Slice My Cake...slice My Purse

Business By Iloveweddings Updated 27 Jul 2007 , 5:37pm by snarkybaker

KellyAnne1284 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KellyAnne1284 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 3:34pm
post #31 of 64

But $2.50 per slice just to cut the damn cake? I'm sorry, but, I think that's insane. Fine, you need to cover over head, cover slight expenses that might be incurred with the cake, yada yada....but $2.50 per slice? No freaking way! Sometimes that's what I charge for a cake....hours and hours of baking, decorating, carving, shaving, molding, shaping, painting, attaching, spraying, cleaning up, doing dishes, going to the store for supplies...not to mention the added electric on my bill from the use of the oven, the dishwasher....the added expense on my water bill to do the dishes and run the washer...the sanitizing supplies to wipe the kitchen down before and after...and all of the labor included in all of those things....and I only charge $2.50 a slice for all that! Like I said, I don't live in a fairy tale world....fine, they need to charge SOMETHING to cover expenses....but come on....

snarkybaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
snarkybaker Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 3:39pm
post #32 of 64

Didn't anybody else get an email that indicated that this post had been deleted icon_confused.gif ?

Doug Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Doug Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 3:55pm
post #33 of 64

last time i was at a restaurant, TGIF, not fancy by any means -- ONE slice of cake for dessert was almost $6.

now -- that cake was really $6 to make????

or was it about $1-$2 ingredients and the rest for all the costs of making and serving?

----

and as for $2.50/slice

well that is NOT outrageous to me

as txkat pointed out -- salaries can be $17/hour...
and that's before paying for health insurance and doing the required matching for Social Security and Medicare

lets just say that is takes:
10 servers @ $10/hour (which is what one of my students gets at a local country club) (100 guests, 1 server per 10 guests)
--- that's $100/hour just for them --- time to serve and clean up cake easily 1 hour

and then that pastry chef -- ok that's another $8.50 for a half/hours work

and then there's the dishwasher in the kitchen -- another hour at minimum wage say so $5.75

and then there's the Maitre de -- someone has to be running the show. say $15/hour

and then there's health insurance for the chef
matching taxes for everyone at 7.5%
and business income tax
and insurance
and utilities
and breakage
and at some venues, the cost of the servers' clothes and cleaning them (uniforms!!!)
and part of the salary for the accountant/bookeeper to do all those taxes (my word, it took me an hour yesterday to do all the various forms to file the quarterly tax reports (state and fed) and payments for just TWO employees at my church!!!)

just for the salaries alone $135
add 7.5% for taxes = $10.13

EASILY $200 or more in expenses total for that ONE hour of serving cake.

divide by original 100 guests -- golly gee -- $2/person at least.

----------------

and to compare our per slice to the their per person serving fee is to compare apples to kumquats.

we aren't serving it or cleaning up after it or supplying the dinnerware or the silverware, etc.

and if you feel you're per slice price is already sooo low -- then time to raise your prices.

-------

it really frosts my bonnet when people get all in a pickle over the fees they have to pay to get work performed for them.

a business is NOT a charity.

you don't want to pay a serving fee -- then don't have the cake at the venue, do it at home or in a park.

wgoat5 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
wgoat5 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 4:09pm
post #34 of 64

Im sorry if I have offended anybody with my comment, wasn't meant to ruffle feathers, just havent run into it here thats all. I see where all the fees go...BUT....if you sit down and book a venue...shouldn't all of that be UP FRONT and not "Oh yeah guess what, theres a cutting fee of 100.00!"

I am just saying..9 times out of 10 I save for things. I saved to pay for a 50th wedding anniversary party for my parents.....and couldn't save a penny more. If I went and then they said we need a extra hundred..Ummm I would of said but that's not what they told me from the beginning. It's kinda like a car dealership...don't you think you should tell EVERYBODY that there are fees for this and fees for that...and they DO. Whats the difference here? If they are up front with it maybe no problem. But if she put her deposit down and THEN they said .....cutting charge 2.50 I do think that is incredibly insensitive of the place. They need to make money....we need to pay them...but with no hidden charges! Just my very own opinion and if I were saying this to you in person I would be saying it kindly icon_biggrin.gif SO PLEASE don't think Im being a weeny....Ive got a country accent for gosh sakes LOL icon_biggrin.gif

Everybody please have a great day!!!!

