What? Today's Email Request This Cake For Friday

Business By Echooo3 Updated 16 Aug 2010 , 10:29pm by mommyle

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Echooo3 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 8:41pm
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It's 4:30 pm (Monday) and I just open my email to this order request:

Hello xxxxx,

Im xxxxx friend. She gave me your information and I wanted to see if you can help me create a beautiful cake for her birthday. Is it too late to order a cake from you for this Friday, Aug. 13th?

If you can, I was thinking a cake with some creative designs like shoe, shoe box, and some girly accents like a diamond ring, lipstick and compact. It is for 8 people so it would be a small cake. Let me know what you think this will cost.

I have some images I thought I could share so it gives you an idea of what I was thinking of doing but wanted to get your thoughts on how you think the cake should look. See below

And she attaches photos of beautiful shoebox cakes with gumpaste shoes.

Ugh.

29 replies
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tiggy2 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 8:44pm
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I'm guessing when she hears the price she'll no longer be interested.

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sari66 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 8:54pm
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Yup the price and the rush orde fee will make her think twice! I'll never understand why ppl wait till the last minute to order a cake, you know when the birthday is, it's on the same date every year for pity sake!

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cakegroove Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 9:08pm
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I did a rush order for a cake (24 hr turn around) for a neighbor of my parents. It was only a sheet cake, but it put a kink in my schedule and I only did it because I knew the people. Turns out the friend who the cake was for had been in the hospital for weeks and was being released in time for her birthday, which was the following day, and they really wanted to celebrate her life. Sometimes it pays to be flexible.

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susanscakecreations Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 9:14pm
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I got a call today from a lady who lives in another part of the state, saying she saw my website, and could she order a cake for her nephew who lives where I live? Sure.......when do you need it? TOMORROW!!!!!!! She asked if I didn't have cakes already done? uh, no....... After I said I couldn't POSSIBLY have one ready for tomorrow, because I work a full time job and get off at 5:30 PM, she sounded like she didn't understand.............. icon_confused.gif

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Echooo3 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 9:25pm
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I told her I needed at least two weeks notice and the price would start at $250.

Well, the price stopped her in her tracks.

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itsmylife Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 10:17pm
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'but I saw them do one of those cake shows & it didn't look like it would take that long to do.....'

I had that said to me by a friend who asked for a carved 3D car with all the fancy schmancy details. She called on Thursday & wanted to pick up Friday (I love her... she just had no idea about how long these thing take!)

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bennett5 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 10:42pm
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Ive had alot of calls like this and as soon as I give them a price they are ready to run. And thats usualy w/o a Rush Fee added on. These kind of people have no clue or concern for your time and efforts!

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arosstx Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 11:00pm
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It would be funny if you quoted her a reasonable price, but made her a cake that fed only 8 people. I'm envisioning a tiny shoebox, tiny shoe, etc. It would be so cute! She wanted a "small" cake, right? icon_confused.gif

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catlharper Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 11:00pm
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I had one of my daughter's friends today say "I adore your mom's cakes but is she expensive?" LOL...YUP. My daughter, also a caker, said "she's a cake artist...everything she does is from scratch, made to order with your personal design and custom to you and your event, so, yes, she's expensive" her friend comes back with "oh, like a wedding cake"...yup, like a wedding cake. Nice thing tho...a few hours later I got an email from the friend who didn't bat an eye at my prices!

As for last minute...don't do them, not worth the time, stress or effort. 2 weeks in advance or MORE or NO CAKE FOR YOU! LOL! Ok, not a Cake Nazi but sometime's I wanna be!

Cat

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Echooo3 Posted 9 Aug 2010 , 11:42pm
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I'm fairly new in the business (almost a year). I find this first year is really establishing mysef from a "hobby" baker to, "yes, I do have a business, I have overhead, I am licensed, and I charge like any other baker and "yes" I am still your friend, but this is my price"

That has been tough. Word is getting around - "she's expensive" but I'm not really. If they check any other baker, an I encourage them to do so, and they really want the product, they will be back.

These cake shows don't help either. Heck they do these 5 feet tall cakes in under 8 hours. I tell my folks, yes, but they have pre-prepared products before they get to the show. Still......................

It's nice to know there are folks here that understand this delima. *sigh*

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tcakes65 Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 12:07am
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I feel your pain! icon_wink.gif I just received an email today from a wedding planner. She has a bride that wants the attached wedding cake but big enough to serve 250 guests plus a laptop groom's cake for this Saturday, Aug. 14. icon_eek.gif Who books a wedding cake, especially that large, 5 days out from a wedding? I have 4 other weddings (all with groom's cakes) that day along with 3 other large event cakes. The planner cannot understand why I'm hesitant to do it because of my full schedule and said "don't put yourself out". icon_confused.gif Not a problem...I'll just use my cake elves and magic cake oven and *poof* it will be done in 30 minutes. I added on my express shipping charges for supplies to her cost plus a rush fee and PIA fee. Needless to say she was shocked at the price, and I got the too expensive spiel also. It has to be worth our while to take on elaborate, last minute orders.
LL

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costumeczar Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 12:41am
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Any wedding planner who is shocked at the price for a cake like that for 250 guests that's ordered at the last minute isn't a planner, she's an amateur or someone who just got married herself and thought it was fun to plan her own wedding, so why not be a planner?

