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 used to face this in a slightly different industry.

Hi Sneakypants,

I just noticed that you are also a professional cake maker in our small town. Great to meet you! How are you finding things these days? I've been super busy, particularly since this particular Stampycat/Game of Thrones cake that I designed in February has been getting so much attention.

I would rather not my pricing structure with someone who is essentially one of my competitors, but if you would like to meet up and chat about collaborating on an event or something similar, that would be lovely.

Best,

Incredibly professional and polite baker.

"I see you are also a cake maker, may I ask why you are requesting a quote?".

Honest, not sneaky and may shut her up.

(rather not DISCUSS my pricing structure..)

Ok I've replied with "I notice you are a professional cake decorator at * is this a genuine enquiry or a pricing information enquiry and she replied instantly saying "genuine. I don't want to make it as work is full on. Please can I have a price" what do I say to that?

Send NapQueen's message - polite but to the point.

NapQueen's response is great, though I'm just here for the cake pic really .

Tell her it´s five pounds.

Say that you would be very happy for her to give your details to the person who is asking for the cake.....

Hmm. I'd just say that unfortunately you're fully booked at the moment and can't help her further.

"No, sorry - have a nice day " ??

I'd tell her double the price you usually charge, so that anyone who goes to her for a quote in future will be scared off!

then say if she would like to forward the customers details to you then you will contact them. you will return the favour when you are busy.

Offer to make it for her and pay a finder's fee for getting the order for you. The purchaser then pays you direct.

Ask her why she wants a price for a cake she is not making? If she says it is for a client, then tell her to get the client to contact her directly. If she says its for herself, ask her when she wants it for and for more details. No-one just wants a custom-made cake any old time for no reason, so the "whenever" comment of hers doesn´t wash...

She must want it for some sort of particular date. I'd go back to your initial "I will check the diary when I get home and let you know when I'm free".

Just say that you are unable to make one yourself at the moment as well, so you're unable to quote for her.

Ask her client to contact you or ask her to phone you to discuss whether you're happy to recommend each other when busy, as you'd love to set up a mutual partnership in such situations, but that you'd need to see each other's work in person before you could do that.....

Just a 'Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately I'm unable to fit in any more orders right now. I'm happy to recommend some other local Cake makers though.' and then I'd send some links through for other companies.

sounds like she wants you to make it for her, so she can then pass it off as her own at a higher price!

tell her its £300

I think you have to ask the question, who would want a cake without a specific date in mind?

It sounds odd. Do people buy these sorts of cakes just to eat at home themselves without a specific occasion to celebrate?

I think she's dodgy and sounds really pushy about wanting the pricing.

What is your reason for not giving her the price? If you are busy as you say it won't matter if she is making something similar. If she was going to outright copy you surely she wouldn't contact you so blatantly!

I think it may be reasonable to share prices with someone who is up front about their reasons for asking but she is time wasting.
There are a few options. Price either a lot higher or a lot lower than you actually do; Call her out and say you know she is a cake maker; tell her you can't quote until you know the date; ignore.

Whatever you do check her web page to make sure she isn't using your photo or obviously using other Cake makers.

Jelly, I think that the OP has to rule out the 'blatant attempt to copy' before sharing sensitive information such as price.

If the original contact had been 'I've been asked for a cake like yours, I'm too busy to make it, can you help?' than that would be one thing.

Contacting her in a manner that gives no indication that she is a cake maker too, and being so pushy re just the price, makes foul play more likely as an explanation....

Ask her to pass the client on to you, and say you will do the same for her if the occasion arises.