I have a home based bakery business, and I have had my first request for a tasting. I know that most people generally offer a tasting for a fee that is then applied to the cake if they place an order. I also know a lot of people don't even do this for orders of less than 100 servings. The person that asked me for a tasting wants a cake for her son's 4th birthday party. She sent a pic of what she wanted, and it's an fondant, angry birds cake with either a 4" round on top of a 8" or a 6" on top of a 10". Either way, that's a max of 40 servings. I only do a couple cakes month, so I would basically be baking these samples just for her. What should I do?
AWhen I get asked for a tasting that isn't related to a wedding or other large event, I just tell them that they can order a dozen cupcakes to taste. I don't offer tastings for non-wedding/corporate orders. And even then, if the wedding is under 75 servings, I charge for it.
We only offer free tastings for weddings or large events. All others can choose to do a paid tasting, where they get 3 flavors to try for $25. Don't feel obligated to bake free samples for them. If it's that important to them to try before they order a cake, they can purchase a tasting or cupcakes from you.
I do free tastings for wedding cakes, and only for about 80+ servings. It isn't cost-effective to do it for small cakes. I've had people ask for tastings for birthday cakes and I tell them that I only do free tastings for events of 100 guests or over. If they don't like it they're free to go somewhere else, that's fine.
I don't do tastings unless it's for a wedding, or a party of 80+. I find it's a waste of time.
I also am a home baker & do about 1-2 cakes a month. Would like to do more! Once I had mother & daughter request a tasting for her 16th birthday cake. However once they came to my house, met me & saw a few of my dummy cakes I had on display, and after we talked about their cake, nothing further was said. I'm glad, as now I feel unless it is a large cake, I don't want to make 3-4 different cupcakes & separate fillings.
We only offer free tastings for weddings or large events. All others can choose to do a paid tasting, where they get 3 flavors to try for $25. Don't feel obligated to bake free samples for them. If it's that important to them to try before they order a cake, they can purchase a tasting or cupcakes from you.
I too offer 3 flavours. Do you give them a box of 2 cupcakes per flavour? Also, do you let them eat it in front of you? So far, I let everyone take home a 6-count box and they get back to me.
A
Original message sent by remnant3333
I have never heard of tastings for non wedding cakes. I thought they only did that for big wedding cakes!!!
I too offer 3 flavours. Do you give them a box of 2 cupcakes per flavour? Also, do you let them eat it in front of you? So far, I let everyone take home a 6-count box and they get back to me.
We typically do one cupcake of each flavor. But we have a storefront, so that's a lot easier for us to do. And yes, they usually do eat it at the consultation while we are discussing the details.
I only do tastings for weddings. I've had people ask for tastings for birthdays but I have not done them.
The level of service depends on the projected income from the project, for me anyways. If someone is asking for a birthday cake for 200 people. then by God they can have a tasting. Likewise, if someone is ordering a wedding cake for 20, they aren't getting a tasting.
my website clearly states I only offer tastings on orders servings 100+ people.
If I am feeling nice, and they ask, I will offer a vanilla or chocolate cupcake for them to taste jsut to get an idea of my icing, etc but that is rare. Usually if I tell them I don't offer them, they are fine with it. I do not advertise - all my business is word of mouth so people ordering from me usually trust the judgement of their friends or have tasted my product at parties.
I don't do tastings for birthdays.
Wedding cake tastings NO!-Lunch or afternoon tea for four with cake for dessert-25.00 and if the cake is ordered from me 25.00 off price of wedding cake.
Thanks to economy-especially gas going up"-NOTHING IS FREE".
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie
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