My mom asked me to make her a cake for today. I delivered it last night, and she said she would pay me Thursday, which is fine.
Then today when I was asking her how the cake went over, she said pretty well, and people were asking how much a cake like that would cost. (It is the crossing guard cake in my photos) She told them around $40 - I told her, well, that is what I charged you, I would charge others a little more, they are not family. And she says, "Well, they couldn't believe you charged me anything at all." I know she only brought that up because she must have felt the same way.
1. She asked me to make the cake.
2. She offered to pay for it.
3. That cake took a lot of time and effort, especially with the fondant figurine!
I had orignally told her $25, but that is when I thought she just wanted an 8" round cake. I told her that a sheet cake would be more...that takes two cake mixes and more time. Grrr....here I thought I was actually giving her a good deal. 
Can someone give me some feedback on this? Would you have charged less....or refused to take payment if a family member asked you to make a cake and offered to pay?
I'm horrible at this.........I give away my cakes all the time.........my own mother.....depends on how close you are I guess......my mom would insist on at least supplying the ingredients, but even then I have so much fun playing with the cake stuff I'd probably refuse any money. My MIL has figured me out on this and when she wants a cake she brings over everything needed to make it LOL That way I don't go in the hole....I think if you told her $40 and she said ok...make the cake , then she can't get upset when you actually accept payment! Tell her your time and talent are worth something......she of all people should be appreciative of what you put into your cakes.
Personally, I don't think that you were/are in the wrong. A lot of people just have no idea of what we put into our creations. They should also take into consideration that you cannot go get one of these cakes at the grocery store or most other bakeries for that fact.
I think you did fine - especially if she offered to pay. I would've done the same thing.
I agree with everyone else. You were probably into this cake by at least $20 for ingredients only by the time you were finished. I remember someone in another thread similar to this saying it best - If a family member asks you to do a cake, it is something they should pay for. If you offer to do a cake, it is a gift.
Some Mom's make their kids think it is pay pack time once they leave the pack. It does seem that it is hard to mix family and business. has your mom ever had the opportunity to watch as you do a cake from start to finish? In terms of payment you might think of asking for something cake related, a book, a piece of equpment or somethig. maybe she wouldn't resent that as much.
I personally think your cake is "THA BOMB" 
But I just want to offer you some advice..... 1st thing's 1st....Keep your relationship with your mom respectful and don't (eva eva eva) let money come between the 2 of you. I know i know i know.... she offered....you accepted and gave her a deal...blah blah blah....Also let her know (respectfully) that when people ask about prices, instead of quoting prices have them get with you. I think she should stay wayyyyyy out of that.
Also remember...(no offense to anyone reading this, this is just my own opinion from experience), but keep business...business. I don't mess with FAMILY, FRIENDS OR CHURCH MEMBERS because all of the above always want something for nothing. Always, always, always get a FULL UNDA-STANDIN' up front and you should be ok.
Good luck and just take this as a lesson learned......Remember that every day brings us new experiences and beginnings. 2day is a new day, yesterday is will NEVER come back......NOW, isn't that something to smile about. Keep bakin' girl!!!!! 
I couldn't have charged my mom for a cake, or taken money had she offered it. She has always been there for me and I would do back-flips to repay her even a tiny fraction of how wonderful she's been to me all my life. That's just my personal thoughts on my own personal situation, though.
However, my parents own their own business, so when the company orders cakes, I do charge for them. For family, though, never. 
What does your gut tell you? That's the most important voice to listen to...
Hi there, just my 2 cents but I would not charge my mother either but then I know my mom would want to at least buy the ingredients. I lost my mom 2 years ago and I really wish I had my mom here to bake cakes for. Mother's Day was especially hard this year, I don't know why but I really miss her and would give anything if I could just bake her a cake.
