Disappointed In Greedy People

Decorating By hrnewbie Updated 9 Jul 2011 , 8:46am by pixiefuncakes

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hrnewbie Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:10am
post #1 of 66

A co-worker gave my number to a friend who is looking for a cake for her son's first birthday. I've talked to this person several times this week about what she's looking for and we settled on a nice 2 tier cake that will easily serve 30, which is fine because she was looking for 2 flavors to serve 20. I even sent over a few sketches so she can see what I'm thinking.

Then she asks about $ and I remind her that I do this for free and don't take money because I'm not licensed (my town is SUPER strict about it and I've heard nightmarish stories) but I enjoy it (and I'm getting lots of experience.. like this next part apparently). Not sure what I thought her response would be but it sure wasn't, "Wow, that's so generous!! Um, can we add a 3rd tier then too? And increase the cake sizes? That way my family and friends can have some to take home with them after the party?"

Am I crazy or is that just rude? I know, I know. I should just have said no. I could certainly tell her to tone it down but I've chosen not to. I guess my point is that I'm surprised to even have to address this with someone who is getting a cake for free. It's just rude. For those of you who bake for free, what would you do in this instance? How do you handle it?

65 replies
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Ursula40 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:12am
post #2 of 66

I would say no and ask when she can come over and clean your kitchen for the two tiered cake that you have already agreed to

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ChRiStY_71 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:19am
post #3 of 66

icon_surprised.gif I can't believe her nerve! I hope you enjoy doing the cake...and I really hope you don't add another tier!

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jason_kraft Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:21am
post #4 of 66

Rude but not surprising. If I were you I would just say that I only had the time and ingredients to make the original 2 tier cake, and if she'd like something bigger instead you would be happy to refer her to another bakery.

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fedra Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:22am
post #5 of 66

Wow....that person has some b***s!! I would remind her that aside from my labor being FREE, I also have to pay for the ingredients and materials out of my pocket so adding even more to the cake will cost ME money. You are VERY generous to do this for somebody that you dont even know.
Fedra

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BlakesCakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:25am
post #6 of 66

Just tell her no. You've offered what you think you can afford in terms of time and ingredients--and that's it.

Also let her know that it's 1 freebie per (person, family, address, whatever) per year (or 2 or 5), or else it sounds like you'll be doing freebies for her all of the time.

I do all of my cakes "for free"--either directly for a charity/non-profit or for a donation (equal to the retail value of the cake) to a charity non-profit.
I tell people what the cake is worth and they either donate online and send me the receipt or when I deliver, I give them a completed money order made out the the charity and they give me back the cash equivalent.

You can only be taken advantage of if you allow it. Stop it in it's tracks and you'll never feel bad about what you're doing.

Rae

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KatsSuiteCakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:27am
post #7 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ursula40

I would say no and ask when she can come over and clean your kitchen for the two tiered cake that you have already agreed to





hahahahaha!

That was awesome! icon_lol.gif

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LKing12 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:27am
post #8 of 66

Oh WOW! That is truly unbelievable. I think I would have packed up and walked away. Oh Wow!

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cheriej Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 3:57am
post #9 of 66

I would have politely said no I'm sorry I won't be able to increase the size of the cake given I am donating my time and ingredients. Some people mistake that you are doing cakes for practice with you can donate an unlimited amount of cake and your time/out of pocket costs are also unlimited. Just set your boundaries including who is even supposed to be contacting you for a free cake, what kinds of cake you will or want to do, what notice period you require etc.

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Olivia02 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 4:09am
post #10 of 66

Thats a little rude. U try helping out someone by lending a hand and they want ur whole arm.

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MamaDear Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 4:15am
post #11 of 66

I would have told her that my FREE cake was for her son's party, not extended to her entire family for their take home scarfing. I would also suggest that if she wants to "give" her family a bunch of cake to take home that the local WalMart has plenty to choose from and they come boxed individually for transportation ease.

Sorry if I sound a bit jaded but crumbsnatchers and cakepires are everywhere and they will take everything you will give them for free and try to suck up anything you have left over at the same time... this is not a cheap hobby.

