Let me preface this by saying :

1- I do not bake for profit &

2- I am very new to this. ( this meaning decorating. I have been a baker for many, many years. I am enrolled in Wilton Course 2 and the final class is in 3 days)
3- Sorry if this gets lengthy, please try to stick with me.

My baking experiments usually go to my co-workers. They are grateful and always have nice things to say. Although, since switching jobs recently, I have noticed that my new coworkers have not offered to contribute financially even though my cupcake carrier has yet to go back home with any cc remains.

Please note, I am just siting a diffrence. I do not ask for, nor do I expect money. It was something that was done out of kindness and appreciation at my last job and personally, if I was consuming something a coworker brought in quite often, I would offer compensation in some way. If they did not accept money, I would bring coffee for example, in addition to writing a thank you note and find a way to reciprocate. To me, its just the right thing to do.

Anyway, this isnt actually my issue. I wasnt sure if it was related.

Today, I was approached by a co-worker who said her daughter ( whom I guess-timate is probably early to mid 20's) is having a halloween party and she had mentioned wanting cupcakes. My coworker, lets call her Susie, said my name immediately came up and she told her daughter how talented I was, how great my cc's taste, how amazing they look, etc. Quite complimentary, right?

She went on to ask if I would be interested in making cupcakes for her party, shes having about 40 people. I said I dont bake for profit, but I would think about it and see if I might be able to make it happen. Then she asks if I have an "estimate to tell her daughter".

She had described halloween-like cc's, which I had previously brought in ( theres a pic posted in my photos) and she said they would be perfect, maybe even the werewolves too because she was raving about them.
I told her, without really thinking, but feeling I was grossly underestimating myself, $2/cc.

Well......she made this over exaggerated squished face, raising her eyebrows as high as they could possibly go and said "WHAT?!?!?, did you say $2 EACH?!!?!?!? are you kidding me?!?!?!"
To be honest, I thought she was kidding at this point. Long story short, she wasnt. When I realized she wasnt, I told her I thought that was more then fair, if not a give away for all the work that goes into each individual little cake. In closing, I added that all the grocery stores have halloween themed cakes out now, she might want to have her daughter look into that.

Now, if I am approached again, I intend not to let this even get far because my response will be " thank you for your interest, but, I do not bake for profit"

What did I say/do wrong in this case? Was this not a fair price on my part?

If you made it this far, thank you already and any help to ease my conscience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Jessika

I just saw your cuppies and they are really nice. I think $2.00 is very reasonable. I bet she wouldn't have a problem for a little jello shot at the bar. lol! Don't worry she'll wish she had gotten them from you than walmart. Keep that backbone!!!

Customers who have never baked and/or custom decorated don't realize how much time and effort is involved!

I don't think $2.00 each is unreasonable for a freshly baked and custom decorated cc.

As has been said, if she wants mass produced, no options offered cupcakes for cheap - she can buy them from Wal-Mart...

HTH

You did nothing wrong. She expected something for nothing. $2 each is a very fair price considering how much time/effort goes in to custom cupcakes.

I would have probably said "Hope your face doesn't freeze like that?"

People who don't do cakes, have no idea the time, effort AND expense that goes into everything we do. Don't sweat it!

You did the right thing. I charge $3.00 for a basic cupcakes with a piped swirl of buttercream. Your cupcakes are ADORABLE and I would charge MUCH more than $2 a piece. Even if you did bake for profit, this woman wouldn't be worth your business.

I think you did the right thing. Its a very reasonable price, and I'm glad to hear her you sent her to the grocery store! lol

I agree! I'm a new decorator and I had never realized how much work,time and effort it takes to decorate. I think your cupcakes are great! Don't let those remarks bother you! You were'nt giving an affair price. I went through a similar thing with a family member. I made a two tier baby shower cake for my cousin at no charge (my gift to her). By the way it happens to be the pic I have as an avatar (pic is of top tier, botttom tier was identical minus the topper). One of my aunts asked how much that cake would cost her if she ordered it. I really didn't know how to price the cake so I gave her a undercharged estimate of $75.00 . Her reply was we'll just have to see after I taste it!! What the ......!!! How rude is that!! Do you know how numb my hand was from piping that basketweave? And how tired I was from making all those royal icing daisy's!!!!!! I'm not playing nice anymore. We all need to stick to our prices take it or leave it!! There is always the grocery store they can run to!!!

