How Do I Know...

Decorating By agagnier Updated 22 Mar 2007 , 4:28pm by milal

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 1:10pm
post #1 of 30

What is the best price for this cake? My husband came home from work last night and said 2 people want a price.

The bottom cake is 7 5/8 X 10 3/4
Bananas are fondant
Sauces are cookie icing
scoops of ice cream is mini ball pan cakes covered in fondant
LL

29 replies
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ncbert Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 2:17pm
post #2 of 30

..sorry,no idea for price.....but how delicious....mmmm

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Jenteach Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 2:21pm
post #3 of 30

How many servings would you say it was? I think you should charge at least $3.50 per serving, if not more, given the amount of work you put into it. Or, if you don't want to go by servings, what about a starting price of $100. You couldn't get a cake like that at any ol' bakery, so I think at least $100.....

HTH

Jen

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 2:27pm
post #4 of 30

I would say $65 but then don't go by me, I always underprice things icon_rolleyes.gif

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 3:31pm
post #5 of 30

I'm not sure on how many it feeds the bottom layer might feed around 18-20 (it's a double layer) and the miniballs might feed 2-3 each so let's say maybe 29 people? In my head I was thinking $50 but I have no idea.

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jmt1714 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 3:39pm
post #6 of 30

if it feeds 29 people, $50 works out to $1.72 per serving, which I think is a little low.

I charge $50 for a basic buttercream cake (either a 8 or 9" round cake and/or a 9x13. Anything additional goes up from there.

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 3:55pm
post #7 of 30

WOW!! I'm really off. I might have to raise my prices
Here is what I Charge

For a basic buttercream

Round or square
6" $15
8" $20
10" $25
12" $40

Sheet Cakes
7X11 $15
double $30

9X13 $20
double $40

11X15 $30

12X18 $40

Special order cakes extra

ex..fillings, whipped frosting, fondant cake kits, etc

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reese04 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 3:58pm
post #8 of 30

Oh my...raise your prices, you are so talented!

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:00pm
post #9 of 30

Thank you soooo much for making my day!!!!

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tyty Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:04pm
post #10 of 30

I would charge per slice. What ever your price is for wedding cakes that's what I would charge.

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:06pm
post #11 of 30

I've never made a wedding cake (to scared) I've been asked many many time to make on but turned them down.

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reese04 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:08pm
post #12 of 30

If it feeds about 30 people; then at least charge $75.= $2.5 per serving

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DreamofAngels Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:11pm
post #13 of 30

That is an amazing creation!!! Original, detailed and beautiful. Do not ask for less than $100.00! Anyone would be lucky if you made their wedding cake.

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jmt1714 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:16pm
post #14 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by agagnier

WOW!! I'm really off. I might have to raise my prices
Here is what I Charge

For a basic buttercream

Round or square
6" $15
8" $20
10" $25
12" $40

Sheet Cakes
7X11 $15
double $30

9X13 $20
double $40

11X15 $30

12X18 $40

Special order cakes extra

ex..fillings, whipped frosting, fondant cake kits, etc





how are you making any money? On some of these I can't see how you can even begin to recoup your costs. How can you make ANY cake for $15 and not have it cost you money?

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:27pm
post #15 of 30

I told you I'm no good at this pricing thing. LOL

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doescakestoo Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:34pm
post #16 of 30

I thought it was a real banana split on the cake. You did a wonderful job.

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arosstx Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:35pm
post #17 of 30

Go up on your prices, please!! You only charge 5 dollars more for each 2" increase in pan size, that can be an additional 10 servings (or more depending on how you cut it). So that is only 50 cents per serving!! I think as talented as you are, I'll move to where you are, buy your cakes, and sell them myself, ha ha!! icon_smile.gif

Same thing on your sheet cakes. A 9 by 13 can serve 40, yet you charge the same for it as for an 8" round which serves 24. Something to think about...

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swingme83 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:41pm
post #18 of 30

I charge $15 for a regular iced 8" round (double layer) with plain border and icing. It only cost me $4 to make.

jmt1714: how much does it cost you to make an 8" round simple cake that you wouldnt make money on it?