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Margieluvstobake Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 4:46am
post #12 of 66

I understand about having to make your cakes for free. I would also love to be able to sell cakes, but my state will not allow legal home kitchens.

Can you not make a list of the ingredients you need to make the cake (including things like a roll of paper towels, or a box of wax paper etc..) and have them bring them to you to help defray your cost of making the cake? Especially for someone that is not a family member or a close friend, they should be glad to do this.

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Candice56 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 4:56am
post #13 of 66

That's a good idea to suggest things you would need to work on your craft because you can't accept cash, you'd think people would just offer to help with the costs.. Manners are out the window anymore when people hear free cake and by the way I want more.. Shame on them.

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Curtsmin24 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 5:18am
post #14 of 66

I'm not going to lie. I would have told her some not so nice words and told her where she could take her sorry behind. You may not be able to sell your cake but don't sell your time. If you just want the practice make it and donate it to a soup kitchen, somewhere that it will be appreciated. That is how I started. I was tired of everyone trying to get a free cake and then wanting to be picky about how it looks. If it's free, you get input but my creative genius takes it from there. At least she likes your design.

But to actually answer your question, I would tell her these words: "I only do a limited amount of free cakes a year and I can only afford to make cake for the sizes that we discussed. That is why I came up with this design. Unless you would like to purchase the pans that I need, it will not be possible."

That way you get a new set of pans. Direct her to the good pans and that way you can use them again and the cost won't hurt you too much. Just a thought. I know that your time is valuable but for me, when I was learning I looked at it like hands on training.

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teresamariegross Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 5:19am
post #15 of 66

when I do a cake for someone that is not for profit I tell them I will make the cake and they just need to pay for the ingredients. No profit made by me and no money accepted as a business

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Claire138 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 6:03am
post #16 of 66

What a chutzpah!
She didn't even offer to pay for the ingredients & then she asks for more? I'm appalled, the nerve of some people.

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cathyscakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 6:04am
post #17 of 66

Doesn't surprise me a bit. Most times people are so appreciative, but I have had a few, like the person you are talking about, that just doesn't get it. They think we love the extra work, that since we aren't charging, we aren't worthy, and should be happy to do this for them. It takes all kinds of people, and it really boggles my mind when people act like this. I have had enough, there was a time when I would have done the extra work, but not anymore, I have learned my lesson, if people don't appreciate what I am doing, I won't do it. I hate feeling used, not a good feeling. It use to be so hard for me to speak my mind, but I have learned to do it.

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scp1127 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 6:53am
post #18 of 66

You really should consider taking charity donations. That money they donate will make you feel appreciated. And you get to pick!

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Foxicakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 7:42am
post #19 of 66

I never ceased to be amazed on these forums!! WOW!! Some people have big ones!!

Please, please PLEEEEASE!! call this person back (or email her so you can just "talk" and not have to listen) and tell her that during your earlier conversation, you were quite taken aback by her request to increase the cake size substantially when you mentioned that you only do cakes for free and that you are sorry that you agreed, but after further consideration and time to really think about what your response should be, you came to the conclusion that while you are sure that she understood that you are doing this to get experience, that you aren't sure that she understands that making HER free cake costs YOU money out of your pocket. And while you appreciate that she wants to send her family and friends home with extra cake, you are just not in a position to finance that "gift" for her. I would then further tell her that if you did decide to increase the size of HER cake, that it would mean that you would have to deny another person a cake and you don't feel as though that would be fair to your friends and family that you have already promised cakes to. Then I would tell her that if your original design is not going to meet her needs, that you would be happy to direct her to the nearest bakery in town and you are sure that they will be happy to take her money for the extra large 3 tier cake!! I mean REALLY!! Please don't give in to that woman!! If you DO give in to her, I can tell you that you will be angry at yourself the entire time you are working on it and it won't be an enjoyable experience for you... And, if you don't enjoy it, it no longer counts as a "hobby".
By the way, I like the idea of giving the people a shopping list and letting them buy your ingredients for you. THAT is not accepting compensation for your work and should be completely legal.

