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ARe you kidding me!!?

post #1 of 139
5/22/07 at 8:35am
Thread Starter 
I did a cake for a non-family/friend member for the first time. As a newbie to this I really enjoyed it. She requested a castle cake for her three year old daughter. Fine, I did my best and it actually turned out pretty cute (except for a slightly crooked tower). THe bottom was 10X10 square double layer and the next level was 8x8 double layer.
Anyways, day of the party she shows up picks up the cake and never leaves a payment. WHen I asked, she said she will send it with my husband (who she works with). Monday rolls around and when I questioned him regarding the money, he stated that she is doing research on what the cake was worth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just about blew a gasket! sTill blowing gaskets!!!!!! What would you estimate a 10x10,8x8 castle cake to be worth? It took me all day Saturday and not to mention getting the towers covered and imprinted earlier in the week.
Sorry I can't post any pictures, my computer can't handle the MB's.
Child & Home Engineer
Lin
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Child & Home Engineer
Lin
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post #2 of 139
5/22/07 at 8:42am
That's ridiculous! Did you quote her a price when you agreed to do it?
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post #3 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:13am
A castle cake that large would easily be well over $50 - $75 just to start. There are plenty of them listed on CC. Just point her in this direction, we can tell her how much they are worth.
"Let your legacy not be the stupid forgettable dandruff of life but that you LIVED. That you were here and that people remember YOU in all your wonderfulness. Not your stuff. Because stuff is forgettable." - - Jackie (a blog writer from Canada)
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"Let your legacy not be the stupid forgettable dandruff of life but that you LIVED. That you were here and that people remember YOU in all your wonderfulness. Not your stuff. Because stuff is forgettable." - - Jackie (a blog writer from Canada)
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post #4 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:24am
Did she not agree to a price when she ordered the cake? If so then that's how much she owes you. Since when do customers decide how much a cake will cost? This just makes my blood boil!!! I would call her ant let her know she can do all the research she wants but this is how much you owe me $xxx!
A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!
Glenda
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A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!
Glenda
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post #5 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:27am
I've done two castle cakes - so I know how much time is involved. I would charge no less than $100. What was the price you quoted her?
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post #6 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:27am
Hi Lin - I feel your pain. I had a recent gasket-blower, also for a co-worker of my husband's. They are pretty nice people as well as pretty well off - I figured I didn't want to make waves haggling over price and that they would pay me what they felt the cake was worth. The first and last cake I never pre-quoted! It's the First Communion Cake in my photos and they paid me $40 for it. I thought it was a joke when my husband brought the check home.

Even for the closest of friends, acquaintances, etc - I will never fail to give my price up front again. Lesson learned the hard way!
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
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Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
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post #7 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:28am
You should get the price you quoted and be assertive about it. The woman sounds like a bully, and a control freak...tiggy is right...since when do the customers set the price for your wares. First cake or not.
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post #8 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:37am
omg.. my mouth dropped open. What??!! Who does that?? Be firm. Make sure you get what you think is fair, not her.
Don't cry cause it's over, smile because it happened.
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Don't cry cause it's over, smile because it happened.
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post #9 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:38am
Excuse me????? She wants to research??? She should have done said "research" before ordering the cake. I think I would send her an invoice with a payment due date.

Take heart. As a general rule, most clients aren't like this one. Next time quote a price up front and get a deposit, especially on a large time consuming cake.

Also, I don't think I would do another cake for this woman. Instead, direct her to a bakery or to Wal-Mart.
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post #10 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:41am
Angie - $40? - you have got to be kidding!
Pastryjen

Money talks...but chocolate rocks!
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Pastryjen

Money talks...but chocolate rocks!
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post #11 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:43am
Whoa! That's 50 servings of cake! My prices START at $2.50 a serving for buttercream, and you can bet I'd charge more for something as PITA as a castle cake! From me that cake would have cost $150 MINIMUM!!! The nerve of some people!
AKA: bonjovibabe
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AKA: bonjovibabe
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post #12 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:43am
Yup, I start all my fondant cakes out at $3 was it fondant? If so, based on your cakes, without extra deco. I would charge $144 b/c it would serve 48 people. You can give them my website to check out my prices if you wanticon_smile.gif
Mummy of 4
Lover of cake.
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Mummy of 4
Lover of cake.
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post #13 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:43am
I would NEVER allow this! I would send a very professional letter to this woman and advise her the pre-set price of $85.~ for the cake. If that's not do-able "please be advised you are no longer welcome to place orders with our company" or something to that extent.

$40.~ for that cake!?!?! are they mad?! That communion cake is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! you got ripped icon_cry.gif
Happy Cakin! ~*~Becky~*~
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Happy Cakin! ~*~Becky~*~
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post #14 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:44am
pardon me but what the heck is her problem? You made this cake and it goes by your pricing, not hers!
Did you not agree on a price before hand?
If not.....DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!
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post #15 of 139
5/22/07 at 9:45am
Thread Starter 
Yes, she was quoted a price of ONLY$45.00 (since it was my first and I was not sure how it would be coming out). I feel like telling her I'm getting "estimates" on a lawyer, I wouldn't but I'm sure it would put bee's in her bonnet!! Needless to say, I informed my hubby that from now on it's $$$ up front. Even for friends and co-workers!!!!
Child & Home Engineer
Lin
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Child & Home Engineer
Lin
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