Vendor Question (long)

sarack

So I was searching on craigslist and found this lady that makes cakes out of a town close to where I am. I inquired because I'd like to know more and her cakes looked really beautiful. BUT, she asked me to tell her the price range I'm comfortable with after I asked her how much per serving her cakes ran. So I decided to say $200-$300. She told me that she could make me the cake that I wanted, with the flavors I want for the amount of people I wanted with delivery and set up and everything for $200 out the door. Sounded kinda suspicious but I wanted to know more. I told one of my friend's cousins who is getting married the month before me and she emailed her and the lady told her she could do a cake for her for $125 out the door, the same cake, just different picture. Literally the pic was the same with a different colored ribbon.The last time I spoke with her I told her I'd have to discuss it with FI. So she emailed me back and I asked her if she has a contract and said that FI wondered how much she usually charges per slice. I told FI about my findings and he thought it was bogus and just wanted to know. Plus he is cheap so if some one is starting out they shouldn't charge almost what a bakery charges. (I know it's not that much but FI doesn't) I also asked her for recs.She emailed me back and said that she was offended that we had more questions. She told me that she doesn't do it for money, she just loves doing itDo you think it was bogus? Or was I being rude? If I was being rude I feel bad. I just thought I was doing what any bride would do. I don't want to pay some one for a cake that never shows up... Especially off craigslist.

jennlin

yup, i'd definitely have someone else do it. no vendor in their right mind should tell you she's offended because you have more questions!

Tygirljojo

Legally, she cannot sell cakes unless she's operating out of a commercial kitchen. Health Dept rules. And no, I don't think you were being rude - she cannot be offended easily if she's starting out and noone recognizes her name. Seriously, if you're open to grocery store cakes, I suggest checking out Fred Meyer or QFC.

Ciaram22

You should look for someone else. You weren't the one being rude she was. If she was a reputable vendor she would have gladly answered any and all of your questions.

d_smith79

It sure doesn't sound legit to me. As the pp said, no reputable vendor would be offended if you ask more questions and ask for references. I think often times with these types of specialties you get what you pay for (I know not always, but most of the time). If it seems to good to be true it probably is. It sounds like your instincts were kicking in when you had a friend email her also. The reason we ask questions is to weed out the potentially unreliable vendors, and it sounds like it worked!  

sarack

We have been discussing/planning to use Kelli. The cake isn't an important part of the day to me so I really don't care where we get it as long as it tastes good and looks neat. I am definately not against grocery store cakes. My boss has a rec so I'm looking into it now. I'm not sure WHAT I said but we did have some lighthearted emails and I told her that FI is very money concious as am I in this economic time.... I just think its kinda funny that she would act like that. She also was going to charge me 50 to sample cakes. Is this normal?I was thinking that she probably didn't operate out of a commerical kitchen and that worried me. I'm kind of a germaphob.

Ciaram22

No it is not nomal to be charged $50 for a cake tasting. Most places do them for free.

jennlin

there was one place that tried to charge me, but since i knew someone she made a cake for and was a "referral" she decided to waive it. i think it was about 50....kelli is very amazing and very flexible. i highly recommend her.

picksthemusic

QFC, Whole Foods, and Safeway are all places you can go for good, quality cake for not a huge amount of money. This person sounds like she doesn't know how to be a vendor for brides. Drop her like a hot potato, and move on to someone who will take care of you!

amylbell

Weird, weird, weird...you were sooooooooo not rude, just a responsible bride, if it wasn't a big deal she would have been happy to answer your questions, meet with you etc. Tell ya what give me a couple boxes of betty crocker and I'll do it, even get my food handlers permit!  Just kidding!!!

dmw_2010

Any vendor who asks for a range before giving you a quote seems sketchy to me, IMO. I'd say move on.

karebear219

I agree with the others and if you want a cake and that price range I would recommend looking at Kingsley, they are doing our groomsmen cake. Kellie is doing our wedding cake and we all know Kellie is fab (an neither charged me for a tasting )

sarack

Thanks ladies.

irshis20

I'd run far away from that lady. Asking YOU what to charge for the cake she's making? Charging your friend a totally different rate for the same cake? Offended by questions? Charging for a cake tasting? AND advertising on Craigslist? Sounds to me like a scam.

KST_

Well, PP covered all the basics. The only thing I would add is that if you don't care about the cake so much, perhaps consider a different dessert? You don't need to do cake just because it's traditional so if there's something else you DO love (ice cream sundaes, cream puffs, etc) then do THAT instead! However, I'm a dessert nut (and would sooo love to make cakes for a living) so it's a major important thing to me. :)Of the stores, go with Safeway. Hands down, they seriously have the best bakery of the affordable stores (meaning excluding WF and PCC). This from a cake snob.

weinerboots

Ditto, check out kingsleysdimensionaldesserts.com