There have been alot of times when I may suddenly receive a call from a prospective bride or may receive a contact submission form from my website asking me about a quote on a cake. I have learnt not to give quotes on the phone or e-mail so in my reply e-mail I always invite them for a tasting and consultation session where we can discuss prices. I have had a few now that never get back to me. I don't know why?
The worst one was last week. I received a contact form submission from a bride interested in a wedding cake and asking for a quote. I e-mail her QUOTED e-mail address to invite her for a consultation session but the e-mail bounced back saying there is no yahoo.com account under that name! I sent another e-mail to yahoo.co.uk a few days ago, which didn't bounce back but haven't received a reply to. Now she is going to think I don't want her business. This was on the 1st April, I am beginning to think it was an April fools joke...
Personally I think you should give them some idea of price in the email. Not an exact qoute but atleast a base price such as "my serving prices starts at abc and can go up to xyz depending on the design."
If I was wedding shopping I'd rather have an idea up front if that persons prices are in my budget. If they aren"t then I can save both of us from wasting time at a consultation and tasting.
To be honest, I wouldn't meet with someone either if they couldn't give me at least a ballpark figure via email or telephone. I understand that my specific design or whatever might be more than their basic start price, but I need to have an idea of their prices. I would hate to waste my time and theirs by going to a tasting/consultation only to discover their lowest range is out of my budget.
When I go to websites that have products but no prices and say email for the prices, I skip that website and find the product elsewhere.
I think you need to give people a price range with a clear understanding of what kinds of things make the price higher. Then they'll know whether it's worth it to schedule a meeting with you or not. JMHO.
LOL I think Texas Sugar and I were responding at the same time. 
Before, i had posted another question in the forum and there were alot of cc'ers recommeding me not to say a price by e-mail as you are guaranteed to lose a sale.
when I get emails asking for a quote on a 3 tiered cake to serve 100 with all buttercream decorations, this is what I tell them.
You can go with a 6",9",12" round cake which will give you 95 servings.
Or you can go with an 8"10"12" round cake which will give you 110 servings.
If you go with 95 servings, your total will be $258.75 (this includes set up and deposits on the plates/pillars)
If you go with 110 servings, your total will be $292.50 (this includes set up and deposits on plates/pillars)
If you live within our city, delivery is no charge, anything outside the city is $1.00/mile one way.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email or you can reach me by phone at 440-xxx-xxxx.
Have a great day,
Tina
My pricing is very easy to calculate, it's per serving.....there is a deposit on each set of plates/pillars , and a $25 set up fee. They could honestly figure out the cost themselves if they wanted to based on my website!
I have NO problem, telling them what their cake will cost. If I am out of someone's budget I want them to figure that out BEFORE I've spent 3 hrs. baking up samples and switching my schedule around to accomodate a tasting/consultation!
If they don't get back to me for 8 months and they try to pull up the "quote" on the email........and my prices have gone up........I simply tell them they aren't "booked" therefore their price isn't locked in! Simple as that!
I always give out my starting prices to telephone or email enquiries and I always include the factors that would affect that starting price (sugarpaste flowers, fondant bows/swags, elaborate design, and/or certain cake flavours). My time is valuable, their time is valuable.
If they do decide that they would like to book a consultation with me, 99.9% of the time they will confirm their booking with a deposit because they already have most of the information they need.
I can't imagine wasting my precious time on doing numerous consultations that go nowhere - how depressing would that be?
I'm not ashamed of my prices and I don't care if it's just idle curiousity or genuine interest - they are what they are!
I personally would not buy from any business that was not upfront about their pricing.
I agree with the others - I also would wonder about any business who wouldn't give me a rough idea of their prices. I'm surprised that you were advised against giving out this info.
I get the following information from the client before inviting them for a consult:
1. Date of event (need to know if I'm clear that day)
2. # of guests (don't want to invite them for a consult if they want a cake for 15 people)
3. Rough idea of what they're looking for (cupcake tower, tiered cake, etc)
In return I tell them up front what my base prices are for cake and delivery, and I let them know that there may be extra charges for additional decor items, depending on their cake design.
Personally I think you should give them some idea of price in the email. Not an exact qoute but atleast a base price such as "my serving prices starts at abc and can go up to xyz depending on the design."
If I was wedding shopping I'd rather have an idea up front if that persons prices are in my budget. If they aren"t then I can save both of us from wasting time at a consultation and tasting.
I agree.
If I lose a sale for quoting my prices after someone has emailed, then GREAT.........better to lose the sale then, then to lose it after 15 emails, 4 phone calls and a tasting!!
I agree. If the price is too high over the phone, it's gonna be too high in person too. No point in wasting time (and cake!) 
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