:x Woman Being Cheap!

Decorating By Dreme Updated 20 Sep 2006 , 10:26pm by MrsMissey

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Dreme Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:15am
post #1 of 93

I was asked today by a this woman I know to do a plain chocolate sheetcake (with red colored cream cheese frosting and no decorations or creativity of any kind). It has to be by this friday and I would be paid "$12" to do it. My thoughts were: PAINFUL SIDE CRAMP LAUGHTER!!!! and NO!: no crap for crap from me.

Then she went on to explain to me how she was going to buy it made from the store when they told her how much it was going to cost: $22. She said that it was just a plain sheetcake, "its just cake, just some bread and some frosting", and that it should not cost that much.

Then I felt hurt. For all the creative people out there who put thier time and effort into doing something nice for someone else; only to have them tell you that it cost too much. After her having said that my thoughts were : "L NO! Im not doing ---t for you! And then you have the nerve to come to me and ask me to do it for less knowing good well I dont even do cakes at the strore brought level! Since all you think cake is nothing but bread and frosting, let me take that $12 dollars and buy you a couple of loaves of bread, some chocolate frosting, and some red food coloring. Oh, wait you said cream cheese flavoring, so let me get a couple of bars of that too. Now you take this home and figure out how to make the (blank) yourself!"

But none of that got to come out of my mouth as her cell rung and she walked off telling me she will get back to me tommorow. I wanted to take my heel off and throw it at her back, but I stayed calm and went about my business. Im so mad i dont want to even deal with her.



The answer is still no only with a "L" in front.

icon_mad.gif (*puff)

92 replies
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moydear77 Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:20am
post #2 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by MidnightSnackCake

I
icon_mad.gif (*puff)




You did the rihgt thing! Do not sell yourself short! I had to laugh at the puff!!! Cheap cheap like a bird I say!

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Melvira Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:21am
post #3 of 93

Ergh! You should've spiked her in the head with your heel. Hehehe. Ok, I don't mean to be cruel, but you're right, that is SO offensive. I'd tell her you'd be happy to make her cake for $20 (or whatever you think is fair). Tell her you don't make cakes for $12 because it costs you that much for ingredients and the utlities required to make them before you even add in how much time it takes. And if she crabs, tell her to go take a flying leap. Some people. icon_rolleyes.gif

BTW... if it's so easy, why doesn't she do it herself. She can get a Betty Crocker mix and a can of frosting. That can't taste any worse than the grocery store. icon_wink.gif

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mkerton Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:21am
post #4 of 93

wow.. that is being rude..I say stick with the NO...whats with a plain red sheet cake anyway!

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lionladydi Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:24am
post #5 of 93

What a hoot. Where does she come off saying it's just some bread with frosting? I'll agree..........buy her a couple loaves of bread, some cream cheese, and red coloring. I'll even chip in on the cost. What an idiot!

Diane

P.S. Why the "L" would anyone want a chocolate sheet cake with red cream cheese frosting?

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baker4life Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:24am
post #6 of 93

Why can't people realize how much time and money goes into a cakes?!?!
Gosh, dont'cha wish you can just slap 'em upside the head??
If she thinks its' "just plain sheetcake", she should make it herself!



People have champagne tastes on a beer budget!! icon_lol.gif

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CakeRN Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:26am
post #7 of 93

Well when she calls you back tomorrow to talk about the cake just tell her that your sheet cakes run 30.00 or more depending on the size. Tell her you could not possibly do it for 12.00....that the ingredients alone will run you that and then there is the electricity for the oven, the boards, the time (your time is worth lots more). So she will either have to pay you for a delicious cake or go buy the uck....wally world cake...but if she says she will go with you then tell her you need to be paid up front or she will conveniently only have 12.00 and no check book on her when she picks it up.

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lionladydi Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:27am
post #8 of 93

I don't think this woman was hit with an idiot stick....I think they got her with the whole tree. I just keep sitting here trying to imagine how stupid someone could be to say something like that.

Diane

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kendraanne Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:28am
post #9 of 93

I can't believe the nerve of some people!! Absolutely tell her NO WAY!!

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cmcgarr Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:28am
post #10 of 93

I'm sorry... I feel your pain.
Some people just don't get it. Everyone is looking for a bargain these days, and it definitely doesn't stop with cakes!!

I totally agree with Melvira. The ingredients and utilities are going to cost you $12 plus your time involved. Give her a minimum price ($20), and tell her politely that's as low as you can go.

It's great to give people a deal, but it's not worth it if you're coming up short.

