What Would You Ask For This?

Decorating By fat-sissy Updated 1 Jun 2006 , 7:34pm by LittleLinda

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fat-sissy Posted 31 May 2006 , 8:11pm
post #1 of 17

I've never tried to sell a cake. But thought the idea of cakes w/kids art might be marketable. What do you think a fair price would be? It's a 9x13, white cake (doctored up) with BC frosting.
LL

16 replies
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Kiddiekakes Posted 31 May 2006 , 8:14pm
post #2 of 17

I charge no less than $35.00 for my 9 x 13 slab cakes.You may charge a bit less because you live in the US.

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LittleLinda Posted 31 May 2006 , 10:15pm
post #3 of 17

I'd charge $20 for a 9x13. I don't do 9x13s; but I do 9x12 and charge $17 and I do 11x15 and charge $25. Some of you think it's cheap; but it's comparable to grocery store bakery prices in my area.

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cakesbyallison Posted 31 May 2006 , 10:21pm
post #4 of 17

Yeah - but you're not a grocery store! You can't get custom work like this from a store! I wouldn't charge anything less than $30! Figure the cost of your board, box, icing and cake mix costs, icing bags, and most importantly, your time! Is it worth it?! Make it worth it!!

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CakemanOH Posted 31 May 2006 , 10:22pm
post #5 of 17

I would charge $25. Edible art is not cheap even with you own equipment as I do.

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Katydidz Posted 31 May 2006 , 10:32pm
post #6 of 17

I would say around 30. Not only is is cute, it's sentimental. The whole "my kid did that" thing is absolutely marketable. What a good idea.

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edencakes Posted 31 May 2006 , 10:39pm
post #7 of 17

I would charge $50.

You can get 20 (large) servings out of a 9x13 (I base my standard party size serving on 12 square inches - that's plenty). $1.75/serving = $35. Remember, a stacked cake = twice the servings = twice the price.

Plus the cost of the edible image. Around here, you can buy them at cake supply stores for $10 - so you should charge that plus the fee for applying and any customization/additional decoration you do. So, $15.

That's why I would charge $50.

On another note: I want to encourage anyone who is afraid of charging what they're worth. I do understand that you have to be competitive in your market, BUT - you're not a grocery store, and if you try and compete as if you are, then people will view your work as grocery store quality. If you value your work, then other people will. And those who don't, are just as happy with the grocery store products anyway.

Never apologize for your prices, ladies! I am one of the most expensive in my area, but I get the customers who want a service that only I can provide. If someone complains about my prices, I just tell them that they must not be looking for my service, and I recommend they find someone who provides what they're looking for. Don't compare what you do to cheaper products - that's like a five star restaurant apologizing for costing more than McDonald's!

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cakesbyallison Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:16am
post #8 of 17

Amen Steph!

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mhill91801 Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:20am
post #9 of 17

Thank you Steph for saying that. I totally agree. I just made a 12x18 sheet with FBCT and MMF decor(sheriff in my pics), and only sold it for $35. After they picked it up, I felt cheated. It's my own fault, but I also was comparing to grocery store prices. I'm so glad I read this post...changed my mindset. THANK YOU!

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sweetsuccess Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:23am
post #10 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by edencakes

I would charge $50.

On another note: I want to encourage anyone who is afraid of charging what they're worth. I do understand that you have to be competitive in your market, BUT - you're not a grocery store, and if you try and compete as if you are, then people will view your work as grocery store quality. If you value your work, then other people will. And those who don't, are just as happy with the grocery store products anyway.

Never apologize for your prices, ladies! Don't compare what you do to cheaper products - that's like a five star restaurant apologizing for costing more than McDonald's!




Couldn't have said it better myself!

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DeniseMarlaine Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:25am
post #11 of 17

Steph is right. I'm amazed when I see what people will pay for inferior workmanship (some of those grocery store cakes are really atrocious!) Your cake is worth much more than something slapped together in the back room of a grocery store! Your price should reflect the quality of what you do.

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SugarFrosted Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:33am
post #12 of 17

I charge $30 for a 9x13 and $50 for a 12x18 plus $10 for an 8x11 edible image and $15 for an 8x14 image.

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dianagreen Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:33am
post #13 of 17

there is a sticky post about cake pricing - its a really great guide - hope this helps - where abouts in Ohio are you? and ill add Go Bucks!

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edencakes Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:38am
post #14 of 17

Thanks guys! It just makes me sad when talented people feel like they can't get what they're worth.

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sherik Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 2:56am
post #15 of 17

I agree, never under charge for your work. If people don't want to pay for what I have to offer I suggest they look for someone else to do their requested custom cake.

EXAMPLE: A customer wanted me to do a cheese cake and decorate it with my gumpaste flowers and butterflies. I don't do cheese cakes. She had someone else do the cheese cake and bought 20 pieces from me for $70.00.

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fat-sissy Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 3:02am
post #16 of 17

Thanks for the input cake buddies. I was thinking $30-35.00.

dianagreen-I'm in a little town south of Columbus.

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LittleLinda Posted 1 Jun 2006 , 7:34pm
post #17 of 17

I feel I have to apologize to you talented people for my low prices! I do a lot of cakes! And I enjoy doing them. I try not to think of it as "work". I also keep in mind what I would want to pay. I don't think I would pay $50 for a cake ... but I never had to have somebody else make me a cake.

I'm from a do-it-yourself family. For instance, I grew up thinking that quilts were just blankets made from scraps ... like my mother used to make. I almost died when I starting seeing what people would pay for a quilt when they started getting popular!

I hate to go up on my existing customers ... if and when I decide to raise my prices. I guess I'll go up sooner or later.

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