Metamucil and vodka, Chocolate being too chocolaty, healthier fondant, a quick & easy 3-D superman cake...ha ha ha ha ha ha 

Oh you guys are really on a roll, and someone needs to call the police on those customers of yours.

I got a couple of head-scratchers today but I can't post them because they're actual current customer things. You just have to remember that people aren't saying these things to make you mad, they really are clueless. Explaining why they can't have what they're asking for is usually enough to un-confuse them.

I had a niece of mine ask me to make her child a 6 layer rainbow (inside and out) cake with smash cake.  I gave her the "family rate" which was barely over cost.  Thinking that I could be persuaded to lower it some more, she offered up that she knew someone who offered to make it for $25.00.  I politely said "if you an find someone to make a cake like that for $25.00 you better grab them!".  I found out later that there was no rainbow cake......

AUgh. A lot of the people who want cheap cakes can't bake or cook, so they have absolutely no idea what happens in a kitchen, the time invested in successfully completing their requests, the trial and error we've all had to go through to perfect/near-perfect creations. I got so annoyed at work because I overheard someone say, "...I mean I can get cupcakes at Walmart or Raleys for like a buck". So I asked, politely, "would you ask a car salesman for a Ferrari at a Kia Forte price?" Her reply? "No. Why the f$@! would I do that?"

My point exactly. I felt like sipping a cup of tea with my pinky in the air lol.

Gotta love the rainbow cake orders!  Either "someone" came to his or her senses or they didn't exist!  I charge extra for rainbow cakes.  It's on my PIA list along with Minecraft cakes and chevron!  Lately I feel like the only thing worse than a rainbow cake is a Frozen themed rainbow cake!!  Bah ha ha!

As everyone stated, the best thing is to do is tell her you cannot accommodate her request and just send her back to where she had originally gone.  Pricing issues happen in every industry across the board, but it's the under cutters who fail.

As for the illegal business, report her to the county Board of Health.  As you know, they keep all reports agains someone in confidentiality, so you will not be mentioned when you report this person.

Yea…….how do you make it "less sweet" when its basically made from sugar?

Spread it on a carrot.

A

Snort!! Hahahahah

Thanks for checking in MBalaska, sorry for the delay in responding.

Both orders from this post are in the rear view mirror.  I let that sort of thing go quickly once I vent.

I am not giving up the caking world just yet.  After a crazy busy month I'm working hard to not book a ton of orders and give myself a chance to breath.  Only had two cakes this weekend, no all nighters, and had the kitchen clean before the last order was picked up.  For once on a Sunday I don't feel like I got hit by a truck and actually got things done with my family.  I turned down 5 upcoming orders this past week, not an easy thing to do mentally, but I think it's what I need to do until I can become more efficient in balancing this whole life/work thing.

AWhat johnson said. Although it's a great one, nicely worded, and I have nothing but love for CakeBoss, please reconsider attaching one of those pictures that explains what cakes cost. You're not magically goi

Go you!

Thanks!

AZ, also really taking to heart your suggestion for a minimum amount per cake order.  Last week wasn't the norm, but I made the same amount of money with this weekend's two orders as I did with 4 little orders last week and it took me half the week to recover!  Got to get rid of the little stuff.  I want to strive to be more of a quality vs quantity baker.  :D

AOh, part of another reply accidentally got attached..oops.

A

Thank you for posting this!!! Great chart!!! Secondly, you shouldn't have to justify your pricing to anyone, if they want a cheaper cake then they know where to get one. Don't feel discouraged because of her remarks, I've under charged so many times the first ones I made, they don't deserve something that takes so much time and effort if they are going to complain about the price. I've had to learn not to drop prices;cake Makers should always price their work for its value, especially custom work and don't feel discouraged, the right customers will value the work :)

AOops,I guest the chart didn't show up on my post, haha... thanks for sharing it!!