AIBU to ask if you’d buy this considering the situation?

[chocolatetreats21]

I have a new business idea, I want to make chocolate covered treats from home and sell them. I just don’t know if people would buy it considering the whole COVID situation? What do you think?

[Catrin70]

Where were you going to sell them and how would you advertise.I've noticed just lately on FB there seems to be a trend for open boxes of "afternoon tea" with smal sandwiches without crusts and scones and fancy cakes. Must say the look lovely. Don't know the cost but they look very tempting. Good luck

[MerchantOfVenom]

OP I think the pictures you've shared are lovely.

Yes, the OP is very good at locating images on google and sharing them, isn’t she?

The creations in the photos are not hers (for the millionth time)...

[Noitjustwontdo]

I don’t think they’d sell, no. For starters strawberries are a seasonal fruit so they’re only really good during late spring/summer time so if your business is solely chocolate covered strawberries it’s only going to be open for 1/4 of the year.

Strawberries also go mouldy quickly so they’d all need eating quickly, they don’t keep very well at all. They’d probably be ok for weddings or birthdays but given the current climate, I don’t imagine many are bothering with fancy catering.

[darthbreakz]

OP I think the pictures you've shared are lovely. I think your market would be more reliable weddings, birthdays, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries etc, with a Valentines day boost.

It looks like the sort of thing you can set up without a huge investment, so I say give it a go. You'll probably need to provide tasting samples to assure people of quality etc but yeah, I can see a market for these, even if it's not selling to the general public for the most part.

[Leaannb]

[quote chocolatetreats21]@CoffeeRunner what do you mean "that sort of thing has been done to death around here" ? You mean others have created threads about this topic? [/quote]
No. That everyone and their mama is doing the same thing. Even in the States

[MerchantOfVenom]

Covering some strawberries in chocolate and glitter doesn’t take skill.

Well, no, even a 3 year old can ‘do’ it.

But doing it to a standard that strangers would willingly part with money for them absolutely does.

[Nikori]

You see I think it’s deceptively simple. I’ve made them with the kids and they look and taste ok, but not to the standard of the pictures the OP posted. It also takes a lot of time and effort to do the marketing and building an online presence.

[Halliehallie9828]

[quote chocolatetreats21]@Halliehallie9828 Ok, and I run a business doing things that people easily could do themselves but they pay me to do it? With this mentality no one would have a business as everyone could it themselves?

Honestly if there was no Covid I have no doubt these would sell and I would just have cracked on. But I came on here to ask, because I knew people would be wary of homemade stuff because of the pandemic. Obviously all these cake ladies are still in business, so guess there's a market for it. I just need to practice, practice, practice 😄[/quote]
Well I have no idea what your business is do I ...

Covering some strawberries in chocolate and glitter doesn’t take skill.

[ShopoholicIn]

Surely not in these times but please don't mind my saying this, unless it's something unique i might find it hard to sell chocolate covered strawberries etc.

[alied321]

I bought similar chocolate covered strawberries recently for a family friend who had been in hospital

[feministfemme]

@knittingaddict hahahaha!

gets out the megaphone
THEY'RE STOLEN OFF THE INTERNETTTTTTTT

[cherry2727]

Go for it OP!!! I am amazed at some of the products which seem to be trending on social media currently ! From artificial flowers stuck in a bowl costing a few hundreds to home cooking boxes ( for cakes , scones etc) One of my friend’s bought cocktail coolers during covid ! Fancy Cakes appear to be very popular now and last year spent just under £200 on a novelty cake for my sister . Social media is the key - beautiful pictures which are well staged ! I read an article recently about a lady earning a fortune now making and selling party props !! Give it a go!!!!

[knittingaddict]

@Thewordgame

Just to add, they look amazing and if you made similar bakes/treats I would definitely buy

[Itsonlymakebelieve]

I think that judging by my town/small city you would be up against stiff competition from well known places who are offering deliveries to boost their sales. Off the top of my head I can think of at least 6 local cafes which are doing munchie boxes, afternoon tea in a box, cake slider boxes, fudge & cake pops etc. Then we have at least 3 speciality cakey (one with awards and been on the television) shops who are also now doing deliveries of cupcakes, brownies, macarons, French patisserie etc. We also have 2 “artisan” chocolatiers (with their own shops) offering delivery of everything chocolaty. Also we have a very local artisan bakery (with a shop) who do deliveries of speciality breads and cake products which are vegan, lactose free, gluten free etc. Further afield we have 2 different independant ice cream makers (both award winning with their own shops) who offer deliveries of ice cream, chocolates etc one day a week to our town.
So if I wanted to buy I wouldn’t need to buy from a home baker.

[Ddot]

Dont forget vegan

[Ddot]

Comfort food always in demand, Especially now. Look into getting kitchen passed, ingredients, where to sell. If you want to start small just incase, sell on line, made to order.

[Thewordgame]

Just to add, they look amazing and if you made similar bakes/treats I would definitely buy

[Thewordgame]

The pp who suggested the course idea- this is a fantastic idea! I would definitely book something like this for myself and my daughter if it were available.

[msgreen]

Maybe you could use a pub or similar kitchen in the hours they are
closed maybe very early mornings etc
might be a plan if you can cut a deal with someone

[FelicisNox]

I love chocolate but it's a no from me.

To make it work as a business you will need to charge a fair bit and your chocolate would have to be of a high standard and both of those would automatically price me out.

You will also need a food hygiene certificate as well as a suitable place to prep.

[QuestionableMouse]

@Carriecakes80

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

Aye, at "borrowing" photos. 🤔🙄

[knittingaddict]

@Carriecakes80

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

Now you people are just winding me up.

[knittingaddict]

JonHammIsMyJamm

I know, but I feel so much better.

[Carriecakes80]

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

[PickleChipsareyummy]

Yeah, lovely things but we have loads of those types of businesses around here and I know two mums at my DS2’s school who have basically put their similar businesses on hold for now. Their orders pretty much dried up as people are worried about money as well as hygiene. They look like lovely wedding and party favours but there aren’t many weddings and parties happening now or near future.
Sorry - probably not what you want to hear.