So, I post an ad on craigslist yesterday for my cakes. I got three emails today, which is absolutely awesome. However, this one lady who was emailing back and forth with me all day, having me send picture after picture, blah blah blah. I get home from work and I call her to discuss flavors, servings, etc. We're on the phone for about an hour and finally come to a decision - a two tiered cake, one chock w/ chock, one white w/ buttercream...fondant covering, fondant accents in the theme of "italy", red, orange and green...maybe some grapes, etc. Then...she asks for pricing. I tell her that the average price for a fondant covered cake is anywhere between $2.50 and $3.50 per person and I hear silence. I am really looking to build a customer base and make some money as it's been a little tight lately. So, I even go as far as to tell her that I'd be willing to do her cake for $50-$60, which is WAY WAY WAY too cheap for a tiered cake....and she tells me she was hoping for something more like $20. I nicely told her that $20 wouldn't even cover my costs. She asks again if there is any way I can do this for $20, she's really on a budget, blah blah blah...still trying to be as nice as possible, I say, "Well, I would be more than happy to give you the number for the local grocery store bakery and maybe you can see what they can do for you."

What the hell is wrong with people? Grrrrrr. What a waste of time. VALUABLE time when I work full time, have a 2 and 1/2 year old, am planning a wedding and have a house to take care of. Not to mention, I could have been working on the cake I'm supposed to be delivering tomorrow morning, but instead, *sigh*...well, you know what I did instead.

Ugh I'm sorry

Before I got into cake decorating, I was soooooo ingorant! I remember going to my grocery store and being shocked that they needed at least a few days notice for a special order (from their album). I thought, "What the heck is the big deal; it's just a cake!" I was a bit shocked when I ordered my wedding cake (from a friend's friend, who is a home baker). I warned her that we were ignorant about wedding cakes, would probably ask dumb questions, needed recommendations, etc. (She did great!) I can expect some ignorance, but until people really shop around, they just don't get it. In your case, however, it seems to be so out of line! I would tell her to shop around and see what she can get for her $20.

My instincts told me to be sarcastic with her, but remembering that I am trying to build a business, I was as sweet as I could possibly be. I really wanted to just laugh at her when she thought I would do it for $20, but who knows who she may tell about my cakes?

That's why your first question is always, "What's your budget?"

Although I will concede that people are hesitant to give out a number because of the archaic and antiquated thinking of "the first person to mention price loses". That may work in real estate and car sales, where the price is negotiable, but I am not looking to see how much money I can get out of them ..... I need to know what price range they are in so I know what to offer.[/list]

I agree with indydebi--the first question needs to be "what's your budget and how many people do you need to feed?" If the customer first asks, how much for a cake to feed X, then give them a price range--depending on specifics, my cakes run $2.00 to$10/serving.

I often mention price early in the conversation. I don't want to waste my time, or theirs, and I also don't want to haggle later on after they think they've got ME on the hook for the cake (because I've already invested time and energy discussing design, etc.).

Rae

I experienced a similar incident early in my decorating days, and now, as indydebi states, before the customer can get into the details, I ask "how many servings do you need" and I tell them a price per serving right off the bat! Really helps to reel the customer in or down a different path, if necessary, for theirbudget!

Even my husband laughed when I told him this! This lady is CRAZY!!!!!! You can't even get cake that cheap at Costco. Who in their right mind would think a wedding cake would be $20. Even if you are being really cheap and on a budget you would at least do $30 HA!

wait? she contacted you yesterday for a custom, tiered, themed cake she wants for tomorrow for $20!!!!!!!!!!!!! And took up hours of your time just deciding what she wanted??????

Do NOT feel bad, sad or anything. She's not a customer you want anyway, she doesn't value the work that goes into custom cakes anyway, so FORGET her! LOL

Then you give them a price range like Blakescakes says - 'It'll be anywhere from $2-$10 per serving (or whatever), depending upon the kind of cake you want and the design details. I also have a $40 minimum order, it's just not worth the effort to turn the oven on for anything less - afterall a 6in highly decorated cake can take longer to do than a simple 12in, so you have to have a range to allow for that IMO. I have that on my website's pricing page, just so they know not to waste my time if they are looking for a $30 cake!

The phone slapper needs to be invented. You know, a phone that you can reach your hand in and smack the ninny on the forehead. Maybe it would put some common sense into her head.

