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Giving away instructions?

post #1 of 143
10/20/09 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 
What do you do if someone emails you requesting instructions on how to make one of your cakes because they don't want to pay your prices but want one of your cakes?
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post #2 of 143
10/20/09 at 7:49am
Direct them to cakecentral.com
-A Slice Of Heaven, LLC-
www.roanokecakes.com
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-A Slice Of Heaven, LLC-
www.roanokecakes.com
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post #3 of 143
10/20/09 at 7:56am
I hit delete. They are on their own if they want to make it themselves.
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post #4 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nchanted1

I hit delete. They are on their own if they want to make it themselves.



OMG! Hilarious.

If you dont want to give them out, you could tell them that you dont have written instructions. In addition, you could always tell them to look into Wilton, as they offer general cake decorating instructions.
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post #5 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:24am
icon_lol.gif I tell them teaching fee is $25 an hour with $150 minimum, lesson deposit paid in advance in cash. Poeple will never cease to amaze me.
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post #6 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:27am
I have got to say i would never give instructions if someone asks. I have a business to make money not give free advice to a potential customer icon_wink.gif
If it was someone who was never going to be able to puchase from me as they dont live local i would offer them guidance icon_lol.gif
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post #7 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:28am
I tell them to bake their favorite recipe, carve the shape and decorate with fondant. Pretty basic. Or you can tell them that the design was made using customized templates that you have special ordered from a company and that their is no way that you are able to give them that information because it will affect your business.

Dear so and so,
Thank you for enquiring about the specific cake. Unfortunately I am not able to give you the information that you requested based on the equipment used. We make our cakes in a certified commercial kitchen and have invested a lot of money in our equipment. Our designs are made with customized equipment that is not available for retail. Thank you for your interest......

Something like that, i don't know hope it gives you an idea.
"Once a Marine Always a Marine" Semper Fi!!!
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"Once a Marine Always a Marine" Semper Fi!!!
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post #8 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:35am
Tell them the instructions cost twice as much as the price of the cake.

Theresa icon_smile.gif
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post #9 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by playingwithsugar

Tell them the instructions cost twice as much as the price of the cake.

Theresa icon_smile.gif



lol...
so I'm not being a greedy cake lady by not sharing my secrets?
I don't mind sharing here on CC but somehow it seems different when the people asking could possibly be potential customers...
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post #10 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:48am
I put a little box on my contact page on mt website jsut for this person...It basically says that I'm busy, so I unfortunately can't guarantee an answer to questions that aren't related to booking cakes. I still get people emailing me about how to make a rose, etc. Unless I'm in a generous and happy mood (rarely, ha ha!) I agree with the hit delete advice!
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #11 of 143
10/20/09 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeMommyTX


lol...
so I'm not being a greedy cake lady by not sharing my secrets?
I don't mind sharing here on CC but somehow it seems different when the people asking could possibly be potential customers...



No, you're not being greedy. Why should you share your instructions with someone who should be buying your cake? So they can take it to someone else and have it done cheaper, or to try to do it themselves? Not here. Not ever.

Now, if you sent me an e-mail and asked me for instructions on one of my projects, that would be different. I would be happy to send them to you, since you are in TX and I am in PA. Even if I were in business, your business would have no effect on mine, since we are about 1500 miles apart.

Theresa icon_smile.gif
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post #12 of 143
10/20/09 at 9:03am
I would tell them that it's propritary information which my lawyer has advised I don't distribute! icon_surprised.gif

If they don't pay want to pay my prices, they don't get one of my cakes...period. They can go to another caker and pay for one of their designs. Creativity has a price.

Could a bride call up Vera Wang and ask how she constructed a dress because she wanted to sew it herself for less money?
I'll never fit in a size 6 if I keep having cake for breakfast.
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I'll never fit in a size 6 if I keep having cake for breakfast.
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post #13 of 143
10/20/09 at 9:11am
Wow! Great question. For me this one hits way too close to home. My first thought would be did this person ask because they wanted to get over or did they have a genuine interest in what you were doing. If it is the later then Curtsmin24's option is a pretty good one. However, I would try to give them a little more guidance as to how they can do it themselves. Perhaps the only reason I would go that far would be because that was me less than a year ago asking the sensitive questions. And I got my e-mails deleted, told to ambiguously search the internet or read a book. I would have respected it more if they had just told me the truth and pointed me in the right direction. I completely understand the "I got mine so you get yours" concept and there is nothing wrong with it. But that person chose you for a reason. At least tell them why you can't give them technique. Maybe they'll continue to buy your product until they figure it out thumbs_up.gif ... or maybe they'll be deviously motivated to open their own business and vow to chip away at your market share until there is nothing left. icon_twisted.gif

icon_wink.gificon_wink.gificon_wink.gif
Kidding of course, just give them the respect of a response no matter what you say.
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post #14 of 143
10/20/09 at 9:23am
I've emailed a couple businesses before to ask about a specific technique on one of their cakes, if they were not a local competition...but they rarely reply. haha.

I probably would answer specific questions from someone from out of town, but no "list of instructions". Especially since its not like I type out a list of instructions on every cake I make! I just do the cake as I go, anyway.
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post #15 of 143
10/20/09 at 9:26am
I think if they tell you to research and get a book, they are giving you a fair answer. I don't like it when someone asks for complete instructions on how to make a wedding cake, from recipes on through out baking & decorating & stacking. I mean EVERYTHING. I feel your not earning the right to make a wedding cake. Learn something on your own. there are plenty of books to read. It's one thing to have a question, it's a whole nother thing to ask me to walk out the ENTIRE procedure for you. That's insulting to me.
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