My Husband Doesn't Get It. (Long, But Need To Vent)
Decorating By khoudek Updated 30 Apr 2007 , 3:16am by khoudek
I truly thought he did as he is my biggest fan and supporter when it comes to my cake decorating. Well, I've been working on my son's college graduation cake the past few days. I wanted to do something that spoke to my son's love of learning and make it to fit him. After checking out all the different book cakes ( esp. PaulaT and tiptop57's ), I decided to make one ( it's in my gallery ). The cake is 3 books; a Genetics text book, as this is his degree, a novel which has his college newpaper colunm's name as the title and his pen name as the author, and an antique book of Julius Ceasar by Shakespeare, which we all happened to see when the Royal London Theatre performed it on my son's college campus this year. I also made eye glasses as he wears them, and then a ballpoint pen since he is forever clicking one as he studies ( it about drives me nuts, but I digress). Lastly, his diploma. So, ALOT of work, about 16 hours total if I include the making of the chocolate clay, icing, and the actual cakes. My DH comes home from work last night as I'm putting on the finishing touches and oohs and aahs, gives me lots of praise. Then he says one of his coworkers is going to call to order a cake for his son's graduation .... maybe I should do one like this for him. I said this one would cost about $140.00 (serves 46 at $3.00 per slice). He looked at me and says " Are you crazy? For a graduation cake? That's too much, no one will pay that much. I couldn't believe he said that!!!! 
The ingredients alone weren't cheap. I asked him how much he thought my time was worth? He of course back pedaled very fast, saying he doesn't know anything about pricing.... ask the experts.... yada, yada, but the damage is done. I thought I was being very reasonable, but now I've got some doubts as he is usually right there with me on all my cake stuff. I've attached it below ( hopefully, if not it is in my gallery ). Do you think I'm being unrealistic!?! 
Oh wow! 
Your cake(s) are beautiful!! They are soo realistic looking!
I think what you husband was trying to say was that would be too much for that person, in price! I think it may not have come out right! He was probably thinking that you were sooo good at that one that it would be easy to do again! A lot of people think that one way would be soo easy and say "Hay! Why not?" I am sure that he just loved that one soo much that you would be able to offer that to his coworker as well. NOT THINKING! (just like em')
You did take a lot of time for that one! Tell you husband that he should offer his coworker a more simple design and obviously it would be a lot more reasonable price!
again...Your cake is amazing!
wow, that cake is amazing! there is no way you should charge any less than your quote. people just dont understand that decorating takes time. if they want a cheap cake let them go to wal mart where they only spend 15 min decorating. at least they'll get what they pay for either way 
I agree it's wonderful. Lots of time and custom work. Don't be too mad at him... This is your specialty not his. I bet there are things he does that you don't quite understand. When I stress over getting a cake right my husband says "it's just a cake"! Uggh Sacrilege! He may not completely get it but I bet he would like it if you were pulling in that money on a regular basis for "just cakes".... That's why you have us!!! We get it! It's culinary art and takes expertise and time and learning.....
Oh! Don't be too upset with your husband. He is a man. They don't understand art. They think the picture of dogs playing poker is art. They also think it is o.k. to have it on a poster taped to the wall.
He thinks your cakes are great. He just doesn't know how much they cost.
I say forgive him and don't do any of his laundry anymore. He doesn't know how much your time is worth. He will if you stop picking up after him.
That cake rules! And don't be too hard on DH, he was just thinking $140 for a graduation cake? It's not a wedding cake!! He wasn't thinking about the one on the table, just how someone would react to paying that much for a grad cake. Most people think 'sheet cake' when they think grad cake. Now... you should go pat him on the head and let him know he can take his foot out of his mouth and kiss you to make up for his stupidity!! Hmmm... diamonds help too! 
I'm not mad at him.... just surprised he would say that. He's usually the one complaining that I don't charge enough. I'm going to show him this forum posting and make him eat his words. And Melvira, I think I should INSIST on diamonds as compensation for his blunder!
Your cake is AMAZING!!! I agree with the thought that your hubby probably thinks you're so wonderful, it wouldn't take you any time to whip it out. He gave you the proper oohs and aaahs, so he's got to be a great guy!! It's funny how a lot of us stay and home while the men work outside the home, yet they have no concept of time or money... 
It's because we are SO GOOD, we have the house cleaned, cakes done, and food on the table when they get home...not to mention all the bills paid that they never see! 
They think things just run themselves and we whip out cakes without making a mess too. God forbid if they decide to "surprise" us by coming home early!!!
WONDERFUL job on the cake. $140 is completely reasonable for your cake!!! Some people's 3-D cakes START at $6 or more per serving!!
