Well after reading everyone's problems with people being rude and taking advantage of us Cake Creator's, it must be in the alignment of the stars & planets because I have my own issue here too, but it has to do with my own sister!

My 2 year old nephew's birthday party is coming up July 9. I offered to make his birthday cake as my gift to him and so my sister wouldn't have to worry about getting a cake. The party was to be for immediate family only - for about 8-10 people.

So a month ago my sister Monique decided she wanted me to make a Spiderman Character cake for him. No problemo. Then a week later she changes her mind to an Elmo Character pan - so I go and buy the Elmo pan for her. No big deal, hadn't bought the Spiderman yet.

Then I have a message left on my voicemail stating she had found some great deals on ball themed birthday stuff like basketballs, footballs, and baseballs she had just purchased and now she changed her mind and wanted 3 cakes since she decided to invite around 30 people. She now wanted a 3D basketball, 3D baseball, and a football cake!

At first I was blown away, and was talking to her about it and was pretty leary of what she was wanting - thinking of all the time I'd have to put into this which I hadn't planned since now she wanted 3 cakes. I told her that would cost me more supplies in which she responded she'd buy the cake mix's for me. Since she was my sister, I kind of left it in the air and told her we'd talk more about it later.

Then I got to thinking about it and I'm like - now wait a minute, I sell my 3D ball cakes or character cakes for $25 since I am still new to the business. And here I am getting ready to give her $75.00 worth of work in cake for free minus the cake mix she so generously offered to buy (yea right!).

My older sister is pretty bossy and before you know it she gets her way. Well my boyfriend is always getting upset with me because I'm always cutting my prices and have not recovered from my investments of all my supplies as I've only done 3 paid cakes so far. He told me my sister was trying to take advantage of me, and then I realized that I didn't want to do all of that work for free just so she could show off for all of her friends and family by having my elaborate cakes for my nephew's party.

I sent her a very polite email explaining what I normally would charge someone for what she was asking but since she was my sister and I was "giving" one original cake for his present, the 3 cakes she wants - I'd charge her $45 AND I'M ALSO DELIVERING THESE CAKES WHICH IS OVER AN HOUR DRIVE AWAY!

So after I explained that I did not take all of my Wilton Classes and invest all of my time, TALENT, and money into this business just to give my talent for cakes away for free even for family. I then went on to suggest that if her budget was tight and she could not afford the other cakes then she needs to make other arrangements to supplement the other 2 cakes by making at least 2-3 dozen baseball, football, & basketball cupcakes to go along with the 1 3D Ball Cake I will still be making. Again this email was very thorough and polite just as if she were a regular paying customer.

She then responds with a very short reply stating that THE ONLY REASON SHE WANTED ME TO DO THE 3 CAKES WAS BECAUSE IT WAS HER WHO WAS GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO TRY MY PRODUCT.

You know, that's all fine and dandy, but aren't I the one who is supposed to make those decisions of who I want to give my free products to and when? AND the fact that she had never mentioned this supposed "OPPORTUNITY" she was GIVING me before I told her I wasn't going to do the 3 cakes for nothing. I think she was embarrassed that I was taking a stand and wanted to flip it back on me to make ME look like I'm the one being the ass about this. She then went on to tell me the 1 3D Baseball cake would be fine and she would make cupcakes to go along with it.

And this is my sister!! I never said she was a nice one, but blood just the same ----- then she made sure to run to my mom to tell her all about what I had emailed her so that she wouldn't look bad when I would mention the truth to mom later. My own sister trying to take advantage of me! So anyway , I had to add mine after I saw everyone else's problems on here. Can you believe she did that? And I actually started to feel a little guilty after her reply!!

Hi,

Please don't feel guilty! First of all, this is for a 2 year old boy, she doesn't have to be this elaborate. I have two year old twin girls, and they barely looked at the Dora cake that I made them

I also have a bossy sister, and you do need to stand up to her now, because don't forget, he's only turning two....that's alot of birthdays along the way.

I just wanted to give you a quick hello, and say that I think you did the right thing...you volunteered ONE cake not Three!

Hugs,

Denise

I wonder how many of us have that type of sister? I have three sisters whom I don't talk to, one because she got married and moved out of stae when I was 9 so I don't really know her, the second because she is the martyr of the family and she likes to make me feel guilty about lots of things I have no control over, and the younger one because she couldn't say anything nice to or about me, so I just took a stance and said enough! Blood may be blood, but sanity is sanity, ya know?

You were right in taking a stance, Shugga. Stand your ground and don't back down!

Poor Shugga!
Sounds like your sister is going overboard for a 2 year old's birthday, seems to be a trend these days. At 2, the child will not really care nor will he remember, but the pictures will be memories.
Since you can get about 12- 15 servings good sized servings per cake, she is also going overboard on cake period.
Seems to be a trend making elaborate cakes and parties for the tiny tots, more I suspect an effort to impress friends and family than anything to do with the 2 year-old celebrant. Sounds like she keeps changing her mind because she has issues about impressing people and doing the perfect party.
Three cakes for one function are a lot of work to do.
Stick to your guns, do what you feel is right. You said you would do one cake as your present, you are already out of funds with the pan you purchased. I suspect the little one would have been more impressed with Elmo than the newest choice she has made.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I agree, stick to your guns. My family are the same, if they can get it free they'll try. Its called abusing the privilege.
Well done.

