Just yesterday...I had an inquiry about a 4 tiered fondant covered wedding cake with huge peacock feathers to serve 150 guests with the venue an hour away...I quoted a conservative $300 because she's a friend of a friend....She told me she about "spit up!" over that price! She's getting her aunt to do it for her. The aunt's not a professional or even a hobby baker. Good luck! Smile
Of course the customer's budget was unrealistic, but there's no need to call them names or laugh at them. We've all underestimated the price of a product or service at least once in our lives, that's should be an opportunity to educate instead of ridicule.
Nope, I'll continue to call anyone who wants an elaborate cake like that for $50 dumb. Because that's dumb.
You know, I have to agree that you would be crazy to give her the cake at that price, BUT! I have to admit that I really think people actually do not know how much this costs - especially if they haven't planned a wedding recently and never ordered a custom cake. All some people know is that a cake from [insert grocery store here] costs $20. Add a little extra for a design or a shape, right? And you get $50.
I agree that the cake shows should tell how much the cakes cost, and how much time is spent - people are watching those shows and in, what, 30 minutes? They have a massive masterpiece. Truth is, it took WAY longer than 30 minutes and the costs are unbelievable!
Anyway, yes, you would think a bride has seen in a magazine or a website to allot xx/serving for a cake or that somoene who wants a custom cake would visit a few websites and note prices but some don't. I bet (most of the time) they are embarassed when we tell them the price and it's very different from what they thought. I bet there are only a few who actually think they are "entitled" to get a castle on a gold platter for $15.
I'm sorry, but I can no longer go with the "General public just doesn't know pricing". Google is an amazing thing and people can not convince me with all the cake shows, that they haven' googled Ace of Cakes or Buddy's site at least once and saw the starting prices. And I know I am no math wizard, but even before I started selling cakes, if I went to a custom cake person's site and saw that they said their starting price was $5 a per serving, I knew "starting" meant it could go higher and how to multiply $5 times a 100, and that it didn't come out to $50!
I'm sorry, but I can no longer go with the "General public just doesn't know pricing". Google is an amazing thing and people can not convince me with all the cake shows, that they haven' googled Ace of Cakes or Buddy's site at least once and saw the starting prices. And I know I am no math wizard, but even before I started selling cakes, if I went to a custom cake person's site and saw that they said their starting price was $5 a per serving, I knew "starting" meant it could go higher and how to multiply $5 times a 100, and that it didn't come out to $50!
That's right...and I've had brides come to me with pictures from magazines, and they've ripped off the part where it lists the price of it. Like I wouldn't notice, and like I don't know that it said the cake in the picture was $12 a serving.
Nope, I'll continue to call anyone who wants an elaborate cake like that for $50 dumb. Because that's dumb.
Not as dumb as disrespecting potential customers. 
I do agree that your example where the customer removed the price from a picture is somewhat egregious, but I prefer to think that the issue is usually lack of information rather than malice.
Nope, I'll continue to call anyone who wants an elaborate cake like that for $50 dumb. Because that's dumb.
Not as dumb as disrespecting potential customers.
I do agree that your example where the customer removed the price from a picture is somewhat egregious, but I prefer to think that the issue is usually lack of information rather than malice.
Nobody said anything about malice, but don't think that people don't know how much things cost these days. They do. And someone who wants to pay $50 for a cake like the OP described isn't a potential customer of mine, I'd be referring them to the grocery store.
And someone who wants to pay $50 for a cake like the OP described isn't a potential customer of mine, I'd be referring them to the grocery store.
You'd be surprised. We've had several occasions where a potential customer asking for a complex cake with a low budget becomes an actual customer, ordering a much simpler cake for a more reasonable price (sometimes higher than their initial budget!). If the customer insists on sticking to their budget without compromising on the cake, that's when I direct them to Costco.
don't think that people don't know how much things cost these days. They do.
Some do, some don't. I tend to give the customer the benefit of the doubt and assume they haven't researched pricing unless they give a reason to think otherwise. I also don't hold it against the customer if they try to negotiate, in some cultures haggling over price is an integral part of the transaction.
The cake show Fabulous cakes, where they go to several cake shops during the show and show there orders.... vegas, south carolina... california... and show the order and WHAT THEY CHARGED FOR THEM and then the finished products.. all big... I wish more people would watch this show....
The cake show Fabulous cakes, where they go to several cake shops during the show and show there orders.... vegas, south carolina... california... and show the order and WHAT THEY CHARGED FOR THEM and then the finished products.. all big... I wish more people would watch this show....
Amen to this!! 
And someone who wants to pay $50 for a cake like the OP described isn't a potential customer of mine, I'd be referring them to the grocery store.
You'd be surprised.
.
I've read this forum and been in business long enough to not be surprised by anything anymore.
You can't lump all customers into one category .It takes all kinds to make the world go round .
JMO .The notion that a custom cake made by a home baker is cheap .Is due to back in the day when everyone was using the 2D wilton character pans and a box or two of cake mix that cost 59¢.I remember someone selling them for $8 and I remember the Barbie cakes being about $12.
. If a customer actually has no idea there is no reason to be a snob to them . They may settle on something else from you.
[. . . . I also don't hold it against the customer if they try to negotiate, in some cultures haggling over price is an integral part of the transaction.[/quote]
Granted. But, generally speaking, not here. When you go into a grocery store, you don't expect to haggle over the price of a loaf of bread. In our culture, the seller sets the price and you can either pay it or go elsewhere.
