Hi! Do you get to select your cards immediately after joining or are they portioned out throughout the year? I see that some on the site that are listed are noted as “sold out”—brands I don’t particularly care about— but was curious how the card access works.
You can select some or all of your cards immediately after joining. The two that are sold out - Wolford (*just sold out over the weekend* and Leset - had limited number of CAKE cards. I think the rest are unlimited but I can confirm.
Also note that some cards are coming soon. CAKE just launched so they are working to continually adding brands!
Thank you, Irene! I joined, because I'm always up for new things. (I was a little daunted by the...lack of diversity...in their branding imagery, though.)
Their terms of service are a li'l rough: once you take a CAKE card, it is only valid within the year of membership in which you accepted it, so let's say you join today but see a brand card you want next August - it will NOT roll over to the next year of membership, and you'd need to use it within the month. (Your 10 card limit DOES roll over if you don't use all of it, though, which is cool!!)
They also say this: "We reserve the right to refuse to provide the Services to anyone for any reason at any time. We may change, add, or remove features, products, or functionalities (including CAKE Cards available for selection), or we may also suspend or stop the Services altogether. We may take any of these actions at any time for any reason, with or without notice. "
So...it's a risk, because they can literally stop the card service at any time. But that is part of supporting anything new; of COURSE I do trust the rec, and like innovative ideas, and the brands are great :)
Hi Kit! Yes, you get 10 cards within your membership year and you can only use your cards in that year. If you decide to renew for another year, you will get another 10 cards.
As for the terms of service, it sounded like a boiler plate disclaimer to me but ran it by the team. They said the chance of that happening is “So low, but just need it in there to cover ourselves in case something happens. We can always work with you on rolling over CAKE card etc. just need some date on there. We are committed to making this a VIP experience for all members and are here if you need anything! Our concierge@cakemembers.com goes to our co-founders & whole team (happy to share my cell too), here and ready to help!”
Thanks! This is super helpful. I think there is something I have my eye on that will make it worth the $100 at least. (I would have used the Wolford card IMMEDIATELY - I love Wolford!)
I have been reading your newsletters for quite some time and have always appreciate your transparency and context around gifted items and now with this sponsored post so thank you! I have a few items on my wish list/gift giving list from a couple of these brands so as you said, it’s a no brainer for those who already planned to spend money towards them! ❤️
My first thought: OH NO. I really like your writing, I'm interested in your taste and outlook on life and that's why I chose your substack and two others out of the millions. I get it that it's hard to make a living on small subs but I have to say that I think I'll unsubscribe regretfully because I just don't want anyone to try to sell me anything on Substack or to make sponsorship a part of their identity on Substack. We are inundated with selling all the time on line... ads on Instagram... in magazines... in paid editorials... in communications from retail sites and so on. It's not that I begrudge you wanting to make a living, it's just that the sponsorship thing makes it so much less interesting to read you because it diminishes the sense of independence and honesty and it changes the agenda from a personal voice to a personally endorsed product, the motivation for which will always be questionable regardless of how many time you or any other writer says you only endorse what your truly believe in. Sorry Irene! I will miss you!
I really appreciate your honesty and willingness to openly voice your opinion in this public forum! I replied to ET's comment above that I totally understand why sponsored content is unappetizing for readers.
If you unsubscribe, I will understand why (again, thank you for the explanation), but I also want to say that I learned about CAKE because they reached out to me and even if they hadn't, I would have recommended it anyway because I know it would be a valuable proposition to *some* readers.
In the last 18 months, of 123 issues, this is the first sponsorship I've accepted of the many requests I receive weekly and I'll continue to be highly selective of what I choose to write about on these pages. I will miss you too and happy to chat more about this if you wish.
I really appreciate your comment. Really! I’ve thought long and hard about accepting sponsored posts. I know there’s controversy surrounding them and I totally understand why.
