about someone telling people that for their gift, they will give them $300 off on their wedding cake. That way you don't end up offering to do a wedding cake and they choose one that you would normally charge a thousand dollars for. And then later, if you decide, you can give it for free.

I can understand someone worrying about the cost of ingredients if they are really on a budget, but if you just want to cheap out because you want to go on a trip ... give me a break. Don't they think it would be out of line to walk up to someone and say hey, I'm going on a trip, please give me $300? And when I say worrying about the cost, I mean asking because they might want to choose a less expensive cake to ask for, not to demand that you do it at less than cost.

I love how these people think we can afford to do without when they can't!

Hubby's response to "Can I get a discount because I don't have much money?" is .....

"Neither do we, that's why we don't discount."

My philosophy: Do NOT play the poverty card when you are planning the biggest party at the year with (a) a HUGE guest list (b) a location at an expensive venue (c) a big sit down dinner for all of these guests at the expensive venue or (d) a marching band to play for all of these guests during dinner at this expensive venue.

Sorry.... I've got this food/shelter thing that I've kinda gotten used to!

Boy this is almost as good as my wedding cake consult last year "I want a 6 foot wedding cake for my daughter and I don't want to pay for it." Loosely translated she wanted a champagne event on a beer budget, but sitting in the oversized kitchen of her 10,000 square foot mansion -- I wasn't buying it!

Just say no. If she can afford all the other stuff, esp. the $800 donation then she can afford you. If she cannot afford your cake price, then she can go somewhere else. PLEASE do not give in. PLEASE do not wear the Sainthood cap !! You are in the cake business who is in it to make money to pay for your time, ingredients and to make a profit but not for some charity work. Get rid of those violins and be strong.. and later after the wedding, if she claims the cake "ruined her wedding" because the cake was dry or something (other lies), also please do not fall for that and quickly hand her a refund.. we've seen enough of that nonsense..most likely this is what she will do to get her money back good luck and stand up for yourself.

When my hubby and I got married we were on a very tight budget. We knew this. We went to Stater Bros. and ordered a few different cakes in different sizes all in white with pink roses. He told them it was for a sweet 16 birthday or something. Because the minute you mention wedding, the price goes up. We spent about $50.00.

When we picked it up he put it together himself.

We were both very happy with it and it fit in our budget.



If people are on a budget they need to see what they can do for that amount, not order a $300.00 cake and ask for a half price discount!

Okay, this was my first weddings budget ...

Free meeting hall $80
justice of the peace $150
Wedding dress $250
Reception hosted at my parents house
Wedding cake...done by my mom
Wedding license $150 (?)
My hair getting done gift from my aunt
Photographer $150

Tell her if she asks around her family she may find someone who has done cakes (haven't they all?) lol, and willing to provide one as a gift!

"She thinks I should give her a discount because she's on..."







...CRACK!!!

I am probably going to catch heck for this but want to be totally honest. When it is a home business or someone I know I do ask for a discount...although it is normally because I pay cash. I don't see anything wrong with asking for a discount, but if told no then I don't push the issue either. I was married 6 years ago and I had a 3 tier (5 layers of cake, 5 layers buttercream icing) and we paid a total of $160 from a little bakery and that included a 35mile delivery fee.

I just wanted to tell everyone, don't count the people who ask for discounts out because if you don't ask you never know. Same with a car dealership...NEVER Pay what is on the window...always ask for more!!! And don't take it personal, your cakes could be the most top rated in the country, a person will always look to get a deal when they are spending so much money.

Don't yell at me too much =)

I love these "cheap bride" threads. SO entertaining Good for all of you who stick to your guns. I have not done a wedding cake yet, and I really dread the day I get a customer asking for a discount. I am a pushover and cannot guarantee I will not fall for their antics

I guess I've been lucky that I've never had to deal with hagglers...when I did my last cake, the girl who picked it up was so happy that she gave me a tip!!

I'm sure my day will come...and when it does I hope that I will be able to stick to my guns (& prices!). I'm all for giving my customers a good price, but I'm also not doing this for charity either!

Why does it matter if it's a home business?

For the record, I'm a shop business. The home baker can't buy in the same volume I do, so they pay more for their ingredients. The home baker can't produce the same volume I do, because they dont' have the oven capacity that I do. The home baker can't attract as many customers as I can because since are probably not licensed, they can't advertise like I can and have to fly under the radar.

So you're asking this home baker, who has higher ingredient cost and less of an ability to do high volume business, to do it cheaper for you.

Sorry .... that makes no sense to me and it's a little insulting for you to ASSUME they don't "need" or "deserve" the same price as anyone else who is custom creating a cake.

Loriana,
I think you are right, and my ignorance took the better of me. I never really considered a cake as a custom item until now (even though all my cakes are custom to what someone asks for, silly me). I haven't sold my cakes as they have all been gifts to friends and family so I haven't had any complaints or returns. Actually that whole concept of returning a cake makes me laugh just seems like an absurdity.

And IMHO cake decorators don't get paid enough for what they do. I look at the pictures and could only imagine how much dedication and time it takes to make these beautiful creations. I too wish people would appreciate the time and effort that it takes for someone to create something so precious. And if I was going to ask for something so specific I would definitely expect to pay for it!!

Yeahup Indydebi,I agree. If anything it is even harder for a home baker to give a discount, even if it was ok to ask for one.

Here's are cake examples:

Cake that is custom-made for a customer - not discountable
Custom cake that didn't get picked up by the customer above - dicsountable
Cake from Kroger that didn't sell and is close to expiration date- discountable

again, JMHO

Glad it worked out OK in the end.

I try to avoid these kind of sticky situations by getting the budget issue out of the way, up front. I state on my website and brochure something to the effect that brides should always be up front with their decorator about their budget, because while prices for a given design are NOT negotiable, a good decorator can work with them to come up with a design that has a similar look, but is less costly. For example, doing a very simple dotted pattern instead of detailed embroidery, piped flowers instead of gumpaste, etc. Brides don't realize how much changing one design element can make a significant change in the price, but may not significantly change the over-all look.

I have only had two people haggle with me about price. The first was a lady who called at 10:30 at night! Knowing I worked from my home. So I was annoyed to begin with. Then when I told her my prices and other basic info, she complained that the brochure she had been given by someone else said a lower price and whined that I should honor that price, despite the fact the brochure was 1-2 years old, and clearly states in boldface that "Prices are subject to change". I told her that it would be different if *I* had given her an old brochure by mistake, but I had no control over other people passing along old brocures. She whined some more and I just politely state, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that, but feel free to check with Wal-Mart". The second was my brother, who didn't really haggle, but rather complained behind my back to other family members because I actually charged him for his wedding cake. This was for 200 people, plus a groom's cake for 50. At the time, my price would have been around $750 and I only charged them $450, I think. I told him he was free to shop around for a better price, that I wouldn't mind having the week free and being able to just be a guest . His fiance didn't have a problem, just him. He's the youngest, and a spoiled brat.