My pig cake lady called back today and wanted to discuss the final budget. Honestly, I haven't returned the call yet, as I am still trying to draw up a plan on this. Glad someone mentioned about not using bacon in their business, because I just haven't checked on that. Didn't even occur to me that I may not be able to this.
Well I have been thinking about this thread as well as many others like it. I decided many of us complain about uninformed and underinformed potential clients; as well as those who want the spectacular show cakes from TV for little to no money. So instead perpetuating the venting we do here, although I probably still will , I am going to make it my 2012 resolution to not undervalue myself AND to educate the under-informed. I am starting simple with cake dimensions, number of servings per cake and serving sizes. I guess from there I will go into frosting cakes, then decorating, then teach about the time and skill involved in carving.
I want to thank someone on here that posted a graphics file regarding cake serving sizes. I can't find the thread now, but she made some neat little patterns to cut and fold. Here is what I did with them, and am posting them on my site.
When you go into a grocery store, you don't expect to haggle over the price of a loaf of bread. In our culture, the seller sets the price and you can either pay it or go elsewhere.
As a consumer I routinely negotiate prices when dealing with small businesses, sometimes I get a lower price and sometimes I don't. I've actually successfully negotiated for bread at a farmer's market before.
Alexsmommee, I was planning something similar! Would like to take photos of the whole process of cake making - making fondant, baking, making BC, torting, filling....................................... put them on my website with exact amount of time it took under every photo and the total time, name it 'How your cake is made' and dedicate one page of the website to clients' education. I still have people calling on Wednesday asking for the cake for Friday. 
I did a series on why you shouldn't DIY your wedding cake once...I link to it on my website and it gets a lot of views, so I hope that it makes some brides think about whether they really want to take that on.
Panel7124, Education is the way to go!! I like your idea.
I think it would be fun to go and set-up at a bridal fair, or something like it, not to promote cakes but just an educational center regarding cakes. I know that's typically the job of the baker, but if the public already knew a lot of basics, sure would save a lot of time for the baker/designer.
I know lots of business don't want their expenses shared, but it would be nice to show the cost of the tools, materials, and labor that can go into "one little ole cake". Maybe it would be enlightening to more than just a few.
I joke that I can't afford my own cakes! And mine really aren't that high....
Google is an amazing thing and people can not convince me with all the cake shows, that they haven' googled Ace of Cakes or Buddy's site at least once and saw the starting prices.
I had never thought to check these sites for their prices, but I just did, for fun. First thing I saw on the Charm City Cakes home page was cakes for two for $250. And sculptured cakes start at $1000. They did mention Cake Central as a resource.
I'm so glad I just do this as a hobby, I'd hate to deal with customers.
Google is an amazing thing and people can not convince me with all the cake shows, that they haven' googled Ace of Cakes or Buddy's site at least once and saw the starting prices.
I had never thought to check these sites for their prices, but I just did, for fun. First thing I saw on the Charm City Cakes home page was cakes for two for $250. And sculptured cakes start at $1000. They did mention Cake Central as a resource.
I'm so glad I just do this as a hobby, I'd hate to deal with customers.
But that's my point, you just checked for fun and you still saw the prices. I know lots of people just check random sites for whatever reason and get inofrmation they weren't even looking for. And that's really what I meant, just looking at sites and seeing prices. You should check Toba Garrett's site and her lovely price list. 
Google is an amazing thing and people can not convince me with all the cake shows, that they haven' googled Ace of Cakes or Buddy's site at least once and saw the starting prices.
I had never thought to check these sites for their prices, but I just did, for fun. First thing I saw on the Charm City Cakes home page was cakes for two for $250. And sculptured cakes start at $1000. They did mention Cake Central as a resource.
I'm so glad I just do this as a hobby, I'd hate to deal with customers.
But that's my point, you just checked for fun and you still saw the prices. I know lots of people just check random sites for whatever reason and get inofrmation they weren't even looking for. And that's really what I meant, just looking at sites and seeing prices. You should check Toba Garrett's site and her lovely price list.
Holy @#*&^@*!!!!!! http://www.tobagarrett.com/cakes.html
Yes BUT, in her defense she does do a lot of bridgework and stuff that I would charge a zillion dollars an hour to do, if I could do it. LOL
They would have to be some mighty good neighbours. $250 per cookie? Or for 6? Either way, that cookie better leave me wanting a cigarette afterwards. And I don't smoke.
Good grief! That's expensive!! When I win the lottery, I'm going to have Toba Garrett make me a celebration cake!
They would have to be some mighty good neighbours. $250 per cookie? Or for 6? Either way, that cookie better leave me wanting a cigarette afterwards. And I don't smoke.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
They would have to be some mighty good neighbours. $250 per cookie? Or for 6? Either way, that cookie better leave me wanting a cigarette afterwards. And I don't smoke.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Couldn't have said it better myself!
Ok, I didn't even pay attention to the cookie prices. That is just whack. 
Reading this post and your comment of how they came up with that (rediculous!) budget - reminds me of a really great blog I read last night. A must read for all cake decorators!
http://staceyssweetshop.blogspot.com/2011/08/howd-you-arrive-at-that-number.html
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