My newsletter has been a mix of styling, shopping, and discovery and not every newsletter I send out will resonate with every reader. Some people lean more towards the styling of staples, some want to be introduced to new brands and experiences, some are both, as well as people who shop across all price points. It’s a delicate balance!
At the end of the day, as with anything else I wrote about, I truly believe that *some* of my readers will find value in CAKE which is why I’m sharing it. It doesn’t negate that I still encourage readers to think through their purchases via 5 Questions, etc…
yes, big agree - someone is going to read this and think thank GOD, this is just what i need! and someone else won't feel the same, but that is ok also haha - it was a great, balanced read & I really appreciate that in the sponsored space, essentially <33
i LOVE the variety of content you put out, some of it is exact what I am looking for and then other things get me out of my comfort zone honestly! EG I went to the Absolutely Fabrics pop-up in NY you recommended, and found a new brand to watch for on the resale market that i was completely taken with (Renaissance Renaissance) - had the most incredible blouse - gorgeous quality and make, thoughtful design details - that I would never have thought to pick up on my own!
Hi Tania! It all comes down to whether you have a US address. You may not live there 🙈 - but you need one to register and that’s where all of your deliveries will be sent!
Is there a way to see what all the Cake card options are before joining? I am wondering if that might be an interesting shopping exercise- join but only purchase items via the card for a year to see if I can focus on fewer, higher quality items.
Congrats on your first sponsored post Irene! This feels like a no brainer - would love to see it in the U.K.! X
Thank you, Anna!
Hi! Do you get to select your cards immediately after joining or are they portioned out throughout the year? I see that some on the site that are listed are noted as “sold out”—brands I don’t particularly care about— but was curious how the card access works.
You can select some or all of your cards immediately after joining. The two that are sold out - Wolford (*just sold out over the weekend* and Leset - had limited number of CAKE cards. I think the rest are unlimited but I can confirm.
Also note that some cards are coming soon. CAKE just launched so they are working to continually adding brands!
Got it! Thank you:)
Confirmed from CAKE - those two were the only limited cards! I used one of the Wolford ones to buy a bodysuit 🙈
I have a bodysuit already from them, so great choice! And thank you for confirming with them!
You’re welcome!
Well since I strive to fill my closet with Co coats, this might just be worth it 😆
But is it a reasonable purchase, Kelly 😅😉
Hahaha THE question…. And my realistic answer is “no” at least not right now 😂😭
💅🏻
Thank you, Irene! I joined, because I'm always up for new things. (I was a little daunted by the...lack of diversity...in their branding imagery, though.)
Their terms of service are a li'l rough: once you take a CAKE card, it is only valid within the year of membership in which you accepted it, so let's say you join today but see a brand card you want next August - it will NOT roll over to the next year of membership, and you'd need to use it within the month. (Your 10 card limit DOES roll over if you don't use all of it, though, which is cool!!)
They also say this: "We reserve the right to refuse to provide the Services to anyone for any reason at any time. We may change, add, or remove features, products, or functionalities (including CAKE Cards available for selection), or we may also suspend or stop the Services altogether. We may take any of these actions at any time for any reason, with or without notice. "
So...it's a risk, because they can literally stop the card service at any time. But that is part of supporting anything new; of COURSE I do trust the rec, and like innovative ideas, and the brands are great :)
Hi Kit! Yes, you get 10 cards within your membership year and you can only use your cards in that year. If you decide to renew for another year, you will get another 10 cards.
As for the terms of service, it sounded like a boiler plate disclaimer to me but ran it by the team. They said the chance of that happening is “So low, but just need it in there to cover ourselves in case something happens. We can always work with you on rolling over CAKE card etc. just need some date on there. We are committed to making this a VIP experience for all members and are here if you need anything! Our concierge@cakemembers.com goes to our co-founders & whole team (happy to share my cell too), here and ready to help!”
Thanks! This is super helpful. I think there is something I have my eye on that will make it worth the $100 at least. (I would have used the Wolford card IMMEDIATELY - I love Wolford!)
