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Calling other bakeries for prices... - Page 3

post #31 of 62
11/27/09 at 11:55am
I wasn't gonna post, but couldn't help myself.

While I have the utmost respect for snarky and debi, I have to respectfully disagree. icon_surprised.gif

Secret Shoppers spend money in the stores they are reviewing. If snarky were to have spies order a cake, pay for it, then bring it in for review, I'd be totally on board. However, sending them out for a free tasting with no intention of ever following through, just seems to blur the ethical line.
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post #32 of 62
11/27/09 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by K8memphis-

Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmom

...I am just pointing out from what I see on the FDIC's website that it appears the previously cited reference expired years ago. That would lead one to believe that surcharges are indeed legal, except in the states where it is prohibited.



Gotcha. Thanks.



Offering a " discount for cash" is legal. Quoting a lower price, and then raising that price because a buyer is opting to use credit is bait and switch, and that IS illegal....see above. The above mentioned baker, who is a prominent baker in the area says specifically on her website "plus an additional 3 percent for credit cards via paypal"...big fat illegal thing to do, because she uses the lower price throughout the website.
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Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
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Scratch bakers of the world UNITE !!
Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
Cake or Death?......Cake Please!
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post #33 of 62
11/27/09 at 12:15pm
My problem with sending out spies is that I might/would not trust my spies to do their job. I don't deep down believe that if anything can go wrong it will go wrong for me but if history is an indication...it could easily come back & bite me. But if I had an operation like Snarks I'd be tempted to take the risk too.

Once again, I retreat to the safety of my book stacks. icon_biggrin.gif
 
 

 

 

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post #34 of 62
11/27/09 at 12:16pm
I think I'd go for theatre/acting students...

icon_biggrin.gif

Instead of 007 it'd be double 9x13 icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif
 
 

 

 

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post #35 of 62
11/27/09 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jillmakescakes

I wasn't gonna post, but couldn't help myself.

While I have the utmost respect for snarky and debi, I have to respectfully disagree. icon_surprised.gif

Secret Shoppers spend money in the stores they are reviewing. If snarky were to have spies order a cake, pay for it, then bring it in for review, I'd be totally on board. However, sending them out for a free tasting with no intention of ever following through, just seems to blur the ethical line.



I was thinking the same thing! Thanks for saving me the effort of typing it out myself. icon_smile.gif
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post #36 of 62
11/27/09 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snarkybaker

Quote:
Originally Posted by K8memphis-

Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmom

...I am just pointing out from what I see on the FDIC's website that it appears the previously cited reference expired years ago. That would lead one to believe that surcharges are indeed legal, except in the states where it is prohibited.



Gotcha. Thanks.



Offering a " discount for cash" is legal. Quoting a lower price, and then raising that price because a buyer is opting to use credit is bait and switch, and that IS illegal....see above. The above mentioned baker, who is a prominent baker in the area says specifically on her website "plus an additional 3 percent for credit cards via paypal"...big fat illegal thing to do, because she uses the lower price throughout the website.



Standard operating procedure by the state of Tennessee.
 
 

 

 

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post #37 of 62
11/27/09 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WykdGud

Quote:
Originally Posted by jillmakescakes

I wasn't gonna post, but couldn't help myself.

While I have the utmost respect for snarky and debi, I have to respectfully disagree. icon_surprised.gif

Secret Shoppers spend money in the stores they are reviewing. If snarky were to have spies order a cake, pay for it, then bring it in for review, I'd be totally on board. However, sending them out for a free tasting with no intention of ever following through, just seems to blur the ethical line.



I was thinking the same thing! Thanks for saving me the effort of typing it out myself. icon_smile.gif



Secret shoppers sometimes spend money in businesses they report on. In a bank, for example, they recruit secret shoppers who specifically have an account already at said bank.
Doing consultations is part of the cost of doing business, period. If someone charges a fee, we pay it. If it is a free service, it is a free service. If you're really trying to be a Business then you need to know whats going on in your market. You think Walmart doesn't look at what Amazon has on sale, or go into Traget ?