Well, I guess I will put my 2 cents worth in so here goes. I wouldn't have charged for anything but the ingredients because it would have been useless to have tried to buy them on my own because mom wouldn't have had that. She would have insisted on at least buying the ingredients. I probably would have felt funny about charging her anymore than that though. BUT that is just the relationship my mom and I have. Not saying that you and your mom don't have a good relationship but that's just the way I feel. I do agree with what someone else wrote though, don't let money muddy up your relationship with your mom. It's not worth it. But I would tell her to let you do the pricing from now on.
awwww Samsgranny.....so sad, sorry to hear about your loss....I couldn't imagine losing my mom, she's one of my best friends (my DH is the other)......I would simply be lost...I've been two states away from her for the last 5 yrs. and that's been hard enough, glad I'll be movin back close to her soon. Hey MissJ I see we think alike.....(signature lines)
Samsgranny.....Keep your head up. Although I don't havea great relationship with my Mom I would give the world and then some for her.
Khalstead.......Lovin' your signature line
God is good all the time and when your best friend turns his/her back on you, YOU know you got a friend in JESUS.
I would have let my mom pay for the ingredients for it if she insisted, but wouldn't charge for my time, the cake, etc. I just wouldn't be able to charge my mother, I always figure she's there for me no matter what, who could count the things our mothers have done for us? And if she needs a cake for whatever reason, hey, what are daughters for? BUT, that's just me, please don't take offense. I'm not saying that your in the wrong, just giving my personal experience and thoughts 
Good luck, and whatever you do, don't let it come between you, nothing in this world can ever replace your mother!!
[email protected] we make you feel bad 
hope not!
I personally think your cake is "THA BOMB"
But I just want to offer you some advice..... 1st thing's 1st....Keep your relationship with your mom respectful and don't (eva eva eva) let money come between the 2 of you. I know i know i know.... she offered....you accepted and gave her a deal...blah blah blah....Also let her know (respectfully) that when people ask about prices, instead of quoting prices have them get with you. I think she should stay wayyyyyy out of that.
Also remember...(no offense to anyone reading this, this is just my own opinion from experience), but keep business...business. I don't mess with FAMILY, FRIENDS OR CHURCH MEMBERS because all of the above always want something for nothing. Always, always, always get a FULL UNDA-STANDIN' up front and you should be ok.
Good luck and just take this as a lesson learned......Remember that every day brings us new experiences and beginnings. 2day is a new day, yesterday is will NEVER come back......NOW, isn't that something to smile about. Keep bakin' girl!!!!!
I know what you mean! Yesterday, I had an ex co worker call to order a wedding cake. Instead of just ordering it, she said , Oh, I am getting married & I am pregnant! So you see, I need to be budget conscious. So I just emailed her my price list & that was that. If she doesn't want to pay my price, then it's Sam's Club for her! Helen
I completely think you were right. If she offered to pay you for the cake, then got mad that you accepted, thats her problem. I don't charge my mother for a cake if she wants one...for herself or family. If she asked me to make her a cake for her to bring to something specific, I would charge her for it same as you. And I would give her a good deal, same as you did. Talk to her about it and simply ask if it really upset her and if so whatr you and her can do to not have the same thing happen later. Be honest with her. Don't let it sit and fester. Regardless, if she offered, she really can't be offended that you accepted.
If making a particular cake is MY idea - no matter who it's for - it's free. If I'm ASKED to make a cake, I charge for it. If the final recipient is a family member, I just charge for materials. If the person doing the asking is family but the cake is for an event they are going to or a friend's birthday or something, I charge them at a slight discount, but certainly not at cost. Why should I be their personal freebie baker? Even my daughter pays me! After all...I pay HER when I get some Mary Kay from her. Why shouldn't we respect one another that way?
Dealing with family is VERY STICKY!!!!!!!!! All of my family know that I charge full price and that's final. If they don't want it , they can go elsewhere!
A lot of times people will say I'll pay you for it when they really want you to give it to them.
You weren't wrong to charge your mom, she offered to pay and she asked for a cake. You gave her a good discount, that should have been fine. You need to take care of yourself, and you deserve to be paid for your time.
I would charge my mom. I love to bring "free" cakes to family functions and events, but if someone calls and asks for a specific cake to take somewhere they know they will be paying for it. After all, if I wasn't doing the cake then they would get it from somewhere else and then they would pay someone for it. Both my mom and MIL would rather pay me then the grocery store!!!
