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Anyone getting more "entitled" clients lately? - Page 4

post #46 of 124
3/25/11 at 10:30am
I was going to start a separate thread, but I will just throw it in here since I have been reading it. I find it so hard not give attitude to folks on the phone when they are expecting so much for so little. I just hung up the phone with someone who was asking if they bought a cake from me and then wanted cupcakes as well, if I would give them a discount for the two orders. Maybe a 200 serving cake and a few dozen cuppies, but for a 40 serving cake and 2 doz cuppies... really? I hope she doesn't call back.
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post #47 of 124
3/25/11 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkpiggie78

.... someone who was asking if they bought a cake from me and then wanted cupcakes as well, if I would give them a discount for the two orders.

More often than I care to deal with it, I get people who come into the hotel......

Them: How much is a room?
Me: $89.99
Them: How much is it is I stay two days?
Me: Uh ..... $89.99 times 2. (Duh! dunce.gif )
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post #48 of 124
3/25/11 at 10:51am
I just don't understand the mentality... I wouldn't go to Walmart say that I am buying $100 worth of groceries, but if I bought $200 worth, can I get a discount.
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post #49 of 124
3/25/11 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

"Entitled" might not be the right word...I'm just curious, because I've started getting inquiries from people where they're sending a blanket email to a bunch of people saying things like "I'm looking for an amazing cake for blah blah blah...If you're up to the challenge let me know!"

Either that, or the tone of the email is kind of weird, like they're giving you the opportuity to do their cake and you should be so grateful...It's hard to describe the tone but I'm seeing more of it.

Just wondering if anyone else is seeing stuff like this, is it a trend now or what?

One thing that I've realized in getting this kind of stuff is that I also interview my brides, not only the other way around, haha! If the tone of the email is too snotty and it's also been sent to ninety other people, I delete it.



How about entitled students? I am a culinary arts instructor with more than 30 years of experience and an instructor for more than 16 years. Students often take a basic course in the hopes of making their "birthday or wedding cake." Once they see that they've got to master some skills, they then want you to do the cake with the hook-up (discount) because they've honored you with their presence. Many students have even said to me, "you'll have to help me with my daughter's sweet sixteen cake because I don't know enough yet." Help me and I'll take the next couple of courses...(fat chance of that ever happening). I teach because I enjoy it. I make cakes for compensation...how am I sending mixed signals? icon_eek.gif
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post #50 of 124
3/25/11 at 11:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkpiggie78

I was going to start a separate thread, but I will just throw it in here since I have been reading it. I find it so hard not give attitude to folks on the phone when they are expecting so much for so little. I just hung up the phone with someone who was asking if they bought a cake from me and then wanted cupcakes as well, if I would give them a discount for the two orders. Maybe a 200 serving cake and a few dozen cuppies, but for a 40 serving cake and 2 doz cuppies... really? I hope she doesn't call back.



Maybe you can expect a little extra because you're doing two jobs for one customer? Now wouldn't that be grand!
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post #51 of 124
3/25/11 at 3:05pm
I got a call yesterday from someone who works for a Spanish fashion designer...they are running an all day event to present his new collection...all sorts of different food...interested in some cupcakes - we talk about mini-cupcakes since people will be milling around, no seating. She says they would like the cupcakes to be inspired by his new collection - cool! So i'm thinking a few hundred cupcakes.

She says that they are on a tight budget, any chance of a discount? I tell her I very rarely discount, only would consider it on a very large order. So she asks me what discount would be applied on 40 (not 400, or 4000) mini-cupcakes!!!!!! Whaaaaat? Just cos you work for some fancy-schmancy designer you think you are entitled to a discount? If I walked into his store and asked for a discount I would be shown the door....
I didn't actually have the heart to tell her that if she wanted 40, she'd actually have to order 48. I just said no discount, sorry. She didn't call back icon_biggrin.gif
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post #52 of 124
3/25/11 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corrie76

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" icon_rolleyes.gif



LMAO!! I never thought of it that way, but I get those annoying emails all the time!!! Either that or the call me thing, when I have my phone number posted right above my email address?? I actually had someone text me asking the price of my croc cake I did and to send pictures (REALLY?). Why ask me if the pictures are readily available EVERYWHERE!! I mean I network all over the internet, and your friends with the business on facebook. Am I your mother (No), and are my calling capabilities better than yours (probably not)...
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post #53 of 124
3/25/11 at 3:47pm
Licensed home bakers really have to call potential customers back, or we'd put ourselves out of business. I am not always available when the call comes in, so naturally I call them back. I don't believe in chasing down a customer though. If they email, I encourage them to call me...especially if it's long distance I get the sense they are trying to avoid the expense. (many of my customers travel from other states for my cakes, or get married here).

