Some Customers Can Make A Person So Mad!!! (Vent)

Business By amazinggracecakedesigns Updated 20 Sep 2008 , 7:17pm by chassidyg

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amazinggracecakedesigns Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:01pm
post #1 of 71

Hi All,

My husband just called me with this little bit of news from where he works. It irritated me so bad that I just had to vent about it. At his work, they always have cakes for whenever it is someone's birthday. I have made some of these cakes in the past. Friday will be the boss's birthday and my husband asked what they were going to do for the cake. A co-worker informed him that she would be making the cake because it would only cost her $3.00 to make it. He told her that when we do our cakes that everything we use is homemade and doesn't come from a box or a can.

A little while later, he was approached about what amount he would be giving on the gift or, if he wanted to, he could just donate the cake as his amount. Doesn't that just make you want to bite nails?!!! He told her that he would put his money amount in but we would not be donating the cake.

There is no way I would donate a cake after that $3.00 comment. They can have there cake with canned icing but I won't be the one fixing it!! I feel like what I do is a work of art and it isn't just a job. If they don't appreciate the product that I produce, then, they don't deserve our product anyway.

I don't think people that aren't in this business realize what time and effort goes into making these cakes. I take pride on what I do and it is more than just a food service (that is what some people think). Sometimes I think they should have to try to create what we create and maybe they would have a little more understanding!!! icon_rolleyes.gif

70 replies
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costumeczar Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:05pm
post #2 of 71

People are idiots...Your husband should donate $3 to the birthday "cause." Thank God I don't work in an office anymore, I don't miss stuff like that!

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mixinvixen Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:08pm
post #3 of 71

she's quite the fool if she really thinks she can make a cake for only $3!!!

box mix-walmart (at the least) is .88. every other store though is typically at least a $1.50.

eggs, oil, maybe milk, tub of icing, food coloring for icing or even prepared tubes from kroger.

good luck with that, ya big idiot! (not you!!!)



guarantee that she is jealous of your talents and wants a little piece of the action for herself...dollars to donuts that she makes a total a$$ of herself...sometimes it's so much more satisfying to just sit back and smirk!!

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DebraDough Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:13pm
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The last few wedding cakes I did I told the bride I would give her a break on the price if she came and helped bake the cakes, wrap and freeze them and help me clean up the mess. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! They were so blown away at how much work, time and effort just that "small bit" took and I know they went home thinking...."I just should have paid the lady full price". Ha, ha, ha. No they don't know how much work goes into the cake decorating process. This goes along with another thread going about how much to charge. I would rather do less and make what I am worth than to do a lot for ten cents an hour. People will always complain. It just seems to be the nature of the beast....it's just a different subject for different people. Me...I complain about people who want something for nothing or want the very best at Wall Mart prices. It just doesn't work that way. That's why we have Wally World to start with. Debra

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CIndymm4 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:28pm
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Well, Bless her heart.....she really is living in another world if she feels she can make a cake for $3.00......I'm in agreement with mixinvixen, and then add the cost of turning on the oven to the ingredient list and there is no way she can make a cake for $3.00!! Some people just have to be nasty............she's proably really very jealous of your talent. I too have had those who said they could make it cheaper or they could get it cheaper at Wal-Mart and I politely say, not a problem, make it yourself then, or the Wal-Mart is just down the road. I'm willing to bet they ask you to make the cake next time! icon_wink.gif

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Amia Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:33pm
post #6 of 71

For $3 they'll be eating mix straight from the box and one can of frosting.

Why do people assume they don't need anything except that box mix? It doesn't magically form into a cake when opened. You still need eggs, oil and water. Plus you're using energy to power the mixer and heat the oven. Then you need icing. Even if you don't color your icing, put a filling, or doctor up the mix, you're still looking at a minimum of $10 in supplies. Why are people so dumb?