Doug Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Doug Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 4:19pm
post #35 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by wgoat5

Im sorry if I have offended anybody with my comment, wasn't meant to ruffle feathers, just havent run into it here thats all. I see where all the fees go...BUT....if you sit down and book a venue...shouldn't all of that be UP FRONT and not "Oh yeah guess what, theres a cutting fee of 100.00!"

I am just saying..9 times out of 10 I save for things. I saved to pay for a 50th wedding anniversary party for my parents.....and couldn't save a penny more. If I went and then they said we need a extra hundred..Ummm I would of said but that's not what they told me from the beginning. It's kinda like a car dealership...don't you think you should tell EVERYBODY that there are fees for this and fees for that...and they DO. Whats the difference here? If they are up front with it maybe no problem. But if she put her deposit down and THEN they said .....cutting charge 2.50 I do think that is incredibly insensitive of the place. They need to make money....we need to pay them...but with no hidden charges! Just my very own opinion and if I were saying this to you in person I would be saying it kindly icon_biggrin.gif SO PLEASE don't think Im being a weeny....Ive got a country accent for gosh sakes LOL icon_biggrin.gif

Everybody please have a great day!!!!




excellent point.

an ethical, well-run venue will go over all the fees (and oh my! can there be a lot) up front.

still it is a shock as you are starting to add them up to see that if you don't take their cake there will be a cutting fee instead or no fee only if no cake of any kind.

and based on the original post -- i doubt this was an "after the fact" type of thing --

as in order to plan for proper service, the venue needs to know all the details in advance too --- just like we do in terms of flavors, fillings and the like.


-----
(one of the WORST experiences of my life was being adviser to the Sr. Prom! --- which at that school was held at one of those wedding palaces -- I was dragged by the prom committee to six of them before they found one they liked and could afford and then the choices, choices and more choices! If you think one bridezilla and her mom is trouble -- try dealing w/ four HS senior girls!)

wgoat5 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
wgoat5 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 4:22pm
post #36 of 64

It doesn't matter what it is anymore...Everything is so darn expensive!

FromScratch Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FromScratch Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 4:50pm
post #37 of 64

If you are going to bring a cake into a restaurant one would think you would call and ask them first if it was okay to even bring it in. Some places won't allow you to bring in outside food (and rightfully so). It's one of those things you plan for. I can understand sticker shock, but if you don't want to pay the fee don't bring the cake.. have the cake at your house. Seems simple enough.

Staceface81 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Staceface81 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:11pm
post #38 of 64

Did anyone see my post from before? I am still wondering if you buy their cake if you still get charged a "cutting fee" or if it's included in the cake?

snarkybaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
snarkybaker Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:29pm
post #39 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by Staceface81

Did anyone see my post from before? I am still wondering if you buy their cake if you still get charged a "cutting fee" or if it's included in the cake?




No, the cost of salaries etc. is factored into pricing all menu items.

bubblywhitewine Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
bubblywhitewine Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:40pm
post #40 of 64

Is the $2.50 a serving astated anywhere in the contract that you signed? If not, I wouldn't pay, if it is, I do believe your stuck with the charges.

Damn, fine print!!

snarkybaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
snarkybaker Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:43pm
post #41 of 64
Quote:
Quote:

It is wrong. Mad This place just wants me to buy the cake from them. If not, they stick it to me. Evil or Very Mad A plating fee of $4.00 is robbery as far as I see it. All it is is a cake. Bringing in your own salad to a restaurant is nuts. A cake is no big deal. These places that make you buy their cake taste like crap. I have worked hard to find great recipes. Smile These places don't. I have had these cakes made by the place at others weddings and they do not taste good. If I could I would take my business elsewhere but I am stuck. Deposits have been paid and the party is soon, not enough time to pull it together somewhere else. My parents place is not big enough to accomodate this number of people. If I had been told this detail when we signed to this place, I would not have signed or paid a %&*#@ Lips are Sealed dime!!! I am fleeced $2.50 a serving. Mad This place will never see me again after this party and I will tell everyone I can how they robbed me. It is wrong!




