Had a lady come in today asking about some rental stuff for her daughter's wedding. I hooked her up with a price sheet etc. and told her to let me know. She then starts asking about wedding cakes, I asked the date and told her I was already booked for that day (it was a June '09 date). Anyway, she insists that I give her a price for a 3 tiered cake and then tells me how she has ordered the wedding cake from a bakery 50 miles from here and they charged $xxx and the delivery, etc. I smiled and said that sounded great. Then she asks if I have ever tasted fondant. Huh? Of course I said yes, I work with fondant quite often and use the Satin Ice brand which has a nice mild vanilla flavor, blah, blah, blah. She says the place she ordered her daughter's cake from said that they would never put fondant on a cake because it was so terrible tasting and couldn't believe that anyone would allow it on a cake! I tried to explain that there were a lot of different kinds and brands of fondant, but she I guess was just letting me know that I was out of the loop because I used something that was so nasty on my cakes. I'm still shaking my head... just had to share. Some people's kids!
Lori

Lol! People are soo odd!

lol

I always heard horror stories about fondant and due to hearsay, I never tired it.......UNTIL I made it myself out of boredom. Turned out everyone was wrong (unless they had the joy of eating that Wilton fondant, blech!). You should've told her it's asinine to repeat the opinions of others when you have none of your own.

So the only reason she came in was to compare your prices/products to the bakery she had already booked?

I would have told her I had to use my time focusing on my CUSTOMERS and since she had apparently already booked everything through another baker, perhaps she should direct her questions to them.

(Sounds like a "spy" sent by the bakery she claims to have booked.)

I've been lurking cc for a couple of weeks now, only posted one other post. And the more I read, the more questions I have, both about business aspects of baking and decorating itself. So I hope y'all won't mind my many future questions.
But for now, I've been thinking about the market research scenario. Although I might feel duped or upset at first, in reality, they must recognize your strength in the business and/or potential to feel they must check you out. If they weren't intimidated or threatened, they wouldn't feel the need to check you out, imo.

Derrick

Personally, I would have no problem with another baker coming to me, face to face, and asking me questions. I went to another local baker that I heard had just recently went into biz and asked her what she charges. I did it to make sure that I wasn't undercutting her. As a result, I felt justified in RAISING my prices.

I would, however, resent what I feel was the duplicitous nature of what the woman did in the OP.

ETA: Welcome to CC, Derrik.

I did also contact a local baker, but I let her know that Iwas opening my own bus. and I asked jer a bunch of questions and we talked for about an hour. I dont think I would of felt good about lieing! I cant understand why she would want your price if she already booked w/ someone else.

I'm with LeahS. Either that, or the lady is INCREDIBLY dumb!