Oh! Don't be too upset with your husband. He is a man. They don't understand art. They think the picture of dogs playing poker is art. They also think it is o.k. to have it on a poster taped to the wall.
He thinks your cakes are great. He just doesn't know how much they cost.
I say forgive him and don't do any of his laundry anymore. He doesn't know how much your time is worth. He will if you stop picking up after him.
First, as a man, I am highly offended by the above post. Enough said.
To answer the original post, I agree with a lot of people here that he spoke before he thought. This is true of MEN and WOMEN.
Also, I think you should charge at least $200 for that cake. $140 is undercutting yourself. Good luck and happy baking!
Cookieman
HAHAHAHAH!!! I'm going with melvira on this one!!! Diamonds all the way! As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to think of a way for my hubby to put his foot in his mouth so I can get some as well. The cake is amazing. I'm surprised how many people want custom cakes for little or nothing. This is a bit off subject, but I delivered a cake to a client this weekend, she's ordered from me before, and has since started doing balloon decorations. She said she did an arch for a prom this weekend, took her only a couple of hours and it was $400!!!! (All the time I'm thinking why is this cake only $55.) For balloons, and you can't even eat them!!! Not that I'm knocking anyone else's talent, but now I understand why we had a prom committee and I spent the day before prom blowing up balloons and hanging streamers!
we sometimes forget there are men on board...
I'm still kinda new to doing cakes but I sure found out quickly how valuable my time is! I don't care what occasion the cake is for, if it's extravagant, it's gonna be expensive. The last set of cakes in my photos, for a 15 year olds birthday party, I made $140 doing those 3 cakes. I think you perfectly in your right to charge that much for your cakes. They are magnificent!
I am not sure why God did not build us with our feet in our mouth as we so often put them there anyways. Your cake is absolutely beautiful and definately worth more than 140..and yes people will pay that amount and be giddy at the fact that they got such a good price. His friend may not be able to afford that but maybe he can. Don't worry. He is still your biggest fan and his foot was indeed in his mouth..ALL the way. Sorry about that.
Guys don't know the cost of cakes....Your cake is amazing and at $3.00 per slice it's a fantasitc deal!!! I think you could charge $5-$8 per serving. When I started doing cakes my husband was amazed at what I could get for them. Don't doubt yourself....educate your husband instead.
Jacqui
HAHAHAHAH!!! I'm going with melvira on this one!!! Diamonds all the way! As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to think of a way for my hubby to put his foot in his mouth so I can get some as well. The cake is amazing. I'm surprised how many people want custom cakes for little or nothing. This is a bit off subject, but I delivered a cake to a client this weekend, she's ordered from me before, and has since started doing balloon decorations. She said she did an arch for a prom this weekend, took her only a couple of hours and it was $400!!!! (All the time I'm thinking why is this cake only $55.) For balloons, and you can't even eat them!!! Not that I'm knocking anyone else's talent, but now I understand why we had a prom committee and I spent the day before prom blowing up balloons and hanging streamers!
And I bet the raw materials (balloons) are much cheaper than cake ingredients!!!
Oh! Don't be too upset with your husband. He is a man. They don't understand art. They think the picture of dogs playing poker is art. They also think it is o.k. to have it on a poster taped to the wall.
He thinks your cakes are great. He just doesn't know how much they cost.
I say forgive him and don't do any of his laundry anymore. He doesn't know how much your time is worth. He will if you stop picking up after him.
First, as a man, I am highly offended by the above post. Enough said.
To answer the original post, I agree with a lot of people here that he spoke before he thought. This is true of MEN and WOMEN.
Also, I think you should charge at least $200 for that cake. $140 is undercutting yourself. Good luck and happy baking!
Cookieman
Oh, to charge $200.00... this I dream of. However, in this area I truly doubt I'd get that. There are people around here who only charge $1.75 per slice for wedding cake!
I don't think it's just husbands (or men in general). It's anybody who doesn't do cake. They think you can just wiggle your nose and a beautiful cake appears. No work or time involved! I'll look past his little incident and say good for him though for normally giving you the praise and the pat on the back you deserve. He sounds like he really is proud of your talent!!!
Don't back down. You did a great job. Your husband does not realize the work that goes into one of these cakes. Educate him. I did mine and he has been great. He now understands the process for decorating a cake.
minimum wage is $5.15 and hour at 16 hours that's $82.40 just for time. add ingredients and the fact that it's custom( and a really great job by the way) and not just a slab from a local grocery store I would say you are justified for charging that $140 & I would say to go higher
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