We Need To Charge More - Williams Sonoma Catalog!
Decorating By imartsy Updated 17 Dec 2006 , 10:13pm by nglez09
Looks like we need to start charging more! 
Look at the prices on these cakes!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku8522203/index.cfm?pkey=cFODYUMI&cm%5Fsrc=None
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku7026909/index.cfm?pkey=cFODYUMI&cm%5Fsrc=None
I just know a lot of us aren't charging THAT much! And that's BEFORE shipping! And shipping is expensive b/c it has to be overnight or something - I think shipping adds around $30.00 at least!!! Show this to your customers next time they complain about prices!
Granted these cakes are beautiful and sound delicious - I just think it shows we need to charge more for our similar creations!
Wow! You're right- that helps with my pricing issues!
It would be interesting to know how many they sell - kind hard to find that information though I would think - not sure they'd just give that info. to you..... wish we could know! AND from where is it being ordered?? B/c if it's being ordered in one of our areas - we need to advertise better to let customers know they can have that kind of cake w/out paying for shipping!
BTW - the daisies on the purse cake - do you think that's some kind of mold or something? I really like them.
Oh Wow!!! I can't believe the prices!!! And did you see this cookies!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fd406_1/index.cfm?pkey=cFODNEWI&cm%5Fsrc=None
I guess with a name like Williams-Sonoma they can charge whatever they want but OMG! Too much! I wonder how many they sell... And in the other hand, they are NOT custome made, I mean, they are pretty but made in bulk! Something to think about, thanks for the links!
I think the prices are great. It is not cheap to make, market, recoup cost of equipment,and supplies, build a following in a name in todays marketplace. The only way to make a profit is to price so that it covers these costs plus.
If you product is good. Prices such as these are realistic.
I think the prices are great. It is not cheap to make, market, recoup cost of equipment,and supplies, build a following in a name in todays marketplace. The only way to make a profit is to price so that it covers these costs plus.
If you product is good. Prices such as these are realistic.
You're absolutely right that it costs a lot of money to make cakes with ingredients, equipment, advertising, etc..... but for people who bake at home or even for a lot of bakers who have actual licensed kitchens we have a hard time charging people these types of prices. People just don't seem to value cake that much and a lot of people expect every cake to be 10x better than Wal-mart prices but still COST Wal-mart prices! Here's a little reality check for some people I guess It's more I guess if someone complains about your prices to say -"hey, if you feel more comfortable, Williams & Sonoma sells a cake like this for $_____ - you can order from there and pay the shipping, or you can order from me at my price and save some money on the cake cost and shipping cost."
And I think all of our products are usually "good" - even great - but we don't always get away with charging enough to even cover our costs sometimes simply b/c we can't find people who will pay it - but obviously there is a market out there somewhere that isn't being reached by local bakers if Williams & Sonoma is selling cakes out of their catalog.... and maybe that market isn't being reached simply b/c bakers/decorators aren't advertising these types of cakes - and these types of cakes must be what a lot of people want b/c they've been put in the magazine for sale and I don't think Williams & Sonoma would put cakes in there they knew very few people would buy - they gotta cover their own costs too. Perhaps that's what's going on - b/c it's the Williams & Sonoma name, they can get a higher price - I don't know that the actual baker/decorator is getting paid that same price for said cakes.
Finally, I think we all try to price our cakes realistically - but realistically sometimes people in our area market won't pay what the cakes are actually worth - so we do what we can on pricing. Anyway I just posted this to help others realize that the same kinds of cakes they are making are worth much more than they're probably charging and they should try to raise their prices Now that they have something to show their customers to compare thier prices to - it might help
Wow! Those cakes are pretty. And for over $100 with shipping, they'd better taste amazing, too!
It does make you wonder how many they sell, though. I'm wondering how well they'd ship? If they'd arrive as beautifully put together as they were made.
Guess they'd better for that price!
--Knox--
OH. MY. MAUDE.
LOOK 
AT THE SIZE OF THOSE CAKES. THAT'S WHY THEY SHIP SO WELL---THERE'S NO SIZE TO THEM--NO WEIGHT!!
So, by that measure--one of our purse cakes should (or would) be priced at like $400-$500! 
Whew!
*Off to apply for baker's position commissioned through Williams-Sonoma*
--Knox--
you're paying that price because you're paying for the bragging rights..
I mean..c'mon...isn't it tonier to say....I got you a cake from WILLIAM'S SONOMA than ...Hey, I got you a cake from a local stay at home baker!!
sorry but that's the fact's ma'am...and just because William's Sonoma states their products are made with the finests ingredients..
