I just got an order for 45 NFSC with royal on top. I have never sold my cookies before so I am not sure what to charge per cookie. I assume I will be putting them in a little bag with a bow as well. They will be 1/2 sailboats and 1/2 ducks with royal icing on top. Please let me know what a good amount per cookie is. I am in NJ and 1/2 from NYC so we are used to paying a lot for cookies in the store.
This girl saw my cookies at a friend's house and I hadn't charged my friend for them so I am hoping she doesn't think hers will be free too!
First of all, when you have the price let the girl know before you make them. There are people that think that you can make and decorate cookies in an hour. Perhaps, you should charge 4$ per cookie. Maybe any of the CC members from you area can give you a better idea of the prices. Good luck!
It should also depend on how much detail you put into the design. My prices range from $1.50/ea (smaller, very little detail, boxed not individually bagged) to $6 each (XL, detailed, individually packaged, on a stick).
I agree that once you figure out your price you need to let her know before you get started. You don't want to embarass her is it is more than she can afford, and there you are with a bunch of cookies already made.
We generally charge $3 for an average size cookie wrapped & with ribbon. If they want them without bags & ribbon then we charge them $2. We are just starting out though so we are trying not to charge too much. It is amazing how many people choke on those prices when I know there are way more expensive ones out there. If they don't like the price don't take it personal, let them find good cookies for cheaper. You are worth the money.
Good luck! 
Thanks for all your suggestions. SInce I am just starting out I wanted to stay on the lower side in terms of price. I told her 2 $ per cookie w/o a bag and ribbon and 3$ per cookie with a bag and ribbon. I felt that was very fair considering how much work they are and once I am in this for a while I'd charge a lot more. Guess what??? I never heard from her again 
I guess she thought they'd be free 
I am not in this to loose money 
I thought the least she could do is say it was out of her price range rather than rudely not reply at all, it is a friend of a friend that I do see at occasions after all. Oh well, her loss, right?
Sue
I am always shocked at how people expect things for free..or want you to give them a 'deal'. Our time is SO VALUABLE but these people don't see that. All they see is a flippin' cookie..it's only sugar and flour, after all!!
The next time someone shows interest, tell them right off that they are $? bagged or $? loose...so there are no misunderstandings. I could get really offended at how people are too busy to take the time to make their own stuff but expect me to do it for pennies........ it really pi$$es me off!!
Do people really pay $3.00 per cookie (bagged and tied)? Whenever I mention that price, I get a look from people that seems to say, 'Are you serious?". So needles to say, I have not sold very many cookies.
I made some cookies on a stick, 1" thick and about 3" in diameter and charged $2.00 per cookie. They were decoarted with rolled butter cream (pumpkin, autumn leaf and a house) and were bagged and tied with ribbon.
Maybe the people I know are just cheap 
I also made a 9"(4) layer white cake with rasberry mouse filling, iced with rolled butter cream and deocated with fondant "lace" and fondant roses for a ladies function at my church. One of the attendees asked me how much a cake like that would cost.....she put me on the spot because I had not thought about pricing......so I said $35.00 and I got that crazy look again.
We have people that look at us weird but usually they pay it. We have gotten in the habit of calling them "favors" instead of cookies. If they think of them that way how often can you find a complete, custom "favor" for that cheap. If they aren't willing then oh well for them, we are usually so busy that it may sting for a min. but then we get back to work. You can't let them get to you, let them try to make them themselves & then they will be back. )
I had an order due yesterday for someone in hubby's office. I had made a few extra cookies on sticks in case something happened on the way there (construction worker delivering cookie bouquet in truck = disaster!). I told him that if everything was okay, that he could sell the extra cookies for $3 each. They were gone in a heartbeat. They were 3.5" blossom flowers about 3/4" thick with fondant base and RI details (the purple ones in my photos). I think it's just who you catch and if you catch them at the right time. Looks like I need to bake up some more cookies for him to sell in the office!
$3 a cookie, heck ya!! The price really depends on the size, and how much detail, as well as packaging. I've seen cookies around here anywhere from 1.50 for small ones, to 7 dollars a piece for wedding cake cookies that are elaborately decorated and packaged. (hence the reason I am making my own cookie favors for my wedding). If I sell cookies with little decoration, and just iced, I charge by the dozen rather than the cookie. I can't charge someone 3 dollars for a simple cookie in that case. I have to laugh at the previous post about cookies just being sugar and flour, because I think thats what alot of the general populous thinks!!! I'd like to invite those folks over for an evening of baking, and have them as my prep cooks. hahaha. I think they just might change their tune!
I do that too, charge less for plainly iced cookies, like for a luncheon or on a tray for meetings, etc. I also give a discount that if you order at least a dozen favor cookies (the ones that are nicely decorated, bagged, ribbon, etc), then you can add plain iced cookies by the dozen for less than they normally are. I figure I have the dough already made, might as well get it used and make some money. I don't like using leftover dough, is never quite the same.
I like the idea of referring to the cookies as 'favors' that are bagged and tied with ribbon.
I saw some 3" bunny cookies at a local grocery store, on a stick and wrapped in cellophane.......lookd like RI with the bunny faced details. They were charging $2.99 per cookie. On a scale of 1- 10, the quality of the cookie looked like a 4.
....so, $3.00 per 3" cookie seems to be the going rate.
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