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tx_cupcake Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:48pm
post #7 of 71

Many people, like this woman, have the attitude of "well-if-she-can-do-it-I-can-too". If that were the case, everyone would be a brain surgeon-rock star. thumbsdown.gif

I work in an office where many of the women have this affliction, so I can definitely sympathize. It's true, sometimes just sitting back and watching everyone make polite compliments about someone else's heinous "cake" while quietly disposing of their piece in the nearest trash can will do wonders for your soul!

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tonia3604 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:50pm
post #8 of 71

Was it the same lady or someone else that asked if you wanted to donate the cake as your husbands share of the gift?

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Jasmine33 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 4:55pm
post #9 of 71

That kind of stuff really makes me mad too! Please, PLEASE have hubby take pics of what she comes up with!!

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melvin01 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 5:04pm
post #10 of 71

I, too, would enjoy seeing the $3 birthday cake for the boss!

You get what you pay for!! I'd just sit back and let that one play out. If you were going to go cheap on a cake, I'm not sure the boss' birthday would be the time to do that.

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MomLittr Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 5:04pm
post #11 of 71

Let her make the cake, and when everyone sees it and tastes it (poor boss, getting a lousy cake), everyone will have wished you did it!

deb

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Jasmine33 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 5:12pm
post #12 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by melvin01

I, too, would enjoy seeing the $3 birthday cake for the boss!

You get what you pay for!! I'd just sit back and let that one play out. If you were going to go cheap on a cake, I'm not sure the boss' birthday would be the time to do that.




By the time I posted I had forgotten this! For the boss??? WOW!!! How stupid can they get????

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cakesbycathy Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 5:16pm
post #13 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by amia1024

For $3 they'll be eating mix straight from the box and one can of frosting.

Why do people assume they don't need anything except that box mix? It doesn't magically form into a cake when opened. You still need eggs, oil and water. Plus you're using energy to power the mixer and heat the oven. Then you need icing. Even if you don't color your icing, put a filling, or doctor up the mix, you're still looking at a minimum of $10 in supplies. Why are people so dumb?




Because what she's thinking is..."all I have to pick up at the store is the box of cake mix and the can of frosting. I already have some eggs and oil at home."
She's not someone who does this as a business so for sure she is not factoring in any electricity she's using, or the gas it costs to go to the store, etc.

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Amia Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:21pm
post #14 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakesbycathy

Quote:
Originally Posted by amia1024

For $3 they'll be eating mix straight from the box and one can of frosting.

Why do people assume they don't need anything except that box mix? It doesn't magically form into a cake when opened. You still need eggs, oil and water. Plus you're using energy to power the mixer and heat the oven. Then you need icing. Even if you don't color your icing, put a filling, or doctor up the mix, you're still looking at a minimum of $10 in supplies. Why are people so dumb?



Because what she's thinking is..."all I have to pick up at the store is the box of cake mix and the can of frosting. I already have some eggs and oil at home."
She's not someone who does this as a business so for sure she is not factoring in any electricity she's using, or the gas it costs to go to the store, etc.




Until I started doing cakes, I only had olive oil at home. I don't cook with canola and no one I know keeps canola oil at home. So I guess I was assuming she'd have to buy that.

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WendyVA Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:28pm
post #15 of 71

So if she can make the cake for $3.00 then your husband's share will be.......what? Fifty cents if there are 6 people in his office. Yeah....I'd be giving the 50 Cents rather than baking a cake from scratch that might not be appreciated.

Can't wait to see this! icon_smile.gif

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michellenj Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:43pm
post #16 of 71

I really don't get people sometimes. Have you been paid for the times that you have made the cake in the past? Obviously, if you have, then this witch thinks that you've been ripping them off, since it only costs $3 to make a cake.

