Help I Haven't Delt With This Yet!!

Business By gr8yf Updated 28 Aug 2009 , 3:24am by gr8yf

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gr8yf Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 7:49pm
post #1 of 24

I do tasting at my place of business, I got a request to do free samples at an office party "this will get you new business" was the pitch. Is this a good idea or do I become a Costco sample lady?

23 replies
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loriemoms Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:06pm
post #2 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by gr8yf

I do tasting at my place of business, I got a request to do free samples at an office party "this will get you new business" was the pitch. Is this a good idea or do I become a Costco sample lady?




I personally have never gotten any business from free samples, giving a cake to an auction or doing a charity event. I do them to help support the event, but not for business.

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LKing12 Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:08pm
post #3 of 24

I wouldn't do it. Time, energy and no guarantee that you will ever get an order. I did a shower for that reason, once. Not one phone call!

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leah_s Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:10pm
post #4 of 24

You will be the Costco sample lady. I have donated cakes over the years. I have never ever gotten a single order from the donation. In fact it has backfired. They look at me for free cakes, but when it's time to purchase, I'm only thought of as the free cake person. They purchase from someone else. Yeah, no more free cakes for donations. I learned that lesson.

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jammjenks Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:15pm
post #5 of 24

I hate to say it, but all the above are correct. You will become the free sample lady.

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LaBellaFlor Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:26pm
post #6 of 24

The Costco sample lady?!?!? icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif That is a new one for me! But yeah, I agree with everyone else. Bad idea!

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gr8yf Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:31pm
post #7 of 24

I have goose pimples, thanks so much for the feed back. My gut said no but my dreaming heart said go. I'll go for the gut.

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KHalstead Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:35pm
post #8 of 24

I've received a TON of orders from free cakes! Guess it's all about WHERE you're donating the cakes. Everytime I send in a gift for one of my kids' teachers I wind up with more orders than I can handle in the weeks to follow. It's one thing to metion to people that you do cakes and cookies but when they see your work first hand, and the teacher that's so proud of what was given to her just raves about the flavor to everyone else that oogled over how it looked.........does great for upping business for me!

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lapazlady Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 8:46pm
post #9 of 24

I have done several free cakes and have not gotten 1 order as a result. Now, I've also donated cakes for auction, and have gotten 1 (and now repeat) customer. Free is not going to do your business any good, I'm very sorry to say.

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indydebi Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 9:55pm
post #10 of 24

agree with all the votes for "costco sample lady". Anytime someone feels the need to point out "...all the business you'll get from this!", then its almost guaranteed you'll get nothing from it.

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indydebi Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 10:11pm
post #11 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by KHalstead

Everytime I send in a gift for one of my kids' teachers I wind up with more orders than I can handle in the weeks to follow.


THe difference may be that you're sending it in as a gift and the other examples mentioned are where the baker is being solicited to give a cake.

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costumeczar Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 11:49pm
post #12 of 24

One of the chefs at my culinary program told us to never do any kind of free servies and expect to get ANYTHING from it. She was right, I've never had any bookings from donated cakes.

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mpaigew Posted 25 Aug 2009 , 11:59pm
post #13 of 24

Free samples at an office party? Does anyone else see that as being rude? They must be on a budget and can't afford a cake. Maybe it's me and I'm in a crappy mood tonight, but I can't help but think WTF? It's one thing to ask for a donation for charity or what not, but for an office party? I would put money on it that the attendees of this office shindig would eat the cake and not even know where it came from.

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tarheelgirl Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 12:07am
post #14 of 24

When it comes to donating for school functions such as teachers or fall festivals I have actually received orders from them.

A friend of mine uses this play date place for her kids. She mentioned to the owner that maybe I could bring samples by so she could taste them first hand. She host birthday parties there and said she needs a cake person. She asked my friend if I would be willing to "donate" a cake for their family night. ummmm.. like a 50 serving cake! I flat out said NO! Sounds like she just wants a FREE cake for their event. I donate a couple cakes a year and that is it.

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gr8yf Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 4:38am
post #15 of 24

mpaigew, you are more right than you know. Not only did they want free cake samples but wanted me to spend 3 hrs. on a weeknight to serve. These people have bucks but don't want to part with any of it for food and help. Warning there out there. I am so glad I dumped this one.

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Mommy2ThreeBoys Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 5:16am
post #16 of 24

I don't even make cakes to sell (well not yet anyway), but even to me it just sounds like they want some free cake for their office party. I wouldn't do it even though I'm not selling cakes.

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marmalade1687 Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 12:22pm
post #17 of 24

Do they want you to wear an apron and clean up afterwards too? icon_twisted.gif Not to be mean, but I have been asked just that, and with the hook that it would be a great way to bring in new business. This was when I joined a business networking group - I became their personal cake lady that did their personal cakes. They were SUPPOSED to bring me referrals, but the referrals ended up being their own orders, not any real clients. When I quit the network, all of the business went along with the membership. tapedshut.gif

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KKC Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 12:46pm
post #18 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by mpaigew

Free samples at an office party? Does anyone else see that as being rude? They must be on a budget and can't afford a cake. Maybe it's me and I'm in a crappy mood tonight, but I can't help but think WTF? It's one thing to ask for a donation for charity or what not, but for an office party? I would put money on it that the attendees of this office shindig would eat the cake and not even know where it came from.




It's not just you...I agree 100% it is very rude and inconsiderate. I wouldn't do it!

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BCo Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 1:15pm
post #19 of 24

This is how people at my work are.....I have a handful of repeat customers that I love and know what goes into my work then I have others that want to know when I'm brining in cake for them to sample......I with the Don't Do It votes......That's why I don't even make cakes, for free, for the birthdays in my dept. I rather not deal with any of it at all b/c they just expect you to keep on doing it. Every once in a while I feel the need to do something nice and bring in a little something for my group but it gets too out of hand with the comments from others looking for a handout that I try to stay clear of doing it!!

I like the Costco Lady comment!! That's so funny and very true - I always feel for them b/c people in those stores are crazy when it comes to scarfing down those free samples!!!

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alanaj Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 1:38pm
post #20 of 24

I agree with IndyDebi on this one. If you take some goodies in as a gift you're more likely to get orders. When people ask for freebies they want exactly that....freebies. I've never gotten an order from a solicited donation but when I took in cupcakes to my OB's office she started ordering from me regularly and I've gotten 5 referrals from her in the past 6 months.

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KHalstead Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 3:23pm
post #21 of 24

well, yeah i agree that THIS particular woman appears to be looking for a "freebie" because she suggested it.........but just meant that in general when i give with a giving spirit, expecting NOTHING to come from it in the way of orders, I'm always inundated with orders.

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tiggy2 Posted 26 Aug 2009 , 4:08pm
post #22 of 24

Have they ever ordered any thing from you before? I would suggest "dealing" with them and see if they are still interested. Maybe tell them you purchase xx amount and I'll donate xx amount. My guess is they will no longer want your services.

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jenmat Posted 27 Aug 2009 , 1:22am
post #23 of 24

I am always sending samples to the hospital where my husband works, and I have never NOT received orders from every sample I send. I think that the fact they know my husband helps- but I have also sent samples with friends and gotten orders there- maybe its your relationship with the individual asking that matters?
I do think this lady is out of line to ask for free samples- if you had volunteered... that may be different.

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gr8yf Posted 28 Aug 2009 , 3:24am
post #24 of 24

jentreu, This woman attended one of my sampling days and wanted me to do the same for her clients at her place of buisness. When I volunteer it is for people I know.

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