By the way. I am one of these places and I can promise you my cakes don't taste like crap. I find that very offensive.

marthajo1 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
marthajo1 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:54pm
post #42 of 64

This is getting ugly!


Check your contract..... if it is in there there is nothing you can do.... sorry.

KellyAnne1284 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KellyAnne1284 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 5:57pm
post #43 of 64

"By the way. I am one of these places and I can promise you my cakes don't taste like crap. I find that very offensive."

But let's face it, this is true for a lot of these "places". YOUR cakes may not taste bad, but the others will give people like you a bad reputation. And this thread was a rant, not a personal attack. Geex....people are way, way, way too sensitive now a days....taking everything personally.

snarkybaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
snarkybaker Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 6:24pm
post #44 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyAnne1284

"By the way. I am one of these places and I can promise you my cakes don't taste like crap. I find that very offensive."

But let's face it, this is true for a lot of these "places". YOUR cakes may not taste bad, but the others will give people like you a bad reputation. And this thread was a rant, not a personal attack. Geex....people are way, way, way too sensitive now a days....taking everything personally.




She called "people like me" evil. She used the term robbery. It was very personal. I am sorry that she is having a frustrating time dealing with this, but if she was sure she was going to make her parents cake, she should have asked the resorts policy upfront.

Caveat Emptor is always a good policy.

Iloveweddings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Iloveweddings Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 8:54pm
post #45 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by txkat

If you cant afford to have your parents reception at a nice resort, then you should have made other plans.




I can afford it and going to pay the creeps. icon_mad.gif I love how they spung this new charge on me less than 20 days before the event. It will take this guys creep less than 30 minutes to cut the cake. I am paying way too much. All I can do is check for this type of robbery in the future.
icon_rolleyes.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyAnne1284

"By the way. I am one of these places and I can promise you my cakes don't taste like crap. I find that very offensive."

But let's face it, this is true for a lot of these "places". YOUR cakes may not taste bad, but the others will give people like you a bad reputation. And this thread was a rant, not a personal attack. Geex....people are way, way, way too sensitive now a days....taking everything personally.




I am venting. I am not happy about this whole situation. It was not a personal attack. However, I would say this was:

Quote:
Originally Posted by txkat

If you cant afford to have your parents reception at a nice resort, then you should have made other plans.




No biggie. I'm not upset and complaining about it to any moderators. icon_rolleyes.gif

wgoat5 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
wgoat5 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:14pm
post #46 of 64

So it wasn't discussed when they priced everything with you? How UNFAIR that was....maybe if they told you before hand..but not 20 days icon_sad.gif

Iloveweddings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Iloveweddings Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:18pm
post #47 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by wgoat5

So it wasn't discussed when they priced everything with you? How UNFAIR that was....maybe if they told you before hand..but not 20 days icon_sad.gif




I told them I wanted to make the cake for my parents way over a month ago. They told me then I would have to sign a waiver.Why didn't they tell me at that time about this serving fee?????

wgoat5 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
wgoat5 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:24pm
post #48 of 64

I dunno icon_sad.gif but that is NOT how you run a good business at all!!! Did you ask them WHY they didn't disclose that small but very EXPENSIVE detail? Wow the nerve of some people....I agree after I have thought about it that there should be a charge...but should of been discussed way before that! geesh!!! Im sorry that happened to you icon_sad.gif

tiptop57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tiptop57 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:36pm
post #49 of 64

Removed my post because I read the whole thread and Doug said everything I wanted to say. icon_biggrin.gif

wgoat5 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
wgoat5 Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:41pm
post #50 of 64

Oh that is completely right....,But they didn't tell her in the beginning at all...Thats what I dont like

edited to say...I for one would of needed to be told because I am ignorant to that rule...I just have never been anywhere where they charged...you rent the hall, or what have you and you serve the cake...I just didn't know icon_sad.gif

I am from Kentucky, was raised very nicely, my parents had very good jobs but hey....and we went to very nice places to eat and to Weddings and what not...just never ran into the charging thing... I guess I am just ignorant to the situation I guess.

