Wow! Thats a sticky situation. One side of my family gives me $40 tips while the other side wants freebies, ummmm....how much do you charge per serving? You don't want to tell a family member too much, or they'll get upset and that's sticky!
But, they still need to respect you and your talent!
I don't know what I'd charge, atleast $40...but anyways, Good Luck!!
how big is the cake? is it an 8" with a 6" on top? also, how much does the tinkerbell on top cost you? For close family, i would charge maybe 30, depending on how big the cake is. now if it's a 10 inch with an 8 inch, i would go up to 40 or so
I'm not sure how big yet? The pic looks like a 10 inch and and 8 inch to me, but I will ask and make sure they really want that much cake? I think the topper will be at least $10. They don't want tinkerbell, but they do want a fairy to go on top. I'm trying to find one they might like. So if you would charge $30 to $40 would you add in the additional amount of the topper or would that be included? I'm not trying to make a lot of money, but I don't want to give it away either. If it were someone I didn't know that well, I would probably charge by the slice and add in extra for the bow.
Wow, that is a tough situation! For my nieces and nephews, I do their cakes at no charge (part of their gift...up to an 11x15" sheet cake). For any other orders from family, I give a 30% discount off of my regular prices. That way at the very least I get all of my money out of the cakes.
I hardly ever do rounds, mostly sheet cakes, so I'm not sure how to charge for this one. Remember to factor in not only your ingredients, but also the time it will take to make the cake. There will be extra time and skill needed to make the bow and flowers, plus a charge for Tinkerbell. Charge accordingly!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. You can tell I'm a rookie, because I didn't think to ask right of the bat how big of a cake she wanted. Fortunately they do not want a cake as big as the picture I posted. Maybe a 10x3 or a 9x3 round, so I won't have to make as many flowers. I love the suggestion of them picking out their own topper and I charge them for the cake. I have sent links to the mom with different toppers so she can give me an idea. If she likes one I will tell her how much that costs, so they will pay for that plus the cost of ingredients or they can pick out their own topper. I'll have to figure out how much to charge for my time, but I don't want to charge to much, maybe that part will be my gift. This will be good practice for me. Thanks again.
When I do wedding cakes for family, I charge the cost of the ingredients and the topper, flowers etc. My time is my gift to them. It has worked out well! Birthdays, I make them a cake N/C as my gift! I have a cake for my sister in laws husband's side of the family and they told me to charge whatever I would charge anyone else. I am still thinking on this.
If you have them pick the topper, ask them to bring it by a week or so early to be sure that the cake sizes match (don't want Tink hanging over the edge) and the colors will agree with each other.
good luck, it looks like it could be a beautiful cake for the birthday girl.
mommachris
Okay auntiecake, I think we think alike. I will do same, charge for the topper, unless they provide it, and all of the ingredients. As for your sister in law's husband's side.... What if you just gave them 15% off your regular price, that way they feel like they got a deal, but you still get to make money.
Just a thought if they do buy the topper for you.
Ask them to bring it by a week early to be sure the cake sizes agree with the base of the figurine, don't want Tink to hang over the edge.
Also having the topper in your hand at the time means the colors you mix will match better.
good luck, it looks like it will be a beautiful cake for the birthday girl.
mommachris
When I do wedding cakes for family, I charge the cost of the ingredients and the topper, flowers etc. My time is my gift to them. It has worked out well! Birthdays, I make them a cake N/C as my gift! I have a cake for my sister in laws husband's side of the family and they told me to charge whatever I would charge anyone else. I am still thinking on this.
Oops I didn't think this posted the first time so I hit the button again! Sorry!
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