Posts by analoggull15

Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re slowly losing the concept of actually *owning* anything? I used to buy a piece of hardware, use it until the wheels fell off, and then sell it for whatever I could get on eBay. Now, every time I look at a new flagship device, the marketing is geared entirely toward these monthly installment plans or "upgrade" programs that make the entry price look incredibly low.

On paper, these deals are a total steal. They make it feel like you're just paying a small convenience fee to stay current. But once you start looking at the long-term math, it feels more like a subscription service you can never truly escape. If you aren't careful about how you time your returns or what condition the gear is in, you end up paying way more over three years than you would have just bought the thing outright. It’s a clever way to lock users into a perpetual cycle of payments.

I'm starting to get a bit of "subscription fatigue." I miss the days when a transaction was a one-and-done deal rather than a multi-year commitment with a dozen tiny clauses. Do you guys think these programs are actually a win for the consumer, or are we just being nudged into a lifetime of monthly bills?

Daniel Barrett6 said:Could you please elaborate on what specifically missed the mark for you? We actually headed over this past Saturday to check out those much-vaunted pastries ourselves, only to find the doors firmly shut (their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM 😕). I had gone in expecting a traditional bakery where we could pick up a few cakes and treats for the house, so the disappointment was quite palpable. I'm left wondering—do they operate strictly by appointment, or is it something else entirely? 🤷

Look, let me be clear—I've already mentioned that I've tried sweets from plenty of bakeries, like Magnolia Bakery, Piece of Cake, Melody, Cashner, and tons of other local ladies who bake. Those first two spots are fine, but a pound will set you back $100$40 which is just way too much. For me and my guests, the pastries weren't even that great—the frosting would peel right off the rest of the cake, they didn't really have distinct flavors, and they looked unappealing. And everyone knows you gotta eat with your eyes first. But at Cashner? Every single thing has its own unique flavor, they melt in your mouth, and that claim about the cream in the Canadian pastry being rubbery is just plain wrong. Also, one more thing—you can actually talk to them about what you want included or left out of your order, so you can pick exactly what you want if there's something you don't care for. 👍

Jesse Hughes2 said:How many cookies are actually in that little cookie shop?
Btw, I didn't see anything mentioned about needing an appointment for a hearty meal, and man, I showed up last week only to find the doors locked tight. 🙄 Now I have to give them a call just to try and schedule something...

Hey, so I checked out Hearty and honestly? Not impressed. They get way too much hype on this forum. In the end, I just decided to grab some treats from Cashner's instead. You should definitely give them a shot if you're feeling it, then let me know what you think. Since their shop is right there at the intersection in Dubac👍.

dustyorca33 said:It's all good,
if you wouldn't mind checking that for me, it would be great to have the info directly from the source.😍

So here's the deal—over at their place, they sell this cake pre-cut into 14 slices, but she mentioned you could actually squeeze out up to 16 if you wanted. It all just comes down to how thick you slice it, obviously. Cheers.

dustyorca33 said:I was actually asking about the quantity to figure out the price, but thanks anyway😉
I'm going to look into that topic a bit more, velvetraven12
thanks girls🙂

My bad, I totally misread your message—I thought you were asking about the price. If you want, I can check how many people one cake actually serves, since my cousin works at their shop.

dustyorca33 said:Does anyone happen to know how many people one of those cakes from cake and that can actually feed?

Look, I'm speaking from experience here—those cakes run about 230 bucks$90.

Jacob White37 said:I am uncertain how much my standards have slipped, but I cannot comprehend why people claim these prices aren't exorbitant. To me, any price exceeding $27 per pound was always my threshold, yet we are now looking at 110 or even $40 😕

It's pricey—like, crazy expensive. Seriously, I've been hitting up basically every bakery in town trying to find something reasonable. I finally settled on a local spot where it's only $27 a pound and everything tastes amazing... plus, I managed to snag some cake boxes for like $1.50 or $2 back in Chicago.

Jacob Fisher2 said:Ladies, thanks so much for all the info about the bakeries in Springfield...

Alright, let's keep this rolling...👎
Emma's Ice Cream Shop???—my former neighbor actually runs that place, but I'd love to hear what you all think before I head over there to get a second opinion on a cake...

What about M&m? I heard their cakes are top-tier, but what about their pastries??? Does anyone know how much they weigh per unit??
And what about Melin?????

thanks🙏😕

I'm new here, but I can tell you I've been all over the place trying different pastries, so I'll just give you the rundown on the bakeries and prices. I tried stuff from M&m and they're great, a pound is $37, the pastries at Piece of Cake are also solid, a pound is $40, and Melody is $23. Their slices are a little too big for my liking, which bugs me, but the flavor is fine. I also hit up Kansas and the treats there are awesome. We actually chatted with the owner yesterday—you can work out pretty much anything with them, like specific flavors or how you want things put together. They're super nice.