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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that £4.50 is a ridiculous price for a scone?

278 replies

emsyj · 07/04/2011 16:23

I have just been to a new cafe that has opened on my local high street (small town in the north west, not a big city, not central London - just a bog standard local high street).

There were 4 of us and 3 tried to order carrot cake. The waitress returned a few moments after taking the order to say there was no carrot cake left, all they had was Victoria sponge or scones. So without the benefit of the menu in front of us listing the prices, two of us went for the sponge and one for the scone.

When it came time to pay, the person who had the scone was charged £4.50 for the scone and another £2.45 for a black coffee. I thought it must be a mistake so went to ask if it was right and the cafe owner was quite aggressive in saying that yes, it was £4.50 for the scone because they are 'baked fresh every day with locally-sourced ingredients'. I said I thought that £4.50 was a silly price for a scone, even if it were embellished with gold leaf.

So AIBU? Needless to say, we won't be going there again which is a shame as the cafe is seeking to be family-friendly with buggy parking, lots of high chairs, paper and drawing stuff for the older kids etc and we had high hopes for it being a nice weekly meeting place.

OP posts:
GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:04

Sorry NOT OP - Teaspotter

GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:04

Or even Topspotter !

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:07

I don't think the OP has done anything wrong at all by posting this thread and to the lady that owns the tearoom - the OP felt she was dealt with aggressively and that's how she sees it. And, you have had some great feedback to work on. Even with all the 'extras' you provide, £4.50 for a scone is quite ridiculous and that kind of price will not win you customers. I am surprised you ever priced them so high even if you are learning!

Customers do not mind paying fair prices, but prices that take the mickey will leave you with no customers, this is a good thing to always remember.

The Op had every right to air her grievance here and it the feedback you get will help you immensely.

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:08

Really gorgeous? You are happy to pay £4.50 for a scone?! I think you are on your own in that thinking. Are you a friend of the cafe owner by any chance?!!!! Hmm

topspotter · 08/04/2011 23:13

I just want to provide good service and try and get some sleep sometime soon! kind regards liz

GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:15

The owner of the cafe has to pay for heating, electricity, staff, premises, stock and all the facilities she is providing free - only a tight-arse would expect to sit there for God-knows how long, with her mates and DC, using the facilities and not want to fork out a paltry £4.50 for a scone.

Just because someone disagrees, doesn't mean they're mates with the owner - it's quite a big world out there you know. Hmm

Ingles2 · 08/04/2011 23:17

sorry but what's with the repetition of needing sleep? are we boring you per chance? Hmm
IMO you should be thanking the OP, I think she's probably just saved your business

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:19

Part of a good service is being fair on pricing. Do some more research if you need to and read thi whole thread for starters! I see a kind poster has offered some help too. Just remember that the businesses that last are those with great quality food (which it sounds like you have) and fair pricing. This thread may be one of the best things that could have happened for your business so take the good from it and best of luck! If I am ever up north where you are I will definately pop in to see your prices(!) and have a cuppa. Get some sleep and rest liz x

GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:20

With customers like the OP, she WILL go out of business!

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:20

Gorgeous you are being ridiculous.

Original poster
emsyj · 08/04/2011 23:21

Hmm, interestingly I have just had an email from Liz/topspotter (since she has named herself on here I don't see any reason to try and keep up the anonymity) basically saying that people like me cause businesses to fail.....

Quote: "to give us such widespread negative feedback is the reason so many small business [sic] go out of business".

Um, ok - well, I didn't name your establishment on here - you did that yourself! So I don't believe I have given negative feedback, nor that I should hold myself responsible if your business fails.

I fear you just don't get it.

OP posts:
GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:22

LOL! There you go topspotter , someone MIGHT pop in and spend enough for a cup of tea one day - but don't hold your breath.

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:27

She said that in an email to you?! That was very very silly of her and yes she doesn't get it if that is how she sees it. What a shame as there is so much she could learn from this if she was brave enough to see where she was going wrong. She should be grateful to you and listen to what people are saying. £4.50 for a scone is taking the mickey out of customers and customers do not want to feel like they are being taken for a ride. What a shame, I had high hopes for a while. You have done nothing wrong OP, it is a shame she doesnt get it

hairfullofsnakes · 08/04/2011 23:28

Oh and op, that email sounded a bit aggressive!

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:30

hi topspotter that is great that you have taken the advice on board and are lowering your prices Smile, your cafe sounds lovely but wont be visiting it as I live in Milton Keynes and are not going your way anytime soon as I dont have friends or reles in your neck of the woods to visit, and i dont drive.

KatieMiddleton · 08/04/2011 23:32

Wow. That email sounds rude.

Maybe Topspotter doesn't actually want any customers? What a shame Sad

GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:33

She probably doesn't want tight-arse customers, but ones who are willing to pay.

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:33

Gorgeous £4.50 is a hell of a lot to pay for one scone, with no tea/coffee! Should be £1.50-2.00 at most. You are in the minority I am afraid

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:35

We are not being tight arsed but are watching our pennies, £4.40 is a lot of money in this time when people are tightening their purse strings and cutting back of visiting cafes or eating out, the lady needs all the business she can get, and these prices wont get her much business at all.

KatieMiddleton · 08/04/2011 23:38

Nobody owes a small business a living. The reasons people patronise cafes is because they like them.

So you have to offer people what they like. The £4.50 scone is not it. And no amount of paper and crayons makes any difference.

One willing customer prepared to spend £4.50 on a scone is not going to pay the bills. The business needs to make a decision. Will they survive by selling a few products with large margins or by selling many products with a lower margin?

When your margin is less than a fiver per product the former aint gonna cut it.

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:40

around £18 for just 4 scones and no tea Shock

KatieMiddleton · 08/04/2011 23:41

I've just realised that those scones are subsidising the children's equipment. But those buying Victoria sponge not so much,

What is it about scone eaters that makes them responsible for subsidising the rest? They are the squeezed middle of cake purchasers.

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:43

Id readily switch to Victoria Sponge anyday Smile

GORGEOUSX · 08/04/2011 23:44

Perhaps people in bracket A/B tend to eat scones rather than victoria sponge. Maybe topspotter HAS done some research.

pigletmania · 08/04/2011 23:46

Id rather get a packet of 4 scones from upmarket Waitrose for about £1.50 than pay £18 fecking quid for them and no tea or coffee to boot. Good thing the lady in qestion has lowered her prices or she will get no business

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