Cake Tasting At My Home, Should I Be Scared?

Business By Cakes by Bri Updated 16 Jul 2013 , 1:11pm by Cakes by Bri

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Cakes by Bri Posted 12 Jul 2013 , 8:56pm
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AHey all, I have my first cake tasting for a wedding cake coming up, and they are planning on coming to my home for it, should I be scared a bit? I'm iffy on people when they come to pick up cakes but it's usually on weekends and my husband is home. This one tasting will be during the week in the afternoon. I have a one year old also.

Silly for me to worry? I've talked to the woman and nothing off about her or anything, hubby just makes me worry :-(

Do any of you home bakers etc do tastings like this at your home? What times or days best? If not where would you suggest meeting for one?

Any advice or input on how anyone else does it greatly appreciated!

34 replies
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KellyMorgin Posted 12 Jul 2013 , 9:05pm
post #2 of 35

If it is showing this much worry i would meet them at a local coffee shop just make sure you purchase something first. Good luck! 

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Elcee Posted 12 Jul 2013 , 9:11pm
post #3 of 35

I do what KellyMorgin suggests. Meet them at Panera or Starbucks...buy 3 drinks...have our consultation...give them their tasting box to go.

 

Where will your one year old be during the consultation? With a sitter?

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DeliciousDesserts Posted 13 Jul 2013 , 12:00am
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A

Original message sent by Elcee

I do what KellyMorgin suggests. Meet them at Panera or Starbucks...buy 3 drinks...have our consultation...give them their tasting box to go.

Where will your one year old be during the consultation? With a sitter?

I am very lucky to have the set up I do. The entire front room is a consult room. The second they come in, it looks like a business not my home.

I have a 2 year old. I am also very lucky that my husband has a very flexible schedule. He is always home for a consult. He keeps our son Kn the back rooms far away from the consultation.

You get to schedule consultations for what works best for you. You also get to pick a place where you feel comfortable.

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Elcee Posted 13 Jul 2013 , 12:59am
post #5 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliciousDesserts 


I am very lucky to have the set up I do. The entire front room is a consult room. The second they come in, it looks like a business not my home.
 

My next house...

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cfao Posted 13 Jul 2013 , 5:07pm
post #6 of 35

I have been running my home bakery for 23 years. I have the entire finished lower level of our home, where most people have a family room or game room, I have a cake shop. People enter through the garage, one half is work area and the other half retail/consultation space. I stock cake tops (over 200 at all times), guest books, glasses, garters, unity candles, etc. We are in a little town where everyone needs at least an acre to build, so neighbors are there but not close by. Most of them are at work when I'm doing consultations, so I'm kind of on my own. That being said, I have never had anyone book an appointment who came to cause harm or rob me. If I wear a ring, I wear a simple wedding band instead of my real wedding rings, usually not any jewelry at all just in case, no need to be flashy lol. Running a cake business from your home is the same as any other profession run from home, you are not on anyone's radar as a place to rob like the corner convenience store

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Cakes by Bri Posted 14 Jul 2013 , 5:30pm
post #7 of 35

AThank you all for the advice!

I'm not too extremely worried just a thought that popped in my mind to be careful. We are building a new home within the next year and I plan to have a garage entrance right into where I will do cakes etc just like you all have! So nice!

Right now I'm in a smaller town house so I am trying my hardest to make do with what I can! :-/

A for my little one, I'm going to try and do them in the evening so my husband can occupy him while I meet!

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sixinarow Posted 14 Jul 2013 , 5:39pm
post #8 of 35

If you're concerned about safety, you can always make a comment when they get there to make them think you're not alone or that you have a security system. 

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DaLush Posted 14 Jul 2013 , 6:32pm
post #9 of 35

I currently do cakes out of my home.... I have four small children and don't feel comfortable letting people into my home to taste when I don't know them. I usually meet them somewhere Starbucks , local coffee shop etc..... I have never had a problem with meeting my customers somewhere else than my house. I understand the worry , you just never know... better to be safe. Good Luck!

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cfao Posted 14 Jul 2013 , 6:37pm
post #10 of 35

You can leave the tv on in another room, they will think someone is watching a show nearby

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Cakes by Bri Posted 14 Jul 2013 , 6:46pm
post #11 of 35

AGood suggestions! I definitely want to just be cautious, just wasn't sure if you all did it in home or out :-)

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cai0311 Posted 15 Jul 2013 , 2:26am
post #12 of 35

AI have consultations in my house all the time. I just keep my phone by me and text my hubby when the people leave.

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Cakes by Bri Posted 15 Jul 2013 , 4:06pm
post #13 of 35

AYes I will probably do the same! :-)

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Cakes by Bri Posted 15 Jul 2013 , 9:57pm
post #14 of 35

ASo I have a customer interested in a tasting she is roughly an hour and a half away, I'm driving roughly 40 min to meet her half way for a tasting box.. :-/

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AZCouture Posted 15 Jul 2013 , 10:31pm
post #15 of 35

A

Original message sent by DeliciousDesserts

I am very lucky to have the set up I do. The entire front room is a consult room. The second they come in, it looks like a business not my home.

I have a 2 year old. I am also very lucky that my husband has a very flexible schedule. He is always home for a consult. He keeps our son Kn the back rooms far away from the consultation.