I agree, as I'm sure everyone who has ever made a tiered cake, that this woman is absolutely ignorant of what work goes into your creation. When I encounter a customer who feels that my price is too expensive, I try to give them an estimate of the hours that will be spent making the cake, delivering the cake, and setting up the cake. I assume they are intelligent enough to understand that materials cost also. Most of the time when they realize that I spend anywhere from 4 to 24 hours making their dream cake, they understand the cost issue a little better. That breaks it down, if you will, to a more "by the hour" cost, which people can relate to a little more I guess. Most customers have no idea that creating a large cake takes a LOT of time and effort. They think they are only paying for the cake, not the work that goes into creating it. If they still feel I am asking too much, then I chalk it up to this....if they pitch such a fit for the cost that I KNOW is reasonable, they'll pitch a fit about everything relating to the cake. I don't want to deal with a BRIDEZILLA, or a CAKEZILLA for that matter! I'm better off to just pass this customer by and let them order a generic cake....they will definitely GET WHAT THEY PAY FOR!

Suzian
www.suzianscakes.com

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. This has definitely been a learning experience! Hopefully I will be able to avoid conversations like these in the future.

Way to go! Kudos for offering her the number of the store.

Now, about that price per serving - I do not know where you are, or what your market would bear, but where I live, in Southeastern PA, the price would be a minimum of $4.50 per serving for a fondant covered cake, plus the cost of decorations. You may be under-pricing yourself. Especially with fondant-covered cakes, there is no reason why you should have to absorb the added cost of that cake, just to make a few dollars.
Heck, I use SatinIce, and even at what I pay per pound, buying directly from SatinIce, there is no way that $60 would do anything but cover my expenses.


Theresa

Around Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, Stroudsburg, I would start at $4.00, especially if nobody else around you is offering that type of cake. You have a lot of NY'ers moving in up that way, and they would think that $$.00 is a bargain. You can always start at $4, then negotiate to $3.50, if you are more comfortable with that price. Why start at $3.50 and have them try to negotiate you down from there?

Basic BC iced cakes from an independent baker are starting at $2.50 for wedding-sized servings down here.

You can PM me if you want to talk further.

Theresa

reading this forum has opened my eyes to some possible penny pinchers. thank you for starting this. i think everyone starting a business should be aware of people who want things for free, or at a minimum, yard sale price . i agree that it is a good idea to start the conversation with cost per serving. i think you did a great job handling that situation. if it makes you feel any better, i had my neighbor come over yesterday and tell me that her children were raving about the dog cake i made. she said she couldn't figure out why they were going on and on about me cause i didn't even have a job!!!! my simple reply was that a stay-at-home mom is the toughest full time job i'll ever love.

the women was obviously jeolous that her kids loved your cake. As for the comment i am amazed at some of the things that come out of peoples mouths. It is a blessing to be able to stay home with your kids

Hey, Armywife1, welcome to the forum!

About those "possible pennypinchers". Trust me, from what I have seen and heard, they are not just a possibility, they are a virus, and are spreading like crazy.

I bake and decorate a heckuva cake, so much so that I am often asked to bake for money. I use French Buttercreme icing, which is very expensive to make. Although I do not normally sell cakes, I do give quotes once in a while. Many people think that they can get my cake for the same price as a supermarket bakery. Not so, and even though I explain to them why, they do not want to hear about it. I do not feel that I should absorb the added cost of ingredients just because they want my cake at a bargain price. Yes, it would get my name out there and help me build a reputation for quality, but it is not worth the work if I cannot profit from it. Furthermore, with what two supermarkets in my area charge for custom cakes, I would end up taking a loss on my product, which is definitely not worth it to me. Your price is an important part of your reputation, and I would prefer to not sell a cake than to be known as someone who can be suckered into negotiating.

Theresa

When i'm on the craigslist website, I am looking for bargains. Isn't the fact that you advertised your business on that sight suggests you are open to bargaining? I think the lady probably knew better about the price of the cake that she wants, but probably figured if you advertising on craigslist, you must not be expensive. Well, she had to try it. right?

Why would you advertise on craigslist anyways? Just curious.

When i'm on the craigslist website, I am looking for bargains. Isn't the fact that you advertised your business on that sight suggests you are open to bargaining? I think the lady probably knew better about the price of the cake that she wants, but probably figured if you advertising on craigslist, you must not be expensive. Well, she had to try it. right?

Why would you advertise on craigslist anyways? Just curious.

what kills me about this thread is the cost of serving. If you were to order a piece of cake at a resturaunt, it would cost you between 4-5 dollars.

I had a woman call me the other day and want a cake that feeds 50 for $30. I was like... um... and she said that she would advertise for me if I would do it, you know, pass out cards. She said she would tell everyone that the cake cost $100, and I could write it off on my taxes. She is a member of my x church, so I think she thinks she has that right.

I have the hardest time telling people that I know...no. I don't want to be mean or anything, but really. With strangers, I have no problem explaining about the cost of cake, time, ect.

Why do they think that because you are a "friend" you should do it for nothing??? Again... I wouldn't go to a "friend" hairdresser and expect my hair to be done for free or "at cost" SERIOUSLY!!