Can I Vent? Customers Sometimes Drive Me Crazy!

Business By loriemoms Updated 2 Aug 2006 , 2:25am by indydebi

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 5:54pm
post #1 of 40

I just got off the phone with yet another mother who wants the perfect cake for her daughters birthday, yet doesn't want to pay for it. I think sometimes they are worse then brides! They give you these grand cakes, they found on the internet, for their child's birthday, but want to pay grocery store/Walmart prices. I try to explain to them that making little flowers or big castles or cinderella gardens cost time and money. I make suggestions for simpilier cakes, that can meet their budget, but they still want to spend 25 dollars on a three tiered princess cake made up with stars, fondant, ribbon, the whole nine yards. They want fancy cream fillings. When I give a price (and my prices are still very low compared to others in my area!) if its too high, they should say Ok, thanks and end it. Why do they think they can barter with you? they don't do that when they buy groceries or a dress? i wanna say to them What do I look like, a used car salesman? ARGGGGGGGGGGGG!!

Thank you, I feel better.

39 replies
irisinbloom Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
irisinbloom Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 5:59pm
post #2 of 40

Vent all you need to because I totally understand how you feel, I know they can't go to grocery stores and Wally world and buy the kind of cakes we make, but it sure DOES make ya madicon_smile.gif

emmascakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
emmascakes Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:11pm
post #3 of 40

I find that family and friends are the worst at this - they expect 'mates rates' and I find it really hard to say no so I end up doing cakes at cost price for people I barely know. I'm stopping doing it now. When a friend asks for a cake I joke 'you can't afford me!' before saying I'll email them some ideas and costs. That way I find it easier to be hard nosed about it. My minimum order cost is £50 (not sure what that is in dollars) and I never go below this now. It means I lose orders but in the long run I think it will be worth it. Hope so anyway!

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:29pm
post #4 of 40

thanks guys! It did feel better!!!

4kids Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
4kids Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:34pm
post #5 of 40

Oh Sweetie! You vent all you need! They will eventually be back crawling on hands and knees begging you to do the cake once they realize what value they are getting from you!

Here's a (((((((((big hug)))))))! icon_smile.gif

msauer Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
msauer Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:37pm
post #6 of 40

When I decided to start my own little business, a very good frined of mine who owns her own cleaning business warned me of these kinds of customers. She said to always hold true to your prices, because they very well may do some checking around and find out what the fair market value of a cake like this really is. She said that when people say "I know I can get this same service for less than half of what you are asking" she says to them in the nicest way possible- "Then I really think you should try to hire them because that is a really good price" and leave it at that. I have seen your work- you're worth it!

tiptop57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tiptop57 Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:39pm
post #7 of 40

emmascakes:
Right at this moment the exchange rate would be $92.04. BTW - looked at your cakes and they are worth it!!!!!!!

Samsgranny Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Samsgranny Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:41pm
post #8 of 40

Some people are unvelievable!

prettycake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
prettycake Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 7:47pm
post #9 of 40

Next time they fight you for the price, tell them WalMart and Costco is right around the corner. If they don't like the price, they don't have to buy it from you, but it would not be right if you lower your price to $25.00 if your cake is worth $50.00 or whatever price you gave them.

You are an upscale baker, therefore you deserve upscale customers, not the "penny pinching" type icon_mad.gif . Take it easy there will be more and better customers coming your way.. not the sucker type. icon_smile.gif

tiptop57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tiptop57 Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 8:02pm
post #10 of 40

loriemoms:

Oh, one more thing. When I was in the nonprofit world I interned at a theatre and they were thinking about lowering their ticket price for a play. Which never happened, why? Well they determined if a ticket was a lower price people will think of it as a poor product, possibly cheap and not worth going.

So now I think of the biggie designers and the prices they get and never lack in customers and I price my cakes accordingly. When I quote the price, I tell them outright first that I am expensive then boom, here is the price. Most have seen my work and reply, you are worth it and don't bat an eye!

Remember: You are worth it. princess.gif

cakesbyamym Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cakesbyamym Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 8:12pm
post #11 of 40

Loriemoms, preach it!!! I'm right there with you. I had a mother to call a few weeks ago that wanted a birthday cake to feed 80, but only wanted to pay $30 for it...total. She wanted all of the bells and whistles, but didn't want to pay one penny over $30. I tried relaying other suggestions to her that would better fit her price range, but she wasn't hearing it. She even commented that "Sam's Club does it for only....!" I told her that if she felt like Sam's would fit her budget better, then that was the way to go. Never heard back from her. Another satisfied customer? You know, not just anyone can bake cakes...GOOD cakes...from home, AND decorate them per customers sketches, website pictures, or be able to reproduce the "visions" that some have. Okay, I'm getting fired up again...LOL... Why do folks feel like WE are the ones that are charging too much? Anyway...I agree wholeheartedly!!!