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apetricek Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:50pm
post #17 of 71

I agree completely...yum how great could a $3.00 cake taste. I think I would rather eat the box that it came in. Also how big does she think that cake is going to be. If for some reason they were being cheap and didn't want to get a cake from you, she could have tactfully said hey I will bring the cake, and we are going to put more money into getting the gift. People are idiots...the longer I do this the more I think that. I have been cake decorating for over 10 years and it seems though people are getting to be more of a pain in the a$$.. Take this I have an order for this weekend. The lady called well over a month ago, and then I didn't hear anything. I told her I would pencil her in for the date, send her some ideas, and then I would need a contract signed and a deposit. Well didn't hear anything from her, and rather than just letting it go..I emailed her to find out what is going on. Well since then I have been running around chasing her for this order. At this point, I still have nothing definate and NO MONEY!!! I told her that I wouldn't start or buy anything until I have the money. At this point since it is under a week the full balance is due. THat is another story...here is the cake she wants tell me what you would charge. She wants a 3D golf bag cake that is sitting on top of two round tiers. It is to be all fondant, and to be completely covered in fondant. She also wanted golf clubs sticking out of the bag, golf gloves, tees, balls, and stars, and a plaque with 70 on it. It is for 120 people. I quoted her $5.00 a serving which would be $600.00. Mind you this is the only dessert she is having and it is at a county club. I had also asked her previously if she had a budget and when I sent her sketches and ideas told her this design would be the most expensive. She called me a couple hours after we "finalized" her order, and said my daughter is very upset with the price of the cake. I am going to cut the order by 20 servings. I explained to her that 20 servings really wouldn't change the size of the cake, and that the price would still be the same. SInce her price was really based on all the detail work, fondant, chocolate, supplies, time, etc. She really didn't seem happy with it, but explained to her that I am running a business not a bargaining committee..! ERRRRR wow I feel better now! SOrry to steal your thread, just had to vent!

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newmansmom2004 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:58pm
post #18 of 71

Don't let this woman get you so upset. It doesn't sound like she was asking you to donate a $3 cake; she was just saying SHE could make it for $3 - which I highly doubt unless it's a mud cake using real mud from her back yard! Some people just have no clue.

Sounds like she's just kind of ignorant and maybe when she mentioned to your husband about donating the cake it all came out wrong. She should have acknowledged your good work and been somewhat gracious in asking.

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Valli_War Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:59pm
post #19 of 71

Wait till you read my vent. I am no expert. Just started this hobby 6 months back. Main idea was to write happy birthday on the cake for my girls' birthdays. I have been baking good cakes and making good frostings for couple of years now. Seeing me making cakes for my boss or colleague's birthday, one of my colleague requests me to make his son's birthday cake. I said no since I have no time. He went on saying how his son likes strawberry cake, spider man cake and please couple of times. I agreed to make it. My first FBCT spiderman and strawberry cake. Everyone loved the cake and icing which was made out of butter and cream cheese. After the party, he says the following week that I should start selling my cakes, and I told him it is not worth since it is so much of work and noone would pay me enough for it. He said you must've spent 5 dollars in making cake for my son's birthday (I didn't charge him. I said it was my gift and on the top of it bought a gift for the boy). I was so mad at that comment. Then I made another cake for some other friend's son's birthday. (Thomas the train cake in my photos). He saw that picture and commented that I spent more money on train (on top of the cake) than the cake itself.

Some people never get it. This colleague has two kids. Next time he asks for cake for the birthday, you know what I am going to do.

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SweetResults Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 6:59pm
post #20 of 71

apetricek - if she has not paid anything yet and you have less than a week to do this cake I would tell her to take a hike! You are running out of time to do this without killing yourself. I mean good God - it is Tuesday already!!!

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apetricek Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 7:05pm
post #21 of 71

sweetresults...I completely feel the same way... I emailed her again this morning and if I don't hear from her I will tell her sorry I do not have enough time to accomodate this order...once again she must think I have the magic button on my oven that pops out a 3 tiered fondant cake all done! I think she thinks if she holds out that I will come down on the price,WRONG!!! she has given me a few different sob stories involving the cake...give me a break!!! SOrry don't care! I am sure the country club didn't discount her, or care for her whining! YIKES!!!

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newmansmom2004 Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 7:08pm
post #22 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by SweetResults

apetricek - if she has not paid anything yet and you have less than a week to do this cake I would tell her to take a hike! You are running out of time to do this without killing yourself. I mean good God - it is Tuesday already!!!





