O.k. I've been a licensed baker for over a year now and getting a bit frustrated about the amount of wedding orders I'm booking

I'm have absolutely NO problem getting non wedding orders at $2.25 per slice for buttercream and $3.00 for fondant. This past week I've gotten 4 wedding order request. Of course I quoted them the same price as I do for non occassion cakes. You would have thought I was trying to rob these people blind with that price.

I've checked around and prices in my area are all over the board, so now I'm doubting my prices. There is no way I can lower my prices and make a descent profit and still pay rent. All of the non wedding orders I'm getting are for less than $200 each which isn't bad but I can't do but so many 3d cakes each weekend.

Any licensed Alabama bakers out there that can give some insite?

anyone ?

If your prices are what you need to make to run a business then don't doubt yourself.

You don't want to be the cheapest decorator around, don't sell yourself short. Your services and your cakes are worth it.

I can't believe people don't give trouble about non-wedding cake prices, but do about wedding cake prices. It's pretty much the opposite here. I mean, they don't want to pay much for wedding cake either, but they practically expect you to pay them to take a birthday cake. I can't provide insight for Alabama, but I do want to offer support to stay firm on your pricing. People will come around. They just have to believe that it's worth it to have your cake at their wedding.

Where in AL are you at? I am in central AL and that is about what we are getting.

Sounds like someone new out there must be doing cheepies. Don't get into a price war-the only person that wins is the customer.

Don't fret... here in Chattanooga the brides are doing consultations, but are NOT putting down money on deposits to book their date. They are all hanging onto their money until the last minute. I know of 2 or 3 cake shops here that are going through this. Your prices are comparable to here, as well. Hang in there.. It's the economy.

Posh Cake Designs,

I'm in cullman and we are eat up with home bakers that can do $1.25/slice and they advertise. Our health department is working hard to find them. I do have to give them credit for that. Hang in there! If you bake it they will come.

Hey! Alabama girls! I'm in Prattville And I'm not licensed... but I don't sell my cakes! hang in there! I'm leaving work now, but want to check out your cakes when I get home!

pcd---- down here in SouthEastern AL... your rates are what I am at... I usually am around $2.50 for BC... and $3.00 for fondant.. both basic decor of course. My biggest market is 3D here... there is an old bakery in town who hasn't raised prices in umpteen years so they get a lot of business. Definitely better design artists out there, but people will pay cheap and not really mind it I think. I hope everything works out for you. if you aren't making money on wedding cakes, start advertising 3D grooms cakes or do special party type cakes... I don't do wedding cakes very often because we have a lady who does beautiful work and is under the table. I am a home baker, but I have a licensed kitchen in my detached garage... so I still have overhead that she doesn't... I figure if she can do it that cheap and still make it pretty why should I bother.. my passion is in party and 3D cakes... good luck and chin up!

Poshcakedesigns, I'm also in the Bham area & I do cakes just for my family & friends & not that often. I was wondering if you buy your supplies on-line or locally? I bought some fondant from Louise's & just wondered if there was another place to buy stuff. Thanks

I'm in Philly and I have a hard time getting wedding orders because alot of the caterers and stuff include cakes....its getting harder to find people who are independently shopping for a wedding cake seperately from everything else. At least that is my idea of what is happening. I get WAY more party cakes, but unfortunately, the profit is much less even though I am charging $4-$6/serving on average.

This should be saved for the inevitable debate that comes up between licensed and unlicensed bakers and the point that some don't believe the unlicensed baker is "really" taking business away from the licensed baker.

Just saying....... [/quote]

LOL it's a never ending battle between licensed and unlicensed - I just needed to vent.

Thanks for listending to me whine...

Here is part of my Sales 101 lecture that I give my sales people. (I'm in hotels/catering, not cakes, but sales is sales.)

People get competition, and start cutting their price. The thing is-EVERYONE WANTS TO BE MAKING MORE! Stick to your prices, and I guarantee you that this other person will raise hers to meet yours. If she is booking all these cakes, soon she will be running herself ragged for no money, getting bitter, stressed, and possible sloppy, and even though you are doing less cakes, I bet dollar to dollar you will end up making the same or more than her.

Have confidence in yourself. Don't take a cheap booking just because you are scared. I know sometimes it is hard.

I gotta say, I'm not sure why you're concerned with one new person who is unlicensed (regardless of what's she's charging). Birmingham is a LARGE area. There are tons of professional bakeries and unlicensed home bakers, with plenty of business to go around. Which makes me wonder, how are you advertising/marketing to brides? Maybe you could try new things in that area to bring in more wedding orders?

Your prices sound right on target to me. And it's strange that you find people who are willing to pay for occasion cakes, but not for weddings. That's why I was asking about your marketing. Seems like you've just gotten a bad batch of brides. I can't imagine them being sticker shocked by that price in the that area. I'm sure there are some charging a good bit more than that.

Poshcakedesigns,

I really think it has more to do with the overall economy and not your prices. A lot of people only have a wedding cake because they feel it's expected of them to have one and it's kind of an afterthought. They're already spending a large sum for everything else and they most likely go in with a certain price in mind and are "shocked" when we quote them something way off their price.
My own family has no idea what it costs me to make a cake, not to mention the time involved. The average person has no idea.

I don't do cakes for a living because I can't make enough money. I am a hairstylist, have been for 24 yrs., and I can honestly tell you that I am even feeling the effects of the poor economy with those clients as well. People are stretching their haircuts, color and perms.

It's just really tough out there and the average person is trying to cut costs anyway they can.

But, not to worry all the candidates tell us they are going to turn the economy around. CAN'T WAIT