Hi Cakers!!

I just wanted to rant for a minute.

I made a couple cakes this past weekend. At both parties I had someone ask me how much would I sell one of my cakes for. Well, I told them that right now I cannot sell them because I do not have my own separate kitchen. However, I did tell them that when I get to that point to sell, these cakes would run anywhere from $60.00 - $70.00 each.

OMG!! You would have thought I told something horrifying by their expressions. BOTH of them said something along the lines about not paying any more than 25.00 for a cake?

Are you kidding me!!!! It cost me about 20-25 dollars just to make it. Someone else at one of the parties said jokingly Oh I saw that same cake at Wal-mart. Yea Right I thought to myself.

I am posting the two cakes. Do you think that the 60-70 dollar range is way off? I live in Metro Atlanta. Someday I do plan on starting to sell cakes. I figured that the $2.50 range per serving was reasonable. Both cakes are 10 WASC cakes. One had Bavarian cream filling.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1789424.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1789413.html


Sorry for the rant!

Michael

First of all your work is flawless.

I honestly have begun to think most people cannot discern between a well made cake and a piece of crapola grocery store cake. Honestly--I really don't think they can. I've seen people ooohhh and ahhhh over the crappiest crapola cake and I stand there and look at how poorly it's decorated, cake showing through, plastic figures on it---need I go on?

Apparently it takes a special person to appreciate a truly well made cake. Long ago I started using the term "Wal-Mart Mentality" I define that as being that "it's gotta be the cheapest for me to buy it".

I've been to functions a WM cake is served and people toss cake in the trash with just a bite or two taken out of it and think nothing of it.

I've been to functions where one of my cakes has been served and they're licking the plate clean and going back to see if there is more.

If they want to talk about expensive, they should take a look at what they're throwing away.

Chin up, it's not personal, it's not a slam or an insult, it's pure ignorance.

If they can find one of those cakes for $25 they are getting one heck of a deal!!! 10" round serves 38 (industry 1x2x4) x $2.50/serving = $95 plus I would charge for the edible image on top of that price (I don't have my own printer for them). Even for $60-$70, they are still getting a deal. No worries...your cakes are beautiful...you just need to find the right client that understands you get what you pay for!

NO WAY!! you put too much work into those cake's for them to be sold so cheap. $25 !?? NO WAY!

Don't be discouraged or think badly of anyone else. You're cakes are great and you're pricing seems to be right on. Your images are so perfect that people may be comparing them to store bought plastic peices and not considering the fact that they are hand made and edible (I assume).
Hang in there. I have learned quickly that there are those more than willing to pay for excellent custom cakes, and there are those who never will see the point- 'It's just going to get eaten' attitude.
Just build your client list from the first group- and they're out there, and you'll be very successful.

Don't let those crack-heads bother you. Your work is great. I was recently at a wedding where they had bought a cheap cake and you could tell. I was embarassed for them.

No doubt about it, your cakes are gorgeous! I sometimes think the el-cheapo mentality of so many folks comes from the fact that anyone can easily pick up a cake mix and can of frosting off a grocery store shelf and bake/frost a cake themselves. I really wonder if they figure since that since it's so easy for them to dump something into a 9x13 pan and frost the top (hump included!), why should they pay a lot for someone else to "do the same thing?" Cake muggles indeed!

Add to that the fact that grocery store bakeries that charge so little for their cakes, and I think you get the mentality cemented in place for so many people.

I agree with the other posters - you need to find the clientele that understands the value of your artistry, and let the others enjoy their purple and orange shells!

Michael,
Your cakes are so detailed and flawless that they are certainly worth every penny that you may someday charge for them.

Back in early summer, the local community ed teacher asked me to do a basic cake class for her. I had six women and one teenager. When I asked them why they were interested in learning, one said, "because I'm tired of paying $25 or $30 for a cake; that's ridiculous!" My response was, "When you find out how much work, time, and ingredients actually go into a cake, you might be glad to find someone who'll make you one for that price."
By the end of the two-hour class, she was singing a different tune. Just imagine if she actually had to make the cake, the buttercream, buy the fondant, etc!

bluehue....




Thank you!!!