Well, HULLOOOOO...I'm not digging in my Kitty's litter box for mine!!!
We... have 2 choices....copy the cakes...place our photo and price next to a photo and price of their picture and stop our customers from Witchin' and Moaning about our prices...
or
Inundate the market with that VERY same purse or whatever cake at our cheap A$$ed prices....
and let's see what happens!
CAKE REVOLUTION ANYONE? lol
RisqueBusiness wrote:
We... have 2 choices....copy the cakes...place our photo and price next to a photo and price of their picture and stop out customers from Witchin' and Moaning about our prices...
How did ya guess my secret to getting my prices, besides telling them that I am very expensive. 
This summer, I created a clay pot with flowers similar to the one that I posted in my gallery. The women that ordered it complained about the price until I showed her the WS clay pot cake. She swallowed her words when she seen how Small and Expensive WS cake was compared to mine and was happy to place the order afterwords.
Recently, I have included any ad's I find right into my portfolio next to my piece so when they browse they see the cost upfront and do not complain about my prices any longer.
Matter of fact I hear that some tend to brag to each other now........so odd bragging how much something costs........
My understanding is that Williams-Sonoma outsources all of their cookies and cakes. When you buy a cake from their catalog, it's sent directly from their supplier. So, what you're really paying for is the cost of the cake from the baker plus all of the expense WS has incurred to put it in the catalog (plus overnight shipping). Since most of us aren't producing 50 million full-color catalogs each year, we can offer more reasonable rates for our products. Kudos to anyone who can get their goods into the WS catalog. I understand it's a monumental task.
My understanding is that Williams-Sonoma outsources all of their cookies and cakes. When you buy a cake from their catalog, it's sent directly from their supplier. So, what you're really paying for is the cost of the cake from the baker plus all of the expense WS has incurred to put it in the catalog (plus overnight shipping). Since most of us aren't producing 50 million full-color catalogs each year, we can offer more reasonable rates for our products. Kudos to anyone who can get their goods into the WS catalog. I understand it's a monumental task.
it is to be picked...what you do is contact that particular department and put on a dog and pony show for them
The best part is when they come LOOKING FOR YOU! now that is something worth swooning over!!!
( hear me panting!?? lol pick me pick me!! lol)
I feel like odering a cake just to see how they pack it..lol
Risquebusiness - if you do let us know! I'd like to know how they pack them too!
And yes it is quite an honor to be chosen by Williams & Sonoma to be in the catalog - so kudos to the bakers/decorators!
(isn't kudos a funny word? - just thinking "out loud") 
I can do this, and since it's part of "research" I can eat my cake and write it off too!
lol.
I'm seriously thinking of doing it..don't need to push me too hard to do things like this..lol
I would LOVE to come back, if I do and post pics of the packing and such...but everytime I try to attach pics to a thread they are rejected as too large !!!
Harumph!!!
I'm curious to know about the taste too... they better be tasty! Let us know if you do Risque!
And to make the pictures smaller, your camera should have an e-mail setting, take the pics with this setting and even though the resolution is not the best they are fast to up-load. Talk soon!
I'm curious to know about the taste too... they better be tasty! Let us know if you do Risque!
And to make the pictures smaller, your camera should have an e-mail setting, take the pics with this setting and even though the resolution is not the best they are fast to up-load. Talk soon!
no..lol my camera is not that advanced!!! I will just have to fiddle around with my photo edit programs or add it to the list of 100 things I've asked my son to do...
but..I'm pretty sure that I will, just for research purposes ya un derstand..lol
Wow. Yeah.
They've been mentioned by Oprah. 'Nuff said? Now they're in with Grandin Road, and Williams-Sonoma and (others.)
So--needless to say, this lil' ol' Napa Valley bakery is now hiring!! lol
Their website is under construction. Probably too many hits.
Risque: If you do order, please post your results and a "Risque Review" for our internet viewing pleasure!
*sashays off to dream of the big time...*
--Knox--
RisqueB: If you post pics, I'll donate $5.00 to the cause. I'd like to know, too.
What a great idea... I can help too!! Do you have a PayPal account?
And how funny, about your camera... 
I thought all cameras had that setting. 
those of you willing to donate to the cause...save it and spend it on secret santa...I can write off my purchase !! lol
That's one of the MANY WONDERFUL things about being a legal baker..tee hee..
I can even go to a restaurant and have a meal and write it off ...as long as I have dessert!
woohoo..gotta love the system sometimes!
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