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harrisonsmama
Regular Member
Joined: Mar 04, 2005
Posts: 169
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 Posted:
Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:52 am |
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What do you all charge for dummy cake rentals? In my opinion, the materials cost about the same to make a real cake and the time is the same.
Thoughts? |
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mbelgard
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Oct 10, 2005
Posts: 2821
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:14 am |
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I agree. The only way you can charge less is if you're going to rerent the decorated dummy to another bride (some buisnesses do this). |
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soccermom17
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 293
Location: New Hartford, Iowa
Birthday: Aug 02
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:21 am |
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Charge the same. It does take time to decorate!
-michelle |
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sisita
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Dec 01, 2006
Posts: 1395
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Birthday: Apr 30
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:23 am |
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Charge the same. It's takes the same time to decorate... |
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Mac
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 2281
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Aug 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:46 am |
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I used to do a dummy layer but after doing 2, I now charge just $5.00 less than a real cake layer.
I explain that it's the decorating that is the most expensive not the cake itself. If the bride still insists on a "big" cake, I suggest that leftover cake is taken to the rescue/homeless shelter. |
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sbcakes
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 14, 2006
Posts: 374
Location: PA
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:47 am |
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I charge $50 per dummy. This is fully decorated. This is only if they purchase additional wedding cake tiers, or separate sheet cakes. Otherwise it is $75 per each dummy cake.
I wish I could charge more, but no one is going to pay the same as cake, for Styrofoam...even though it is our work involved, people just don't get it!!!
I don't rent them...I tell them to keep the dummies when they are done. If they are just going to chuck them, then I tell them I would be happy to have them back! |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:30 pm |
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| sbcakes wrote: | | I wish I could charge more, but no one is going to pay the same as cake, for Styrofoam...even though it is our work involved, people just don't get it!!! |
I guess it depends on if you are in the cake business or the styrofoam business. If your goal and objective is to sell decorated dummies, then the above statement is logical. If your goal and objective is to sell decorated cakes, then the above statement is confusing to me.
I don't want to sell cupcakes. Ergo, my price is $5.00 each. ".....but no one is going to pay ....." that price is a very correct assumption.
Which is my goal.
I'm not doing the same work on a styrofoam cake that I do on a real cake and not get "real" money for it. If they dont' want to pay "the same" price for "the same" work, that is A-OK with me!!!!!!! |
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Mac
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 2281
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Aug 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:12 pm |
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I agree with Indydebi. Once I tell the brides that a dummy tier is only $5.00 less than a real cake, they choose the cake. And most of the brides do take the leftovers to the rescue mission. The staff there knows me and they save all the returnable parts for me. I pick them up in about 3 days and they always ask when is the next wedding. |
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Mac
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 2281
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Aug 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:12 pm |
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I agree with Indydebi. Once I tell the brides that a dummy tier is only $5.00 less than a real cake, they choose the cake. And most of the brides do take the leftovers to the rescue mission. The staff there knows me and they save all the returnable parts for me. I pick them up in about 3 days and they always ask when is the next wedding. |
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sbcakes
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 14, 2006
Posts: 374
Location: PA
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:17 pm |
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I guess it depends on if you are in the cake business or the styrofoam business. If your goal and objective is to sell decorated dummies, then the above statement is logical. If your goal and objective is to sell decorated cakes, then the above statement is confusing to me.
My goal is to make each and every couple happy. I advertise that we make custom cakes fit for any budget. So if I have a couple that is on a budget and wants the look of their dream wedding cake, then I will do every best effort to make this happen for them. I guess I just wear my heart on my sleeve! With that being said, Styrofoam cakes should be a bit cheaper because you are not baking them and crumb coating them...time is money! I guess it is all a matter of opinion!  |
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Mac
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 2281
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Aug 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:09 am |
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Baking the cake is the easy part. |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:22 am |
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| sbcakes wrote: | | Styrofoam cakes should be a bit cheaper because you are not baking them and crumb coating them...time is money! I guess it is all a matter of opinion! |
You can buy a blank canvas at Michael's or Hobby Lobby for $3 or $4. But a Picasso costs millions.
The styrofoam is the blank canvas. What you put on it makes it a Picasso.
They are not paying for the CAKE ..... they are paying for the talent and the time it takes to turn "a cake" into a wedding cake masterpiece.
Just don't cheat yourself. |
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