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swingme83 Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:46pm
post #19 of 30

arosstx: are your 9x13 double layer? how do you get more servings out of them if they take the same amount of batter as a 8" round (double layer)

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 4:58pm
post #20 of 30

a cake mix costs me .89 cents
2lb powdered sugar $ 1.30
eggs .89 cents dozen
4 sticks butter .50 cents
3 sticks of crisco $2.20
maybe .50 for 3tbs milk and 1tsp vanilla
.99 cakeboard if bought by piece
.99 cake box

So to make a 8" cake I figure it would cost without electric and timeand making 2 batches of frosting...
$5.87

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nefgaby Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 5:07pm
post #21 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by agagnier

a cake mix costs me .89 cents
2lb powdered sugar $ 1.30
eggs .89 cents dozen
4 sticks butter .50 cents
3 sticks of crisco $2.20
maybe .50 for 3tbs milk and 1tsp vanilla
.99 cakeboard if bought by piece
.99 cake box

So to make a 8" cake I figure it would cost without electric and timeand making 2 batches of frosting...
$5.87




Just curious, where do you buy your butter?? 4 sticks for 50 cents? Even if it was 50 cents a stick, that is cheap! icon_eek.gif

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JoanneK Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 5:13pm
post #22 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by agagnier

a cake mix costs me .89 cents
2lb powdered sugar $ 1.30
eggs .89 cents dozen
4 sticks butter .50 cents
3 sticks of crisco $2.20
maybe .50 for 3tbs milk and 1tsp vanilla
.99 cakeboard if bought by piece
.99 cake box

So to make a 8" cake I figure it would cost without electric and timeand making 2 batches of frosting...
$5.87





Ok this comes to 8.26 per cake without any fee for time, electric or headaches! I think your prices are a bit low. Living in NY is not cheep. I know here in CA the prices are more then what you have listed. Please recheck your costs.

Your cake is great! I too think you should charge around $100 for it. You are really shortchanging yourself. Your work is great and you should be paid way more then your prices.

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SweetResults Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 5:15pm
post #23 of 30

I think I pay over $3.00 for 4 sticks of butter - is that a typo? And if I don't get my eggs at BJ's I have to pay about $2.50 a doz!

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cakecre8tor Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 5:20pm
post #24 of 30

You guys can go and put it all in the pricing matix that is in the cake business forum. It is a huge help - I totally modified it for my purposes and then I know the cost for all my ingredients and boxes, boards, etc...It is a great tool...Mine is a bit more simple than the one posted as I deleted some pages but boy it was a great place to start - you can also add in what you charge for labor...

I pay .50 for a stick of butter but that is at the commissary - and they tend to be lower and no tax....but sometimes it bumps up to 2.19 a pound so that is what I use for my price in the matrix icon_smile.gif

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agagnier Posted 21 Mar 2007 , 5:40pm
post #25 of 30

I keep all my reciepts and my prices are right. I get my butter (margarine) at walmart. Maybe I should have said margarine and not butter because butter is alittle more.

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swingme83 Posted 22 Mar 2007 , 1:47am
post #26 of 30

yes margarine is nice and cheap butter is not. i tried using margarine but butter just works better.

The cake is great btw

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fmcmulle Posted 22 Mar 2007 , 2:05am
post #27 of 30

Agagnier- you are way undercharging for you work. Your cakes are very good. The banana split cake is awesome. You should charge at leaset $75-$100 for it . It is a custom made cake and can not be found in a grocery store. You should definately raise your prices. You got the talent! thumbs_up.gif
Faye

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cambo Posted 22 Mar 2007 , 4:39am
post #28 of 30

I could probably get $65-70 for that cake in my area! Great cake, thanks for sharing the pic!

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springlakecake Posted 22 Mar 2007 , 12:20pm
post #29 of 30

I was going to say $50 off the top of my head, but if it does feed 29, then I would say $60. It is super cute..you arent charging enough from the price list.

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milal Posted 22 Mar 2007 , 4:28pm
post #30 of 30

I don't know where upstate you are, but you are definetly undercharging! I live on Long Island NY and that cake could take a $100.00 price without anyone batting an eye. Call bakeries around your area and see what they charge for regular 8 or 9 in. cakes and you will have something to measure by. Remember, they are not custom cakes either.

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