Shugga,

I have 2 younger sisters & they are always making me crazy!! I just made a cake for my 4 yr old nephew for last weekend. My sister wanted a fish/ocean cake. Then she called about 3 days before the bday party & asked me to make a CCC in the shape of a fish. I told her right off the bat that I was doing the ocean cake free for my nephew but I wouldn't do the CCC free. I told her she had to pay for that one. I charged her $20.

I live 70 miles away so I baked the cakes & iced them at my house, then drove to my parents to finish the cakes. My Mom told me to make sure I got some money from my sister because she knows how my sisters do me.. they do Mom the same way. I agreed. Well just before we were leaving the party Mom came up to me & said "Tell your sister you need your money". My Mom is so funny! I love her to death! I went & told my sister & she said she'd have to write me a check. I said I didn't care as long as I got $20! So I got it... was praying the check would bounce! LOL!!

You have to be like that to family & friends or you won't make any money. Plus you'll feel bad everytime you do a cake for them! Because you're getting what you deserve!

OH... my nephew was so happy when I got to the party. He looked at the cake & said, "For me, cool?" Then he ran off to play w/ his friends! Later he blew out his candles & went back to play. Kids don't care one bit about the cake.

Oh... another story about the cake. My sisters SIL does cakes too. She's been doing them for 20 plus years. She is very good!! She usually does my sisters kids cakes. Since I've been doing cakes my sister asked me to do the cake. Well a week before the party my Mom calls & asked if I knew that the SIL was doing the cake. I didn't! So Mom called my sister & balled her out because she hadn't told me yet! Sister calls & says she wants me to do it! Then one more time she changed her mind! I didn't care either way!!! I just needed to know if I was doing it so I could get started. Plus my nephew wanted his Aunt T to do it NOT Aunt Ronda!!! LOL!!!! I got the bid!!!!! LOL!!!!

Family can be the hardest customers!
Good luck with your sister! Just be honest w/ her about how you feel & everything will turn out fine in the end.

Heehee, well I lucked out in the sister department, only have one, so it is a good thing. Geesh, she knew I was busy with 3 cakes I hadn't planned on doing, so she offers to make my hubby's birthday cake and does it for free too. Now she isn't into decorating, but she makes a mean carrot cake and I was ever so grateful! Haha and to think when we were kids we didn't get along, not really until after we were married.
Anyway, we may not always see eye-to-eye on things, but when it comes to giving and sharing and helping out, well we get along perfectly.
Anyway, I told her about this thread and I believe it made her feel appreciated as she is, very much so!
So there is always hope that your sisters will mend their ways.
Hugs Squirrelly

Well Wandy, good for you, telling her the truth. Obviously it had an effect although she is likely too proud to say so, but it sounds like she heeded your advice and saved herself a lot of heartache. Inconsiderate way of handling the wedding guests, inconsiderate way of treating you, goes without saying. But in the long run, she will likely bless you for the end results! Sounds like you are a good sister!
Hugs Squirrelly

Sisters, sisters! I always wished for a brother! My best friend has 2 sons. 1 in his 30's & 1 in his late 20's. They adopted me as their big sister. There good to me but mean as hell to each other! At those ages they still fight! I mean fist fight!! Go figure! So I guess it just isn't sisters who can't get along.

I'm the oldest of 3 girls. I have never gotten along w/ the middle sister. We can't be in the same room for more then 15 min. before we're arguing! My youngest sister is so irresponsible that I can't take her being around either! I would never make a wedding cake for either!

Yes, when it comes down to it we can get along. We come together in time of crisis & time of need. Only by the grace of God!! That I am truly happy for! Everyday is another story!

Well that stinks. I hope she calms down and realizes what she is asking you to do. I think you must be right. It must be that time of the month,year..LOL

I had a best friend for over 4 years and we claimed to be like sisters. I felt that way anyways. She got upset with me over cake stuff too and decided that she didn't want to be friends. She was also a little bossy and I just let her be for all the other time. People definatly don't like it when you stand up for yourself.

The good thing about being sisters for real, I hope, is that they can't get rid of you... they have to get over it..LOL I am just assuming because I don't have any sisters.

Since I am in Arizona and all of my family are in California or Oklahoma, I do not have this problem with them....inlaws are a totally different story. My sister-in-law's are never satisfied with any cake I do for them. When I made the carebear cake, sil had changed her mind from strawberry shortcake to carebears..the day before the party. I had already gotten the stuff to do the strawberry shortcake one, but had to change it because that is what she wanted. Then there was the issue with the huge castle cake that I made for the other sil for hubby's neice's 4th birthday..all that time and money, and not even a thank you. Well, I am supposed to make a cake for hubby's nephew, and not looking forward to it at all. I enjoy making the cakes, but I know that all I will hear is criticism from the inlaws. I am tempted to go on cake making strike against his family .

Hi all, I have no brothers or sisters, but cousins-and they are a pain in the neck. I don't do free cakes for family anymore. I give them the family discount, $5 off the price that I raised $10, so they end up paying the regular price. Is that sneaky? I have one cousin that does nails, and when I found out she charged my daughter to do her nails for graduation, that sealed what I should have NOT been doing anyways. GIVING AWAY MY TIME AND EFFORTS. Mind you I always did cakes for my little cousins but no more. EVERYBODY PAYS.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with a shitty sister or family out there! I don't mind giving my cakes as presents, but I'm definately going to keep up my backbone - my boyfriend is proud that I told my sister how it was - he said it was long over due and he was tired of seeing family take advantage of me with my new skills!