I have made a few cakes and I have some wooden cake boards that I have used. I have to cover them with foil. I need some ideas on what else to use that I won't need to get back from the customer but does not cost me a lot. Also, if you make a cake that has separator plates and pillars, do you ask for them back, or do you include them in the cost of the cake? I am trying to figure out how to price my cakes.

Thanks for your help and advice. Maishelle

Maishelle, I think most build the cost of separator plates and etc in the cost of the cake. The sps systems is not terribly expensive and the plates could also be used for the board under your regular cakes also.

I always tried to look at it "Is it worth the gas either way to get them back?" On smaller items, the answer was usually "no". I'm not spending (nor am I asking the bride to spend) $6 on gas to return three dollars worth of pillars.

Definitely cake drums for the base board.
SPS plates do not work as a base board.
And yes build the cost of supplies into the overall price. Every cake I do has an equipment charge.

Thank you all for your help. I have a few questions though?? I don't know what cake drums are and what does SPS mean? Thanks, Maishelle

if you're in a pinch, Wilton has some stuff that you can get at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, sometimes even Walmart:

Silver Cake Platters
http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=338C9991-1E0B-C910-EADE0207E98042F3&fid=338C99A0-1E0B-C910-EA31FC3B7AA0705B


Silver Cake Bases
http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E31A373-475A-BAC0-5894BDEBFE84A837&fid=3E32F5A5-475A-BAC0-574560F21E2992F5


Good enough for me as long as I have a 40% off coupon.