I need a very simple plumbing project done, it will take about 20 minutes.  Replace the hose on my sink.

So I am calling around.

 The most expensive plumber was outrageously high, far higher than the other bids.  I told him his cost was way to high for me and all he said was "Okay…you fix yourself then. Thank you, goodbye."  So obviously I went with someone else I could afford who can do the job well.  Still not cheap. ) I know the value of the tools they use and the cost of them running a business, so I understand their rates, except for this one guy.  But his response was classic!)

Why aren't we, as bakers, saying that?  "Okay, you bake yourself then, goodbye."

Why are we so nice?  I guess it must be so we don't get a reputation for being mean…?

His response is perfect.  It quick, exacting, unequivocal.  No Pay - No Play.   And he's probably got the highest income of all of them, and doing the least amount of work.

Sounds good to me.

AIf you said it was too high for you, then his reply was completely inappropriate. If you said "that's outrageous, what a ripoff", I'd have told ya to pound sand too! :D. Oh, what we want to say, versus what we really say, huh? :D

"why are we (bakers) so nice?"

Shopping for a cake can result in no cake being purchased and life goes on.  Selling a luxury item requires sweeter smiles and a much different presentation.  The decorator is often asked to prove that they can make a cake, has to show photos of previous cakes, and verbally challenged "Are you sure that you can make something like this?" As in the thread 'What not to say to a baker.'

People want to have a nice cake.  People need to have a working toilet and sink that don't leak garbage and pooh. The plumber can smell like a sewer,  show his 'plumbers crack', and work with a scowl.

I would never ask a plumber when he arrives at my sink to show me your previous work with a sketched diagram of what you're going to do here today.

After reading everyone's posts for a while it appears that making money with cake decorating can be a tough business to be in. I'd never make a go at it, too tough for me. You've all earned a great deal of respect and admiration from me, both for your business savvy and tenacity and for your artistry and baking skills.

Such good replies!  I did simply tell him that his prices were too high for me and that I would have to pass.  I actually got under the sink and fixed the problem MYSELF…I am so proud.    

It was such a simple thing to do once I did it.  All I needed was the right connection hose, which I ordered on Amazon.  

(The plumbing supply store sold me the wrong one for $60 and won't take it back because i opened the package)…that was very upsetting.    Won't be using them if I gut my master bathroom.  

Baking is way harder than plumbing, it's an art and a science…no tools that just snap together with a diagram and a wrench.  I do know plumbers have high exposes: trucks, insurance, tools, e.t.c.

And I totally had a plumbers crack bending over…I now see how that term was created LOL