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HunBun Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:32am
post #11 of 93

Midnight, sorry for finding humor in your post, but yours is the first one to actually make me laugh. Don't get me wrong, that lady's way of thinking hurts me too. Most of us have a real passion for making and decorating cakes and I'm guessing 99% of us (or more) aren't getting rich doing it.

Anyway, go ahead and vent all you want. Doesn't offend me one bit. I'm sure you will handle her in the best way possible. But I sure wish you could get away with buying her the bread, etc.

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4Gifts4Lisa Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:33am
post #12 of 93

They really don't get it. I have been learning and taking courses, etc for 7 months, and I am still shocked when I add up all I have spent for one cake! I am still used to the days when I paid 99cents for a box of mix, $1.50 for frosting, and that was it. So that is probably where they are coming from.

Someone here needs to come up with a sheet that breaks down the prices of EVERYTHING, so we can show it to people!

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Momof3boys Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:40am
post #13 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by lionladydi

I don't think this woman was hit with an idiot stick....I think they got her with the whole tree. \\

Diane




Omg. That is so funny!! never heard that before!!


Diane

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Dreme Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:41am
post #14 of 93

Thanks guys! I feel little bit better. I just dont want to get mad all over again when I speak with her tommorow. I really dont even want to do it for her considering her atittude alone. Plus I would have to take the only free time from doing the other two, better, cakes this week to make some crap for her by friday.

p.s. The red sheet cake was for a friend's party who's favorite color was red and liked chocolate cream cheese cake. I feel sorry for that freind and all the people who would be eating that awful looking thing.


p.s.p.s kendraanne that looks just like my puppy!

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cakeatopia Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:42am
post #15 of 93

"Plain red sheetcake" just makes me want to gag thinking of it. And if she only wants to pay $12, she really should do herself afterall, it is just a few 59 cent boxes of cakemix, some creamcheese and some red dye right????? She could save herself even more $$ if she just did it herself.

Gosh, do people even think before allowing words to come out of their mouths???

Please just say no, otherwise, she will expect you to do a "Plain blue sheetcake" next time and she will never get the idea that geeez it takes time and energy to do all this stuff.

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Dreme Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:47am
post #16 of 93

By the way guys, I do know that she can't cook. So thats why she is not making it herself. She would probably bake it on a cookie sheet.


(im sorry, that was mean....lol)

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mkerton Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:50am
post #17 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Gifts4Lisa

They really don't get it. I have been learning and taking courses, etc for 7 months, and I am still shocked when I add up all I have spent for one cake! I am still used to the days when I paid 99cents for a box of mix, $1.50 for frosting, and that was it. So that is probably where they are coming from.

Someone here needs to come up with a sheet that breaks down the prices of EVERYTHING, so we can show it to people!




I think this is the truth when you are used to sinking under $5 to make a cake, it just doesnt make sense to pay $25-30 for a grocery store cake....this is why I got into cake decorating...I stupidly thought look at all the money I will save..........LOL..........I figure if I make all my relatives b-days cakes for the next 10 years....I may (and that is a huge may) break even!

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Rainbow Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 3:54am
post #18 of 93

I would charge her what you would charge any other customer. If she complains about the price, ask her what her hourly wage is and times that by the amount of time you would put into the cake. I bet she wouldn't work for practically "free"! I have dealt with a few friends who just"don't" get it either!

Sue

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cmmom Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:01am
post #19 of 93

I can't believe that she went to the store and didn't get the $22 cake but wanted you to do the same cake for only $12!!!! Why would she think that you would be cheaper than the store?? I would think your quality and talent would cost MORE!! I would tell her IF she calls tomorrow that you're already booked for the week and she can go back to the store and try to get them to lower their prices - lol.

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imartsy Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:06am
post #20 of 93

Heck just tell her you're too busy - that you have some cakes that are $_____ that will take up all your time and you don't want to not be able to put your full efforts into those cakes b/c you also have to make this sheetcake. Tell her you'll loan her your sheetcake pan for $5.00 and she can make it herself.... heck she can even leave it in the pan. What a cheap friend! This is a cake for someone else too right? I think I would be insulted if someone BOUGHT me a red sheetcake w/ nothing on it...... I mean heck if someone I knew couldn't bake and they MADE me a cake - I would be touched at the thought - but if they're going to go out and spend money I'd feel like they were really cheap to not even spend $20 on a cake - heck if you can't afford it - ask a few people at the party to go in on it with you - but if she CAN afford it and is just being cheap - I'd say forget it. Tell her you can't waste your time on cakes that are less than $______ b/c you simply don't have the time and don't want to turn away higher paying cakes. If she thinks it will only take you an hour or so say well, I get paid at least $12.00 an hour just for my work - for the ingredients and use of my pans, oven, etc. I need at least $8.00..... so it's going to cost you at least $20.00 for a cake from me.... but suggest that she just go to the grocery store........ she seems to want crap!

