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What would you do? Vent....

post #1 of 35
10/5/10 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
For the second time in the past two weeks I have been undercut in my pricing and lost the orders. It may be more times but these particluar clients told me who they went with. It is getting frustrated because the person undercutting me bakes out of home. Sure the price is lower there is no overhead and it is illegal!! I dont think $2.50 per jumbo cupcake with fondant accents, SMBC, set up and delivery is too much??? I did things the right way, got my license, rent the kitchen, spend advertising money all to lose orders to someone who doing it the wrong way. Sorry for the vent, but it just burns me... How would you handle this?
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post #2 of 35
10/5/10 at 4:30pm
I would nto hesitate to tell your customers that the lady who has the lower price is baking illegally!! Tell her that in your state you are not allowed to bake out of your home, you must have a liscense, etc... I also would nto hesitate to send those 2 people that were mentioned a little email saying what they are doing is illegal. Those home bakers may not know what they are doign is wrong!
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post #3 of 35
10/5/10 at 4:42pm
The problem is that a lot of customers will turn a blind eye to the fact that its an illegal operation because the bank balance is really their main priority and won't be overly concerned about them being unlicensed. I suppose you report the other baker to the authorities????
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post #4 of 35
10/5/10 at 4:55pm
Yep...as there is no law against buying from an unliscensed baker (well none that I have heard of anyway) I doubt most people really care. All that matters is that they are getting a better price. Thus I doubt sending a letter to the client will do much of anything.
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post #5 of 35
10/5/10 at 5:59pm
I feel your frustration - It costs a lot to have a legal bakery/kitchen, insurance, overhead, etc. Are you a member of RBA? If so, you could contact them. Otherwise, you could call the health dept. yourself. Unfortunately, the previous poster is right in saying that customers just want a good deal, don't really care about legalities.

Your prices are certainly not to high, so don't lower them.
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post #6 of 35
10/5/10 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
thanks all. I guess taking the higher road is my only option. I dont know how someone can bake illegally. I would be scared to do it from a liability stand point. It is food , and people now a days are quick to sue over anything. You all are right, the pocketbook is the bottom line. I am not going to work for nothing. icon_smile.gif
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post #7 of 35
10/5/10 at 6:57pm
Don't bad mouth to her (formerly yours) clients. Just quietly place a call to the health department and rat her out. If that doesn't get you anywhere, raise hell until she and anyone else doing it that is taking money from you are closed for good. Go the mattresses.
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post #8 of 35
10/5/10 at 6:58pm
When you are in business and have competition it really is extra difficult when you don't have a level playing field..........unfortunately that is the case with many a small business............and if some other business is not under cutting you the government wants their piece of the action as well..I was going to say their piece of the pie but stopped myself....well almost....you have to wonder if where they are getting the cake is going to taste good and look good........I have seen some pics on the web where people say its there first wedding cake, and I could cry for the bride..........how could they do that to someone ugh..........taking the high road is not going to level the playing field though....if the shoe were on the other foot....would they report you?
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post #9 of 35
10/5/10 at 7:08pm
If her clients don't care about the illegal aspect of her baking, maybe they'll care that she's baking with no inspection or approval from the health department - but then again what's a little roach poo and cat hair among friends??? icon_wink.gif
"Mmmmmmmmm donuts." - Homer Simpson
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"Mmmmmmmmm donuts." - Homer Simpson
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post #10 of 35
10/5/10 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by newmansmom2004

If her clients don't care about the illegal aspect of her baking, maybe they'll care that she's baking with no inspection or approval from the health department - but then again what's a little roach poo and cat hair among friends??? icon_wink.gif




oh gross...........
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post #11 of 35
10/5/10 at 8:25pm
If yor health dept doesn't respond, call the state tax dept in your town. They have field reps just for this. I have said this before...I also have my contractors license and those guys report unlicensed contractors immediately. Business is business. Protect yours.
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post #12 of 35
10/5/10 at 8:28pm
I don't know about clients not caring. I'm sure some don't, but not all.

Our neighbor offered us a "deal" to put in a leech bed. We would have to pull all the permits and such. He was not insured for the work and did not have a business doing that kind of work. We went with an official company because we wanted to be covered in case something happened. It cost us more but it was worth the peace of mind.
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post #13 of 35
10/5/10 at 8:32pm
Her: We decided to go with blah blah.

You: Oh yes, I've heard of her. thanks for letting me know so I can release that date to other inquiries. Now .... you HAVE checked with your reception site to see if their insurance and their policies permit unlicensed food vendors, haven't you? I'd hate for you to not have a wedding cake because yours was stopped at the door for being an illegal baker. Be sure you check that out! icon_rolleyes.gif
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post #14 of 35
10/5/10 at 8:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Her: We decided to go with blah blah.

You: Oh yes, I've heard of her. thanks for letting me know so I can release that date to other inquiries. Now .... you HAVE checked with your reception site to see if their insurance and their policies permit unlicensed food vendors, haven't you? I'd hate for you to not have a wedding cake because yours was stopped at the door for being an illegal baker. Be sure you check that out! icon_rolleyes.gif



This is why everyone on CC loves you.
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post #15 of 35
10/5/10 at 9:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Her: We decided to go with blah blah.

You: Oh yes, I've heard of her. thanks for letting me know so I can release that date to other inquiries. Now .... you HAVE checked with your reception site to see if their insurance and their policies permit unlicensed food vendors, haven't you? I'd hate for you to not have a wedding cake because yours was stopped at the door for being an illegal baker. Be sure you check that out! icon_rolleyes.gif



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