What you need to say to them when they "tell" you that they are expecting a cake (and it's a good first step in that backbone growing thing!) is "How much are you looking to spend?"
A bride planning a wedding for 300 and tells you "Around fifty bucks" (once she swallows her tongue at the SHOCK that she might have to actually PAY for this cake!) will give you the perfect opportunity to say, "I'm sorry .... I just can't do a cake that large in that price range. Thanks for asking, though! "
Then walk away. Practice this part .... just walk away.
LOL.... This is classic.
LanaC Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 791
Posted:
Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:03 am
I always start the coversation with "I've got to warn you, I'm expensive." That usually shuts down most of the freeloaders.
shill Regular Member
Joined: Mar 19, 2008
Posts: 140
Location: Southeastern PA
I'll have to use that in the future. Do you find that you scare away good customers who would have paid your prices? Or do most of the reasonable people ask "How expensive?"
I just don't grasp why they think it will cost me LESS to make a cake when I don't get supplies wholesale and I have to make all my cakes to order. No big bakery ovens, no giant mixers, no machines to automate. Just ME! My little kitchen and my standard Kenmore oven. I often have to bake the cakes in batches because it all won't fit. That takes HOURS!
I feel your pain. I at least live in a state where I can sell cakes via the cottage laws but for now all I've ever done is at cost. I decided for immediate family will get free cakes for birthdays and such and the next group of family I'm offering to do at cost. But that's where I stop. Not sure if I want to jump to actually charging full amount for a regular customer yet. Too much stress and legal jargon for me.
jkalman Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 3635
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Birthday: Oct 28 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:11 am
cakesbycathy wrote:
"Sorry, it's illegal for me to have a cake business. I only make cakes for immediate family. Have you tried X Bakery? Their cakes are delicious."
Be firm. If they pester you, just keep repeating "Sorry, but I just can't do it."
This is what I'd say too.. "Sorry, but in California it is illegal for me to bake from my home kitchen and accept any money for my products. I only do cakes for family members right now. I can recommend X bakery."
If they persist just recommend the other bakery... smile and walk away. Even if you just take money for ingredients it's still considered a sale and is illegal. No one is going to fault you for getting ingredients from your sister to make her a cake, but when you start doing that for friends of friends or strangers you aer putting yourself at risk.
Just put your foot down. If you don't want to go into business and rent a kitchen and all that jazz then don't. And don't feel obligated to make a cake for free for everyone who asks. Only you get to pick and choose when you makes cakes.
ntertayneme Moderator
Joined: Apr 13, 2005
Posts: 2739
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Birthday: Nov 01
Posted:
Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:13 am
I have family and extended family members that do the same to me too. My comments back to them whenever they say "I'm going to get you to do my cake for me when _______" (whatever the occasion is), "I will do your cake, but remember, I'm not cheap" .... I do this with a straight face, no smile and as serious as I possibly can. So when approached for a cake for whatever occasion it is they need one for, they always ask me how much, and I do not hesitate to charge them what I feel the cake is worth.
Tootall Regular Member
Joined: Jun 01, 2007
Posts: 140
Location: Prattville, AL
With my personality, I would not make it as a business and I don't WANT to sell my cakes. I like to keep it a hobby People around here are impressed with my cakes, but that's only because they're not members of CC! I have a hard time telling people (especially friends) a price, so I end up getting them to buy the ingredients and I make them for them *shrug* SOME of them, though, are a little greedy, so I'm slowly learning to say "NO". In a nice way of course I'm such a sissy! Plus, since reading up so much here on the legal issues, I'd feel guilty if I asked someone for money for a cake. Haha! So I just pick and choose which ones I want to do SOOOO much simpler and less stress.
As far as why they think we can do them cheaper than a bakery... people just think homemade=cheap. My hubby's family isn't impressed with homemade gifts. They think we're being cheap with gifts. So I stopped making them special gifts for Christmas, etc. They get gift cards and MY family gets to enjoy homemade goodies They love and appreciate them. (So do my coworkers )
Oh, I have started working in how much they'd pay for the cake somewhere else, based on what I've learned here, when people start talking about me making one. "Well, typically, it would be a $75 cake..." I'll still do the freebie, but I like to think I'm educating them
flowermom Regular Member
Joined: Jul 30, 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Bay Area CA
Birthday: Apr 16
Posted:
Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:01 am
(Ok, let's try this again, having a bit of trouble getting on the site and posting!)
I think I am right where Ashley is...I want to just be a hobby for now. I also have a family to consider! I volunteer at my church and homeschool my kids so cake baking is definitely a side thing for the time being.
I have done my research on the legal issues here in CA, there is no home baking as a business. And a licensed kitchen isn't available right now. I just don't feel right charging for my cakes until I start my business. I have already been working on my contract and pricing guide and look into what I need to get me started. It just not the time for me to transition into a business.
I do have several friends who are legal cake decorators and plan to write down their information and give it my friends who inquire about cakes. I am just going to have to pick and choose what I do, and not feel guilty about my choice. I appreciate you all so much, because you truly do understand the effort and time that goes into decorating cakes and cookies! You also are all wonderful and talented people!!! Thanks for all the advice!!!
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I have a hard time telling people (especially friends) a price, so I end up getting them to buy the ingredients and I make them for them *shrug* SOME of them, though, are a little greedy, so I'm slowly learning to say "NO". In a nice way of course 
I'm such a sissy! 
