Original message sent by AZCouture

And to add to Costumeczar's bucket of sunshine and kittens (complimentary by the way, that's keeping it real!), if your town already has so many people fighting over work, why join in? Unless you can offer something that's obviously a notch above everyone else's work, or you specialize in something specific (and really shine at it), why bother?

Original message sent by AZCouture

And as usual, my response was definitely not directed to you specifically, but to anyone who might be considering opening up shop. ;-)

Original message sent by AZCouture

Good, I'm glad to hear confidence like that. Too often you get a sense of "I'm not worthy, or I couldn't possibly charge "that much", or I'm just starting out and have to be cheap"....GAH! LIES! So yeah, take that niche and run with it, hone it to your personal perfection, and pimp the holy hell out of your work (while remaining respectful to other decorators in your area no matter how awful their business practices may be). Don't be afraid to say why your products are awesome, because if you don't believe it, no one else will. Sort of aimed at you, but in general again. ;-)

Original message sent by AZCouture

And if I had a dollar for every request I got that I lost to one of those el cheapos, I'd be rich. Trust me, every town has a group of them. And in the end well, their people are happy, so they can all just rock on. Gotta accept it. Shake your head, appreciate the clients you have, and move on.

Original message sent by LoveMeSomeCake615

I just think it's funny how these people will seemingly do anything to get jobs for which they will charge so little that they [I]don't even make any money[/I]! What's the point?? :? For the lulz?? For the pats on the back?? Those get old real fast when you're up at 3:00 AM trying to get the gum paste figure or fondant piece to look EXACTLY like the teddy bear on the invitation or you're covered in buttercream and powdered sugar and you're so tired you can't see.

Cake decorating is hard work, I'm not doing it to LOSE money, unless it's for someone I really, really like and want to do something special for.

But you know, whatever, if they want to work their butts off for pennies, more power to them I guess. :wink:

Original message sent by Crazy-Gray

I am considering using these people when I can't be bothered making an ungrateful relative cake.... buy one from el-cheapo for £20 and it saves me the trouble! Surely everyone's happy right??!

Quote:

Now there's a thought!

Original message sent by LoveMeSomeCake615

Now there's a thought! :lol:

Quote:

Oh, I have a list of bakers I don't like who I send PITAs to.

And the cheapos do it for "fun" and for the pats on the back, because they get all kinds of compliments from people no matter what the cake looks like. That makes people feel fancy and special and they like it, so they continue on. I've gotten flack from other decorators who seem to think that If I'm doing cakes as a business and not because "it's my passion" (it's not) I should be ashamed of myself...dude, it's a business, and I run it as a business, so sorry if I don't sit around feeling like a pretty princess who needs my ego stroked because I made a cake. When I can pay my bills with compliments I'll be concerned about that. All I'm worried about now is whether the customers like the cake they paid for, and really, that should be the focus of every business if you want to be profitable.

Original message sent by costumeczar

Oh, I have a list of bakers I don't like who I send PITAs to. :twisted:

And the cheapos do it for "fun" and for the pats on the back, because they get all kinds of compliments from people no matter what the cake looks like. That makes people feel fancy and special and they like it, so they continue on. I've gotten flack from other decorators who seem to think that If I'm doing cakes as a business and not because "it's my passion" (it's not) I should be ashamed of myself...dude, it's a business, and I run it as a business, [B]so sorry if I don't sit around feeling like a pretty princess who needs my ego stroked because I made a cake.[/B] When I can pay my bills with compliments I'll be concerned about that. All I'm worried about now is whether the customers like the cake they paid for, and really, that should be the focus of every business if you want to be profitable.

Original message sent by costumeczar

Oh, I have a list of bakers I don't like who I send PITAs to. :twisted:

And the cheapos do it for "fun" and for the pats on the back, because they get all kinds of compliments from people no matter what the cake looks like. That makes people feel fancy and special and they like it, so they continue on. I've gotten flack from other decorators who seem to think that If I'm doing cakes as a business and not because "it's my passion" (it's not) I should be ashamed of myself...dude, it's a business, and I run it as a business, so sorry if I don't sit around feeling like a pretty princess who needs my ego stroked because I made a cake. When I can pay my bills with compliments I'll be concerned about that. All I'm worried about now is whether the customers like the cake they paid for, and really, that should be the focus of every business if you want to be profitable.

Originally Posted by AZCouture 


Yup. I'll admit it, I only take jobs that will personally satisfy me and that I can get creative with. But that's my right as a business owner, and I'm certainly not lowballing or matching pricing, etc. And if someone doesn't want to take me up on creating something different for them, I suggest other people. Go on, go get the cake you want, I'm not going to insult your ideas and deny you what you want. I'm just not going to be the one who makes it. (I've had enough jobs in my lifetime that were soul sucking borefests, it's my turn to call the shots.)

I'm not saying that you have to take every job that comes your way to be succesful, I definitely turn away far more business than I take. What I'm saying is that the lowballers probably don't make a profit because they don't care about making a profit, they're just in it so that they can post a picture on facebook and have people tell them "you're so talented!" No matter that the people telling them that are probably their mother and their best friends, they just like the attention. They're doing cakes for the attention, not because it's a real business for them.

Original message sent by KELROY

I can relate to your points of view...However, not everyone has access to all of your beautiful fine bakeries. Many many many people live in the boonies, with nothing more than a Safeway within 40 miles. We "hicks" like to partake in cake decorating also, and I would like to think I can bring some of the big city to small town birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and anniversaries. I have no one to lowball or to step on, but still feel hurt that your businesses are hurt by the home baker. I did not know CC was for pro's only.

Original message sent by Godot

Good grief.

What IS it lately with all these people who feel sorry for themselves ?

YOU are the only one who said anything about hicks and boonies and CC being only for pros.

Geez.

Original message sent by KELROY

I can relate to your points of view...However, not everyone has access to all of your beautiful fine bakeries. Many many many people live in the boonies, with nothing more than a Safeway within 40 miles. We "hicks" like to partake in cake decorating also, and I would like to think I can bring some of the big city to small town birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and anniversaries. I have no one to lowball or to step on, but still feel hurt that your businesses are hurt by the home baker. I did not know CC was for pro's only.

Original message sent by AZCouture

I'm in a small town too, but that doesn't mean for one second I price any lower for any reasons whatsoever. Does Coach and Prada open up shops in "hickville" and price their purses lower just because?