You get to schedule consultations for what works best for you. You also get to pick a place where you feel comfortable.

Me too, and my 5 year old and hubby hang out in the back part if they're home when we meet.

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AZCouture Posted 15 Jul 2013 , 10:31pm
post #16 of 35

AYou're charging her, right?

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 12:14am
post #17 of 35

A:-(

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 12:15am
post #18 of 35

AShe had planned to come to me until she just now realizes I'm that far away. And asks if I can meet half way.. :-( What do I charge? :-(

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 12:22am
post #19 of 35

AIs this customer prepared to pay your prices plus your delivery charge? What is their budget, and what kind of cake are they asking for? What kind of revenue are you looking at for this order?

I charge $1/minute round trip for delivery plus setup, so a delivery 90 minutes away would be a minimum of $180 for delivery alone.

If this was a large order ($500+) I probably wouldn't charge extra for having the tasting 30 minutes away or so (of course I would still charge for the tasting itself). Otherwise I would add the $1/minute round trip charge to the price of the tasting.

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AZCouture Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 12:24am
post #20 of 35

AWhat he said. That's an awful lot of your time and gas money just for samples.

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:04am
post #21 of 35

AIt is a lot of time Eric just for samples :-( like I said she was supposed to come to me for the tasting/consultation , until now I'm far away...ugh.

We discussed budget already and cake design she wants ( budget is $250)and she wants a smaller cake and cupcakes for her guests.

Her wedding venue is at a all about 40 min from me also.

I'm a bit upset that she has so quickly wanted me to meet we halfway now. Tastings were on my time and schedule etc right? Sigh.

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:04am
post #22 of 35

AIt's a lot of time etc**** sorry typo!

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:06am
post #23 of 35

AEveryone charges for tastings right??

Sorry I am fairly new to this site Etc. Appreciate all the input!

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:26am
post #24 of 35

A

Original message sent by Cakes by Bri

I'm a bit upset that she has so quickly wanted me to meet we halfway now. Tastings were on my time and schedule etc right? Sigh.

You can always just tell her that you do not have the availability to drive out and deliver the sample, but she is welcome to pick up the sample (or have the tasting) at your home. If she pushes back, you can suggest that she forgo the tasting and wish her the best of luck with her event if she refuses.

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AZCouture Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:41am
post #25 of 35

AWhat he said. Honestly, is $250 worth it? No, I don't charge for tastngs, but they come to me.

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Elcee Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 1:58am
post #26 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakes by Bri 


We discussed budget already and cake design she wants ( budget is $250)and she wants a smaller cake and cupcakes for her guests.
 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakes by Bri 

Everyone charges for tastings right??

 

My tastings are complimentary but a $250 budget is far less than 100 servings so I wouldn't even do a tasting for that, just a consult. I would offer them a tasting box for $25.

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 2:21am
post #27 of 35

AI was going to do it complimentary also because she was coming to me, now I feel frustrated. It was my first tasting and I really like to have everything a it's best and had things together to be set up nicely in my home, just to have to put it in a box now :-( granted I can still make work but so last minute really gets me I take it seriously and put a lot of time into it.

Just a lesson learned I guess.

Thank you all for the advice and tips! I will try and let her know kindly that I will have to add a small fee for a "to go box" after being planned for a sit down.

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AZCouture Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 2:54am
post #28 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakes by Bri 

I was going to do it complimentary also because she was coming to me, now I feel frustrated.
It was my first tasting and I really like to have everything a it's best and had things together to be set up nicely in my home, just to have to put it in a box now icon_sad.gif granted I can still make work but so last minute really gets me I take it seriously and put a lot of time into it.

Just a lesson learned I guess.

Thank you all for the advice and tips! I will try and let her know kindly that I will have to add a small fee for a "to go box" after being planned for a sit down.

How much cake was she going to be getting for this budget, if you don't mind my asking?

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Smckinney07 Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 3:41am
post #29 of 35

AIf its a smaller order I charge $25, if it's a larger order that $25 goes toward their deposit (that's for 2-3 flavors). I once had a bride request seven different cake flavors, so I told her I'd be happy to make additional flavors at $10 extra a piece-of course the three were fine. I also ask that they limit the number of people they bring, not even so much for the additional cake (although that's part of it) just because all those different people have different ideas, it's just a headache I don't want to deal with. Typically I get just the bride and groom, or a bride and mom. If they want to take extra samples to go because the husband can't make it I charge extra. I explain that my cakes are made to order for their benefit and I've never had any complaints. I also do tastings in my home with a designated room with showpieces. I make sure to have a contract, my sketch book, a cake sizing chart with various tier sizes, I also have a styrofoam cake slice, so they have a visual of the sizes they'll be serving.

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Cakes by Bri Posted 16 Jul 2013 , 3:57am
post #30 of 35

AAZCouture for her tasting or her wedding? Her tasting I felt I was being very very generous and had 4 cake flavors and 3 frostings. Her wedding we planned on a 6"/8" and roughly 7 dozen cupcakes. Good suggestion/bad suggestion? I was trying to work within her budget and guest list.

Smckinney, I had all of that planned out!( pictures samples, sketches, sizing charts) All to be set nicely here, which is why I'm partially frustrated now I have to regroup.

This will be my first wedding cake but I've tried and done a lot of research etc, I'm an amateur but I don't work for free and want it worth my while :-(

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