I agree That is why all my practice cakes stay home!!!

Hi Jess. Had to laugh at this. Your co-worker is lucky she doesn't live in Australia. You will pay up on average $2.00 for a bite size cupcake with just a swirl of buttercream. Your cupcakes would be about $5-6 each!!! Some people have no idea. By the way your work is lovely.

Thank you so much for responding, it means so much to me.

I admit, I was pretty upset yesterday and after reading all your comments, I feel at ease.

I also want to send a heartfelt thanks for all the compliments on my cupcakes. As I stated, I am very new to decorating and I know I am my own worst critic because sometimes all I can see are the flaws or what needs improvement.

However, I am working on this and my confidence has grown tremendously since I found CC.

Thank you again. Jessika

Just wanted to add that those werewolves are definitely worth $2.00/each and they look awesome. I just got the hello cupcake book yesterday and can't wait to make something. My kids' school is having a "harvest festival" and I'm debating on trying those fall leaves cupcakes with the acorns. They're so cool looking. They have like a little bake sale and stuff, the whole thing is like a big fundraiser for the school and of course because I work there and make cakes on the side they expect me to bring SOMETHING LOL.....like I mind, just gotta find the time


P.S. get used to people thinking you should charge less than Wal-Mart because you're not a REAL cake business UGH!! People!

When she asked "Are you kidding me?" you could have said, "No, I'm not kidding. I AM willing to give you an unbelievably discounted price like that because we're co-workers!"

It would have been fun to see how she contorted her face on THAT one!!

You're cupcakes are worth more that $2 each. She was getting a GREAT deal! You did nothing wrong...you're co-worker is just an idiot!

Ok, ok... Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. Some people have ONLY purchased baked goods from a grocery store.

If I always have my oil changed at Jiffy Lube for $19.99, I wouldn't understand why someone who does mechanics from his driveway would charge me $50. Since I don't know what's involved with an oil change, my natural assumption might be that he was trying to overcharge me.

Someone who doesn't do cake and has never paid more than $14.99 for a 1/4 sheet might understandably think you were trying to bilk her.

Regardless, she could have been a little more tactful. Don't take it personally.

you charge her very little she has no idea, I charge 2.50 for regular swirl
I think I would of charge at least 3.00 for those you did a great job
but some people do not understand that

I agree with all the postings here. You did a great job on your cupcakes. About a year ago I started my own business, but before that I did all my baking out of my home and used my coworkers and my husbands coworkers as my critics. About a year ago I decided to start selling my products. I made several things around Thanksgiving (goody bags with candies) and took to work to sell (just to see if anyone would like them). And everyone OUTSIDE my dept loved them and brought almost everything I had but my coworkers NEVER brought the first bag. It wasn't until I had just one or two bags left, I told them they could have them and they were on them like a dog on a bone! Up until then no one want anything. I never took anything back to work, not to my own dept any way. People can be so ungrateful.

I know how you would feel. I've quoted a couple of people that I start charging my cupcakes at 1.50 and UP depending on what they want done. They never called me back. It does make you start second quessing yourself. But I will stand firm. Hope you do to!

Customer: "You want HOW much for cupcakes??"

My response: "You want Wal-Mart, go to Wal-Mart."

Let me start by saying that your cupcakes are definitely worth the price, they are adorable!

But in defense of your co-worker.....you said you don't make them for profit. It doesn't cost $80 to make 40 cupcakes. So there is compensation built in for your time and effort. When i tell someone I don't do it for profit, i only take the amount for the supplies. My compensation is the practice. So I can see where she may have been surprised. However, she could have been more tactful!