No mass emails yet (luckily), but I do get a lot of generic "what's your price?" or "what can you do for me?" emails. I don't answer those question unless they call me, most of that info is on my site anyway.

I really like the pizza reference. icon_smile.gif
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post #54 of 124
3/25/11 at 3:54pm
Madchen, I totally agree in calling potential customers back. However, I get super annoyed at those that you know just don't want to call. I too also absolutely love that pizza reference!! We Cakers are running a normal business though, and I guess what I don't get is why we are treated differently than any other business (like we are suppose to beg for people's business). I know that I wouldn't email a business, knowing there number, telling them to call me if I wanted their services.
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post #55 of 124
3/25/11 at 6:27pm
I agree. I'm suddenly remembering the "engaged" couple I had for a free tasting two years ago. It turned out 1/2 way into the consult that the engagement was a FAKE to get free cake. They started giggling when I stepped out of the room. Our house is very small so I overheard them. It's almost funny...but not quite. icon_confused.gif

AWESOME customers do help cancel out some of the nonsense. I'm also very lucky to have such great and talented cake friends who share their experiences and advice with. They were all banned last year, but I find email more personal anyway, along with the yearly trips to VEGAS! thumbs_up.gif
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post #56 of 124
3/26/11 at 1:15am
I guess i'm an "entitled" baker... I won't take just any order lol....... if you don't suit my fancy, you don't get my cake! I'm through with this over the top crazy stuff after being burned a few times. Now if its not something I think will look good... I don't do it...and guess what?? I'm still booked every week.
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post #57 of 124
3/26/11 at 1:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by madchen

I agree. I'm suddenly remembering the "engaged" couple I had for a free tasting two years ago. It turned out 1/2 way into the consult that the engagement was a FAKE to get free cake. They started giggling when I stepped out of the room. Our house is very small so I overheard them. It's almost funny...but not quite. icon_confused.gif

AWESOME customers do help cancel out some of the nonsense. I'm also very lucky to have such great and talented cake friends who share their experiences and advice with. They were all banned last year, but I find email more personal anyway, along with the yearly trips to VEGAS! thumbs_up.gif



faking an engagement just for cake?! icon_confused.gif man your cakes must rock lol icon_biggrin.gif

and i don't get it- your friends were banned? from what lol?
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post #58 of 124
3/26/11 at 4:55am
The entitlement thing is everywhere. I am a full-time teacher, and my students expect an "A" simply for showing up - and so do many of their parents. I had a parent email me this year and tell me that giving his son a failing grade was "awfully harsh considering you are just a high school English teacher." I return emails until 9:00 or 10:00 P.M. but had another parent furious that I didn't respond to her 11:15 P.M. request to give her daughter help with an essay. My home phone has rung as late as 10:30 P.M. This is the same stuff you are seeing in your customer.

I buy my students' supplies, I have helped clothe them and feed them, I have played Santa for a family who was down on their luck. And now the entire country tells teachers that we are lazy, entitled, and overpaid and we should "shut up and be thankful we have a job." I am an excellent teacher, but I will very likely leave the profession - I cake on the side because we need the extra money. With the enormous pay cut I am facing...there are lots of other ways to make a living that don't take the emotional toll of teaching. Which is why I am here. I am no stranger to long days and hard work and working with a wildly diverse (and sometimes entitled) public, and it just might be the right time to paint my rainbow in a different sky.
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post #59 of 124
3/26/11 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corrie76

...or a weird self-esteem boost that the vendor is calling them out of desparation to serve them.



That's EXACTLY what I'm trying to describe, you put it into words. They seem to be setting me up to beg for their business and serve them.

They apparently don't know that I'm old enough to have an extremely well-developed and overactive BS detector, and it goes off when I read that kind of stuff.



Love it!!!! I am so right there with you on this one!! LOL
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post #60 of 124
3/26/11 at 6:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakeglitz

Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corrie76

...or a weird self-esteem boost that the vendor is calling them out of desparation to serve them.



That's EXACTLY what I'm trying to describe, you put it into words. They seem to be setting me up to beg for their business and serve them.

They apparently don't know that I'm old enough to have an extremely well-developed and overactive BS detector, and it goes off when I read that kind of stuff.



Love it!!!! I am so right there with you on this one!! LOL

I got a call this week from a customer who wanted a little one-layer birthday cake for 6 people and she wanted a "tasting". I did you not! The cake sells for $22.50
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