Anyone getting more "entitled" clients lately?

Welcome to the world we live in. There is a serious entitlement problem. The good news is we have the right to refuse service.

Ahhhhhhh! Another product of the wedding magazines advice to help brides get a good deal! I've seen this written about a number of times. Pretty much, the bride is putting the cake out for bid. Mass emails a number of vendors so the vendors know they are competing for the business. The logic is that the vendor will think, "Uh-oh! I have to offer the best rock-bottom price in the world or someone else might get this business!" (wring hands, worry about lost business, panic and offer a stupidly low price!) The sad part is that the magazines really think we all do business that way.

Agree on the "interviewing the bride", too! I rejected an email from a bride who wanted a cake and a buffet that included a "kick ass apple pie!" Kick ass? How do we define "kick ass"? I am outta there on that one.

My issue is when they ask up front about general pricing or such and you give them the answer they go skitzoid on you! Well dearie, why the h*ll did you ask in the first place???

Oh yeah, the "up to the challenge" thing! It seems to me that I recall getting an email wanting to know if I was up to the challenge of making a 3 tier cake with a ribbon around the base. Must be the new buzzword!!!

Challenge? In my sleep with my eyes closed! (oh wait ... most people DO sleep with their eyes closed, dont' they!?)

"Dear Mass Marketing Bride,

Thank you for your recent inquiry, but if you are looking for a cake decorator who finds three tiered cakes challenging, we are definitely not for you! Tiered cakes are NOT challenging to those who know what they are doing. Good luck to you!"

Love this!

Yep, I think we'll see more of this because of the economy.

I had someone contact me about a wedding. She then proceeds to mention that she's contacted another baker and tells me the price she was quoted.....sort of a "can you do better?". The price she was (supposedly) quoted was RIDICULOUS! I gave her a price that I believe was VERY generous, considering the amount of work she was asking for(it was higher than her 'original' quote). Never heard from her again.

Bet cake wrecks can suggest a baker.

LMAO!!!!

I'm getting a lot of girls in the twenty something crowd who have serious communication problems. First off they send e-mails and texts saying they want XYZ and to call them at 555-5555.....It's almost backwards really. I don't send Pizza Hut and e-mail saying ,"I'd really like an amazing and perfect pepperoni pizza, if your up for the challenge(lol) then give me a call"
I'm not even that old, but I grew up with the notion that as the customer, if you want something you go to the place or you call the vendor....never this weird mind game crap of trying to make orders a competition or a weird self-esteem boost that the vendor is calling them out of desparation to serve them.
It's all part of the whole "entitlement generation" thing that is rearing it's ugly head now that all these kids are entering adulthood. These particular customers have been raised never hearing the word "no", being coddled and put up on a pedestal by parents, never getting the chance to fail at anything or earn anything legitimately...The end result is this new breed of entitled customer, I mean, mom and dad, teachers and coaches have always groveled at their feet,gave them what they wanted and made special exceptions for them (ya know, 'cause they are unique and special and really it's a treat to be given opportunity to serve them) why wouldn't a cake decorator, or anyone else for that matter?
Sorry for the ranting, lol, but before I finish up here I just want to add that i'm sure there are a gazillion exceptions to this horrible stereo-type I just described and I know that not all twenty-somethings behave so badly, but enough of them do that it just grates on my last nerve!!

"My issue is when they ask up front about general pricing or such and you give them the answer they go skitzoid on you!"
Number One rule of selling- never answer a direct question with a direct answer! In this business that definitely applies, because we don't offer "standard" products.

I think the TV challenges, where it seems the tops of our business are competing to be chosen by the customer, may play a part also! Do all this work, and then they will see if they think you are worth anything!