I think they think because their your coworkers that makes them intitled to something for free. Family is like that too. I had the same problem when I worked full time in an office. I would bring stuff in all the time and they couldnt stuff their faces fast enough. As soon as I started selling them, not one of them would buy anything from me. And same goes for my neighbor. I gave her daughter inlaw a cake to feed 70 people, PLUS 50 cookie favors that I hand decorated, added a personal poem on each with the babys name on it AND gave her my changing table I wasnt using anymore. Did I get a thank you card? Nope. When he turned 1 in August did I get the order? Nope.
Not everyone out there thinks the same way we do. Being polite is a thing of the past Im afraid.
Even if your not in business, being compensated for not just your time but your ingredients is a must. If she wanted custom cupcakes she would of paid double that at a regular bakery. If she wants something that is off the shelf then let her buy that. You shouldnt comprimise your talent and time for someone like that. You gave her the right answer and if they pass, they pass. Less work for you! If you would of given into her and gave her a even less price that barely covered your costs then she would expect that amount all the time and use you and really, you dont need people like that in your life! (sorry so long winded! But people like that burn my ...well you know!)

I took all the Wilton classes, and all my cakes, cupcakes etc. went to work. It never in a million years would have occured to me to be upset that no one offered to compensate me in anyway. That's ridiculous. They didn't ask me to bring the stuff in, honestly, THEY were doing me a favor by eating up this stuff so it didn't go to waste.

As for the coworker's reaction - you were not in the wrong. $2 a cupcake is EXTEREMELY reasonable, especially for custom decorated ones.

I had a coworker ask me to make her a cake once for her anniversary, and I asked her what her budget was before even quoting a price. She said $20. I told her she'd be better off making her own for that much, because once I factored in my ingredients, my time, my skill, etc, $20 wasn't going to get her much. She was like, well, since you put it THAT way, I guess you're right!

I never told her what I would have charged, and therefore, she never had a chance to offend me, LOL!

I read on here that you can't buy a Mercedes on a Hyundai budget. This is my new favorite quote! Seriously, next time, just say,"Well, you know, you can't buy a Mercedes on a Hyundai budget! You know, there's always Walmart!" and give her your most WINNING smile.

Cheapskate, I just looked at your cupcakes and even the all the different colours takes time to make up. She thought you were a soft touch.....

Don't be feeling bad you don't want to work for someone who would talk down to you like that.

Your cupcakes are really good, I love the werewolves, might be stealing your idea there myself this Halloween.

You did the right thing....

Just another example of people with the attitude they can get something for nothing....chalk it up up stupid people experience and move on...

Your cuppies are great!!!!

I must second king's comments. The only way you can get a cupcake for $2 here in Australia is if a very good friend is doing you a special favour or you are baking them yourself. Remember that the ingredients are not the only cost too. There is electricity, water, paper towels, baking paper, plastic wrap, foil, dishwashing liquid etc.

http://www.planetcake.com.au/couturecakes/wedding.php --> Take a look this site to get some idea of how much a professional shop in Sydney will charge.

You did the right thing and you should never feel guilty about wanting to be compensated for your efforts.

First your cupcakes look Great! I really like the monster ones, the kids would love them at school.

Second, I know how you feel. I was asked to make a cake for our Financial Directors Retirement Party. Since he is an avid hunter I decided on a 3D deer head cake (carved from 2 12x18 sheet cakes). I asked $65 (yes only $65) since he's my boss's boss I thought it would also be my gift to him. Then the lady that took over planning the party didn't want to pay that much. I was furious but not because she didn't want to pay me, I couldn't believe she didn't feel he was worthy of a nice cake. I decided to do it anyways as my gift to him but I'm not bringing a dish to pass at the potluck. She's going to call around to see what others would charge for a regular sheet cake and pay me that much. Some people just don't get it.

You're cuppies are great and I know how much work goes into them! I did easter egg cuppies for someome once and each one was different...took me forever! I never thought it would be a late nighter on that order, but it was. $2/cc is very fair!

Words, as usual with this kind of idiot encounter, fail me!