Help me respond to this message!

[Froznheart]

I've name changed for this as it will out me.

I'm a cake maker by trade, I'm fairly successful but recently did a cake that was extremely popular in my area and was shared lots of times which meant mynpage has become really popular.

I've just had a message from someone asking for a quote on that particular cake. I went on to their profile to check what area they were from and it clearly says on the profile that she is a professional cake maker with her own cake business - so basically a rival of mine.

I responded to the message and said what date did she need the cake for as I'm virtually fully booked over the next couple of months and she replied saying "I'm not fussed about the date, I will fit around you can you just provide me with a price please" I replied with "I will check the diary when I get home and let you know when I'm free" and she replied saying "ok but can you give me a price now?"

How do I respond to this? Part of me wants to say fuck off you just want to pinch my ideas and pricing but I know that it's not professional 😂

So mumsnetters - what would you say? And AIBU to tell her to bugger off

I just wouldn't reply!

Or say, "I've just looked at your page - why are you asking me to make you a cake when you are a cake maker yourself?"

Ask her how she would price it as you know she's in the trade?

Maybe she's planning on passing a cake off as hers or trying to sell on one of yours at a profit?

I would just send a message saying 'I've just noticed that you're a cake maker yourself?' and wait for the response.

imperial do you think that makes me look unprofessional?! That's what I want to say!

Reply with the cost minus £20. I'd like to see her beat that quote!

If you have to respond rather than just ignore from now on, say sorry, won't be available

And if feeling cheeky, 'good luck in copying it' ;)

As above. Dont reply. Possibly block her incase she posts on your wall in retaliation.

Alternatively, "Thank you for your enquiry. As you are also an established cake maker, please let me know whether your request is simply a pricing enquiry or as an actual potential purchase?"

If she replies pricing - "I do not share my prices with competitors"
Purchase - "Sorry my order book is full, therefore I would be unable to supply a quote".

I thought that secret. As the cake was a unique idea I wonder if she just wants to recreate it for a cheaper price and then advertise it as her design

If she really wants to know she will find out by other means anyway.

I like the response from SecretNetter.

It shows her you know there's something funny going on without being obviously confrontational and leaves the ball in her court.

I'd tell her what it costs. Competition is part of doing business. Are your prices secret?

I'd just give a random price that is nowhere near what you charge. Punch the keyboard and see how it turns out.

Yep, go with NapQueen.

Sometimes it's best just to be upfront when people are trying to be sneaky like this.

What SecretNetter says - just mention you've noticed she's a cake maker herself and see what she says. You can do it and be polite/professional.

If it were me, I wouldn't give a quote (I'm self-employed too). Tis what they call commercially sensitive information

Presumably she wants to know your price so she can undercut you. If you let on you're on to her she can just get a friend to ask you for a quote. Give her a price but make sure it's well above yours and leave her to it.

Battle why should OP help the woman to compete though?

OP just ignore her. Cheeky cow!

indubious - no my prices aren't secret but at the same time, that cake was my design and I have a business to run so why should I give away my pricing information?

I want to see the cake! 😍
missed point of thread entirely

What NapQueen said

Do let us know if you send it and what she responds

I think we need to see this cake...

Well when you're selling things for a living people want to know what they cost! It could be that the woman genuinely wants to buy one (not entirely convinced on that one!), it could be that that she's starting out and what's to know ball park what things cost. Or it could be that she will steal your design and under cut you....If she does that then she will, presumably not do as good a job/compromise on ingredients etc. I'm surprised you don't advertise your prices on your page!

I want to see the cake too!