The following is an email from a potential client.  I have never had such a specific order request that I don't even know where to begin.  First of all, I will be on vacay from June 15-20th.  My June is pretty open right now, so I can get the figures done before-hand and even the baking, for that matter.  I can't wait to sit down and price this baby out....although I'm sure I will get the "Oh, I didn't realize that it would be that much..." response.  I'm thinking at least $15-20/figure and she wants 7!!!!!  I will have to ask her how many she needs to serve first to see how big this thing will need to be.  And with all the detail of the expressions she wants, they will have to be decent size figures.  Oy...any thoughts?

Hello,

I am throwing a surprise birthday party for my son on June 22, 2013. I have an awesome idea for his birthday cake. It's a lot easier to describe it over the phone than in a message. But my idea involves a football field cake with some sculpted football players and a couple cheerleaders. Can you tell me if you're available for that date?

Here's my idea for his cake.

I wanted a football field cake. My son plays defense and I wanted him reaching for the QB with like a "GRRRR" look on his face and the QB with his eyes shut and knees bent inward handing over the ball..like he's scared. And my son would be in mid stride with his foot looking like he stuffed another opposing players head in the turf with his body sticking out. Or possibly have my son's shoe print on the opposing players face and kind of flattened into the turf. Also, one other of my son's teammates chasing after another opposing player with the opposing player running away looking scared. I was thinking 5 football players. Plus I wanted two cheerleaders off of the cake holding up a banner like what football players run through that says Happy 18th Birthday Andrew.

I wanted the players to have their numbers with the uniforms closely matching their uniforms as well as the opposing players uniforms. I know the cheerleaders uniforms would be extremely difficult to match totally but close would be great. I would like one cheerleader to resemble his cheerleader. I have photos I can email if you are available for this date.

A"Oh oh oh and the whole cake should be in a stadium with individually modelled spectators doing the Mexican wave and a streaker on the pitch with a tattoo of a unicorn..."

It's cute she's so excited, I love that, but come on! That's hours and hours and hours of work, I'd give her two prices; one based on about 30-40 hours work and one price based on 10 hours for a cake of my design... She can choose! Dont forget the PITA fee!

Realistically I would decline the order, I don't think I could live up to her expectations an I wouldn't want to suffer her disappointment...

I would charge more than $20/figure especially with the detail she is requesting!  Although to be honest - I'd be hesitant to take this order for the reasons already mentioned, but if you want to "tackle" it (sorry, couldn't resist!) then I'd email back asking for info on the size/# of servings and mention that a basic cake starts at $x/serving (including your PITA markup!) and then the cost per figure. My guess is once she sees that she's paying $150-$200 just for the players she'll back out real quick or change the design. And if not and she's willing to pay, then have at it ;)

Actually I have changed my mind, I wouldn't decline :-)

My alternative suggestion would be a 2D comic strip style idea (attached a pic below) with all the things she wants happening somewhere in the scene, comic characatures are both easier, often more recognisable and way funnier than realistic ones!

This is the idea I pitched for my fox hunting cake- she wanted it entirely 3D with standing figures at first but the 2D cartoon style went down a real treat! (you can use my reference to back up your argument against her 3D idea if you like!) 

....one thing you can offer with this style is to make it from fondant directly on a square cake drum- it lets you make it waaaaay ahead of time and they can also lift it off, eat the cake and frame the scene.... hey don't laugh- it's been done!!

i vote for offering two options --price the one she wants then offer an affordable one

but often clients like this do not 'downsize' with the original caker in my experience

and once in a while they totally go for it and you can put the down payment on the condo in cancun ;)

I'm thinking my response would something like BLEEEEEEEEEP. 

The very reason I would not, could not, should not ever bake for profit.

And I bet she's forgotten to add "and my budget is $75" 

I had a close acquaintance email me for her son's Bar Mitzvah cake.  The party had a Mission Impossible theme.  She wanted 3 tiers (by the sound of it, it would have to be on some sort of stand, because it wasn't for a stacked cake) and on one tier she wanted a box of dynamite with a model of her son about to cut the wire.  On another tier, she wanted one of the cartoon ball shaped bombs with something like 'BANG!' in a speech bubble coming out of it.  And on the top tier, she wanted an Mac laptop, because he likes them.  I've really pared it back...  her list of requirements was soooo long and soooo specific.

However, once we discussed portions and prices, she ended up with this!

And she probably only needs to serve 10-12 people.

but she'll cut it to four servings if the price is cut accordingly

would you belive two servings... 2?? ;)

Her reply when asked how many servings:

          "I was thinking white cake with a fondant field. With the field having yard markets & uprights. I would like a chocolate filling depending on cost. I understand that  

          for the scene I want I might have to have a full sheet."

I think the cost of chocolate filling will be the least of her worries.....a FULL SHEET (which I make 2 layers with a filling...with fondant starts at $4/svg.  How many servings in a full sheet?  Can I even roll fondant that big???  If it's a true full sheet, no.  I don't know cuz I don't do them, but would if she wants to spend a TON of money on this cake.  If she's waivering about the price of chocolate filling, her budget is around that $75 that someone earlier stated.

I am going to quote her full price with no other options just to see what she has to say.  Get ready, peeps, to ROTFL!!!!!

Wish me luck...lol!

I just quoted her $820.

Wait for it....I will post her reply!

I wouldn't attempt that cake for all the money in the world...it sounds so difficult!  People don't understand.

I can't wait to read her response :)

AThe suspense is KILLING me!!

I did preface the quote with:

I'm betting she won't reply after that.

To which she replies:

"Wow ok. I appreciate your time but I won't pay that much for a cake. Thanks for your time.

Have a great day"

I gave her the names of some other bakers that may do the same quality as me.   And I did ask her budget, just for giggles...to see if there was something I could do for that budget.  I almost don't wanna know because as previous posters said....she won't be happy with anything since she is so picky.  BUT I am DYING to see what she thought she COULD pay for a cake like that.  I'll still find a way to turn it down if she emails me back.

I told her the figures alone would take 2-3 hours with the detail + expenses.

Whatevs

She responded that her budget was $350-400, which really surprised me.  I asked her if she wanted me to come up with something within her budget. 

She said "No, thank you...I'm going to pass."

THANK GOODNESS!  Dodged that bullet.  Wasn't sure why she even bothered to tell me her budget if her answer was no.  Maybe she was lying and it really only was $75..she just didn't want me to know?
 

She was totally lieing to you about her budget! Don't believe that for one minute. She walked because you didn't roll over for her.

A

I just about fell out of my chair when I saw her price for that very detailed cake was only $75.00!!!  I can't wait to see her response on the price you quoted her 

I blame Duff...