A professional planner who called that late would be very apologetic about calling a week before the wedding, and wouldn't have balked at whatever price you wanted to charge. Let her try to get it cheaper, I hear that Walmart does "special" cakes. They might even be able to throw in a Spiderman figurine for her.

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Ladiesofthehouse Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 1:39am
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At least once a week I get an inquiry like the one above. What in the world ever happened to planning ahead??? Is it like sooo yesterday to think more than a week in advance these days?

I had a phone call at 6 pm on a Wednesday for a quote on a highly decorated tiered cake to serve 200 for a christening. On that Saturday morning. icon_eek.gif

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iamcakin Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 2:36am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Any wedding planner who is shocked at the price for a cake like that for 250 guests that's ordered at the last minute isn't a planner, she's an amateur or someone who just got married herself and thought it was fun to plan her own wedding, so why not be a planner?

A professional planner who called that late would be very apologetic about calling a week before the wedding, and wouldn't have balked at whatever price you wanted to charge. Let her try to get it cheaper, I hear that Walmart does "special" cakes. They might even be able to throw in a Spiderman figurine for her.




Amen!! thumbs_up.gificon_twisted.gif

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catlharper Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 2:58am
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I've been an event planner for 15 years now and not once have I called a vendor with that sorta spiel. I HAVE called a vendor and said that I needed a service and I was praying that they could help me out and that I knew it woudl be an extra charge...but never ever did I get mad or demanding or expect anything but a "No, it's too late" sort of response and never have I ever been anything but grateful when they said yes. Sadly it's not lack of planning in my case but rather vendors going out of business or having an emergency of their own that left me without a cake or dj or photographer or whatever. In those cases you take what you can get.

Cat

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LNW Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 3:45am
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I dont take on last minute orders for any reason anymore. I got burned badly on one years ago, by a very close family member. They had a truly heartbreaking sob story to go along with the request that I ate right up. Short version: stayed up all night making a ridiculously elaborate cake for the next day, relative forgot my money and said theyd pay me later, they suddenly fell on hard times somewhere between that morning when they picked up the cake and that afternoon when they got off work, much fighting ensued, family member steered clear of all family events for an entire year to avoid me, I finally dropped it to get us all back together again (cake and money arent worth breaking up a family).

People who dont have the courtesy to call in an order and give you a reasonable amount of time to prepare it probably (not always) dont give two squirts of monkey pee about you. Even family, as I learned the hard way.

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CutiePieCakes-Ontario Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 4:59pm
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I agree - it's the cake shows that cause this last minute rush.

Viewers see someone walk into a bakery, get a consultation for a huge, elaborate cake for 'this Saturday', and voila! it's gets created - all in 1/2 hr. (minus commercials). My favourite was when the guy ordered the cake 'for the wrong day' and needed it the day before. Of course, Buddy ranted and raged - and got it done on time. (Reality TV my Aunt Fanny!)

Can people really be that dumb? They can't seriously believe that someone can walk into any specialty store (cake, dress makers, etc.) place an order today and have your request completed tomorrow? Unfortunately, yes they can. And they don't realize that any cake featured on the show is FREE! Because they are using their image, they get 'paid' in cake.

Even the cake competition shows, though fun to watch, are misleading the muggle public. I've heard many cake artists on the competition shows say that it would take weeks to complete their cake under normal conditions. They do come with a great deal of prep work done (cakes are baked, platforms built, etc.). They don't run out to the workshop and build their metal cake platforms during the show!

They really need to put a disclaimer on these shows - Cake creations made during the time of this episode are not real time. Please do not expect your local cake artist to create this in 22 minutes. Thank you.

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Enchantedcakes Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 5:16pm
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I had a call this morning at 8:00am from a lady who asked if we do wedding cakes, I replied yes and what is the date, she replied oh it is not a wedding my BF just likes wedding cakes and I want one for his birthday tomorrow. I replied I am sorry but we are booked until the beginning of Sept. Then she says can I just have a sheet cake that is decorated like a wedding cake. I said I am sorry but we are booked until Sept. She then says don't you have any cake just lying around that you could decorate. Now I am annoyed. No we are a custom cake shop that works out of an organic bakery/catering company, we bake to order using organic when at all possible we have no extra cake just lying around. The I get a call just a few minutes ago from someone wanting a cake for Saturday for only 75-100 people...we are still booked.

