I emailed her this reply:
Hi ,
I'm sorry to hear how you feel about the pricing of your wedding cake. The $15 that I quoted you for the large hexagon cake was for the flower decorations on top ( which is of course optional if you decide to use real ones.). I did not give a quote on that when we talked, however I thought that you understood that I will give one when I finished my estimation.
Yes I think we do agree on one thing, we both don't like the price. When I received your e-mail, I was troubled because I thought I gave you a very good price. So I went looking for quotes from other bakers for your chosen design and I have realized that I had seriously underestimated the time, cost and labour that it will take to make those mini cakes. Learning what I know now, under no circumstances will I make this cake for just $350. I have no problems working within a bride's budget, but most are realistic enough to know what their budget can buy. For $250, I can make an elegant buttercream cake with simple decorations for 100 people. I couldn't give you and your friend a better pricing because I have already quoted the lowest that I could.
Do you know the exact details of your friends wedding cake? Is it 200 mini cakes covered in fondant? Do they bake from scratch and use all butter icing? I only use the best quality, freshest ingredients there is. I take pride in the cakes that I make and I know that they are of good quality, in both taste and execution of design. I think it is for your best interest that you book with your friend's wedding cake maker. I can totally understand if you go with her. I'm sure you can get a better deal with her.
Anyway, thanks for your interest and I wish you all the best for your wedding.
Sincerely,
Darlene
I waited until the next day to answer her to give her the impression that I was going around getting quotes (which really I did
) I really hope I won't hear from her anymore, I don't want to deal with her anymore. Again thanks guys for your support!
VERY, VERY, VERY nicely put and thorough answer!!!! I believe she has all the info she needs and we will see what she does next.
Thank you for sharing this experience. It sure is a lesson for all of us. (I don't charge for cakes for a living, but if I ever do I will sure keep this situation you went thru in my cake files).
At $350 for a large and 70 mini cakes she should be thanking you for giving her such a great deal. Tell her to hit the road and drive on over to her local Dairy Queen. I'm sure she'll find something in her price range there!!!
Ummm.....yeah. 
Ok. Back when I first started doing cakes, (and before I learned fondant) I called one of our local bakeries here. I explained to them in detail that I needed a two tiered cake. 6 inches on top, with a checkered flag motif, and an all black "tire" tread design on the bottom. These days, I could whip that cake out in my sleep, but back then---I was at a loss. I explained that I was a decorator, this was a groom's cake, blah...blah..blah.
She didn't blink an eye when she quoted me $350-$500. No--I'm serious here. 
I'd just LOVE to hear what she'd charge for 70 (!!!) MINI-CAKES!
I actually had to get a lady to do the cake for me that was one of the shop owners where I took my classes. She did it for $100. That came right out of the top number of the $550 I was charging for the whole wedding--but still. I needed something done, not many people could (or were willing to) do it---and I was willing to pay for my solution!
Why can't these brides understand that EVERYONE has to be paid for their time/effort/artistry? I'll just never get that.
I'm just dying to hear what lil' Miss Thang will have to say about DIDI5's email. 
-M-
OMG! She just replied to me!
Hello Darlene
Thanks for writting back to me. I think you are being unreasonable and
you
just lost my business. For someone who works part time you do charge
way
too much.
Now I'm really annoyed! And I'm the one who's unreasonable?! I feel like telling her - Thanks but I don't need it! BUt I don't want turning this into a catfight and I want to be the "bigger" person here. Gosh! I don't even want to explain to her that because I'm part time my cost are higher than the bakeries because obviously she just clueless and she just doesn't get it. Hey Missy, did you not understand in my letter that I don't want your business?!!! DUH!
Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better now.
Don't reply to her. You clearly stated that you don't need her business. She'll soon find out that you were giving her a big break when she tries to find another baker. Remember, don't reply to her, just forget the whole thing and move on. You don't want to give her another opportunity by repying back. Nicely done.
Why can't these brides understand that EVERYONE has to be paid for their time/effort/artistry? I'll just never get that.
Why can't decorators understand that there's nothing wrong with asking for a deal. You're free to say yes or no, but don't get all het up if someone asks.
This last email from the bride is out of line, but that she asked at all isn't.
There is other bakers out there to make mini cakes and a two tiered cake for 350.
It's a two tiered cake and 70 cupcakes!!!
Your damn lucky you didn't get that order. Do you know how long you would have been working?
Just run all prices by us first so you don't used.
I wish you knew someone of the bride to see how much she is going to spend or if she gets the 70 mini cakes
MaisieBake: I'm all for asking for a deal but it's the manipulative and selfish attitude of this bride that has everyone in an uproar! Not to mention the fact that the bride WAS getting the deal of the century and didn't appreciate Darlene's talents or her time or the original quote!
Darlene: Move on and let her go! As you said, she is totally clueless!! Let us know if she comes crawling back to you when she tries to find someone else to do that order for cheaper!!
What's with the working part time thing? Man, if anything, I would expect something to cost more from someone working on it part time. Losing her business is the best thing to happen to you!
When I got married, I asked both my home baker and the phototgrapher if there was room for negotiations re their prices. They both said no. I hired both of them. It would never occur to me to call them "unreasonable." Every bride must have some sort of idea of what "reasonable" is.
