How Much Would You Charge For This Cake?

Decorating By Faithbound Updated 3 Jun 2013 , 1:00am by AZCouture

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Faithbound Posted 27 Jun 2010 , 11:17pm
post #1 of 48

I need to know how much to charge for a cake with the following details:

-The cake will be two square tiers
-Both tears will be marble cake with buttercream icing
-Bottom tier is 12 inch square
-Top tier is 10 inch square
-Design is peace signs, psychadelic design

I was thinking $75.00 but the person doesn't want to pay that much. They want it by July 3rd as it is. I calculated ingredients, electricity, etc. and that alone is around $45-50. I don't want to make a cake that extravagent without making some type of profit. Any of your thoughts are extremely appreciated! Thanks!

47 replies
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cakeville82 Posted 27 Jun 2010 , 11:29pm
post #2 of 48

$332.00

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MadeYaLook Posted 27 Jun 2010 , 11:43pm
post #3 of 48

By my calculations, and I am very new to this, but as far as I can tell that cake is 78 servings at 2.50 a serving = 198.00

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dreamcakesmom Posted 27 Jun 2010 , 11:55pm
post #4 of 48

Not sure where you are located but for 2 square tiers that would serve 100 people and my buttercream prices for a tiered cake I would be charging 2.50 per serving so a total of $250.

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anasazi17 Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:04am
post #5 of 48

I would charge in the neighborhood of $400...I think $75 is a darn good steal. If your ingredients/materials are $50, The left over $25 wouldn't even pay for your time.

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tsal Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:04am
post #6 of 48

I'm not in business but have spent enough time on CC to tell you that $75 is WAY too low!!! Think about it like this: if it will cost you $45 in materials, what about your time? We all know that a custom cake is not whipped up in a half hour.

It is not worth it for you to charge $75 for this cake. You are making enough for 100 people, right? Even at $2/serving, you should be charging $200 at least.

Your time and effort are worth more than $75. Really.

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ptanyer Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:06am
post #7 of 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faithbound

I I was thinking $75.00 but the person doesn't want to pay that much. They want it by July 3rd as it is. I calculated ingredients, electricity, etc. and that alone is around $45-50. I don't want to make a cake that extravagent without making some type of profit. Any of your thoughts are extremely appreciated! Thanks!




Is this person related to you or a friend? If you make a cake and only charge them $75.00 for what they want, you will be making so little money that you will hate yourself by the time you finish the cake. She can't get that kind of cake at Walmart or a grocery store, and yet she wants you to make a custom designed cake for less than $75.00 icon_surprised.gif

I learned that I have to set prices for my work and they either want it and pay for it, or they go somewhere else. I work full-time and do cakes at nights and weekends, and therefore can be choosy about what jobs I take. I decorate because I enjoy it so much and I wanted to be able to give my family the kinds of cake I couldn't afford to buy. Your time and effort is worth a whole lot more than what they "want" to pay. I "want" things too, but no one is going to give them to me.

Think long and hard about what you decide to charge and stick to your guns about the prices you charge. You will not be sorry in the long run.

To answer your question, I would charge $300.00 to $350.00.
.
Hope that helps icon_smile.gif

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ApplePomme Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:11am
post #8 of 48

I bake out of home and live in a small town, so I had a higher number in my head before I even read that you quoted $75. I would say that if you're happy to do the cake for $75 (as a home baker, I would guess?), then stick to that number. They're not going to find a cake anywhere else for the price you're quoting them and if they don't want to pay the nominal fee you're charging, they can hit the road!

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Eisskween Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:31am
post #9 of 48

You're low balling yourself. At least $1.50 per serving and that would even be low. Small town or not, it's a custom cake. Tell them to call the bakery and see what they would charge. My guess would be a heck of a lot more.

Edited for typo.

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milmil95 Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:32am
post #10 of 48

$75?? Really?? Unless your running a cake chairity you are way under charging! The only time I ever priced anything like your're decribing that low was when I was trying to give a family memeber a cake for free, and she insisted on paying for the materials.

If you are going to do this as a business and receive money for your cakes, then treat it as such when pricing. If someone comes to you and says "Oh, I can only pay $50" and lay on you a design that is more in the range of $200, tell them flat out what the charge is for the design they want.
Then show them what their price range will get them.

Price your cakes accordingly. If they can only afford a cake from a supermarket then that's what they can afford. Most people however can afford more - they just don't want to.