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Kima920 Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 5:17pm
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Plus people don't realize that there are two people working on those cakes in 8 hours. For most of us its just us and that's it so it takes twice as long as that's not mentioning any sugar work that needs to be done. I get last minute calls all the time or asking for 3d cakes or things like that they don't want to pay my price oh well.. Any other baker is going to charge just as much as I do or more in my area. So I guess alot of people are going to Giants and Walmart.. people want custom cakes but not at custom cake prices. Cake Muggles ARRGHHHH!!!!

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Cakechick123 Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 6:57pm
post #21 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Any wedding planner who is shocked at the price for a cake like that for 250 guests that's ordered at the last minute isn't a planner, she's an amateur or someone who just got married herself and thought it was fun to plan her own wedding, so why not be a planner?

A professional planner who called that late would be very apologetic about calling a week before the wedding, and wouldn't have balked at whatever price you wanted to charge. Let her try to get it cheaper, I hear that Walmart does "special" cakes. They might even be able to throw in a Spiderman figurine for her.




so true!!!!! thumbs_up.gif

I also got one of those last week. Get a call Thursday morning ( 5 Aug), she needs a 3 tier wedding cake for Saturday 7 Aug, not very complicated. yea right!
Now this past weekend was a long weekend in SA and the 7th was one of the most popular dates this year, I started turning away customers for this date months ago. This woman was totally stunned that she couldnt find a wedding cake anywhere, said I was about the 10th person she called that was fully booked.... hmmm wonder why icon_evil.gif

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greengyrl26 Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 7:26pm
post #22 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by CutiePieCakes-Ontario

I agree - it's the cake shows that cause this last minute rush.

They really need to put a disclaimer on these shows - Cake creations made during the time of this episode are not real time. Please do not expect your local cake artist to create this in 22 minutes. Thank you.




That's so true. Also, if you notice on the cake competition shows, they DO have a disclaimer saying that the cakes shown in the taste competition are NOT the same cakes used to build the elaborate beast of a cake! Hmmm...wonder why?!?! icon_confused.gif Because those cakes are slopped together with the tinest bit of frosting in a ridiculous rush to the finish. I bet they taste, well...lackluster to say the least!

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1234me Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 9:16pm
post #23 of 30

what kills me is she wanted it to feed 8 people - REALLY? People like that kill me!

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catlharper Posted 10 Aug 2010 , 9:51pm
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People tend to think that smaller means easier when in the cake world smaller usually means more intricate and harder, thus takes longer and costs more. SIGH...we just have to keep on educating and stifling the urge to laugh when they call us with these ridiculous requests.

Cat

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vtcake Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 9:32pm
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$250 for a cake that feeds 8? Seriously? I hope you were tongue in cheek! Why risk losing a potential customer in the future just to prove a point. Why not just say no thanks. It doesn't sound as if the customer was being rude to you, just being a novice at this whole thing.

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joycesdaughter111 Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 9:54pm
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If my math is right, a cake to feed 8 people that costs $250.00 comes to $31.25 per slice. Sounds a little expensive. icon_lol.gif

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bakencake Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 9:59pm
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Quote:
Quote:

'but I saw them do one of those cake shows & it didn't look like it would take that long to do.....'



hahaha! It's funny because it's true!

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indydebi Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 10:02pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catlharper

"I adore your mom's cakes but is she expensive?" LOL...YUP. My daughter, also a caker, said "she's a cake artist...everything she does is from scratch, made to order with your personal design and custom to you and your event, so, yes, she's expensive"



I would tell poeple, "Not everyone can afford me .... and that's ok!"

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PiccoloChellie Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 10:03pm
post #29 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by vtcake

$250 for a cake that feeds 8? Seriously? I hope you were tongue in cheek! Why risk losing a potential customer in the future just to prove a point. Why not just say no thanks. It doesn't sound as if the customer was being rude to you, just being a novice at this whole thing.




Quote:
Originally Posted by joycesdaughter111

If my math is right, a cake to feed 8 people that costs $250.00 comes to $31.25 per slice. Sounds a little expensive. icon_lol.gif




Many cakers have a minimum order amount, much the same way you can't order 3 french fries at McDonalds. Gotta buy the small order of fries even if you only want to eat 3 of them.

For those specializing in carved cakes, wedding cakes, etc, it's just good business practice - not "proving a point." They're able to concentrate on a wedding cake rather than a half dozen $20 orders.

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mommyle Posted 16 Aug 2010 , 10:29pm
post #30 of 30

I am at the point where I refuse "small" cakes. Minimum $100. I just don't have the time or the patience to do a bunch of smaller cakes. Ridiculous.

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