Embarrassing Conversation About Prices

Baking By MichelleM77 Updated 27 May 2007 , 1:35am by Joanne914

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MichelleM77 Posted 17 May 2007 , 2:59am
post #1 of 54

Ugh. Just got off the phone with the mom of one of my son's friends, who ordered the baseball cookie tray that is in my photos. Since she is a friend, I gave her a huge discount (3 dozen cookies; $1 each cookie; they are 3.5" rounds and 1/2" thick!). Anywho, we were talking about cookies and she mentioned how she was shocked with the invoice I sent, but said they were worth it. She said she thought my cookies would be $1 or $2 per dozen, not each! icon_eek.gif I use the Cake Boss software, so there is a way to put in the regular price, state a discount, and then put the discounted price in, so she saw what the regular price would have been ($72 for $2 each cookie; still probably a deal). I feel sooooo bad. icon_redface.gif I gave her the invoice a week ahead of time in case she wanted to make any changes with a note to call me if she had any questions. She won a gift certificate from me in a teacher raffle (she works at my son's school), so I brought that up and said we will be even then when she uses the gift cert.

I just feel so bad that this happened, totally embarrassed. I don't even think I can look at her again! icon_cry.gif I just had to get this out there and off my chest.

53 replies
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bobwonderbuns Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:04am
post #2 of 54

Be real -- she thought she could get homemade decorated cookies for $1 or $2 A DOZEN??? icon_eek.gif Is she serious?? icon_confused.gificon_cool.gif

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Melvira Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:06am
post #3 of 54

NONONONONO!!!!!!!!! Don't you DARE be embarassed!! What did she say... that they were WORTH IT!!! SHE should be embarassed! Have you seen what specialty cookies sell for in those 'gourmet' stores? Heck, even Hy-Vee charges $2.50 each for decorated sugar cookies, and I know for a fact that those taste like crap! You should hold your head high and the next time you see her, know that she has seen first hand how awesome your cookies are!!!

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ashley87 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:07am
post #4 of 54

I wouldnt even make her cookies from a mix for $1 a dozen!! She must be nuts!

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afolk Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:07am
post #5 of 54

A dollar or 2 per dozen - holy cow!! People are so clueless!!! What a bargain you so generously gave her! Can't help you on the invoice issue, but surely there's a way? Will it let you print a comment underneath the extended price or anything?

I feel your pain about $$ conversations - just had a consult with an ex-coworker bride - I had emailed her some price points several months ago but we hadn't nailed down any details. I kept waiting for her to ask how much it would cost during the conversation, but she never did! So now I have to bring it up later because I'm such a weenie!

Anyway, you totally shouldn't be embarrassed about anything - and she even agrees with you that your cookes are worth it! Just hang in there - I'm sure this kind of thing gets easier with practice (so much easier to hand out advice than to take it myself)!

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Doug Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:08am
post #6 of 54
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StaceyC3 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:08am
post #7 of 54

Wahhhhh! You can't buy OREOS for that price! icon_lol.gif

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Lenette Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:10am
post #8 of 54

You have nothing to be embarassed about! Why do you feel that way?

Your price it TOTALLY reasonable! Did I understand she ended up getting them for free with the raffle?

Try not to feel bad. We all (those that have the problem) should stop feeling bad about our prices. We put our hearts and souls into our products, not to mention the quality ingredients. They are delicious and beautiful! Make no apologies and hold your head up! Even she had to admit they were worth it, right?
icon_smile.gif

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itsajeepthing0196 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:13am
post #9 of 54

this woman must be off her rocker! icon_surprised.gif

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MichelleM77 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:29am
post #10 of 54

Thanks guys. Hopefully I can sleep on this and feel better in the morning. I will see her on Saturday when our kids get together for my son's birthday.

She paid for her order, but then a week later won a raffle and got a $20 gift certificate for my cookie business. I think she is okay, but it just shocked her.

I did put a note on the invoice that said she was getting my special discount, and I wanted to do it that way so that she could see what the regular price was since I figured I would give a discount for the first order only. I don't think I have to worry about a second order from her.

The last order I did was for a 3 dozen tray for a grad party. I had extra dough and don't like to use leftover frozen dough, so I just made more cookies. They ended up with 50 cookies total (the diploma cookies are kinda small anyway). I would rather fill out a tray and have the customer get more cookies than me just throw away dough. I didn't have another use for the dough and I didn't want to leave cookies at home (diet is going down the drain anyway thanks to chocolate covered Oreos!). I always try and add a little something, like giving a box of chocolate covered Oreos or extra cookies. I guess it doesn't matter.

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imartsy Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:31am
post #11 of 54

YOU have nothing to be embarrassed about. If anything, she should be embarrassed for assuming your cookies would be that cheap! It's not even that cheap to make them! BUT she said they were "Worth it", so you're fine. Don't worry about it for another second.

BTW - wish I could see the pictures! I hope they get the gallery working soon!

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MichelleM77 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:37am
post #12 of 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by imartsy

BTW - wish I could see the pictures! I hope they get the gallery working soon!




