What Is It People Really Are Thinking?

Business By kkitchen Updated 24 Jan 2009 , 7:18pm by avgsuperheroine

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kkitchen Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 8:27pm
post #1 of 24

I did a Bday cake for a small party the other day, charged the lady $50.00 for an 8" and 6" tier cake with filling. I had to make pastel flowers out of gumpaste and it was iced with buttercream. Now her friend of hers is calling me and asking how much will I charge to make a 2 tier filled cake, same design that is 8" and 10" rounds. I tell her $60.00 she is telling me that my prices are too high.
I tell her that is fine with me if you feel that way. Then she asks me - can she call me if she don't get a better deal? I told her NO!
Are these people crazy?

Trina

23 replies
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costumeczar Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 8:45pm
post #2 of 24

yes, and rude, too.

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tyty Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 8:53pm
post #3 of 24

She should have jumped at that price. Maybe she wants it for free.

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__Jamie__ Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 8:54pm
post #4 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrinaR

I did a Bday cake for a small party the other day, charged the lady $50.00 for an 8" and 6" tier cake with filling. I had to make pastel flowers out of gumpaste and it was iced with buttercream. Now her friend of hers is calling me and asking how much will I charge to make a 2 tier filled cake, same design that is 8" and 10" rounds. I tell her $60.00 she is telling me that my prices are too high.
I tell her that is fine with me if you feel that way. Then she asks me - can she call me if she don't get a better deal? I told her NO!
Are these people crazy?

Trina



Do you realize that is $1 per serving?? A piece of mass produced, frozen cheesecake from Jack in The Box costs more than that! Please look compare your costs to profit now, you have got to be losing money...and besides...isn't your time worth more??

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-K8memphis Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:00pm
post #5 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie85364

Quote:
Originally Posted by TrinaR

I did a Bday cake for a small party the other day, charged the lady $50.00 for an 8" and 6" tier cake with filling. I had to make pastel flowers out of gumpaste and it was iced with buttercream. Now her friend of hers is calling me and asking how much will I charge to make a 2 tier filled cake, same design that is 8" and 10" rounds. I tell her $60.00 she is telling me that my prices are too high.
I tell her that is fine with me if you feel that way. Then she asks me - can she call me if she don't get a better deal? I told her NO!
Are these people crazy?

Trina


Do you realize that is $1 per serving?? A piece of mass produced, frozen cheesecake from Jack in The Box costs more than that! Please look compare your costs to profit now, you have got to be losing money...and besides...isn't your time worth more??




Thank you Thank you Thank you, Jamie!!

I've worn a hole in my soap box and can't get up. icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

Where's the beef?

I started to point that out & I just made myself tired.

icon_biggrin.gif

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FromScratch Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:04pm
post #6 of 24

Well it could be that she was thinking it'd be cheaper and is just going to shop around. Not that it should be cheaper.. infact quite the opposite. I'd charge $275.00 PLUS the cost for the flowers for an 8-10 round. That's 55 servings.. you are giving your work away at $60 for that much cake.

Next time you run into this problem just let them call around... sometimes they do come back when they see you aren't being unreasonable with your price. It's hard to not take it personal, but everyone can't afford a custom cake and that's okay. There will be another.

Seriously though.. think about your pricing. Right now you are just over $1/serving.. not hardly enough. icon_biggrin.gif

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cheesecakes-galore Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:07pm
post #7 of 24

I don't know what people are thinking! I have had many never respond after an inquirey, but never have I had anyone tell me I was too HIGH! I think I would have told her she could go to Walmart, and still that wouldn't have beaten your price. I would have charged a minimum of $2.25 a serving.
A little off the subject of cake decorating, I wanted to share this story about What are people thinking. My mother in law sells shoes on ebay, and she had someone ask her if she would sell 2 pair of boots for $20 total, shipping included. By the way, those particular boots she sells for $20 each and the buyer is to pay for shipping.
Anyways, when people do stuff like that, whether it is for a cake or for shoes, it is really an insult to us. And no one should have to stand for such insults.

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juleskaye518 Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:18pm
post #8 of 24

ohhhhh, I want $20 boots!

