I had a call about doing a cake (referal). She wanted a half sheet cake(1/2 choc. and 1/2 white) single layer, no filling, and the whole top being a FBCT of a scene from happy feet. She called and 3:00 today which is Friday and needed it for this Sunday by 11:00. I told her that it would be $65 for the short notice and because of the FBCT. She changed her mind and asked where else she could go because she wants to spend as little as possible. I told her to go to Sams and get a plain sheet cake and just buy some toys to put on it. She was happy with that and thanked me for my help.

I just had to laugh because this was the first time I charged properly and she gasped when I told her the price. This ever happen to you.

all the time...you made a good choice...and you'll thank youself later...there is no way u can charge $20 like sams does and make any kind of profit...

i usually sent ppl off to costco, but they end up calling back and ordering...

I don't think she'll be calling back to order---she was a very sweet person but you could tell she was just in shock over the price.

It's ok though because I have a really busy weekend and honestly didn't have the time to do it anyways. I hate to say it but I've been getting burned out on cake decorating and the only way I want to do them now is if it's worth my time. I'm not giving them away for cost or slightly above anymore!!! (except for a wedding cake I have to do in December---don't ask what I'm charging---I'll be lucky to break even)

That was funny. Yes, I get that too.

You go!

Say it over and over....

I am good at my craft.
My cakes are worth it.
Pay my price or eat crap cake from those cheap places.

Good for you. I often wonder how many hours the "sticker shockers" think it actually takes to make a custom cake.

HA!
i had a lady call me TODAY at noon asking for a 2-tier first communion cake for THIS sunday!!!!

she said she was going to get a cake from walmart but didnt like what they had to offer and the cakes on my website are perfect, so she asked if i could please make one for her.

what i SAID was that i would have to say no to the order because i dont keep frozen cakes and i would need to be baking it RIGHT NOW. everything is custom baked and designed. i would need to bake tonight to be able to decorate tomorrow and assemble it on sunday and i am not going to rush a cake for a customer because it wouldnt be up to my usual standards. i said i want you to be happy with the quality of my work and it wouldnt be fair to you or me.

what i was THINKING was "you dumb lady, its not like you JUST found out there was a communion happening for your kid this very weekend!!"

she thanked me for my honesty and i said please keep me in mind for the future.

I was just recently how long it takes to do a small wedding cake for 150 people. They guessed with baking and decorating ---3 hours tops!

That is so funny! I have this lady ordering a cake for a party. She needed Saturday afternoon and wanted to know did I plan on baking it that morning! A 2 tier square covered in fondant with fondant accents and a handmade topper with stars...."Yup...then I'm gonna go run a marathon."

Of course she was shocked at the $100 (10" & 8") price and thought 1.78 or something was outrageous. ..I hear Walmart calling...

AND she wants it still. I can just tell I am going to regret not being busy. My DH says "Tell her NO, NO, NO" everytime I mention it.

I love losing busines... seriously I am Costco's biggest promoter. The last thing I want is hard feelings. I just don't do cheap cake and I don't feel bad even a little bit if someone doesn't order from me. I COULD spend all my free time making $20 sheet cakes for literally $0.40 an hour or I could occassionally make a sheet cake (FYI I hate sheet cakes and avoid them like the plague) for $60 and be able to (a) spend more time with my family (b) spend less time cleaning (c) make more money. Simple supply and demand. I can sell one $300 cake or 30 $10 ones...... work out the per hour and don't feel bad that you are paid more than a sweat shop worker.

mkolmar-
This makes me so happy to hear that you value your time!!

This business is hard and you have to make a living... so you have to charge enough too make it.

These types of customers will just move on to the next home baker who doesn't know how to charge. She may not, but I am finding out that they search for and take advantage of the poor suckers who will do cakes for just above cost. I say... have... at... it!




alicegop-
I agree with you, girl you are smart!!

mpc

I'm with you Alicegop on this one. I'm more than happy to turn people away because I'm too pricey and often recommend they buy a shop cake and stick some flowers on it or something. I don't want to slave over something and not get properly paid. I respect that people have a budget and don't feel any obligation to fit within it - if I do then that's great, if I'm too expensive then try someone else. I don't walk into a high end shop, pick out a skirt and then ask for it for £10. If I can't afford the shop, I pick another.

This thread comes at a good time. I had a lady call me on Friday for a 21st celebration cake for next Saturday. After talking with her I realise that no matter what I do I won't make her happy -simply because she has no idea what she wants.

I am going to email her tonight and let her know that I have another booking which I missed off my calendar so I won't be able to help her. (Terrible I know!)

It really bites that most ppl think that it is 'simple' = i mean really if it was why don't they do it themselves! lol

you all are so funny I kind of feel bad turning down an order but I just can't work for free. I think she'll be happy with a Sams cake since she was more about the price--which is fine, I'm just not the girl for her that's all.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one!

[quote="whyteicing"]
what i was THINKING was [i]"you dumb lady, its not like you JUST found out there was a communion happening for your kid this very weekend!!" quote]

I had a very similar situation on Friday. Customer calls me wanting a cake on Saturday for HER OWN BIRTHDAY! I wanted so badly to say "So, did it just sneak up on you or what?" I turned her down and said that my weekends were booked 3-4 weeks in advance. She had the nerve to ask "Well, how about next weekend then?".... Um DUH, what did I just say?

So, did it just sneak up on you or what?" I turned her down and said that my weekends were booked 3-4 weeks in advance. She had the nerve to ask "Well, how about next weekend then?".... Um DUH, what did I just say?

Well, you know us girls and our birthdays they totally catch us off gaurd.

I'm guilty

Before I started decorating I was one of those people that thought it was a rip off to pay so much for a cake.


Now I know

I, too, was one of those people who didn't believe in spending a lot of money on a cake. Got my wedding cake from the local super market. But I would never have approached a customer cake designer and asked for grocery store pricing!

One of our jobs, I think, is to educate our customers a bit. We really can't expect them to know how much work, how long, etc. unless we have explained it a bit- not preaching, just a simple explanation. "That cake would take me 15 hours to bake, assemble, and decorate over three days." My friends & family are asking me all the time how long my cakes take to create.

I too was one of those sticker shock people, that's part of the reason I got into doing cakes for my kids. Now I look at those prices and think geesh.....they are practically giving them away.

I WORK at a COUNTRY CLUB (as the accountant) and recently started making cakes. The members call and ask if I would make them cakes and I say no problem.....the best one was a two week notice; but they USUALLY call the afternoon before they need it. At least they are always small, easy cakes. The members used to get VERY upset that I was charging them at all. After all, I DO work for them!

I had to explain that I don't do the baking out of my desk. I actually have to take time off of work to go home and bake their cake, make the icing and then decorate. WORK DOES NOT PAY FOR MY INGREDIENTS! I think that they actually thought I got everything from the kitchen! They made me feel guilty for charging them so I used to do everything at about cost (I rounded up). I got tired of all the last minute cakes and started charging a decent price (still not enough in my book). The orders have slowed down, but then I don't have to take time off of work to bake for people who aren't very appreciative. (sp?)

Oh, my boss did PAY me for those members making me go home! Gotta love the boss!!!

I'm so proud of myself.

My daughter asked if I wanted to do one of her friends wedding cakes. I am one of those people I don't have to say a word my face says it all. Then she added "she will pay you". Then I said ok.

I am tired of doing free cakes.

nice---I know people who own a country club and this sounds like some of their members---it drives them nuts.

Janette---glad you are sticking up for yourself girl!!!!! That's great that you'll be getting paid, just make sure it's enough.