I wonder if I can get the attachment to work.........

this is a weird pic since I had to resize and I'm too tired to do it right.
LL

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CarolAnn Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:41am
post #13 of 54

Look, I just made a batch of great butter cookies and covered them with my first ever batch of yummy mmf. That was yesterday. Today I used some crappy Wilton ice-a-cookie icing to decorate them (that stuff is like decoration with Elmers glue..hope it tastes better tho) and it took me quite a while and I didn't do anything fancy. I just wanted to try my hand at the cookie thing. TIME CONSUMING!!! That lady has NO clue what a deal she was getting without the gift certificate.

Don't feel bad OR embarassed about getting the compensation you deserve for providing a great product she didn't care to make herself. I say a lot of us need to quit with the great discounts and sticking it to ourselves (because that's what we're doing) and start letting people pay our reasonable and just prices or go somewhere else for their cheap deals.

Man, these cookies with mmf are great! I'm gonna try another batch and use some GOOD icing on them. I might just start doing me some cookies! Okay, I've settled down now..... Ü

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MichelleM77 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:48am
post #14 of 54

Thanks CarolAnn! I have the Angel/Devil thing going on on my shoulders.

You are having as much fun with the MMF as I'm having with Satin Ice fondant. I love it on my cookies and it makes decorating a little easier.

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kjgjam22 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:51am
post #15 of 54

that lady is out of her mind. you have not one thing to be embarrased about and nothing to feel bad about either. do not make her let you feel bad.

keep your prices how you have them....dont let people dictate your prices.

keep up the good work...the cookies look really good.

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Ursula40 Posted 17 May 2007 , 3:55am
post #16 of 54

Why should you be embarrased? You even gave her the invoice a week ahead of the cookies, didn't she look at it??. I had one customer (mother of my daughters classmate) "jokingly" picking up the "most expensive" cake in the world. I nearly turned and took the cake back inside. She knew the price beforehand and it really pissed me off no end. I will forever be booked, if and when she calls for another one. Your cookies are worth more than what you quoted her, so you gave her a really great deal

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Children Posted 17 May 2007 , 4:05am
post #17 of 54

Your cookies are look very good! You should be proud of them. The lady that was surprised about the price doesn't have the talent to do them herself so she has to pay you. I really like the response about Oreo cookies being more than $1 or $2 a dozen. You have gourmet cookies they are worth what you charge for them. People are paying for your talent and expertise, not just plain cookies.

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indydebi Posted 17 May 2007 , 11:52am
post #18 of 54

This will be the 3rd time I've posted this comment in 2 days ... is there a trend going on or something?

(picture a very talented cake/cookie decorator with a worried look on her face, wringing her hands and asking......) "Gosh, I would NEVER pay that much for a cake/cookie ..... so I can't CHARGE someone that much ..... can I?"

If YOU dont' believe in the value of your work, then how are you going to convey that value to your customer?

Above post is correct ... you can't buy Oreos for that! I get the same thing in catering .... they give me a total budget, they give me a headcount, I do the math and tell them (yes, i TELL them!), "Honey, you can't get Happy Meals for everyone for that."

I'm embarrassed for you .... that you felt "bad" about your price.

Women .... we are our worst downfall. We are taught to "be nice" and not to "Hurt people's feelings". And then we wonder why there are stories about women not making it in the business world.

You dont' have to be cut-throat ...... you just have to stand up for yourself.

(I'll get off of my Mom-Soapbox now! icon_redface.gif )

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MichelleM77 Posted 17 May 2007 , 1:21pm
post #19 of 54

I need a Mom-Soapbox right now, thank you! icon_smile.gif

Yep, I stink in the business world. The first thing I told my aunt in Florida was that she could have cookies anytime. Well, she said, "Michelle, you aren't going to be a good business woman if you give things away. I am a customer just like anyone else and I will place an order and pay for cookies just like anyone else." SHe is right, so why do I have a problem with it.

I believe my cookies taste great, decorating needs a little work, so maybe that's why I don't feel I can charge that much for them. I also am lacking a self-esteem gene. LOL! Never had it, probably never will. That's why hubby and I are such a good match....he is outgoing, I'm extremely, painfully shy. He has lots of self-esteem and confidence, I might have a good hair day once in a while.

I'll get over it. I've had repeat customers, so maybe it's just her and not me.

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kneadacookie Posted 17 May 2007 , 1:34pm
post #20 of 54

i know exactly how you feel. my son's GF mom ordered 3 dozen last year. i kept asking my son are you sure she knows how much they cost....yeah, yeah, yeah...i even gave her a discount. she was still surprised at the final bill. you'll always get people who think you should be lucky they want your cookies. obviously, those are not the people we want buying our cookies.
your cookies look awesome. don't fold!!

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Melvira Posted 17 May 2007 , 2:16pm
post #21 of 54

Oh Michelle, those cookies are DARLING! Right down to the fancy presentation of the swirl with the mitt and mini ball in the middle! You did a fantastic job and if they taste half as good as they look, they are worth more than every penny you charged!! Those are outstanding!!!