This bride was pure poison. I'm so glad you didn't budge on the price.l
I agree-- don't respond, youve given her your answer. She will get a rude shock when she starts shopping around again.
Like everyone else said, you just saved yourself a whole lot of under paid work and hassel.
I'm with Janette. I say we round up a posse armed with tons of wadded up fondant and gobs of buttercream and pelt her relentlessly. Then we charge her an 'unreasonable' fee for the supplies we just wasted on pelting her.
Then we could poke her with pointy little No. 1 decorating tips. Poke poke.
Where's my long spatula....
Then we could poke her with pointy little No. 1 decorating tips. Poke poke.
Where's my long spatula....
OMG- LMAO, PIMP 
Wow! I can't believe her response! What an idiot. I agree with the others, don't reply to her email. I am sure that she will come running back to you once she realizes the deal that you were giving her...and when she does...well, NO CAKE FOR HER! 
I'm with Janette. I say we round up a posse armed with tons of wadded up fondant and gobs of buttercream and pelt her relentlessly. Then we charge her an 'unreasonable' fee for the supplies we just wasted on pelting her.
Then we could poke her with pointy little No. 1 decorating tips. Poke poke.
Where's my long spatula....
LOL, this just made my day!
I think its funny that she didn't understand you weren't begging for her business, WOW- BIG LOSS (not!) 
(and I agree with the person who said her "writting" skills just add to the annoyance of the whole freaking email!)
Oh Shophie, I'm afraid of you 
I wish you knew someone of the bride to see how much she is going to spend or if she gets the 70 mini cakes
That's just what I was thinking and wishing! I'd LUV to be a bug on her shoulder as she tried to find someone to do all of this for $250. If you have any "spies" in the neighborhood, PLEASE keep us posted on what you hear!
you girls are all so funny!!!!
my thought is she wrote you back to get a ''dig'' in. she knew what she read but wanted to make it sound like she turned you down.
i thought your reply to her sounded very professional.
it deff. is nice to have someone to share with and vent isnt it? i love this site!
i get my eyes opened to new stuff everyday........
oh yes!! i dont get the part time comment.....so what to her.... they have no idea whats involved in decorating......
Why can't these brides understand that EVERYONE has to be paid for their time/effort/artistry? I'll just never get that.
Why can't decorators understand that there's nothing wrong with asking for a deal. You're free to say yes or no, but don't get all het up if someone asks.
This last email from the bride is out of line, but that she asked at all isn't.
ASKING for a "deal" is no problem. We all deal with it from time to time. Asking for a $1000 order and then insinuating that the decorator in question is OVERPRICING it at $350 most DEFINITELY is out of line. As is acting like she's "owed" the discount because she has a friend with her.
And the 2nd e-mail from the girl is appalling.
And just what is this "het up" stuff? Whatever.
We're here to support Didi5 and her decision--not to pick apart whether or not the bimbo bride was "right" or "wrong" for asking for a "discount."
It's amazing to me, for one, that you consider the intimidation tactics and "bargaining" strategies used by this bride as just "asking for a discount."
If I were to get "het up" at anything---That would probably be it.
-M-
I have to say---not replying to her is your best strategy right now.
And there is nothing more insulting than someone suggesting what your cakes are worth. If someone wants to spend a lower amount, then they need to ask, "What can you do for me for X amount" instead of "I want this stunning, complicated cake and this is what I'm paying for it." BIG difference.
You handled yourself professionally. You definitely avoided a very stressful situation by not getting involved with her wedding and its drama.
angie
I can't resist it ....... here it is again.....
"Hello, Mr. Cadillac dealer. I'd like to have a $40,000 Cadillac but I can only afford $20,000. Now since I'm a spoiled little brat who thinks she deserves everything she wants at everyone's else expense, I think YOU need to lower your price to $20,000. It is ridiculous to think that I should be financially responsible and shop for a car that is in my budget because I've been told by all the websites and magazines that all I have to do is either bat my eyelashes or stomp my foot and I'll get you to do anything I want because it's common knowledge that you've overpriced it just to screw me anyway. And I know that if you won't sell me the Cadillac at a loss, then I can just threaten to take my business elsewhere and these same magazines just ASSURE me that you'll come crawling to get my money."
It was a pleasure to watch this thread and see that the above tactic didn't work! My hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just finished reading this thread....and that girl did you a HUGE favor, I paid $350 for my own wedding cake (got a great deal i might add) and it wasn't nearly so complex!!!!
I also have no problem trying to get the most bang for your buck.....I paid for my own wedding, so I totally understand about budgeting, but I made compromises to get what I wanted which included having the reception in my churches gathering space (free--but not the most attractive), paid a friend to be my photographer, paid another friend to do my flowers etc, bought my dress for $250 at JCPenney etc.......the bottom line....I did the BEST I could on my budget.....I didnt "tell" anyone what I was going to pay for something, I "asked" what will $350 get me.....
Its all about prioritizing...and people just dont get it.......at the end of the day you are getting married, I wish brides focused more on the MEANING of the day and less on the details...JMHO
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