******Please for those who aren't lisenced DO NOT FLAME ME******

I need to vent. So I'm signed up for the wedding show in Jan. I am the ONLY lisenced decorator in town (other than the grocery stores). There is a lady who is not decorating legally.

So at the wedding show they have a $50,000 prize. You win your entire wedding. I phoned to be apart of that. I wanted to give away a cake. But....I was told a small private "organization" was donating the cake. I asked if it was the grocery stores. They said no. So I know it is this lady. ERG>>>

Now she is preventing ME from advertising. They only take ONE cake. She LEGALLY can not be advertising. ERG....

I'm frustrated because I said I would not turn anyone in unless they were taking my advertising spaces.

So I talked to the wedding show people, and said that they should ask her if she works out of a lisenced kitchen, and if she says no, then to "warn" her that she can't be in any print advertising. Therefore, she'll have to back out.

They said if she isn't legal, then they would use me.

Please...I want this advertising. Please!!

Thanks for letting me vent.

Honey child! lol sorry had to lol. I don't blame you ONE single bit!!!! I would turn her butt in too. She's stealing your light girl that ain't right! Now I'm not licensed but have gotten the go-ahead from the County HD to bake out of my home without advertising so it's the same kinda thing I can't advertise except word of mouth. I wouldn't even attempt to do something like that without being licensed! And you'd think they'd have asked her that before accepting her "offer". Good luck getting the gig babe you deserve it!!!!

How are you being prevented from advertising? Won't you have a booth set up at the show?

I am not licensed but I would feel the same way. I hope that you get to advertise and good luck with your contest.

Autumn

I agree with you 100%. If she isn't legal, she shouldn't even be able to put up a table. Good Grief, where I'm at there is a holiday craft show every year. you have to prove all of your legalities before they will even send you a packet to see if you want to participate.

Get ahold of the manager of the building hosting the event. I am sure there is a regulation there that would require a license.

since everyone here is being nice to you--sugar sweet

I'LL FLAME YOU!!!!!

i can not believe that you would do this to someone, this person has worked hard too, who are you to judge her, that is the person in charge of the place/contest to do---


okay, that was boring & i'm tired of trying to find something mean to say to you, especially when i don't really mean it---i'm totally joking--

i agree with you, i'm not licensed & i also don't bake for profit, so there is no need to advertise--i also wouldn't want to do this for fear that i'd get in trouble & end up paying some kind of fee for being stupid - when that money could be going towards getting legal

good luck & best wishes--i hope that whatever happens, it happens for the best, i hope that if it is an unlicensed decorator that she doesn't cause you any problems.

I feel bad for you. I'm getting myself licensed real soon though. Have you talked to the wedding show organizer about donating your cake for next year's event?

This way, you'll be FIRST before anyone take over your place.

Hmmm. I guess I kind of wonder how she even got that far if she doesn't have a license. Perhaps she used someone else's licensed kitchen. Just be careful what you do, and don't act out of anger or desperation. You never know who might be watching. You're right that she SHOULDN'T be allowed to advertise if she's not licensed, but maybe there's more going on behind the scenes that you don't know about. For all you know, she could be related to the person running the show. So, just be careful.

Mickig

I agree with Mickig...be careful. Unless you are absolutely certain it is her AND she is not working out of a licensed kitchen, you may wind up hurting your own reputation. I would do some more investigative work.

Definately talk to the organizer about getting yours in for the next event.

Sandy

can you talk to her? Are you sure she doesn't bake out of a licensed kitchen even if she herself doesn't have a storefront or something? I can't believe they'd allow her to have a booth at the show if she wasn't licensed.... and I can't believe she has the "cake balls" to do it...... heck how easy can it get to turn someone in for not being licensed when they're at a show ADVERTISING and in PRINT for advertising at that same show! It might be better to let it go and then try to get with this show before next year and GET IT IN WRITING that you will be donating next year's cake.... just might save you some hassel. But if the event coordinators aren't concerned at all - I just wonder if maybe you don't know this other baker's entire situation. Or is this other baker just clueless that you have to be licensed? I mean I'm sure there are people out there who just started baking and selling cakes and would have no clue that they aren't legally allowed to do it... especially if they're not bringing in any big bucks - like they only do 10 cakes a year or something like that.

I can understand your frustration. I'm not licensed yet and there's no way that I would advertise at a wedding show. People keep telling me I need business cards and when I explain that you have to be licensed, they blow it off....... I'll certainly work through word of mouth but I'm not about to risk my future in baking by advertising in print and getting turned in to the health department. Maybe this other baker just needs a little warning - perhaps she's not aware that what she's doing could land her in big trouble. Of course - you could always warn her too that you know she's an illegal bakery and that she is hurting your business by donating her cake and getting all the print advertising and that if she doesn't back out, you will report her to the health department. That's a little drastic and sounds mean but that's maybe after a friendly warning telling her that it is illegal and asking if she was aware of that - b/c heck if she wasn't aware, she may back out on her own when you tell her.

Good luck with the whole situation! - oops sorry I wrote a book!