I have been reading your newsletters for quite some time and have always appreciate your transparency and context around gifted items and now with this sponsored post so thank you! I have a few items on my wish list/gift giving list from a couple of these brands so as you said, it’s a no brainer for those who already planned to spend money towards them! ❤️
Hi Angie, your trust means so much to me. Thank you :).
My first thought: OH NO. I really like your writing, I'm interested in your taste and outlook on life and that's why I chose your substack and two others out of the millions. I get it that it's hard to make a living on small subs but I have to say that I think I'll unsubscribe regretfully because I just don't want anyone to try to sell me anything on Substack or to make sponsorship a part of their identity on Substack. We are inundated with selling all the time on line... ads on Instagram... in magazines... in paid editorials... in communications from retail sites and so on. It's not that I begrudge you wanting to make a living, it's just that the sponsorship thing makes it so much less interesting to read you because it diminishes the sense of independence and honesty and it changes the agenda from a personal voice to a personally endorsed product, the motivation for which will always be questionable regardless of how many time you or any other writer says you only endorse what your truly believe in. Sorry Irene! I will miss you!
Hi Joanna,
I really appreciate your honesty and willingness to openly voice your opinion in this public forum! I replied to ET's comment above that I totally understand why sponsored content is unappetizing for readers.
If you unsubscribe, I will understand why (again, thank you for the explanation), but I also want to say that I learned about CAKE because they reached out to me and even if they hadn't, I would have recommended it anyway because I know it would be a valuable proposition to *some* readers.
In the last 18 months, of 123 issues, this is the first sponsorship I've accepted of the many requests I receive weekly and I'll continue to be highly selective of what I choose to write about on these pages. I will miss you too and happy to chat more about this if you wish.
Really appreciate the balanced take on a sponsored post :)) 5 questions fan for life 💗
I really appreciate your comment. Really! I’ve thought long and hard about accepting sponsored posts. I know there’s controversy surrounding them and I totally understand why.
My newsletter has been a mix of styling, shopping, and discovery and not every newsletter I send out will resonate with every reader. Some people lean more towards the styling of staples, some want to be introduced to new brands and experiences, some are both, as well as people who shop across all price points. It’s a delicate balance!
At the end of the day, as with anything else I wrote about, I truly believe that *some* of my readers will find value in CAKE which is why I’m sharing it. It doesn’t negate that I still encourage readers to think through their purchases via 5 Questions, etc…
Happy to chat more about this anytime!
yes, big agree - someone is going to read this and think thank GOD, this is just what i need! and someone else won't feel the same, but that is ok also haha - it was a great, balanced read & I really appreciate that in the sponsored space, essentially <33
i LOVE the variety of content you put out, some of it is exact what I am looking for and then other things get me out of my comfort zone honestly! EG I went to the Absolutely Fabrics pop-up in NY you recommended, and found a new brand to watch for on the resale market that i was completely taken with (Renaissance Renaissance) - had the most incredible blouse - gorgeous quality and make, thoughtful design details - that I would never have thought to pick up on my own!
I love that brand too and I’m so glad you stopped in to the pop-up! We need more AF’s in our city!
Hello Irene! This is very cool :-) Can I become a member when located/ citizen in the EU? TY Tania
Hi Tania! It all comes down to whether you have a US address. You may not live there 🙈 - but you need one to register and that’s where all of your deliveries will be sent!
Hi Irene, so it is not available for Canadians either?
Same situation. You can access the platform but need a US address!
Ok. Thanks a lot. No US address..best Tania
Is there a way to see what all the Cake card options are before joining? I am wondering if that might be an interesting shopping exercise- join but only purchase items via the card for a year to see if I can focus on fewer, higher quality items.
Yes! You can access the website using my name "Irene" and you'll be able to see all the brands and the benefits before actually paying and joining.
I can also manually write them out here if you need....but try accessing it first lol!
Oh geez- found the list! Thanks.