Amy

indydebi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
indydebi Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 11:11am
post #12 of 40

TipTop57, you are so right! I also do catering and I had an organization approach me for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser they were doing. Well, pasta is really inexpensive and when I worked up my costs and added my standard profit margin, the cost to them was unbelievably low! My husband said the same thing.....he told me I had to charge more because they would look at that very low price and ask "Hmmmm...wonder what's wrong with HER food?"

I am always so relieved when a bride walks into the sampling with a 3-ring notebook in hand....that tells me she's doing research, she has an idea of what things cost, and she knows when she's getting ripped off and when a good deal is staring her in the face. If they don't have a notebook in hand, I tell them to get one as soon as they leave my place.

Sometimes you just have to know when to say "no". Like most of you, my schedule is very busy and my time has value.

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 12:40pm
post #13 of 40

ah man, you guys are so sweeet!!!

Its nice to see I am not alone...(you know how it is, you start wondering if you are doing something wrong!) I did get that cake order from the lady who called.she called back. I think she did look around and saw that she wasn't going to get the cake she wanted for the price she had in mine.

It is scary for me, but I am going to start putting an min order amount. (I was thinking 65 dollars which isn't that much in my area) instead of turning down cakes because I have so many orders! Have any of you done that? I think pricing is the hardest part of this business!!

emmascakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
emmascakes Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 8:09pm
post #14 of 40

I have a minimum order cost of £50 (I'm guessing that's about $80?) I put this on my web-site and encourage everyone who asks about cakes to go to my web-site that way they get an idea of my costs before embarrassing me or themselves by expecting the moon on a stick for 50p.

Pootchi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Pootchi Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 8:23pm
post #15 of 40

I completely understand!!! One customer called me crazy once for a price of 75$CDN (around 60$USD) for a carrot cake (made from scratch) with cream cheese frosting, for 40 people and with Calla lillies on top of that!!!! I did her a good price, she said she was going to call back.. Well I'm sure she called every other places (don't have Walmart nor Costco here) and finally ended up with just a plain cake... or she bought the cake from someone else but with a higher price (I'm lower than the bakery...)

Some times people give me tips because they think I don't charge enough... I guess not everyone thinks the same, for some it's JUST CAKE (I ate that) and for some it's art!!

Vent all you need to vent. CC is the place where you find people that understands you!!! big hugs (((((((((((()))))))))))))))

jennianne Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jennianne Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 9:05pm
post #16 of 40

It drives me crazy when people compare me to Walmart or the grocery stores!!!!! Of course they can make a 1/2 sheet with a couple of flowers and pre-made icing in 1/2 an hour! But try to have them add a character, stringwork, more flowers...and the price goes up there too (if they will do it at all)! They usually stick to their sample books anyway.

I lost an "account" because they could get it cheaper at Sams. Oh, well!

jen1977 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jen1977 Posted 27 Jul 2006 , 9:13pm
post #17 of 40

I just don't get it. Why do customers try to skimp on cakes? They wouldn't barter with a bakery or anyone, why us?

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 29 Jul 2006 , 1:52pm
post #18 of 40

Because we are the little guys! They think this is just a hobby for us...!

MaisieBake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
MaisieBake Posted 29 Jul 2006 , 9:34pm
post #19 of 40

Why do we (home bakers in general, I don't know about the original poster) sell to customers out of non-commercial kitchens that wouldn't pass health department inspection?

It goes both ways.

TERRYHORTON Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TERRYHORTON Posted 29 Jul 2006 , 9:55pm
post #20 of 40

Hmmmm....
Well I have started using the barter system. I take orders for cakes from friends and they do things for me ! One friend painted my kitchen & LV and repapered my hallway!
If Its a stranger I charge them like I'm the only one in town and they never bat an eyelid.....LOL!

oceanspitfire Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
oceanspitfire Posted 29 Jul 2006 , 10:32pm
post #21 of 40

The kinds of customers who think a cake is a cake, you don't want anyway (aggravating as it is to have to go through that conversation with people who are FRIGGIN clueless about the difference between quality and crap/lesser quality)

IMO there is nothing wrong in those situations with speaking up icon_twisted.gif (pretend you're talking to a child LOL) something like 'when you go grocery shopping, you can either buy noname brand peanut butter which has a load of oil and sugar and crap in it, or you can buy brand name peanut butter which you know costs a bit more because you are getting better quality (remember, you're using your 'talking to a child' voice icon_cool.gif )
There is nothing wrong with shopping for deals. If your priority is to save money and forgo high quality product, then by all means, call up Walmart and check out their cakes icon_smile.gif - I use high quality ingredients and custom handcrafted workmanship in my specialty so that is why I charge what I do. I can't go lower because then I compromise A) the quality of my product that you end up with, and B) I'd go out of business. I'll leave it up to you where you end up going (I'm sure that could be worded better.)

