I post my prices as "butter cream Starting at 3.00/ serving" Fondant starting... sculpted starting...etc
I know for myself if prices aren't posted somewhere I look for another web site. I know that great Christopher Garren post his too "70.00 an hour" I put "starting" so peeps are aware that this would be a rather plainly decorated cake. hth
The plus side of advertising your prices is that you will weed out a bunch of people who aren't willing to pay any price above Walmart's and you don't have to deal with them.
Your competition will see them too...but they always have ways of finding out costs, so really what difference does it make? I say go for it!
From a consumer stand point, I find it beneficial to work with someone who is up front about their base pricing. I prefer websites to include:
1. Base price per serving for standard, iced cake
2. Base price per serving for fondant covered cake
3. Base price per for anything else you sell: cupcakes, cake balls, cookies, etc.
3. A cake size (8", 10", 12", 14", etc) vs. serving size comparison with a few accompanying price points to get an idea of cost as well as look. This could be done for your base, iced cake from 25 servings to 100+ servings with a note to call for larger events.
4. A list of additional cost items: gumpaste flowers, stenciling, molded figures, etc., without price information, just to give an idea of your range, and to clarify that these are additional and not included.
I'm a planner by nature and I thrive on convenience. Being able to easily get a general idea of my costs makes it easy for me to make a purchase. I dont think you should be afraid to show your pricing. In addition, it saves you time from talking to people who aren't interested in paying your base prices and if your pricing is lower than a competitor, it likely makes you a shoe-in for that particular order. If your pricing is right on point for the area, your skill is what should set you apart from your competitors.
Party cakes make up most of our business, and since people are used to buying those types of cakes for a flat price instead per serving we post the starting prices for different sizes of party cakes (custom decorations and premium fillings are extra).
On our wedding cakes page we don't list prices, but if a customer asks I'll give them our typical price range per serving ($5-7+ or $6-8+ gluten-free).
I post starting prices. I don't charge less for bc only, I spend more time on those getting them razor sharp and smooth, so they certainly aren't going to cost less.
In addition to listing my starting prices for cakes, I have my website gallery pictures labeled with sizes of the cakes, number of servings, cost per slice, and total cost of the cake.
Like Carmijok said, I don't have to spend so much time nursing the sticker shock of those wanting Walmart and grocery store prices.
I'm one of those super upfront people when it comes to pricing, and I get a lot of positive feedback about it.
I have all pricing listed on my website, and I also go so far as to label all my wedding photos with servings, icing used and cost. When a bride comes in to meet with me, I almost NEVER have sticker shock.
Celebration prices are "starting at" for all specialty items, and I don't list those prices simply because serving needs can vary so much.
Same as brenda and jenmat. All pictures have number of servings, price per serving, and total cost. People appreciate not having to do the "price game"... similar to the way cars used to be sold. People don't like to feel stupid or uninformed, and they don't like for people to waste their time. Just as we would not appreciate it in another industry.
Hi there.. I noticed your comment talking about how you post all the info on pictures of your cakes on your website.. cost per serving, size, total cost. Just wondering how that is working out for you? I've considered doing the same because I have so many questions from people wondering how I do my pricing and how much their cake will be. Thanks!
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