for delivering cakes? I might have to deliver a cake 25 miles from where i live and was thinking about charging $10.00. Any suggestions???
Julie
I don't think I've done a single local cake! I haven't charged for delivery yet, but I'm just starting out. I've only done a couple that were more than an hour away, but we've been invited to both of the parties. Maybe when I get a wider customer base, I can start charging for delivery.
With the price of gas as it is, I think $10 extra isn't a bad idea.
I charge delivery for all cakes, regardless of occasion - if you think the gas prices in the US are crazy try living in Europe lol! I charge a blanket 5 euros for my town and the immediate surrounding villages, and then I add on 20cts per kilometer return journey beyond that. I didn't used to charge, but then my OH would moan about how long it took and how much gas it used (especially sitting in traffic - a big problem here!), it was a fair point and a delivery charge was instigated! Some people choose to collect and others are happy to pay for delivery - about the only place to give you free delivery are the big pizza places, but even then you have to spend at least 20 euros first!
If I have to deliver more than 25 miles away, I myself charge $10.00. Don't feel bad, if they don't want to pay that, then they can try to find you themselves, and pick up their creation. This way, they know that you mean business. You are worth all of your time!!! 
I charge $10 for delivery within the county, I've never delivered outside the county, but I have decided to charge $10.00 plus .20 cents a mile (one way). So 60 miles would be 12 dollars plus 10, so 22 dollars. I think that sounds pretty reasonable.
I don't charge for wedding cake delivery within our city limits, but this is not a really large city. I do charge $5 for delivery of other items. Outside our city limits, the rule of thumb is $1 per mile. That figure takes care of both ways.
I have delivered wedding cakes to Washington DC and New Orleans. For long distances, I do a flat rate that includes overnight hotel accommodations.
I deliver and set up ALL wedding cakes, if they are tiered. I'd rather take the few minutes to make sure that the cake is set up correctly and that the table decorations enhance my work. Also, I take a photo of the cake on site. It becomes my proof that the cake existed, and was properly delivered and set up. Those photos can really come in handy!!
I absolutely believe in a delivery fee, unless they feel safe enough to pick up the cake themselves. I suggest either incorporating it into the price of the cake, or added it as an itemized portion of the bill. I've had people flat out tell me, feel free to add 10 dollars to delivery when I hadnt planned on charging.
If its a wedding cake, everyone around here charges a delivery fee, and setup is part of that fee. I am paying 50 for my wedding cake, because I live about 40 miles from the bakery, and they typically only deliver to the Pittsburgh metro, not suburbs. I didn't care if I had to pay 100, if I knew I was getting it from them! I think others would feel the same if they really like your product!!
I would charge... I have run into this a few times... people don't get walmart or other chains to deliver their cakes, they have to pick them up... so why not come pick it up... if you can't, then we can work something out, but if I am driving 25 miles then I would like to be compensated... just mention it up front... when you say that most people will just come pick it up!
I try to meet people at the half-way point in a public parking lot if I can, and I don't charge. Usually people pick up their cakes. But, for you, 25 miles is a good half hour drive! I'd work something out with the customer. why can't they pick up? (probably because it's too far for their trouble. ... so why should it be your trouble?)
I charge a $20 delivery/set up fee on all my wedding cakes. That's my way of making sure the cake gets there in "one" piece and is set up correctly. I also take a picture after I set it up not only for my photo album but as proof of what the cake looked like when I left. Thank heaven I haven't had to use any photos as proof yet!(knock on wood)! No one has every batted an eye at that charge, it's just stated as a delivery/set up charge on their receipt! So I say $10 if more than fair for your time and gas!!
Carrie
I ALWAYS charge a delivery. $10.00 fee with a minimum $25.00 order if within 30 miles of me and after that additional fees will apply. and i charge a $25.00 delivery and setup fee for wedding cakes
delivering would not be an option for me I did it once after I took an order and this lady just wanted me to drop off her cake at her work I was like I have three kids!!!!!!! so it was a nightmare I had to go in and get someone to help me get the cake out meanwhile carrying my infant baby in the car seat and making sure my two year old didn't run!!! I would never do that again so next time I take an order the first thing i would state is that I do not deliver!
On a wedding cake, they probably don't bat an eyelash because the cake costs so much ... but it wouldn't be easy to charge a $10 delivery fee on a cake that cost $25 or $30!
$.445 per mile and not negotiable.
I will deliver free withen city limits. Which is about 8 mile radius from what yahoo or mapquest consider the middle of town. After that the price per mile kicks in. I have enough in my price per piece to cover any deliveries withen the city limits
For me I have to deliver, I can't have customers picking up from my home, so it is a take it or leave it deal. I have decided if it is a non tiered cake then they can meet me somewhere withen city limits and that is fine too. However if it is tiered i'm not taking a chance with it and it gets delivered (although i am still undecided if it will be this way all the time, but I may make exceptions)
Thank you everyone. i really was feeling uneasy about charging, but i feel lots better now. Again thans. Sorry it took so long for me to get back and read the post.
Julie
leily wrote:
I will deliver free withen city limits. Which is about 8 mile radius from what yahoo or mapquest consider the middle of town. After that the price per mile kicks in. I have enough in my price per piece to cover any deliveries withen the city limits
To me, it is the time factor more than anything, my time is much, much more precious to me then driving around looking for an address. I will bring the cake to my day job and they can pick up from there, or they can come to my house, but if I drive anywhere to deliver a silly cake, the cost of gas will not be negotiable for any cake.
But remember everyone, I do this as Art and not as a bakery product and not for a living like many of you do. So my client expectations are totally different.
I live out in the country and refuse to allow people to come to my house, so I feel that I can't charge a fee unless it is really far away. Most places I deliver are within 30 miles and I'm fine with that. I figure I'd have to drive that far every day if I had another job and I can claim the milage on my taxes. I can also combine it with personal shopping and errands that can be claimed in business mileage. Many people are willing to meet me or I'm able to combine several deliveries at once. It's a service that gets me more orders!
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