If you two had a deal, then she got cranky about it, I'd give her a full refund and explain that since it caused hard feelings it would be better that she purchase her cakes elsewhere in order to avoid future angst. I can't imagine treating my daughter that way! She owes ME nothing--I chose to bring her into this world, and the law requires that I feed and clothe her, and not abuse her. This does not obligate her to cut me any deals in life! We are very close, so I'd probably pay her double what she quoted me! My guess is that your mom has other issues that do not pertain to your cake. Keep smiling!!
I have reread this and thought about it too. I already have sons in their 40s. My mom died the slow long goodbye with Alzheimers. She is the last person I think of at night. And if I could have one wish it would be to have just one more cup of coffee with her and offer her a cake I made. With everything that is going on in the world, people without homes etc. Whenever I get of track or bent our of shape, I ask now just how much will this have an impact on the history of my life.
i just recently started decorating again, but i have always been the family baker...my mom has asked me to bake a cake as a christmas present for her BF snd has ALWAYS paid me, i get asked to bring cakes all the time to family get togethers-those are free-as free as they are, again my mom has offered to pay me for some of those..AND ALWAY my mom will ask to watch my children so i can bake it---my advice/comment to you is----you may be more upset that your mom said what she did than she is about paying you--BUT your mom should have told her friends that she would never even think about asking you to do it for free that's the way you make your living & no she should not have told them the price but again whatever, if someone comes to you wanting a cake you're going to give them a corrected price away---ALSO--dont ever think that you are not worth you're price to anyone. question?? wasn't someone going to provide a cake to this function??? If so IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN PAID FOR--WHY NOT YOU GET PAID!!!!!! Another thing i bake for my family all the time for birthdays, mother day, father day, etc... & NO i dont charge for those... 
-this could make me crazy mad & I Love My Mom Bunches!!!!!
My rule: If you ask me to make a cake you pay me for it; family, friends, or other. If I offer to make the cake it is free.
Well I have no experience charging for cakes 'cause I'm nowhere near ready to start charging yet - I have a large family and I've been doing the kids bday cakes for a few years just because and I have fun doing it and every now and again someone offers to pick up the tab for ingredients. My sis threw me some money my way after one because I was broke lol.
However I will offer some of my own input /experience re mixing family and business. On what someone already said about your family meaning well when someone they know asks them what you charge and they meaning well get involved- I agree wholeheartedly- DO NOT let your family /friends handle that business side of it- EVER!!! Tell mom or cousin or whomever knows someone who wants your services to have them call you.
I do freelance graphic/web design work- and I had a similar situation - one of my sister means well trying to round up business for me, but she has NO CLUE about charges and rates and time and materials and the whole thing, and that's ok, but you have to stand firm with family- family and business do NOT mix- if you have a mature and direct style communication type relationship with the family member in question, (ie nobody will get hard feelings etc etc) you could take the chance and mix the two- but bear in mind if you're going to go the route of doing business with family, under those circumstances, that you act as if they were not family- you write up a contract and follow normal procedure- you have to protect yourself- if you think that this will cause hard feelings, then it's ok to say sorry I have a policy blablabla.
Re giving away too many cakes- well I know I'm still in practice mode so I wouldn't dream of charging family or friends and I'm always offering to make cakes for family/friends so I get the experience (plus it's fun ) - but in my experience talking to fellow freelancers in my industry, it's common to get yourself taken advantage of. If you are going to have a price for family/friends who insist on paying you that is diff from regular customers/clients, make sure you are solid on that price list beforehand and that you verbalize that to whomever you are getting money from- that they know and won't go telling everyone they know you charge 40 bucks for all your cakes LOL
learning experience indeed! THat is what all these are for, right? Can't know lots of this stuff til we go through it, so don't feel bad! ( I LOVE The cake btw, that was awesome)
My husband calls me a "Non Profit Organization"! I have a very hard time charging anyone for a cake. I have only accepted money for 1 cake, and that was for a lady from work that I had never met before! I'm in the process of making a cake for my sister to take to her work next Friday. (She is and elementary school nurse.) I don't have the heart to charge for it. I'm sure she will want to pay. I'll probably agree to accept money to cover the cost of the ingredients, but I'm sure I'll have trouble even doing that! Doesn't look like I'll ever be able to make a living at this! Looks like my husband might be right!
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