I have been friends with these people for only like 6 months now, but we are already close friends. They got engaged a few months ago, and he asked me to make a cake to surprise her. I had some leftover batter so I made one (literally called at 1030pm to ask..got started at 11pm). He says oh, I'll hook you up when you get here, so I thought that meant he would pay me, right? NO. No money for me.
So he calls me today asking for a baby shower cake in two weeks. It needs to feed 20 people, and I don't want to make a $70+ cake for free. How do I handle this situation? I already told him I wasn't busy that week, before he asked for the cake.
I don't want to seem rude, he is getting my husband some side work from his dad, but I don't want to be taken advantage of. What can I say that won't affect our friendship? I feel awful that he even put me in this situation. Thank you for reading this.
Just call back, say that you wanted to verify the date for the cake, and that, by the way, you'll do it for ____ amount because they're such good friends. (even if it's your regular price) Most people would like to have a free source of unlimited cake, but once they realize that they've got to pay, they quit thinking of cake for every occasion.
It's nice that he's getting your husband some side work, but if all of your husband's extra earning go to buy cake ingredients, then it's kind of pointless.
I would call to verify some random detail and then, "oh. BTW..please don't mention to anyone that I'm charging you only $70....I don't want them to think that's the regular price."
I know it's awkward, but business is business!!
Perfectly said 
Thanks for the advise, I will have to call them today. To top it all off, the shower was supposed to be in July, and apparently they moved it to 2 weeks from now. They never even told me, so that just makes it weirder b/c they ask for a cake but I haven't even been invited (unless of course the invite is in the mail.)
I have made cake trades before. it works if you trade is even. But, we are all in this to make a living (most of us anyway). I wouldn't let it go because once a free cake always a free cake in the minds of the recipient. Great advice on here. Nip it in the butt now or you'll be sorry. I think we have all been there. Good luck
I already told him I wasn't busy that week, before he asked for the cake.
I never answer this question before I find out what's up. I refuse to be set up like that.
Suggested responses to "Are you busy next weekend?"
- I'll have to check my calendar ..... why?
- I'm busy EVERY weekend.
- I'm out of town that day.
- Until I know what you want, then yes, I'm busy.
My husband does that to people it just ticks me off!!! 
I've tried to tell him, "Give them an idea of what you're looking for, like 'I'm planting trees next weekend, are you busy?' or 'I've got an extra ticket to the game, are you busy?' DON'T put people in a position to have to be uncomfortable and have to hem and haw around you!"
Geesh, I just HATE that!
When someone asks if I'm busy, I always say "why" before I answer. Also, I agree with other posters; call him and say that you're double checking what he wants for the cake and "remind" him of the price. Maybe you even can tell him that he needs to pay ahead of time so that you don't have to front the money for supplies..... Good Luck!
i have some "friends" like that who seem to be very friendly until they realize no more free cake or samples...or until they realize i've caught on to the fact that they've had several parties i've never been invited to.
although i'm slow and it might take a bit for me to catch on, i AM, in fact, a red head, and can keep a mean grudge!!!!!!!!!!!
for my real friends, i can't seem to help myself...i want to go out of the way and give them something special...because i know they don't expect me to do it!!
Since I don't sell cakes, I have to admit that some of my cakes are made because I truely want to and some are "oh, can you make me a cake" and I can't say no. My most recent wedding cake photo was for my hubby's cousin and she never even said thank you. It fed like 150 people, I spent hundreds on it and never got a thank you. For our wedding, they gave us a $25 gift card to Target. It's not about the gift, I just wanted to show how it compares. I need to grow a back bone and say "NO!!!!!" when I'm taken advantage of and I know it!
There is nothing wrong with saying "While its difficult for me to bring this up, I just can't afford to make the cake for free. The cake is going to cost $XX.XX" You can also offer a discount (if you are so inclined) if they give you artistic license. This might help you keep costs down, while not having to stress about meeting specific design criteria. Also, if you want to try something a little extra, you know that you can, but you will have to eat that cost, although not as much if you were just making a practice cake.
Does he know that you sell cakes? I know it shouldn't matter, but people really are clueless in this dept. He may even think he's doing you a favor, rediculous, you know so you can futher the craft. People have no idea, really. I don't know if I would do the assumed close.
I would ask if he had a budget in mind for the cake, and that the cake you were planning on runs about $90 regularly (or whatever it is), although you can give him the 20% off, friend/family discount. (big pause here-let him talk) That way he has an out if he wants one.
just my .02 worth. good luck.
My friends have asked me if I could make cakes and I've said no, a lot. When I OFFER to bring cake, I never decorate it all fancy like the ones on my web site. They get old school cake in a pyrex glass, with the foil on top. You know what I'm talking about...lol. I use the same recipes, but I don't go all out. That takes hours!
They know I make good money doing what I do, so until they pay me, that's what they get. The ones that have paid me....well they get the fancy cake.
I'm always suspect of anyone who says they'll "hook me up." I'm never quite sure what "hook you up" equates to in US dollars (or even Euros for that matter).
I'm sick of my husband's family asking if I'm busy on so-and-so day and when I say I'mnot, they tell me they are having ...whatever they are having...and then they say..."oh, and can you bring a cake?"...grrrrrr
I've learned to not say anything until they tell me what the party/get-together is. I just say now, "I'll talk to hubby and get back to you."
His niece is getting married this year and I told her, after changing her date 2 times, to make sure she gets with me to discuss her cake early because I get booked early. She didn't of course so I had to tell her I was booked when she finally gave me her wedding date. Now I get an email from her mother (my sis-in-law), asking if I can make cookies for the wedding. Now if I can't make her wedding cake, I surely can't make cookies!!! Duh! I did cookies last year for another wedding in the family, along with other sister-in-laws and after the wedding, the sister-in-laws actually took all the leftover cookies home to freeze for sometime they have a get-together. When they asked me if they could take mine, I told them they would have to ask the bride and groom because they were now considered theirs....jeeze!! Hubby and I now go to very few of his family functions. We're tired of giving and giving and never even getting thank you notes! We're just so over his family!
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