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yankeegal Posted 17 May 2007 , 4:40pm
post #22 of 54

I'm in agreement with everyone else-don't sell yourself short. Your cookies are great!

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Dawn2467 Posted 17 May 2007 , 5:35pm
post #23 of 54

Great cookies!!!

If I understood you correctly...you were RIGHT to list the proper pricing on the invoice, showing the discount!! ( Maybe even an explanation of the discount..."First time customer,etc.")

Remember WORD OF MOUTH...You don't want to have to justify your prices to future clients, because they thought the discount was a regular price.

If you're put in the position of having to defend your prices, do so without any doubts!..." My cookies are made from scratch, and hand decorated...I put a lot of time and labor into them, as I am determined to provide my customers with the best product possible....My prices reflect this, and are actually low in comparison to others....etc."


And, did I say, "GREAT COOKIES!"?

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Dawn2467 Posted 17 May 2007 , 5:44pm
post #24 of 54

Just re-read your post to see if I understood...I missed that you said she was a friend...

I'd have said, "Are you kidding? That doesn't even cover the ingredients...much less the fact that it is very time consuming to make hand decorated cookies!"

You could even tell her how long it takes to make the dough, roll, bake,...make icing,MMF,...decorate,...package,etc.

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Melvira Posted 17 May 2007 , 5:52pm
post #25 of 54

You know what might be fun??? Invite her over to make cookies sometime. Not in a mean way... but for fun! After she sees all the effort that goes into it, she'll undoubtedly say something about why they are worth so much! People just really don't know... until they see it first hand!!

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azterp Posted 17 May 2007 , 5:58pm
post #26 of 54

People are just clueless about things sometimes. My husband has had similar comments from people as he starts a photography business. They think he charges too much for 5x7 picture because they are used to getting one for $.21 at Walmart. But this is not some snapshot taken at a soccer game, he is selling them a product that took his time, energy and creative mind. Just like cakes. They are paying for your time and creativeness more than anything - they just don't get it!

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indydebi Posted 17 May 2007 , 5:58pm
post #27 of 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melvira

You know what might be fun??? Invite her over to make cookies sometime. Not in a mean way... but for fun! After she sees all the effort that goes into it, she'll undoubtedly say something about why they are worth so much! People just really don't know... until they see it first hand!!




I've done this with friends on the catering side. They think it's "so much fun!" to be at a wedding so they volunteer to work for me at a reception. One friend .... omg, I could just tell her butt was dragging. I asked her, "Ready for a break?" Her answer was a very positive "Oh yeah!" I asked, "Now do you understand catering is expensive?" Her answer was a very definite "oh yeah!"

Had another friend who was going to make her own cookies as wedding favors. 150 of them. So I gave her the timeline. 12 cookies to a sheet (because she doesn't have the big ones that I do) = 12 to 13 sheets x 20 minutes each = 260 minutes = almost 5 hours baking time, not including the mixing time. Assume (ASSUME!) she can decorate them in just 4 minutes each x 150 cookies = 600 minutes = 10 hours decorating time. Not counting dough mixing, cookie cutting, removing from cookie sheets, etc.

She ended up buying the cookies at a grocery bakery at the last minute.

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FromScratch Posted 17 May 2007 , 6:04pm
post #28 of 54

I will ditto what has been said already. Those cookies are wonderful. She got a real deal at the price you gave.. yes I said GAVE.. them to her. Are they 2 inch cookies? I love the presentation and you should have not one ounce of guilt about charging her what you did for the cookies. I am glad that you put the real price on the invoice so she could see her discount too. $1-$2 a dozen??? Is she smoking crack?

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Janette Posted 17 May 2007 , 6:06pm
post #29 of 54

I just raised my prices to $1 yesterday. It is so time consuming. More detailed cookies I'm charging $2 and that's each not doz.

I wonder what she was thinking. $1 or $2 wouldn't even cover the cost of the Butter.

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melysa Posted 17 May 2007 , 6:07pm
post #30 of 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

This will be the 3rd time I've posted this comment in 2 days ... is there a trend going on or something?

(picture a very talented cake/cookie decorator with a worried look on her face, wringing her hands and asking......) "Gosh, I would NEVER pay that much for a cake/cookie ..... so I can't CHARGE someone that much ..... can I?"

If YOU dont' believe in the value of your work, then how are you going to convey that value to your customer?

Above post is correct ... you can't buy Oreos for that! I get the same thing in catering .... they give me a total budget, they give me a headcount, I do the math and tell them (yes, i TELL them!), "Honey, you can't get Happy Meals for everyone for that."

I'm embarrassed for you .... that you felt "bad" about your price.

Women .... we are our worst downfall. We are taught to "be nice" and not to "Hurt people's feelings". And then we wonder why there are stories about women not making it in the business world.

You dont' have to be cut-throat ...... you just have to stand up for yourself.

(I'll get off of my Mom-Soapbox now! icon_redface.gif )




stay there. it needs to be heard thumbs_up.gif

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