I was recently asked to participate in a wedding show. At the time I was not licensed and although I wanted to do the show SO BADLY I knew that I wasn't supposed to and was scared to death about getting in trouble over it. I told the people running the show that I was not licensed and they said that it didn't matter and wasn't an issue with them...

Long story short... I got my butt in gear, started renting a licensed, commercial kitchen and got approved by the health department with all my paperwork on file before the show. When I got to the show I met another cake vendor who was not licensed and didn't seem to be too worried about it....

All this to say... depending on the show, I guess, to some it doesn't matter if you're a licensed cake vendor or not...

But, I'm sorry that this happened to you. It's not fair that you're not able to have your business in print advertisement (in the show) and she is... that really stinks.

I am licensed and I know how you feel, however....Do you have proof that she is not licensed also? She could sublet kitchen space/time from someone's licensed kitchen. Several restaurants do this in exchange for cakes made for them. Becareful not to burn your bridge before it is built.

Good Luck at the show.

Gosh creativecakesbylindsay, I am not licensed and why would I flame you?

Okay here is a thought..........what is the opposite of legal? You are correct - Illegal. Guess that means court, fines, community service, jail time, restitution.......hmmmmmmmmmmm.

You totally have a right to question that bakers legality and if they truly are not legal, the right community entity governing bakers in your town, county or state has the right to shut 'er down......

Take the next step and call the community entity governing that baker......

At our bridal show here, they don't ask bakers for proof of licensure. All they care about is the $2000 booth fee!

So what I do is just stand OUTSIDE the door, giving out samples, and promising all the prospective brides at least a $100 discount off any quoted price they got INSIDE!! (Saves me like $2000 plus materials) AND---I don't have to worry about dealing with the treacherous and snoopy people on the inside...

(not really...) (had you goin' though, huh?)

You're right though; Check to make absolutely sure she's not licensed, and then do your thing.

--Knox--

i have to disagree with how you are going about this... im not flaming you....

first of all everyone was NOT licenced at one point or other....so you have to keep that in mind.

second of all....its not her fault that she got them first...you cant balme her for that...she is in this thing to make money too. you are not the only person who has to make a living...please keep that in mind too.

now if she isnt licenced and that will cause the other people to cancel the order with her then that is another thing all together.

basically i am saying dont knock her down because you didnt get the job...what goes around comes right back around.

I totally have to agree with you she should not be allowed to enter if she's not licensed but like others have said do some detective work first cause she may have friends higher up helping her so be careful you never know when the laws can be changed for friends. I hope all goes smoothly and you get your big chance you definitly deserve it!

I agree with kjgjam22 - first you really need to find out what is really upsetting you . And I'm sure if you're honest with yourself it will be the fact that this person beat you to the punch. Secondly, if she truly is running an "illegal" kitchen do you really want her to incurr the consequences that might come out of you telling on her? I'm sure you weren't exactly legal from the get go either. Third, be very careful to get ALL your facts together first. This person might be operating under circumstances that you are just not aware of that make it perfectly legit to participate in the show.

Maybe from one decorator to another (because aren't we all in this together) you might want to sit down and talk to her about this. She might not have any clue she is in the wrong (if she in fact is) and she might be so greatful to you for pointing out her error.

I guess my point is this, don't jump to conclusions before you have all the facts in hand and discuss your concerns with this person first before getting her in what could be a lot of trouble

Sorry for the long post.

I've learned before you get angry look at the whole picture. Sometimes it's just ignorance. The person may be starting out and don't know how it all works.

You did the best thing bringing it to the promoters attention. I'm sure they will look into it. Mentioning it calmly will go a long way.

I would let them talk to her about it.

Be confident in your work, when people attend the show let them taste your cake and view your work, that is what's going to sell.

Good Luck

[quote="creativecakesbylindsayThey said if she isn't legal, then they would use me.

[/quote]

Sounds like the ball is in their court. My opinion is that anything further on your end would be pushing too hard. How did she get a head start anyway? She probably knows someone, I'm guessing. Perhaps, just for this show, she is using a legal kitchen. There are many possibilities....who knows?

Try and talk about next year's event to the coordinators so that you have that one in the bag, at least.

I am licensed, too, and I understand how you feel.

She knew she couldn't participate in the show, and she basically 'stole' your spot.

However, you have to be careful not to really piss her off. She might retaliate and try to ruin your business.

Hmm sorry but I dont see why she shouldnt have the chance that you missed. You know you are the only baker in town and thats why you didnt rush but what if she had just gotten her license and you didnt know that what would be yr excuse. Maybe she doesnt plan to advertise in print but only plans to show her stuff and since she is donating the cake I dont see how she would get in trouble. We all start by word of mouth and I think that is what she is banking on so I would really think about turning her in because if she doesnt cross the line and does not advertise you'll look like the childish one to your customers and I dont think that would be good for business. I personally think the early bird gets the worm and you just have to grin and bear it and be better prepared next time and not assume you've got it in the bag. Sorry just my opinion but sounds like sour grapes to me.