Frustrated With The Unlicensed!
Business By SwtCanuck Updated 3 Oct 2013 , 7:54pm by morganchampagne
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She does track everything, but doesn't report it or pay any income taxes. She doesn't charge for or pay sales taxes either. She knows how much trouble she can get in, but chooses to take her chances. She keeps saying, "when I get legal", but she never really makes any moves to make that happen. I know that she had over $3000 in sales last month. That's gross sales, not profit, but still, it adds up.
Holy crap, that's a lot of cookies!
AEveryone always seems to forget how they got Capone. Tax folks don't play.
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Original message sent by SugaredSaffron
It was a dog that licked half the buttercream icing off a customers cake, and the customer cake back and asked to re-ice it.!
Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?
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Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?
I have to go throw up now.
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Original message sent by AZCouture
There was a Facebook page recently that had a three tier up for sale after a customer didn't come get it. So naturally, one can assume that it had not been paid for or else who would just leave it. There's issue number one, BAD enough. But then, her children got to it and chewed all over the outside, bit chunks out of it, licked it, etc. Did it go in the trash? Nope...she redecorated it by patching the holes in and slapping some cut out flowers on. And put it back up for sale. I believe a family member eventually collected it, for a party.
Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?
Ok, was about to have my dinner but i've lost my appetite now ( shudders )
AThis has officially become the yuckiest thread on the interwebs!
A[quote name="AZCouture" url
Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?[/quote] Soooooo???? One line or 2???? Positive or negative???
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Original message sent by AZCouture
There was a Facebook page recently that had a three tier up for sale after a customer didn't come get it. So naturally, one can assume that it had not been paid for or else who would just leave it. There's issue number one, BAD enough. But then, her children got to it and chewed all over the outside, bit chunks out of it, licked it, etc. Did it go in the trash? Nope...she redecorated it by patching the holes in and slapping some cut out flowers on. And put it back up for sale. I believe a family member eventually collected it, for a party.
Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?
Hopefully nobody grabbed it to stir their drink. 8O
I've actually seen worse things on business pages. I'm more appalled by the cleavage and ***y selfies. *gag*
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There was a Facebook page recently that had a three tier up for sale after a customer didn't come get it. So naturally, one can assume that it had not been paid for or else who would just leave it. There's issue number one, BAD enough. But then, her children got to it and chewed all over the outside, bit chunks out of it, licked it, etc. Did it go in the trash? Nope...she redecorated it by patching the holes in and slapping some cut out flowers on. And put it back up for sale. I believe a family member eventually collected it, for a party.
Also, recently saw a tray of cake balls on someone's page done for a gender reveal, with a pregnancy test stick sitting on the edge of the tray. It was not a brand new stick either, if you get my drift. Now the decorator did say she did not take that picture, but on what planet would someone think that was an ok thing to put on a business page?
I know EXACTLY the page, I saw it myself. Shockingly stupid to put that up for sale AND explain the stupid story, plus that wasn't the first time her kids had demolished a cake.
AOh.....my God. That is unreal about the test!
If it bothers you that much turn therm in.But beware that may cause them to really become your competition.
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I understand and definitely feel you! I think a lot of it is ignorance when it comes to pricing, or this is an easy way to make extra money (read that in a magazine the other day-new jobs for stay at home moms or something like that).
I remember a past thread where someone was saying they only get paid for ingredients or they charge less because they are new. Someone stated MD's, lawyers, etc. don't charge less for being new to the business lol, I love that because it's so true!
Just to clarify, its not strictly true that professionals (i.e. MDs and lawyers) who are less experienced don't charge less. I can't speak for doctors, but in the engineering/planning/law consulting business, rates ARE based on your level. So a junior, intermediate, senior and expert professional will charge different rates to reflect their experience level. It also reflects how much you get paid (i.e. 3x your salary for example).
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Just need a place to vent. I own a licensed custom bakery. Put alot of hard work and money into making my dream a reality. I charge in the upper middle of the road for my creations. Probably could charge a bit more but I don't have huge overhead costs.
So I am getting frustrated when I hear brides asking for quotes then come back with "A lady told me she can do it for less than $2 per slice" I know people need to start somewhere and charge accordingly but come on! Ugg! How are you making money at that price point??
I am not trying to compete with Costco. I make a great tasting cake and am very busy with the orders I get. I'm just getting frustrated with all these "home based non-licensed bakeries". In BC you must be licensed by the city and inspected by the health unit and you are not allowed to advertise until the paper work is filled out. It just frustrates me.
Thanks for letting me get it off my chest 
I understand you are just venting but unfortunately the free market is exactly that. The only forces that can stop those decorators are 1) the risks of doing something illegal and 2) the demand. Re 1) From what I've seen in my market, the risk of operating illegally are not that high, since I think its unlikely you'll get shut down - at least I've never heard of anyone getting shut down anyway. As someone else said, there's no reason why you couldn't report them.
So that leaves you to consider what competitive advantages you have over someone that is unlicensed that would increase (or maintain) the demand for your product ... and then exploit the hell out of that - you're safe, reliable, not fly-by-night, professional, etc, etc
I understand you are just venting but unfortunately the free market is exactly that. The only forces that can stop those decorators are 1) the risks of doing something illegal and 2) the demand. Re 1) From what I've seen in my market, the risk of operating illegally are not that high, since I think its unlikely you'll get shut down - at least I've never heard of anyone getting shut down anyway. As someone else said, there's no reason why you couldn't report them.
So that leaves you to consider what competitive advantages you have over someone that is unlicensed that would increase (or maintain) the demand for your product ... and then exploit the hell out of that - you're safe, reliable, not fly-by-night, professional, etc, etc
It's not so simple and what's happening is nothing like a "free market". At least in the US, there is a thing called unfair competition. There are federal statutes and most states also have unfair competition laws.
Referring to the federal law - "...some courts have attempted to simplify the law by defining unfair competition as any trade practice whose harm outweighs its benefits. The U.S. legal system is a cornerstone of the free enterprise system. But the freedom to compete does not imply the right to engage in predatory, monopolistic, fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, or unfair competition. On balance, competition becomes unfair when its effects on trade, consumers, and society as a whole are more detrimental than beneficial."
While it may not cover people who who are undercharging as in a spouse subsidized cake program, I would think a person selling cakes illegally and in any way implying they are a legitimate, legal business could be successfully sued based on these laws. The mere act of selling a cake implies this unless you disclose you are acting illegally.
This is probably stretching the laws too far to say you could sue legal underchargers, but it seems to me that these folks are creating a situation, especially in small towns, where people can't find freestanding bakeries to make a nice wedding cake because home bakers, legal or not, have put them out of business. Some people would rather buy a cake from a bakery inspected by a health department and not one that came from somebody's home kitchen. That could be seen as harmful.
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Original message sent by KatrinaBroughton
Just to clarify, its not strictly true that professionals (i.e. MDs and lawyers) who are less experienced don't charge less. I can't speak for doctors, but in the engineering/planning/law consulting business, rates ARE based on your level. So a junior, intermediate, senior and expert professional will charge different rates to reflect their experience level. It also reflects how much you get paid (i.e. 3x your salary for example).
Thanks for that clarification, Katrina. I'm well aware that experience and skill, in any field, is a factor. I suppose it was the particular post I was referring to or a bad reference in general.
The point I was simply trying to make was that I understood her frustration. Basically, I think starting out you should still factor your time and expenses properly in order to turn a profit and not 'undercut' another business.
AMy two cents. The thing to do is not "charge less". When you're new, only take on designs that you feel confident enough to do well
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