If my competitors had storefronts, I could just send a girl in to get brochures and ask some questions, but they didn't bother to invest in them, so they're gonna end up popping for some free cake.
Scratch bakers of the world UNITE !!
Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
Cake or Death?......Cake Please!
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Scratch bakers of the world UNITE !!
Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
Cake or Death?......Cake Please!
Reply
post #38 of 62
11/27/09 at 1:31pm
Like you said, too, Snark, anyone with more than two brain cells can have a legal kitchen (from home) in your state.
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post #39 of 62
11/27/09 at 1:58pm
Snark, you're right, they don't always spend money. Since I know you were just waiting for my approval ( icon_biggrin.gif ), it makes me feel better knowing that you would pay for a consult too!
I didn't notice that your state is a free-for-all when it comes to legal kitchens. That does make market research a bit more difficult.

I research my competition too. While this may be my ego, one of my competitors has made some pretty big changes to their website and business name since I came on the scene. It may be totally coincidence, but they are my closest competition (geographically).

I will visit my competitors shops every few months and make a few quick phone calls. I also make it a point to attend bridal shows (even if I'm not a participant) and see how they set up their booths, how they present their samples and how their samples taste. I usually take a few moments to introduce myself, unless they are busy.
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

www.IndyCakes.com
http://indycakes.blogspot.com/
www.FaceBook.com/IndyCakes
Reply
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

www.IndyCakes.com
http://indycakes.blogspot.com/
www.FaceBook.com/IndyCakes
Reply
post #40 of 62
11/27/09 at 2:30pm
MCC, Why should I care if I cause a competitor to spend money needlessly? Why do I care? I don't get the point. If I send someone in for a consult, or force you to use a higher quality ingredient what does it matter? It simply means I'm getting to my competition.

Mike
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post #41 of 62
11/27/09 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike1394

MCC, Why should I care if I cause a competitor to spend money needlessly? Why do I care? I don't get the point. If I send someone in for a consult, or force you to use a higher quality ingredient what does it matter? It simply means I'm getting to my competition.

Mike



So if my competition is McDonald's - should I be able to go in whenever I want and take their napkins, ketchup packets, etc. just because they set them out for free?

Those items are provided for their CUSTOMERS - just like consultations are done for customers... you know - people who actually intend to spend money at an establishment, as opposed to those who come in under false pretenses to gain an advantage over the competition.
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post #42 of 62
11/27/09 at 3:19pm
But not every consult ends up being a customer.... so they are, in effect, taking your ketchup and napkins.
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Cake Cutting Guide: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/cake%20comb
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post #43 of 62
11/27/09 at 3:31pm
look at us having a grown up discussion, disagreeing without name calling or badmouthing. I'm so proud icon_cry.gif

Just goes to show that it is possible to have a discussion where not everyone agrees without it turning nasty

thumbs_up.gif
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

www.IndyCakes.com
http://indycakes.blogspot.com/
www.FaceBook.com/IndyCakes
Reply
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

www.IndyCakes.com
http://indycakes.blogspot.com/
www.FaceBook.com/IndyCakes
Reply
post #44 of 62
11/27/09 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

But not every consult ends up being a customer.... so they are, in effect, taking your ketchup and napkins.



And if you go into McDonald's, use the bathroom, grab some napkins and a pack of ketchup nobody gets bent, do they ??? Nope, because it's part of doing business and McDonalds is a business...get it?
Scratch bakers of the world UNITE !!
Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
Cake or Death?......Cake Please!
Reply
Scratch bakers of the world UNITE !!
Inrideo ergo sum ~ I snark therefore I am.
Cake or Death?......Cake Please!
Reply
post #45 of 62
11/27/09 at 4:07pm
Yes sometimes fast food places do get upset! I was in a Chik Filet and took 3 straws, 1 for myself and just grabbed a couple extra incase my sister and niece each needed 1. A lady (manager I would guess), came up to me and asked if I found everything I needed and gave me a dirty look! icon_eek.gif
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