Doug Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Doug Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 9:45pm
post #51 of 64

time to check that contract....

carefully

after all, could they be sued for lack of full disclosure? or even for breach of contract?

Iloveweddings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Iloveweddings Posted 26 Jul 2007 , 11:11pm
post #52 of 64

This event is taking place out of my state. My sister-in-law handled the contract since she lives there. I just found out she didn't know about it and said, "we'll cut the cake", but I don't think they will let us. I'll ask for a copy of that contract. She was never told either.

snowboarder Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
snowboarder Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 1:12am
post #53 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iloveweddings

I cannot believe this! I am making my parents 50th anniversary cake.
The resort where the party is being held is charging me $2.50 a slice to slice MY cake!!




Agreeing with others that cutting fees are standard. $2.50 is cheap. In San Francisco there are places that charge $15.00 per.

shortNsweet Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
shortNsweet Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 1:41am
post #54 of 64

I had made a cake for my Aunt's 85th birthday at a very expensive, lovely country club. The manager was THRILLED when i offered to slice and serve my own cake! He was TOTALLY honest when I asked him flat out when I brought the cake in, if he or his staff knew how to PROPERLY slice a tiered cake like this one! When he asked me the proper way to do it, he HONESTLY said he wasn't sure his staff had ever done it THAT way...he even brought out his head server, and she HONESTLY told me she had always just sliced into it with no real method. When I OFFERED to do it FOR them, they were gracious, and asked me to TEACH them the RIGHT way to do it! It was SO refreshing to have them be honest, and nice about the whole thing! They watched, learned, and thanked me profusly...AND NO...they did NOT charge a fee for this to my cousin who paid the bill. It's a shame not everyone can be so nice and accomodating and honest!

CherryBomb Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
CherryBomb Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 2:54am
post #55 of 64

I worked as a wedding coordinator in the Orlando area and plating fees were an industry standard; even if it was being served by a caterer or venue did not do cakes themselves.

Jorre Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Jorre Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 5:16am
post #56 of 64

I had this situation once... but they told me since I was in a private room, if I wanted to bring paper plates/forks & cut the cake myself, that there would not be a cutting fee. They would charge a small (like $20) clean up fee though.

We did that and left a very generous tip for the waiter who collected and threw away our paper goods.

Maria071 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Maria071 Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 2:37pm
post #57 of 64

I find it ironic that there has been post after post about people objecting when their cakes wont be the only ones for the event and talking about clients that nickle and dime to save money BUT a fee charged by a venue for having to serve a cake they didn't prepare seems "off". If you bring your own cake in you are taking business away from them. There is no reason they shouldn't try to get some of that back.

Iloveweddings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Iloveweddings Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 3:44pm
post #58 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria071

If you bring your own cake in you are taking business away from them. There is no reason they shouldn't try to get some of that back.





That's a very good point but the thing is the resort is not losing any money. You see the fee I have already paid them included payment for a cake. It was a package deal. That fee covered all the expenses the business has like electricity, wages for workers and such. They already have that money in the bank because I paid them. Now because I want to take in my homemade cake they are wanting to charge an additonal $2.50 per slice. I understand they need to make a profit but they have already been paid for a cake! I think it is unreasonable to make me pay again. It's just wrong.

Maria071 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Maria071 Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 3:47pm
post #59 of 64
Quote:
Quote:

You see the fee I have already paid them included payment for a cake.




I did not see this. In this case than they should NOT charge you a plating fee because they have already been paid to serve cake!

Iloveweddings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Iloveweddings Posted 27 Jul 2007 , 3:49pm
post #60 of 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug



...... HOW DARE THEY -- try to cover costs and make a profit! (and if i had hair to toss I would!)




Read my post above.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%