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Need opinions please about this email

post #1 of 22
1/21/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone! I had a possible bride inquire about my cakes and was interested in a tasting Feb. 4th. She seemed a little "bridezilla" in prior emails but when I told her that I work out of my home and did not have a storefront this is the email I got after I explain I can keep cost a little lower since I do not have overhead to pay and that there are many awesome home bakers everywhere. Oh and another email I received prior to this she stated how accomodating and "personal" I was and that I provide excellent customer service!

"I have been in contact with many bakery's of wedding cakes and none of them make wedding cakes out of their homes. I'm sure there's has been other potential customers that felt this was very odd and too personal. I'm sure the company I chose will feel the same. I would rather pay more for someone that is more professional about their service and has a store as opposed to making cakes in their home kitchen. I will be sure to let my other five friends getting married know this valuebale information and to chose someone else. No need to respond to this last email."

I usually try not to let things bother me but this did. Last year I made 35 wedding cakes and not one bride complained about meeting in my home and baking out of my home. I am licensed and insured and I am very professional. Do any of you get responses or comments about not having a store front? Thanks for your advice icon_smile.gif
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post #2 of 22
1/21/12 at 7:47pm
If I had a home bakery and received that email, I would simply reply back thanking her for her feedback and wishing her the best of luck on her wedding. She may have had a bad experience with a home-based food vendor in the past, the best you can do is let your products speak for themselves.
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Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
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post #3 of 22
1/21/12 at 7:54pm
I agree with Jason. Someone like that you're not going to change their mind. Nor should you have to. It sounds like your business is doing just fine without Miss Snottypants and her friends. When I got married my florist and cake vendors both worked out of their homes, and I loved how cozy it was. To each their own. As hard as it is to let it go (I would be rampaging mad too), in the grand scheme it will be better for you both. I just am always blown away with the audacity of people to let other people know when they looks down on them. Real charmers, they are.
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post #4 of 22
1/21/12 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it icon_smile.gif
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post #5 of 22
1/21/12 at 8:14pm
Well you dodged a bullet with this one. She can take her "valuebale" business elsewhere. You are doing just fine without it.

But it was an odd, ignorant, hurtful thing to write.
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post #6 of 22
1/21/12 at 9:40pm
Some folks just need to be killed with kindness. This is how I would respond (after letting off some steam):

Thank you for your response *client's name*. At Cakertainment we cater to clients who appreciate the professional and personal attention we give to creating one-of-a-kind cakes to celebrate their most intimate experiences. While we operate from a home-kitchen, our qualifications and state sanctioned licenses are on par with those of our more commercial counterparts. We understand that not everyone is comfortable with the degree of personalized service we provide thus we encourage you to select a cake provider that makes you comfortable. Our hope, whether we provide the cake or not, is that each bride has a beautiful wedding filled with happy memories. Good luck with your plans.

Sincerely,
Cakertainment CEO.
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post #7 of 22
1/21/12 at 11:32pm
The poster before me brought up what I was going to ask of you. Did you give her copies of your license and insurance certificates? If you did not and came across as illegal, then she was correct in her assumptions.

It is important to be as professional as possible in any situation, but especially when it is a home kitchen situation. I have my license and insurance on my site in several places and they are framed in my bakery. I do have a large commercial kitchen, but it is on the ground floor of my home. I provide pictures along with the licensing so that there is no question of my professionalism.

I'm not suggesting this about the OP, but anything untidy, out of place, worn, old, dirty... anywhere in your home or outside that is in the path of the client, is up for scrutiny. The impression of your home and your habits will be what she thinks of your product.

In the OP case, it is important to give them the professional treatment up front, explaining the law and how you are inspected. If you come across as professional and knowledgeable, citing local law and offering a copy of your license and insurance, you will go a long way to possibly winning over a hesitant bride. You only have those emails to sell her.

On the other hand, someone working outside the law got what they deserved and the letter would have been correct.
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post #8 of 22
1/22/12 at 6:42am
What a snot. thumbsdown.gif
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post #9 of 22
1/22/12 at 7:46am
So I'm assuming that schools don't teach spelling any longer?
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Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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post #10 of 22
1/22/12 at 7:53am
yes Karateka, agreed, poor bride, it must be difficult for her and others to live in their skin with this uncalled for response-it sounds too personal-but really 5 friends? The letter proposed by VGcea is perfect!-This is the kind of support and info provided by other CC members that I love! Good Luck!
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post #11 of 22
1/22/12 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakertainment

"... I will be sure to let my other five friends getting married know this valuebale information and to chose someone else. No need to respond to this last email."



The above statement from this woman is exceptionally odd. There was no need to add that she has five friends getting married. Really, who has five friends that are getting married in the near future? I thought the nasty email was a personal attack. In my opinion, the person who wrote this is not a bride looking for a wedding cake but rather she has another agenda. Perhaps a mean-spirited person who simply wants to hurt your feelings and is using your business as a way to attack.

Miserable people such as the sender must make others feel bad in order to feel better about themselves. If you feel the need to respond, I like vgcea's suggestion. Especially the part, "We understand that not everyone is comfortable with the degree of personalized service we provide thus we encourage you to select a cake provider that makes you comfortable."
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website www.BakingFix.com
blog www.BakingFix.com/thefix
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MimiFix
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post #12 of 22
1/22/12 at 8:40am
It's so hard not to come back with something just as snotty. Especially with that woman's atrocious spelling. On that note, Vgcea's response is spot on. Someone else mentioned this doesn't sound like a bride at all but someone just acting outright mean. Sorry you had to get this email. If this woman really is a bride...good luck to her future husband.
Cake is a powerful food. Cake can actually bring people together. "You know its Bill's birthday." "Yeah I hate that guy." "There's some cake in the conference room." "Well I should say hello."
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Cake is a powerful food. Cake can actually bring people together. "You know its Bill's birthday." "Yeah I hate that guy." "There's some cake in the conference room." "Well I should say hello."
-Jim Gaffigan
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post #13 of 22
1/22/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

On the other hand, someone working outside the law got what they deserved and the letter would have been correct.



Um, no. The letter addresses people working from home. Period. This "customer" never brings up legal or illegal; she says she's uncomfortable with something as personal as being in someone's home. NO ONE "deserves" that email, especially not the OP.
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post #14 of 22
1/22/12 at 9:50am
I feel for you. It would be REALLY hard not to respond with a nasty email. But I agree with the previous posters, she doesn't sound like a bride. Why tell you that she's got 5 friends getting married soon? And ITA, who knows that many friends getting married in the near future? Sounds like she's just a troll trying to make you feel badly, for some strange reason. If you DO want to respond I'd send her the note vgcea put together. But I wouldn't put to much thought into this one. I thinks she full of it.
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post #15 of 22
1/22/12 at 11:21am
I don't know about anyone else but my first thought after I read her email was "wow what a b!^(h"

As hard as it is I would just let it go. She clearly is looking for an arguement and you will never win. Or i would send vgces' response.
Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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