Why is it that so many feel they have the right to order a custom decorated cake (not commonly available in average bakeries) for a price that fits "their" budget? Why don't they realize that while they certainly have the right to order whatever cake they want, that decorators have the right to charge a fair price to compensate their work? People get so bent out of shape when you quote them a price for a large or detailed cake, and even though it may only work out to $2-$3 per serving, they get huffy that they "can't afford THAT" as if we trampled on their human rights to order a unique cake for their occasion.

It gets irritating.

Some people don't understand the time and energy that is put into a cake. They think "It's cake! How hard can that be!" You doing a cake versus a conveyer belt cake (as I call them) will be what they want. It will be the flavor they want, the color they want, and the design they want. A personal touch is put into the cake and it's all done by one person not many people, someone to bake, someone to frost, someone to decorate, someone to package!!! A cake done by you is given your sole attention from beginning to end. If people can't realize that this is something you do uniquely for them then let them go buy a box mix and a can of frosting and do it themselves. I would assume the reason people come to you in the first place is because they are inept at doing it themsellves!!!


Amy

Oh yeah, I hear ya!!!!! I've hardened up now and keep reapeating the mantra - 'Cheap people can go and get a cheap cake - but not from me!'. Why should we get compensated any less for what we do, just because we do it from home and not a shop/bakery? I'm darn sure they wouldn't say that to a shop-front bakery!!!

I just gave someone some sizing ideas for a baby cake... and then told them my delivery rule (not like delivering party cakes is common from bakeries) that any party cakes over $200 are free delivery up to 30 miles, and under $200 is $2/mile one way. She was horrified that a baby shower cake for 75 people might cost up to $200!!!! So she was basically like "Guess I"ll have to figure out something else". I did write her back and give her an actual quote of $150 which was very reasonable for the design she wanted, but she still will either have to pick it up or pay for delivery. Not sure that she will write back again though, since it sounds like she wrote me off.

I did tell her she would not get the cake she wanted cheaper anywhere else. Not that I'm trying to be cheap, I think I charged fairly as it was not a complicated cake, had some fondant, etc... but its just that not every bakery is going to do that cake, and if they did, they would charge just as much as I did. And they probably wouldn't deliver either.

$2 per serving is very fair - let her try to find what she wants for less than that! . Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and say 'whatever!' , then move onto the next customer who will actually value your work!

Learning to put a high premium on oneself is one of the gifts of aging and it pays off big time. So if you can do this now the premiums for you will even be higher. Guard your time and efforts as if they are prcious gifts. Smile Sweetly as you say "Perhaps a super market cake will better fit your needs." Sorry for getting on my soap box. People need to understand how much emotional and physical effort go into making a cake.

Hey she actually wrote me back..maybe she is starting to realize that a 75 serving cake is not going to be cheap no matter what.

She doesn't know for sure though, but am having to tell her to decide soon because the date is May 7th and I don't really do last minute orders unless they are small.

I sooooooo know what you mean! Someone looked at my website and saw the cake I did of the baby in the pot. (you can see it in my gallery) I would definitly charge someone about $150 for that cake... I gave her a quote on that one... she asked for that one in particular, mind you, and she said her budget was $15- $30, could I do it for that much because she's a friend of a friend!!! I about died when she said that... that cake is worse than a wedding cake to make! People just don't get it!

LOL a friend of a friend huh...that's amazing.

You know, sometimes I enjoy price checking services that look fancy or nice, but I do not get mad if its over my budget. I realize its a free economy and if I want something unique or specialized, I will have to pay for it. Otherwise, I gladly go on my way and figure out either how to do it myself, or settle for less. I don't get this mentality that you actually have to get angry or upset if you can't afford a specialized service. I mean, a tummy tuck would be awfully nice but just because I can't afford it doesn't mean the dr has to give it to me cheaper! (Too bad! haha)

This attitude from people bugs me too, Kitagirl. What I can't figure out for the life of me, is why people will question a home-baker's prices or try to haggle with us...but if they walked into a storefront bakery they would accept the prices with no problem...and even pay those prices without one word, even if they think it's 'too expensive for cake'.