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kkitchen Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:30pm
post #9 of 24

I understand that I am underselling myself. I just got legal - had a lot of expense to make that happen and I think that if someone buy then other people will taste and want and I will gain a customer base. But, I do not want to be known as the cheap cake lady anyway. Also if someone wants a cake like on a weekday - I will charge them a bit less than loose the sale. But she was just down right ridiculous about the whole thing. Thanks for listening/ advice

Trina

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cookieman Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:48pm
post #10 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrinaR

I understand that I am underselling myself. I just got legal - had a lot of expense to make that happen and I think that if someone buy then other people will taste and want and I will gain a customer base. But, I do not want to be known as the cheap cake lady anyway. Also if someone wants a cake like on a weekday - I will charge them a bit less than loose the sale. But she was just down right ridiculous about the whole thing. Thanks for listening/ advice

Trina




Keep in mind that if you undercharge now, when you gain a customer base and start doing well and you want to raise your prices, your customer base will not be happy (not to mention all those poeple who say "I heard so-and-so got this same type of cake for a lot less). Raise those prices now! thumbs_up.gif

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__Jamie__ Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:07pm
post #11 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by cookieman

Quote:
Originally Posted by TrinaR

I understand that I am underselling myself. I just got legal - had a lot of expense to make that happen and I think that if someone buy then other people will taste and want and I will gain a customer base. But, I do not want to be known as the cheap cake lady anyway. Also if someone wants a cake like on a weekday - I will charge them a bit less than loose the sale. But she was just down right ridiculous about the whole thing. Thanks for listening/ advice

Trina



Keep in mind that if you undercharge now, when you gain a customer base and start doing well and you want to raise your prices, your customer base will not be happy (not to mention all those poeple who say "I heard so-and-so got this same type of cake for a lot less). Raise those prices now! thumbs_up.gif




Yep...so what if you lose a few? You have to make money to get a return on those investments, I know that, and it's hard. But don't let people "get used to" cheap! You'll realize soon enough, you're not getting a return on your hard work, and you'll reach "cake burnout"...and then you won't enjoy yourself.

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jibbies Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:29pm
post #12 of 24

A PP mentioned that after you gain a customer base that it is hard to raise your prices. I have found the opposite to be true. When I find it necessary to raise my prices I do it in January. I start letting my customers know that "as of January the prices will be going up". they have always responded positively. The difference may be that I don't surprise them, I give them advance notice. I also tell my brides that if they have friends that are planning on using me for their wedding cake that if they contract for their cake before January they will get the lower price.

Jibbies

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cheesecakes-galore Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:32pm
post #13 of 24

I agree with everyone else. Raise your prices now. As for myself I do offer a basic cake for those who may not be able to afford as much, but want something special. That is a 1 layer from a mix, only buttercream icing and very simply decorated. That way you won't lose those orders, they just won't get the top of the line cake. So that may be an option you would want to toss around. I know I hate to lose a sale too, but I would rather lose it than waste my time and resources.

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MBHazel Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:52pm
post #14 of 24

I think that they (the public) think if you are doing this from your home... it is just a hobby.

But, if they want a Publix, Walmart cake that is where they should call.

Don't be embarrassed to price your cakes to reflect what they are... ebilble ART.

Hazel

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mixinvixen Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:58pm
post #15 of 24

wow!!!....so in your state, the utility company and grocery stores all discount their wares because it's a weekday? hmmmm!!

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Melvira Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 11:09pm
post #16 of 24

You know, when she asked if she could come back to you, you should've donned the most chipper voice and said, "Of course! But then the price will be $75!" icon_rolleyes.gif It's fine if she doesn't want to pay that much, but to tell you your prices are too high is unforgivable. Your price being more than she WANTS TO PAY does not make your price TOO HIGH. Two totally different things! Sorry lady, no cake for you!

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peg818 Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:00am
post #17 of 24

I get told all the time that my price is too high. Frankly i don't give a damn. Of course i'm not trying to make a living at this i do more for a hobby then anything.

But i don't go to work and work for free, i'm certainly not going to give up my day/evening off to make someone a cake and not get paid for it.

And i have invited people to check around at others prices if they think i'm unreasonable.

I just had one this week that wanted 3d high heeled shoes to feed 10 or so. And when i quoted $100 she was oh no thats way to much. Of course she had already spilled the beans that no one else would touch the cake. Guess she ended up making her own.