I completely agree - a week to the party and still no deposit and no response to your calls and e-mails? No way. I wouldn't agree to anything at this point. Even if she asked for a simple layer cake I'd tell her your time is valuable and you have committed to other orders since she didn't respond to any of your inquiries. People shouldn't be allowed to treat cake bakers/decorators like crap and expect to get what they want.

The people who say they can make a cake for $3 or $5 don't bother me; it's the blatant rudeness of customers who refuse to return phone calls or otherwise participate in the process then expect the world at a moment's notice that really TICKS me off!

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michellesArt Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 7:29pm
post #23 of 71

people are so silly-she wants a pat on the back from the boss...but some people can't even make a box cake bake (under cook, over cook, doesn't levet...) and time doesn't cost anything does it? i bet your hubbie will get a lot more birthday requests after this (who would do that to the boss?!?!)

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nadzadi Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 8:16pm
post #24 of 71

I read this and laughed - and for all the people who say that you get what you pay for - its soooooo true! I have a very frequent customer and I tend to give her discounts because of the amount she orders from me. When I delivered the last "cake" - 50 cupcakes and an 8" round - her mother gave a very disapproving "huff" when I told her what she owed - which again was a discount from the publicized price. I say - go to walmart if you think you can get something just as good for less. Lets see it!

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SweetResults Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 8:23pm
post #25 of 71

BTW - apetricek you asked how much you would charge - starting at $5 a serving is pretty good, but then you should even be charging a bit more for the fondant details that you will have to make - so you are already giving her a deal!

$3 for a cake - HA! Do you only have 10 people in your office since she will only be using one cake mix and one can of frosting?

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chutzpah Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 8:25pm
post #26 of 71

She'll make the cake and frost it in the pan and bring the whole thing, pan and all, to work.

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SweetResults Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 8:26pm
post #27 of 71

Just looked up the price of a can of frosting - $1.99, $1.00 for the cake mix on sale, about .75 for the eggs, never mind the oil.

PLEASE get a picture of it for us!!! Who wants to bet she ends up coming in with a supermarket bakery cake?

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margaretb Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 8:53pm
post #28 of 71

I told my SIL that I would be happy to make a cake for her if she needed for birthdays or anything (we were talking about how I always get hit up for the cake by the extended family), and she said no, she felt that making the cake was something for the mom to do. No problem, just wanted to make the offer. A couple weeks later we went to the birthday party and it was ... grocery store cake. Ha ha. (Knowing her, she just ran out of time to make the cake herself and didn't feel comfortable asking me).

I like that idea about giving a deal if they clean up. I should say I'll do it if they make the icing and do the colours. I think making the icing is a pain, and for me, the biggest expense is usually the butter and icing sugar.

Some people just don't see cake the same way. I totally value a fancy, delicious cake. But I cringe at having to pay more than $20 for an article of clothing. Guess who makes great cakes but is poorly dressed?

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sweettoothmom Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 9:12pm
post #29 of 71

icon_surprised.gif $3!!!!!!
Is she insane? Ok yeah you might just might be able to get all the ingredients together for under $5 but not $3. And you certainly arent gonna say your labor is worth that small of an amount. Shame on her but I have to agree with someone earlier who said they will be eating straight out of the box for that amount. NOT EVEN WALLY WORLD charges under $5 for a whole cake!

I tell people if you go into a coffee house you will pay more for coffee than you would if you stopped at 7-11. So why would you think that a custom made cake would be any different?

Stick to your guns and I cant wait to see the pics.

Oh another thought what if the boss has donated to everyone elses in the past and knows you have made them for everyone else and then the boss gets a Walmart special!!!! That is not right!

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sweettoothmom Posted 9 Sep 2008 , 9:14pm
post #30 of 71

Sorry I hit submit too soon!

The boss I hope would see the walmart packing and realize it was not one of yours so you are off the hook but whomever bought it will definately be on the bosses list and we are not talking the Christmas list!!!! That is 4 sho

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