I've done one thing that has really helped to cut back on those types of comments from customers or potential customers....I put the word 'CUSTOM' on my business cards and logo. Under my biz name and tagline, I have 'Custom Cakes, Cookies & Desserts'. I'm not really sure why, but it seems to have helped...LOL. Maybe it's because people have the notion that anything custom made is going to be more expensive than anything pre-made or readily available...not that everything I do is expensive, but when I do have to quote a price of $150 or more for a special occasion cake or favors, I catch a LOT less flack than I used to... I still have the occasional person who says something like: 'That seems like either a lot of $$ for cake or like I'll be getting a TON of cake!' I always give them the names of the only 2 bakeries in our area that do the same thing I do, or something comparable...and I've only had 1 person that ordered from one of them and didn't call me back and place the order.

The way I look at it, if you go to a custom home builder, it's gonna cost more than the 'cookie-cutter' homes going up right next to each other in millions of neighborhoods; if you have a piece of custom jewelry made, it's gonna cost more than what's already in the case...all because the QUALITY is far superior and it's made to the customers specifications. I will work with anyone on what their budget is and what they're wanting or need....but for those that just want 'that cake' for $40, when it costs nearly that just for ingredients/supplies...I do my best to politely refer them somewhere else and breath a big sigh of relief afterwards...LOL.

My husband just said that i couldn't charge so much for a cake because they could just go to the store and buy one. It kind of hurt but i am very new so what ever.

You know you're exactly right JennT... when you say the word "custom", I makes me think that if I want what I want, I have to pay for it , which I might add, I do not mind doing at all!! just adding that word makes a big difference... thanks for that tip!!!

Thanks, JennT, I think that I will take a page from your book and add "custom" to my tag line on my business cards.
Leslie

I have a whole huge disclaimer on my 3D cakes page saying that the cakes are fresh, customized creations that are more than grocery store cakes because they are totally made to each customer's specifications.

I don't know that people always read the site though, because the front page says I serve the Phila area and I get quite a few calls/emails from out of state hoping I will do a delivery or shipping and asking where I am located.

A few weeks ago I had someone write and say "I notice you raised your prices but I cannot afford your new prices."

I wish I could say that to the gas stations right about now...

I never thought of adding the word "custom", but that sure makes sense to me!!!!

My DH says I don't charge enough!!! Imagine that! For sheet cakes, I don't charge that much more than the grocery stores. For big party and wedding cakes, I start at $2 per serving for BC and $3 per sefving for fondant. I've had a few eyebrows raised at me. I encourage them to go look elsewhere. They find out that not only my prices are cheaper, but the quality and "custom" designs are so much better then anywhere else. And if they don't call back, OH WELL!!!!!


Definitely gonna add "custom" to everything - GREAT IDEA JennT!!!

Carflea: Tell your husband to make of your cakes the way that you do it and see how well it comes out for him. Otherwise, he should just go play with his own toys.

My husband does me that way too. He started pointing out my flaws or tells me "well I would have done this or that", then one evening I handed him my spatula and told him to get the icing smooth. He did way worse than I did. Now he doesn't say too much about my cakes other than the occasional "what if you tried this", which I always welcome most of his input. I had to give him credit on the soft pretzel "antlers" on the deer cake, it was his idea to keep it completely edible.

carflea,
I know you that you love your hubbiness and all that, but when was the last time he picked up a bag and offered to help you decorate a cake. The whole idea is that you are making a customized product, that the "local" grocery store bakery can't do.
So why not charge for your artistry? It takes longer to do a customized cake than it does a "wham-bam thank ya ma'am" cake.
I don't think they realize that for the most part, most grocery store bakeries don't even bake the cakes they get. They come in frozen in half sheet cardboard boxes.
You on the other hand make yours from scratch or a mix or both. You have to pay for the electricity to bake those puppies and all they have to do is plop the ol cake out of the box and decorate it. That's why it only takes like 10 minutes to decorate those grocery store cakes. And why peeps can come in and get one while they shop.
They can't do that with a custom cake.
I could go on and on and on but I won't though.
Just have fun doing what you do and don't worry about your grocery store competition. Cause you can do sooo much more than they can. And like, I can't remember who said it, if you have to ask how much it is you really can't afford it.
O and one more thing.Don't ever, ever, ever, sell yourself short. You are making a reputation for yourself as a decorator so don't get caught up in trying to compete with the local supercenter. They have a lot of limitations on what they can do. You don't. So make a name for yourself as a decorator of esquisite cakes, not ho-humm same ol same ol stuff.

Glad my tip was helpful!