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aundrea Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:36am
post #11 of 48

i usually dont reply to 'how much do i charge for this cake' posts because i dont charge for my cakes and really have no idea how to price cakes.
but the quote that struck me was 'they dont want to pay that much'. really, seriously-they dont want pay that much for a cake?! then i would say- 'i dont want do a cake for that little' i just dont get how some people can pick and choose prices on a custom made quality cake.
i dont think 75.00 is nearly enough for your time and energy. but thats only my opinion. i hope you get what your custom cake is worth.
unless this is a gift for someone then please charge accordingly. i think you will feel much better when you deliver the cake.
good luck! i hope everything works out for you.

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ksmith1012 Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:42am
post #12 of 48

Yea I would also charge $400. $75 is a steal.

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Eisskween Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:44am
post #13 of 48

Holy mackeral! I just re-read and it's due for July 3? I wouldn't even accept the order, much less have the customer turn down such a generous price. I charge a rush fee on top of the cake price. You need to rethink this. If word gets out, you'll be innundated with calls for "cheap cakes" and losing money to boot.

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Tug Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 12:44am
post #14 of 48

My base price starts at $75 and goes upwards. Even if it's a small cake, 15-20 servings, etc. base price still starts at $75. I've finally learned that it's not worth my time for anything less.

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pmarks0 Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 1:04am
post #15 of 48

$75??? I'd be charging in the $175 range. You need to look at it as a per piece pricing model plus you're decorating it. It's not just to tiers with buttercream, you've got a design to put on it. I don't do anything for less than $75, it's just not worth it, and that is for smaller party type cakes, like 8", 10", 9X13" with basic piping or a FBCT that isn't too complicated. You need to make sure you pay yourself first. If you let her pay you this, you'll never be able raise your price for future cakes for her, or anyone she tells to order from you, because I'm sure she knows you're way under priced and she's trying to see what she can get away with.

I wonder what she would say if you said "I'm sorry, that price was for a cake with the peace signs....a two tiered cake would be $200".

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PiccoloChellie Posted 28 Jun 2010 , 2:37am
post #16 of 48

$350 minimum. If the peace signs and "psychedelic" designs are fondant or gumpaste, $400 minimum.

Why would you even consider doing this for $75?

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DH2008 Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 1:09am
post #17 of 48

Absolute bottom dollar price for 78 serving 2 tiered I would do for 160.00. And she wants it in a few days? I wish people that want to pay cheap prices would go to cheap grocery store bakeries and not waste our time. icon_twisted.gif

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veghed Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 5:14pm
post #18 of 48

I don't know anything about cake pricing, but, as a former manicurist, I know a lot about people who attempt to make you feel guilty about what you charge. The people who low ball you will never be a good customer. Ever.

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tinygoose Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 5:37pm
post #19 of 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faithbound

I need to know how much to charge for a cake with the following details:

-The cake will be two square tiers
-Both tears will be marble cake with buttercream icing
-Bottom tier is 12 inch square
-Top tier is 10 inch square
-Design is peace signs, psychadelic design

I was thinking $75.00 but the person doesn't want to pay that much. They want it by July 3rd as it is. I calculated ingredients, electricity, etc. and that alone is around $45-50. I don't want to make a cake that extravagent without making some type of profit. Any of your thoughts are extremely appreciated! Thanks!




Seriously? I'd be in the $400 range as well. "The person doesn't want to pay that much"....lol...ok, Costcos number is XXX-XXXX. Even if you are thinking you just want to do the cake for the experience, I'd rather do it for charity (who will really appreciate it) than some cheapie who thinks they are getting robbed at $75.....Wow, you can't say NO fast enough to that one.

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Katiebelle74 Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 5:38pm
post #20 of 48

by my calculations that would serve 75
sheet cakes start at 2.50
tiered cakes start at 3.50
marble cake I charge more for at least 3.75 x 75 = $281.25
I do not make anything for 1.00 a serving, for that matter if you do the math Wal-mart does not even do anything for 1.00 per serving!!!!!!

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JaimeAnn Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 10:07pm
post #21 of 48

I am sorry but I have to disagree with the servings ........

A 12" square is 72 sevings
A 10" square is 50 servings

That equals 122 servings.

My price for Buttercream with decor would be $3.50 per serving = $427

Even at a lowball price of $2 per serving it would be $244.