You are right about having to start saying something! Next time I don't think I will keep my mouth closed. Say it with a smile!!!

Thanks,
Michael

I use the Wilton chart (although there are others out there). According to it, 10" round gives you 28 party servings (1.5x2x4) or 38 wedding servings (1x2x4).

I'm also in the Metro ATL area. I think it depends a little which part of the metro area you're talking about. Up on the northside (Alphretta, John's Creek etc), inside the perimeter and maybe in the Fayetteville, Peachtree City you're going to be able to ask higher prices. But anywhere those cakes are definitely worth more the $25.

I'm on the west side, Douglasville area, and I'm pretty sure you could get $60-$70, but you'd have a limited clientele. The economy around here has hit people hard. A lot of my friends just don't have that much to spend on luxuries like awesome cakes. So they either make a cake themselves or settle for a grocery store cake. In fact I know of 2 great little bakeries around here that have closed in the last year.

Actually, the reason I'm here is that my brother and SIL just got married and couldn't afford a custom cake, but didn't want to settle for a grocery store cake so they were going to skip the cake altogether. So I offered to make it and found this place doing research.

I've been dabling in selling cakes here and there - where can I find a pricing list. Pricing my cakes is my downfall - I pretty much just charge for the cost of the ingredients and any extras that I put on my cakes - so I am definitely under pricing. I'm okay with this for now since I'm just beginning to sell them.

The second thing:
what is the best image printer AND fondant cutter out there to buy

Bluehue.

I agree with everyone, you do beautiful work! I used to quilt, and knit, and machine embroider. The problem is so many people are used to mass marketed items, from linens to clothing to food, it's hard to find people to appreciate hand crafted items. Don't sell yourself and your talents short. It is also like going to McDonald's or Golden Corral, vs a local good quality restaurant. We all know you get what you pay for!

woah, those two are RAD!

a lady cornered me in Michaels (no it didn't remind me b/c of your name ) and ask if I knew of local cakeries...I told her 3, the last one she knew and said, oh yeah I went to them but they wanted $194 for a wedding cake...I tried to kindly explain to her all that goes into it.......some people just DON"T get it...buncha crazies

The Walmart mentality kills me. It isn't people that are artsy. The arsty ones know from the time and energy they put into their work. It is frustrating when people just don't get it.
One of the CC's has a signature that I love. "Good cake isn't cheap, and cheap cake isn't good."

I second Kansaslaura..Your cakes are Awesome....I can't speak for you in the US but here in Calgary which is a large city..1 million...Pastry prices have gotten outrageous at the grocery stores in the last 7 years....I have had to raise my prices to reflect the flour,sugar,shortening,baking powder.It has jumped about 50%...I was just looking today at a major grocery store chain and their pastries are very expensive and they aren't that great either...2 eclairs were $4.00....a single layer 1/4 slab is $24.99..and so on....People have no clue what good quality tastes like or costs.

I just wanted to say, that your cakes are flawlessly done, really beautiful. And honestly if they can't tell the difference between what you have done and WM you don't need them as clients!

I was a hairdresser, and I can tell you, you just have to charge what you are worth and the right people will find you.

I gotta chime in-because I <3 my fellow cakers and I share in your frustrations. Firstly, you deserve what you are planning to charge. I don't know how in the heck these grocery stores charge so little. I was at Top Foods last night and their dozen of cupcakes was 6.99. I charge 2.25 for a basic cupcake and only give a small discount if someone buys a dozen. These grocery stores make me THINK I am charging too much (and I feel bad when I get the sticker shock expression) BUT people just need to realize the quality and care they are getting from us far exceeds anything a grocery store could offer. Make sure to tell everyone why yours cost more i.e premium ingredients, hand crafted detail, exotic fruit blends, customized wrappers, delivery, and your hourly pay. Plus its my thinking that after someone taste mine and see my service they are happy to pay what I charge
Good luck with the sticker shocks <3

I must agree with everyone else, your cakes are beautifully done. If you ever want to move, come to Canada, cause those cakes will cost you well over a $100. Keep your head up and don't let those quacks who think they saw your cake in walmart or where ever for $25. My big B____ they did!!!!! Keep up the great work and make your dream come true and start selling.