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scp1127 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 8:10am
post #20 of 66

Accepting ingredients is compensation and is illegal anywhere that taking money is illegal. I agree with Foxy, but would have taken this one step further... "After careful consideration, I don't believe that I am the right person to bake this cake for you. Thank you for your consideration."

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warchild Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 9:04am
post #21 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by hrnewbie

Am I crazy or is that just rude? I know, I know. I should just have said no.




Yes, you should have said no. Now you'll be making a cake with resentment in mind, from start to finish.
How much fun will that be?

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Coral3 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 10:06am
post #22 of 66

I like the idea of making people pay what the cake is worth (total value, INCLUDING your time) to a charity.

Personally if it were me I would ONLY be making free cakes for close family...otherwise where do you draw the line?

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Noobz Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 10:41am
post #23 of 66

You said that you do cakes for free because you enjoy it, I don't think what she asked for was very rude.

You could have just said no.

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solascakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 11:47am
post #24 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noobz

You said that you do cakes for free because you enjoy it, I don't think what she asked for was very rude.

You could have just said no.




I totally agree, you have advertised yourself as free for all,so why are you complaining. If i'm making a free cake,it'll be a surprise and an addition to what they might have already ordered elsewhere,so by that they have an idea of the cost,they have no input on my cake and most likely very very grateful. My idea of free cake is not paying for anything but gas, you will buy the ingredients.
All I can say is thank God I live in the UK.

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audrey0522 Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 11:53am
post #25 of 66

I only make free cakes for close family and friends of my choosing. They get NO say in anything. They tell me the party theme or give me a copy of the invitation and I find out how many people will be there. If I decide I only want to do a small cake they might even be told they need to make extra cupcakes. A friend even changed a theme of a party because I told her I would not enjoy doing the theme she wanted. The cake is free I decide everything. I am happy and the people getting the free cake are happy. If they want to place an order they know they can go to a bakery.

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Texas_Rose Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 12:12pm
post #26 of 66

I can't think of any way to get burned out on cake-making faster than to be making free cakes for people you don't even know.

It's not really the only way to practice...if you just want to practice decorating, get some dummy cakes and practice on those. Limit the free cakes to people you actually know and like, and if someone gives your number to someone you don't know and they call you up asking for a cake, say, "I'm sorry, state laws prevent me from having a cake business at home, so I only make free cakes for my close friends. Thanks for your interest though."

The other alternative would be to get involved with one of the charities that make free birthday cakes for needy children.

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TexasSugar Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 2:08pm
post #27 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas_Rose

I can't think of any way to get burned out on cake-making faster than to be making free cakes for people you don't even know.




I totally agree! You are making a free cake for a co-workers friend, so you can practice? Maybe you are a better person than me, because there is no way I'd do that. Why take money out of my pocket so someone else can get a cool free cake?

As far as her asking for a bigger cake, I can see the side of things where she has no idea the actual expense that goes into a cake that size, but I do also think she is taking advantage as well. She should have been thankful that she was getting a two tier cake for free, and not want to get a larger cake just so family could take some home. Would she have ordered more cake if she was paying for it?

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TinkerCakes Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 2:33pm
post #28 of 66

WOW...She has nerve asking for another tier!

Off topic...but someone mentioned it....
It's crazy to me that it is illegal for someone to bring you the ingredients and you make the cake. I've had parties and not had time/space to make all the food so I have given things (food) to my friend so she could make it... didn't consider it was breaking the law! That is just dumb. I get so mad when I see illegal bakers selling on craigslist ... but geez, when someone just wants to practice and and gets help with the ingredients, it shouldn't be illegal. Just my 2 cents....too bad I don't make the laws. icon_wink.gif

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ShaunPepe Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 4:52pm
post #29 of 66

Sorry but now I'm confusing. So everytime people have potluck dinner parties, friends buy ingredients for each other to make dishes/cakes for parties, this is illegal? Agree with Jason-Lisa, silly!

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costumeczar Posted 7 Jul 2011 , 5:06pm
post #30 of 66

I have two words for her, but I can't type them here, they'll just be censored.

I'd definitely call her back and tell her that you're only going to do the smaller cake, since there's no reason for you to feed the pieholes of her greedy relatives.

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