Hi everyone! I have three questions and was wondering if I could get your opinions.

1. How does it work if I rent out cake/cupcake stands? Do I charge a flat rate, deposit, etc?

2. Do you tell your customer what kind of icing you will use (depending on whether it is indoors or outdoors)?

3. Is there a quicker way for me to attach over 150 mini cupcakes to a board rather than squirting a little icing underneath each one?

TIA! And have a FAB July 4th!!

Hey there...

1. I don't rent out my stands, I have them rent one from the rental place where they get their tables and chairs. If I am cutting the cake for them, then I will allow them to use my stand. If someone really wanted to use mine, I would charge a flat rate (maybe $15 - it is a cheapo stand) and then ask for a credit charge number to be on file in case they don't return it.

2. I absolutely tell the client what type of icing I will use. I usually have them taste it too, so they know exactly what to except. If it is outdoors, I will use a buttercream with shortening instead of butter and tell them it can not be keep in the sunlight.

3. You could cover the whole board with icing (either a solid sheet or pipe lines) and then just push the each cupcake into it. If you are setting it up on site you could decide that they don't need to be stuck because you aren't going to be moving the display.

Hope this helps!
Marci

Thanks Marci! I won't be able to set up the cupcakes on site, so I think I will use the idea of piping lines down. I like that idea!

I usually use IMBC, but would need to use something different if it is outdoors. So when I ask, they are trying to decide between indoors or out and I mentioned that I need to know because it will determine which icing I can use.

I don't want to have to worry about renting cupcake stands, but I just got 4 orders for towers and need to know how to work that out.

M<ost rental companies charge a flat rate for rental either per day or per weekend. Most often though it is required to leave a deposit that is based on replacement cost of the stand. If the stand is returned in good condition they get the deposit back, if it is damaged the deposit covers the cost of repairs or replacement. Often if it can be prepared the balance left of the deposit after the cost of repairs is subtracted is returned to the renter. I hope this makes sense. If you do get inot renting things be sure your deposit is large enough to make people want to bring your item back and enough that you would be able to replace it if they do not.