The point being, a person who is shopping quality vs price, will not squabble about your prices and there are plenty of those people around. Don't ever compromise your business strategy/product placement - which is what sets you apart from Wallyworld in the first place-for fear of losing a customer icon_smile.gif

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 12:02am
post #22 of 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

Why do we (home bakers in general, I don't know about the original poster) sell to customers out of non-commercial kitchens that wouldn't pass health department inspection?

It goes both ways.




Actually, my kitchen is inspected and went through the same inspection process that the commercial kitchens went through, even the same inspector!

In my area, most of the moms want to buy from a home based bakery, as they feel they want more then just cookie cutter cakes like from the grocery store. Some of them are willing to pay for that, some aren't.

heavenlys Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
heavenlys Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 12:18am
post #23 of 40

I own a bakery and they still barter with me too. I have people who want to reproduce their wedding cake for an anniversary but can't understand why it is so expensive. They say it's just an anniversary cake. I said it diesn't make it cheaper call a wedding cake by another name!! ANd moms are into these 3 tiered stacked cakes but only want to spend 30.00. WHAT!!!!! Or they want to make it smaller and smaller so it's cheaper but there is a limit to how small before you lose all the details they try to cram on the cake.
So don't think we bakeries have it any easier they hit us too.

loriemoms Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
loriemoms Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 1:27am
post #24 of 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by heavenlys

I own a bakery and they still barter with me too. I have people who want to reproduce their wedding cake for an anniversary but can't understand why it is so expensive. They say it's just an anniversary cake. I said it diesn't make it cheaper call a wedding cake by another name!! ANd moms are into these 3 tiered stacked cakes but only want to spend 30.00. WHAT!!!!! Or they want to make it smaller and smaller so it's cheaper but there is a limit to how small before you lose all the details they try to cram on the cake.
So don't think we bakeries have it any easier they hit us too.




I know what you mean! I had one woman where we spent a week on the phone, going over a cake for her child's FIRST birthday! (they were having a huge party) I was so relieved when we finally settled on a design and then she said "Oh and I want a smash cake too!" So we had to start all over again, because she wanted the smash cake to match the larger cake...gads, it was not fun! I don't charge for design consultation, but some days I feel like I should!

emmascakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
emmascakes Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 9:31pm
post #25 of 40

What's a smash cake? I've seen the term a few times on here - being from the UK I don't think we have them, I've certainly not seen the name before - very intrigued - is it a cake you get to smash up?!

angelas2babies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
angelas2babies Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 9:36pm
post #26 of 40

It sure is! It's very common to have an exta little personal cake at a baby's first party that is just for the little one to smash into and enjoy.

Angie

cashley Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cashley Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 9:38pm
post #27 of 40

It's okay to vent, people that don't bake cakes don't appreciate the time it takes to make it they think it is just a cake. I have the problem that people want them for free. I tell them I am already booked lol.... My father thinks it is just grand and parades my cakes around to his neighbours to show it off. Making someone happy for me especially family makes it all worth it. People that are cheap don't need your special cakes.

emmascakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
emmascakes Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 9:47pm
post #28 of 40

OOOh I seeee! Do you actually decorate the cake for smashing up? Surely you don't spend hours on one? What a good idea though - preferably something really chocolatey for hilarious chocolate smeary photos!

LisaBa Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LisaBa Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 10:02pm
post #29 of 40

This is my take: I own another business besides my "fun cake businesss" and my hourly charge is $75. So, when people want EVERTHING for nothing on cakes, this is what I tell them.

Not only are you paying for JUST A CAKE, but you are paying for my time. TIME IS MONEY!! I don't argue anymore, I just say that you can always pick up a cake from Sam's , Wal-Mart or your local grocery store.

When you are doing cakes that are so involved and time consuming they are like a customized piece of art. If they want ART, PAY UP!!! You wouldn't expect to buy an original oil from Wal-Mart and they same applies to the cake.

Stick to your guns ladies and get out every cent of what you are worth thumbs_up.gif

angelas2babies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
angelas2babies Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 11:21pm
post #30 of 40

Sometimes the smash cakes can be just as time-consuming to decorate. There have been many fancy ones that I have seen. Yes, chocolate ones are the best...definitely the most messiest. icon_smile.gif

As for cheap customers (and that's what they are) you have to be ready with a reply and definitely stick with your prices. Bargaining is not allowed!

Angie
Girl Who Is Afraid to Sell Cakes Because She Doesn't Want to Get Taken Advatage of.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%