I also love the idea of giving her a loaf of Entemen's pound cake and some store-bought icing and tell her to go at it icon_smile.gif Heck - tell her to buy a PLAIN sheet cake from teh grocery store and a tub of icing and to use that! Still - sounds like a really cheap person!

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newlywedws Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:15am
post #21 of 93

I think you should offer your services for the $12. icon_smile.gif Now before I get any one looking at me like I also got hit upside the head w/ a stupid stick, let me finish my thought.
I would accept her offer of $12 and go buy the ingredients for her and drop them off at her house w/ a copy of the store receipt and let her know that you bought all the ingredients, but had to keep out _x_ amount for gas and delivery fee, and tell her to have fun baking and decorating icon_biggrin.gificon_razz.gificon_lol.gif

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daltonam Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:19am
post #22 of 93

so when she calls u back (or comes back by to see u) tell her, i'm really sorry that u wasted your time coming back over here, i could have told you yesterday that it's unfortunate for you, but i charge $25 (or whatever) for a sheet cake. maybe you could try to bake one....i'm so very sorry i couldn't help u out. icon_surprised.gif i really am icon_evil.gificon_mad.gif


or just tell her u don't turn your oven on for less than $25.00 icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

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mommacat5 Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:22am
post #23 of 93

icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif Newlywedws I'm dying!!!!!!!!! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif OMG I would love to see a customers face.ROTF

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playingwithsugar Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:30am
post #24 of 93

newlywedws, I love it, I love it, I love it! Oh, to be a fly on the wall....

Theresa

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Cake_Mooma Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:37am
post #25 of 93

This is my take on this one.

I think that I would show her what a $12.00 cake would look like. (ie. a cupcake) Than I would tell her that if she thinks that she can feed the amount of people that she is planning on with the cupcake than take a few minutes and make it for her. When she sees how stupid that sounds and looks she will question you and you attitude. When she does I think that I would tell her with the straightest look on my face, " I make quality cakes and that is what I am building my reputation on, I am very sorry but this is what you can get for $12.00. I need to get paid for my work and that is worth a lot more than the "change" from buying the materials that it took to make this "cake". I don't go to your place of employment and disrespect your work and/or your responsibilities than I would appreciate if you would respect my work- my craft." Than let her know that NO you will not be working on the cake for her because you make cakes for others that do appreciate your work and value your time. Then tell her to stick it where the sun don't shine. lolololol

I guess you can skip the last part.

All in all let her know that you where offended and that you can't make not only this cake but others too.

Hope that was of some help.

Vic

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newlywedws Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:40am
post #26 of 93

Hmmm...I'm having some more thoughts. Let her know you charge a consultation fee of $12, as your time is valuable, and if she's still interested in your services, you'll subtract the $12 from the total fee of $36 icon_biggrin.gif

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nalyjuan Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 4:54am
post #27 of 93

newlywedws,

I love all of your ideas..they are great...what a mind...LOL...

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nanascakes Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 5:12am
post #28 of 93

What I don't get is why she thinks she can tell you the price of the cake that you would be making!!! Gee, maybe I can go to the car dealers and tell them to build me a red convertible for 100.00!!!

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KylesMom Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 5:26am
post #29 of 93

I would run as fast as I could away from this lady even if she agreed to pay your price. When people see this "plain red cake" their going to wonder why it is a "plain red cake". Though it will taste great, is this really a product that you want your name on? Not to mention the fact that I can just imagine Miss Cheapo telling people how "overpriced" you are. She may even try to use you as a scapegoat as to why the cake isn't decorated. Also, do you really want to deal with her in the future? If you do lower your price to suit her then she will expect it from now on. When you have someone inquire about a cake, the first thing to say is, "What is your budget?, and How many people are you expecting to serve?" icon_smile.gif

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crouton800 Posted 19 Sep 2006 , 11:00am
post #30 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by MidnightSnackCake

She said that it was just a plain sheetcake, "its just cake, just some bread and some frosting", and that it should not cost that much.

icon_mad.gif (*puff)




OMG. I don't believe a customer said this!! It's amazing what people think. I wouldn't go anywhere near this woman and I wouldn't waste anymore time thinking about her.

I always remind myself, when I'm tempted to take on a cake for a "discounted price" that it's my reputation at stake. If whatever you bake and decorate is something you would not take a photo of and put it in your portfolio/website - then don't do it. A cheap cake will look cheap and that's not the type of customer you want. It's the QUALITY customer you want for your business.

Don't worry about such people, they are the one's who are living in their own world!

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