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tavyheather Posted 29 Jun 2010 , 10:26pm
post #22 of 48

I am not accusing you at all, but I'm starting to get suspicious...

Has there ever been people creating accounts to try and get a price estimate from decorators? Maybe market research or maybe spies from a large company to try and undercut their prices?

seriously I am not a paranoid schizo...promise icon_wink.gif

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Faithbound Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 3:33am
post #23 of 48

I just make cakes because I enjoy it. I have had my account on here awhile. To the one who said I may have created my account to get prices, no I did not. I created it so that I could look at other people's cakes, read the forums, and learn more about what I love. When I looked it up online the size cake I am doing on average went for $275. So, I felt guilty for doing it for $75, and wanted to know other's opinions. Thanks to all who replied. I don't think she wants it. She never called back.

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mbark Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 3:53am
post #24 of 48

better for you. More than once I have under-quoted & end up annoyed at the whole process because I'm not making that much. I think there are some people who are really into Ace of Cakes etc but totally don't understand how much work & money goes into making cakes like that. For some, they will pay a decent price as they want the awesome product. Others are ok with a home-made or walmart cake & that's ok with me too.

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Faithbound Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 5:00am
post #25 of 48

I guess I am not as confident with my work as others say I should be. I started out for fun, and then everyone thought I was good. They started wanting me to make more and more cakes. I have a friend who was estatic over the baby rump cake I did, and wants a pregnant belly in October. Yet, she only paid me $30 for the rump cake...sigh. They always want it free or cheap when they know me, and I feel bad if I say no. They want me to 'give them a deal', etc. I haven't made decent money on a cake yet!

My mother often nags me saying I shouldn't charge more because you can get them at walmart and sams so much cheaper. So, I told her next time she can to walmart or sams.

My nephew's b-day party that is exactly where they got the cake. My mom complained because the frosting from the walmart cake wasn't as good as mine, and she said I had spoiled her. Well, hello...you said walmart was just as good as me when it came to pricing...lol.

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Katiebelle74 Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 5:07am
post #26 of 48

ah I forgot we were talking about a square cake, by the chart I use that is 100 servings.... so minimum $375.00 not including fondant or intricate designs

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dropofessence Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 5:50am
post #27 of 48

I am having the same problem, I started out just for fun. But now I am soooooo into it, I really enjoy what I do, 1 cake takes me @ least 4 hrs to do. My biggest problem is I don't know how to charge people. I tell them $100 and they are ready to have a heart attack. I need HELP!!!!

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SpecialtyCakesbyKelli Posted 30 Jun 2010 , 5:56am
post #28 of 48

$350

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Faithbound Posted 1 Jul 2010 , 6:15pm
post #29 of 48

I am so tired of everyone wanting something for nothing. The same person who wanted this cake to begin with has been talking negative things about me to others. It really hurts, because I was giving her a heck of a deal at $75.00.

They think that because I do not have a bakery I should give my cakes away for free. My mother FINALLY gets it! I told her today how much cakes it takes to make a 2-tier square cake, how many batches of icing it takes, not to mention decorations! She couldn't believe it.

I called a local bakery today. They wanted $3.50 a serving for the same cake I was asked to do WITHOUT decorations. So, she would have paid $175 PLUS more for her peace sign, psychadellic accents.

She said to give her a deal? I think I gave her one heck of a deal...UGH!

Is anyone else an at home decorator who does it as a side job? How frustrating is it when your friends and family want your services for free all the time? Especially when it's the friends and family you NEVER talk to otherwise!

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Luvmyboys0609 Posted 1 Jul 2010 , 8:09pm
post #30 of 48

I am new to this and started so I could make fun cakes for my boy's birthdays but then got really into it and LOVE doing it. I have made a few cakes for holidays and birthdays for fun. Everyone loved them but now my lovely mother in law buys me 2 cake mix boxes drops them off and says I need such and such cake for this or that. Usually 3 days before she wants it done. I finally just said that I do this for fun when I have the free time. (Don't get me wrong, someday I would LOVE to do more, but right now I can't fit it in) Then also said that it costs a HECK of a lot more than buying 2 boxes of cake mix!!!!! She says "How about if I watch the boys for 2 hours when I need a cake?" Well jeez that sounds perfect doesn't it!?!? Ugh!! Stick to your guns and vent on here!! We'll back you up!!

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