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Where do you do your cake tastings/consults?

post #1 of 22
7/9/12 at 10:34am
Thread Starter 
We have been diong our cake tastings/consults at the local Legion for a couple years now (i worked there for MANY years before cakes) and we had an agreement with them... we dont use their kitchen for cooking, all we use is their table for an hour probably 1 or 2 times a week max! anyways they want us to pay $25 per tasting now and that just isnt going to work so im trying to look for new places to do it. Our kitchen is in our house so id prefer to do it somewhere else, more "professional"....thoughts? where do you guys do yours?
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post #2 of 22
7/9/12 at 10:49am
Sorry I can't help you on a location idea. But.. here is another take on it.

Many including myself charge for cake tastings. And many have tastings just once a week.

The $25.00 is about the going rate for the tastings and you could let your customers knows what day of the week it will be. Then if they book with you give them credit for the $$. This way you won't have to change locations.
Virginia 323.253.8213
www.urbanainez.com
He is the man of my dreams, my prince; He gives me the desires of my heart, He completes me. His name is Jesus
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Virginia 323.253.8213
www.urbanainez.com
He is the man of my dreams, my prince; He gives me the desires of my heart, He completes me. His name is Jesus
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post #3 of 22
7/9/12 at 12:14pm
Starbucks...The client purchases a dozen cupcakes, up to 3 flavors. We meet at Starbucks or a local coffee shop, I answer any questions they have, give them an info packet, they pay for the dozen cupcakes and we go on our way.
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post #4 of 22
7/9/12 at 2:59pm
And how does Starbucks feel about you do business in their location? Howbeit, they do not sell the exact same item but they do have cupcakes and other bakery items.
Virginia 323.253.8213
www.urbanainez.com
He is the man of my dreams, my prince; He gives me the desires of my heart, He completes me. His name is Jesus
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Virginia 323.253.8213
www.urbanainez.com
He is the man of my dreams, my prince; He gives me the desires of my heart, He completes me. His name is Jesus
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post #5 of 22
7/10/12 at 1:00am
I operate a legal home bakery. I hold consultations in my dining room. In my experience no one has thought this unprofessional, but rather like to see the condition of the home their cake is being made in.

Now, I dont have kids so toys or noise is not a concern for me. My house has an open floor plan so the client can see everything, meaning the house has to always be clean. I think it puts people mind's at ease when they know the home is clean and there are no pets.
"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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post #6 of 22
7/16/12 at 2:26pm
I do them at my home. I have an office and set up in there. My tastings are free of charge for orders feeding over 100 people. I have also gone to the bride's home but prefer them to come to me.
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post #7 of 22
7/16/12 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paperfishies

Starbucks...The client purchases a dozen cupcakes, up to 3 flavors. We meet at Starbucks or a local coffee shop, I answer any questions they have, give them an info packet, they pay for the dozen cupcakes and we go on our way.

I've always wondered that myself. How come people can bake and decorate at home, but not have clients meet there? Why wouldn't you want your clients to know where their product is being prepared? Really just curious.
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post #8 of 22
7/16/12 at 3:39pm
I think for some it is a safety concern - having strange people in their home. They may feel safer by meeting at a neutral location. That's my guess.
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post #9 of 22
7/16/12 at 3:50pm
Yes I agree with these last 2 posts. I do want my clients to see where all the baking and decorating is taking place. It puts their mind at ease but on the flipside there is a major security issue doing it at home. I was actually gonna post something on this.."how do you screen your customers".

I had a lady and a man come to my house last week for a wedding cake consultation and I didn't like the vibe from them at all. The man was looking all over my house and asking who else lived here, and peering all over etc etc. I got an eery vibe..not a genuine customer vibe and it was just me and them in my house. I have since put a higher minimum price on wedding cakes to screen potential customers. When they told me they sell cheap stuff at the side of the road I realized these ppl really shouldn't be here and neither are they my customers. If you are selling items for $2US at the side of the road, you are not my customer. Worse, the location they are having the wedding was not really something I would consider to have a decent wedding. I don't know how else to screen 1st time people other than a higher minimum wedding cake price.

What do you all suggest?
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post #10 of 22
7/16/12 at 3:54pm
Screen them! I charge a minimum $150 for anything and a really good estimate of price is understood before I make an appointment. So I don't get weirdos or looky lous. Looky lous can look all they want at my website, but I don't have time for it in person. I know this can't work for everyone, but I also can't imagine meeting at some remote location.
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post #11 of 22
7/16/12 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearl645

I don't know how else to screen 1st time people other than a higher minimum wedding cake price.

What do you all suggest?



You need to practice some scripts. Talk to other people on the phone and see what sounds pleasant, free from attitude, but firm and business like.
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post #12 of 22
7/16/12 at 4:01pm
Thanks AZ. Great tip there.
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post #13 of 22
7/16/12 at 4:03pm
Yeah, I never just schedule a blind consult. We discuss pricing, theme, etc. no matter what. I need to know a rough idea of what they are looking for, and they need to know pricing. It's not fair for either party to get halfway into a consult and possibly get shell shocked from the price. That's uncomfortable for everyone. icon_sad.gif Plus, it's a waste of time for both parties.
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post #14 of 22
7/16/12 at 4:07pm
True AZ. Thanks for the tips today.
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post #15 of 22
7/22/12 at 9:46pm
I've been trying to figure this out too. I'll be renting a licensed kitchen, which is part of a little coffe shop. I'm going to ask the owner if she wouldn't mind me doing tastings and consultations there. Maybe I can work something out with her where she gets a fee or something. I don't want people coming to my home for security issues. It just wigs me out. Plus I have 2 small children that are home with me. It's not an issue for the client as the cake will be based elsewhere so they don't need to see my kids or my home.
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