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?

[BasiliskStare]

Oh @Elsewyre - Just read down the whole thread with people giving all sorts of advice ( basically - no) and then came to your

It's an absolute shut cunt to do in a house especially in winter humidity fucks it.

Thank you for a giggle -I absolutely see your point - & firmly made

OP sorry I would not buy from a source I did not know like this . But am allergic to strawberries and don't much like chocolate so ignore me.

I might on recommendation buy as a little present for someone but then I have no idea of your prices ( sorry if I have missed this over thread )

Whatever , all best to you

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

I agree with pp that the set up, running, and need for a commercial grade kitchen would be prohibitive, but was going to add that you are incredibly talented, the detailing and tempering is very hard to do to that standard.

However i get the impression from your last comment that these aren’t pics of your work? In which case you will have to add a LOT of practice time to achieve this sort of level. If i’ve misunderstood then apologies, and your work is genuinely lovely and with a decent business plan you may be successful.

[HaggieMaggie]

I can’t keep strawberries in the fridge for a week without fur, soft fruit would be a definite no I’m afraid.

[BritWifeinUSA]

I thought maybe you’d got the idea from someone over here in the US and your earlier post confirmed this. We get strawberries all year round here. And they are very cheap. How are you going to do that in the UK in the winter? And keep them fresh whilst they are being delivered?

Oreos? They are for kids. Can’t imagine an adult paying over the odds for decorated cheap kids’ cookies that cost a buck for a box. Children might enjoy them. But I don’t know any adult here that eats Oreos.

[Inkpaperstars]

Lots of people sell biscuits etc on etsy, I have sent some as a gift before and they were enjoyed. If somewhere has the proper certifications, and especially once they have built up some reviews, I think it's fine. Some people will be more hesitant with covid going on, others won't. I think more of an issue is that a lot of people probably would get them for parties etc and right now we can't really have any.

It's a cool idea though OP, I think you should explore it and try out making them, look into what you need to do for food hygeine certification etc. Then as things start to pick up you'll be ready. Good luck with it, hope it goes well.

[Inkpaperstars]

I have just spotted an empty Oreo packet by DP's computer Britwife. Ok, I admit it was almost empty. It is empty now.

[cameocat]

Have you actually tried making them? Very difficult to get to a professional standard.

I wouldn't buy I'm afraid.

[FippertyGibbett]

No, I wouldn’t.

[Whybot]

Love them, but no I wouldn’t buy them at the moment . Also most ppl are skint . Sorry . Good luck with whatever work you do find.

[Petportraits]

How would you package them? Or are they for collection only?

[Roselilly36]

They look fab, and I am sure you would find a market in usual times, but right now? Being handmade wouldn’t put me off.

But surely they are the sort of thing people would order for large gatherings, parties, baby showers, weddings I would have thought. And there not happening & money is tight for lots of families so expensive luxury treats won’t be a priority.

[FasterthanBolt]

They are photos you've taken from Google, not your own work.

[FredaFox]

My issues are the same as others. Wouldn’t buy from a randoms house, commercial kitchen yes
I can’t imagine there’s much profit once you get your recover your costs
How will you package and sell them? Will they be correctly labelled with ingredients and for allergies
You’ve not shown us your own photos, have you even tried to make them yet? Are you able to do them at a comparable standard?
Make them and sell to friends as a hobby but as a business you will find it tough

[FasterthanBolt]

If you showed some you'd actually made I'd be more interested!

[SimonJT]

Lots of people do similar, a friend is a confectioner and cake maker, he has a small shop where he smells ready made items. He makes most of his money on large personalised orders, wedding cakes, favours, large orders for corporate events, personalised orders for hotels etc. Those events aren’t happening right now, he is really struggling and likely closing his shop with a move to just serving large events.

Despite having buying power and using wholesalers his profit margins are very very tight. If he was buying his ingredients from a supermarket he would make a huge loss.

You have to think practicalities as well.

Packaging is expensive, a box of chocolate covered strawberries will need made within 24 hours of posting, they will need to be posted in a polystyrene box and arrive within 48 hours to the client, they will then need to be eaten that day.

[Beautiful3]

Personally i wouldn't purely because of covid 19. However prior to that, I used to buy delicious brownies from a local lady. Get your hygiene certificate and insurance and give it a whirl. Good luck.

[MJMG2015]

@FasterthanBolt

They are photos you've taken from Google, not your own work.

It's clear from her posts that she's not claiming they are hers.

[MsQueenInTheNorth]

Oreos? They are for kids. Can’t imagine an adult paying over the odds for decorated cheap kids’ cookies that cost a buck for a box. Children might enjoy them. But I don’t know any adult here that eats Oreos.

When you say “here” I’m assuming (from your username) that you mean in the USA? I know loads of adults who eat Oreos!

[MJMG2015]

@SimonJT

A friend is a confectioner and cake maker, he has a small shop where he smells ready made items

He'd probably be more successful if he sold them instead...just a thought 🤷🏻‍♀️

Seriously though, I'm sorry to hear he's struggling. I hope he stays afloat making them to order. With so few Events, even with a goid client base that's not going to be easy.

[tearstainedbakes]

If you're doing the Oreo thing, use bournville or some other vegan chocolate.

You can then market them as vegan (as long as you don't add anything else). I personally wouldn't buy them but then I don't buy stuff like that but there does seem to be a market for them. Like others have said though, round here they're ten a penny, you need to find a niche.

[SillyMoomin]

Show us some photos of your own work op then we can judge. If you’ve never made this stuff before but are simply gazing at stuff on Instagram....

It’s never going to work

[MinnieJackson]

Sorry I wouldn't, just can't justify the cost at the minute. Plus I don't know many people that like such sweet food. Best of luck though

[MJMG2015]

@chocolatetreats21

You'd have to be nuts - even pre Covid. People have already explained why.

Do yourself a favour & go back to the drawing board!!

[Summone]

I do buy from an online chocolate maker. I had thought of not doing it because of covid but changed my mind and recently bought from them. I have been a customer of theirs for 7 years. I would not do it with a company I don't know at the moment.

[Thisisworsethananticpated]

Someone is actually selling cakes
On our local Facebook page
But they are amazing , top quality look and taste
It’s feasible if you sell , people love and promote
But the quality has to be 100% and they need to photo well and be packaged well

You don’t want to end up on buzzfeed or local paper !