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AllyCake90 Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:44am
post #18 of 24

People are ridiculous! You were offering her a bargain! In materials alone the cake would have cost at least $35-$40+ to make... But she can just go get a basic, bland, boring cake for less and you can make something fabulous for someone who isn't quite as impolite. icon_smile.gif

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AllyCake90 Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:47am
post #19 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melvira

You know, when she asked if she could come back to you, you should've donned the most chipper voice and said, "Of course! But then the price will be $75!" icon_rolleyes.gif It's fine if she doesn't want to pay that much, but to tell you your prices are too high is unforgivable. Your price being more than she WANTS TO PAY does not make your price TOO HIGH. Two totally different things! Sorry lady, no cake for you!




hahaha! excellent reasoning, that last part reminds me a little of Seinfeld icon_smile.gif

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chutzpah Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 6:54am
post #20 of 24

Where do you live? I hope you live near me, 'cause I want to order all cakes from you and then sell them at my normal price ( a 10-8 cake for $337). Whet a great profit for me, and with minimal work involved!

That aside, c'mon over hear and let me bitch-slap you, 'cause you need a backbone! A cake like that for $60!! Shame on you! Honey, you are undercutting all your competitors when you give you cakes away like that.... not to mention you are working for free!

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GI Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 7:46am
post #21 of 24

TrinaR - I hope you don't think we are a bunch of mean, cake people here. icon_smile.gif We aren't really. I noticed you are new (newbie) here and hope that you don't feel unwelcome.

I want to welcome you, really! icon_biggrin.gif

I think those who posted just don't wish to see yourself undersell yourself and your talent. icon_smile.gif I can see how you wish to have the business. A sugggestion would be to canvass your area for comparison of talent/cakes/prices. That can help you in your decision to set your prices that you know will hold in the market

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-K8memphis Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:14pm
post #22 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by GI

TrinaR - I hope you don't think we are a bunch of mean, cake people here. icon_smile.gif We aren't really. I noticed you are new (newbie) here and hope that you don't feel unwelcome.

I want to welcome you, really! icon_biggrin.gif

I think those who posted just don't wish to see yourself undersell yourself and your talent. icon_smile.gif I can see how you wish to have the business. A sugggestion would be to canvass your area for comparison of talent/cakes/prices. That can help you in your decision to set your prices that you know will hold in the market




No worries, Trina. We only (gently) beat up the ones we love. icon_biggrin.gif

And truly GI has some great advice as do the rest of us. You are building a shaky foundation for yourself. Since you have invested to get where you are you need to cultivate a clientelle that can help you pay off that investment and can make you a profit. (as was also discussed upthread)

Now that you are legal you can pick and choose who you do business with by the prices that you set. You want to attract people who have nice budgets for celebrations. Even the poorest of us sometimes have a nice budget (made up by other loved ones or having saved for years) with which to celebrate their child's wedding day or whatever the big day is.

And yes, we are not mean but business is not only mean it can be unforgiving so, heads up. Go for the gold, CakeBuddy.

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:50pm
post #23 of 24

Letting your customers set your standards is a dangerous game, because the race to the bottom is pretty easy to win. Setting your own standards, and living up to them, is a better way to profit.
-----Seth Godin


If you put a small value upon youself, rest assured that the world will
not raise your price. --- Unknown


If no one complains that your price is too high, then you're not charging enough. ------- CC'er Classiccakes


Some people can't afford me ... and that's perfectly ok with me! -----Indydebi

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avgsuperheroine Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 7:18pm
post #24 of 24

I know that we can't tell a lot not being there and hearing your potential customer's wording and tone, but not everyone who says your prices are too high is trying to be rude. A lot of people may not just buy a cake very often (or never have before). I know I've been at stores before and got to the check out and sort of said "gosh, really?" Sometimes it takes a while to process it.

A lot of the explainations I've read on here (such as dessert at a restaurant would cost $3+ per person) are great explainations and make a lot of sense. I think sometimes it pays to take the time to explain to your customer the amount of work that goes into a cake and that your price is fair.

Do raise your prices though, that's a lot of work for $60. You should do some research on here of what people charge and practice stating a price confidently. If people detect that you're unsure or worried about what they may say they'll assume your price is negotiable.

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