Wednesday, March 10, 2010

It's Free or $17, your choice

With Gracie's first ever birthday party coming up for the big number 4, I went to the grocery store bakery to order a cake. Seemed like the thing to do.

I ordered one small doll cake like she had last year for her to blow candles on. I don't want her to spit all over the cake we will then cut and serve to everyone at the party. For some reason, I've never thought of that before but one day I did and got creeped out. I think I was watching America's Funniest Home Videos and it occurred to me that the blowing of the candles is kinda gross. Anyway... I ordered her one little doll cake. That'll be $7.99. Kind of pricey for an oversized cupcake with a plastic doll head jabbed into the top, but whatever.

Next I needed to order the sheet cake. I decided to go with the larger 1/2 sheet size (so I can have cake for breakfast the next day). The cakes in the display bin are $19.99. Well... fine. Sheesh. I'm either a tightwad or cakes have gotten more expensive recently.

I talked to the cake decorator lady and we decided on the flavor, what kind of frosting, colors, what it should say, how to spell Gracie... all that good stuff. I repeated that I want the $19.99 size cake and she said "Ok, that'll be $37.00" Um... What? No, the $19.99 size. "Yes, the $19.99 cake is $37.00 when you pre-order it but it's 19.99 if you just come pick one up". Really?

Anyone else confused yet?

So, I said to the lady... "Will you have cakes on Saturday?" Yes, yes they will. And she says "You can pick out a cake and we'll write on it for you free".

Wait, now a minute ago, that cost an extra $17... "So I can come and pick up a decorated cake and get her name on it for $19.99 and piping 'Happy Birthday Gracie' on it is free or an extra $17?"

Free. Free writing with frosting. Whatever I want it to say. Even in pink. But the cake will cost $19.99. It's only $37 when you pre-order it.

Ok, well that must make sense to someone. See you Saturday when I pick up the little doll cake and a random cake from the bin.

5 comments:

Jess said...

That makes no sense!

Luckily our local store that I buy the cakes for the kids at is not like that. It is the same price if you preorder or if you buy off the rack. OR if you get lucky and get there early (which I try to do) you can get a marked down caked for $8.99 for a 1/2 sheet.

Wolfpak5 said...

Did you get that in writing? Wonder what the cost will be on Saturday when you pick up the $19.99 cake with free writing. Hope you get the same worker who will remember you. I mailed Gracie's card today.

Julie H said...

That's weird that they charge more for ordering. I used to work at a bakery and got to write on the cakes when people picked them out of the case.

Michelle said...

Weeeeiiirrrd. I would avoid shopping there in protest if I could. But only because I like making pointless stands ;) You could also do the Costco cake for $14.99 predecorated and all that yumminess! ;)

And yeah, no way would I do the $37 cake!

Jessica G. said...

Hey, even I don't get bakery cakes and I'm a decorator! If you lived closer, I would totally make your daughter's cakes.

(And you last comment on my blog made me laugh out loud!)