I don't know the OP's intention, so I'm not commenting on that (moot point anyway, since I'm in AL ) but I understand the people that are suspicious. It's called being jaded from being screwed one too many times. Being cautious is not a bad thing, because unfortunately there ARE a lot of people out there that want to rip you off. More than want to play fair, I think...

I just find it interesting that NJ is a semi-large state and this poster didn't mention WHERE in NJ. That is the only thing that raises a red flag to me. Most people would write, "Is there a local bakery in Trenton that won't break my budget?" or something like that. The only thing a person can do is respond to this lady and see what she would like. If she doesn't have the money, then you don't do that cake, plain and simple.

With that being said, she does deserve the benefit of the doubt and I am not sure why some people are being so defensive. The only reason to be defensive is if she asked YOU personally to do a 100 person cake for $20 - then you can be turned off.

So while we are on the topic - can anyone in CA do a cake for me??

Sorry, I still stick by my response ~ and I didn't even think of the fact that it could be a Health Dept fishing expedition. If you are making cakes for less than grocery store or Walmart bakery prices JUST to get experience and a photo in your portfolio, then DON'T come crying to us when you are burnt out and your bargain-hunting customers don't want to pay higher prices.

Sorry if that's too NEGATIVE for you all, but there have been a million threads on this site about cheapskate customers and decorators who don't charge enough. Most of us work VERY hard to create a quality product and are barely making minimum wage at it, so when I hear requests like this ~ it does upset me!

Well, I can say that I was very excited to see so many posts to my original post, until I read them. Wow! It is very sad to see how many of you (although incredibly talented) are so jaded, suspicious, and mean.

I am looking for a cake for close to 100 people, but cannot afford $1000-$1200 for a cake! I am not sure how many of you can.... but I cannot. There should be a happy medium between Collette Peters and Costco. That is why I came to this board to find someone who would be interested in doing so. SugarPlumFairy made a smug posting, but does not realize that those are the prices that these lesser-known but established bakeries are charging. At that point, I would just go to Collette- she is not that much more.

You have to understand that when you are a baker who has never, or rarely done a large cake for an event, there is a certain level of risk that the buyer assumes. That assumption of risk is compensated by a lower price. It is a win-win situation if things work out. There is nothing to get huffy an puffy about. I have great respect for the talent and work that goes into these cakes, and am prepared to pay a good amount for the cake.

I had been approached by someone who was trying to build her portfolio, and offered to do the cake for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, I discovered ( after I gave her a deposit of $100) that she showed me photos of cakes that were someone elses. I would have used her based on her own merits... but the deception was hard to get over. I am not painting all start-up businesses with the same brush stroke.... nor should the bitter posters here bring along their past baggage.

I thank those you defended my post, especially CranberryClo . You took my posting in the right spirit. It really was a compliment... many people here are doing fabulous work. Again, I came to this specific forum because someone had suggested it to me, and I though it would be a good idea. Where else than a business startup site where someone may be launching and looking for clientele.

I have not posted here before, but it is silly to make assumptions about me, my level of intelligence, my character and ethics.

I think I should take your advice adven68, and RUN from this board.

Pignolia, you are soooo right and I thank you for your very tactful, yet, eloquent statement. There are so many wonerful people on CC so don't let a few bad posts get you down. If I were near you, I would certainly do a cake for you.

In my town, there are two store-front bakeries. The one is upper scale with a long history. They do fondant and buttercream work, and are known as being really good. I have never had any of their cakes but they are pricey. You want a bold cake that makes a statement, you go there.

Also in my town, there s a small bakery that isn't as fancy. It has been there for a few years. The owner, however, also has a little supply shop and I have been in there several times. She has let me taste her buttercream icing and it was yummy. She is very nice and helpful. Her cakes will not break your budget and she does not work with fondant, however, she has very nice cakes. She runs a fine business and is always busy.

I think pignolia is looking for bakery #2 here. AND, I think it is fair of her to ask for something like this.

Only suggestion, you might want to say where you are located. Best of luck in searching for a cake! You were not in the wrong when you posted on this site.

Oooh boy - another soap opera!

Pignolia,

I thought your response was very nice. I hope someone will be able to help you out with a great cake for a fair price for both of you.

I can understand why some bakers on here would be jaded though.

Some of the bakers on here have run into people that have expected them to do discounted work when alot of time, our cost and labor involved are higher than a grocery store because we don't take shortcuts, use only the best ingredients, some of us bake from scratch, some the whole cake, some doctored recipes, frostings are made from scratch. ALot of us are not able to sell in bulk, etc.

Anyhow, I hope you find a great cake!

Good grief people.......I hope this woman has a nice soft chair to sit in for the new one she just got just ripped!

She never said she wanted to pay less than WalMart prices, she just can't afford outrageous prices. In today's economy, who can?? Not me that's for sure so what's wrong with that? That doesn't mean she has no right to a nice cake. How is it anyone's right, or business for that matter, to tell her to have a smaller party??

What if you needed a new roof? Would you automatically go to the most expensive roofer in your area or would you get bids from several of them to find one that would fit your budget and still provide quality work? Isn't that the same thing? And if you decided to go with a roofer that was right in the middle of the cheapest and most expensive, does the more expensive roofer have the right to tell the others what they should be charging? NO! We all have the right to choose here and everyone has the right to charge whatever they feel is right for their work!

And how many of you gasp at the prices of some of these designer handbags?? $3000 for a purse, you say?? But it's just a purse for God's sake! And I bet the makers of those purses will tell you that they're handcrafted from the finest leather and how it takes many hours for just one to be produced. Still not buying it? You can always to go to China Town and get a fake one for $50!!

Superman...Batman....I can't remember which. But I got cupcakes here and they have her name written all over them!!!





Brownies

Cookies!!

Jasmine - you can fly those right over to MY house 0 maisza and I just finished all the popcorn and I KNOW this ain't over yet! LOL!

I feel awful that not only did she get blasted for her OP, but then to have someone send pics of SOMEONE else's work and not tell her until they got the $$$$? Good grief Charlie Brown!

I do admit, the idea of being careful if you are not licensed was a good point. Gotta be careful, but all I can picture is a Health Inspector posing as a "John" walking up to a "Lady of the Night" - "PSSST! Hey baby, those are nice looking cupcakes - they for sale? I'm looking for a little buttercream on top, what can you do for me?"

The issue I have with super-cheap cake prices is that it brings down the standard for all of us decorators who are trying to make a living. Yes, we all have to start somewhere, but a super-cheap decorator will eventually burn out or go broke. What I'm trying to say is that most of us are not paying ourselves enough. So many of us work long back-breaking hours making cakes for people who don't respect what we do. (after all, it's just flour, sugar and eggs, right?) Some customers will always go for the cheapest and then we have to educate them on why they can't have a cake like they saw on Ace of Cakes for a Walmart price. Again, this is a general comment geared toward the less-experienced decorators....do your research and factor in all the little things that go into your cakes when deciding on prices. Don't undercut Walmart or the grocery store bakeries, because their quality is very different and more limited on design. Figure in a decent hourly wage for yourself, after all ~ the cakes are taking time away from your family and friends. And stick to your prices and avoid discounting or donating cakes unless it is something YOU really want to do. Okay, I'm done.....back to making cakes!

Oops, don't know what happened to my above reply.
It starts with the "poo on your cupcakes" and ends with "we must be bored"