Vent About People And Pricing - Thanks For Listening
Decorating By yh9080 Updated 17 May 2007 , 11:00pm by bethola
Yesterday, I was talking with a co-worker as we were leaving work. She was telling me that on Sunday, she had cooked a nice dinner for her husband and herself (no children) and that she had stopped at a bakery for a chocolate cake and was going on and on about how good this cake was.
The bakery she was talking about is considered by many to be an upscale bakery in the metro area. I checked their website this a.m. Their chocolate dessert cake sells for $28 and the premium chocolate dessert cake sells for $37. Both serve 12-16 so they are obviously 8 cakes.
Now here is the deal..this is the same person who has stopped inquiring about buying cakes from me because I am too high and then tells me she will go to Sams. . She once inquired about the Final Cake for the Wilton Class 3 (in my photos) and was upset that I wouldnt make it for someone she knows for $60!
My base price is $1.25/serving for buttercream and $1.50/serving for fondant. I am in line with my local bakeries and I am also relatively inexperienced which is why I keep my price lower.
Thanks for letting me vent.
I'm sorry this happened. I'm fairly new to this as well and have noticed that many people are uneducated about cost and time when it comes to cakes. Also, many people are willing to pay "high" prices just to participate in the hype - as in the cake from the upscale bakery. I feel that I price my cakes fairly and if people think it's too high, then they miss out!
wow your prices are way low!
she should not be complaining about anything!
If I could come over there and shake you senseless I would. Are you serious with 1.25 or 1.50. You are so much better than that price. I would agree with that if you didn't decorate well. You are a good cake decorator. You should raise your prices way up.
It's so irritating to me also. I quoted a 1.25 (family price) for a buttercream wedding cake to serve 250, I was told it was too expensive.
It's so irritating to me also. I quoted a 1.25 (family price) for a buttercream wedding cake to serve 250, I was told it was too expensive.
I don't think they're that cheap at Walmart so where are these people planning on getting the cake? I think my sister ended up paying close to that a slice by the time she got done buying me all the supplies for her cake and she knew she was getting a deal.
This is such a bummer, but a reality in what we do. Ultimately, PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET IT! I find this in my work too -- I'm a high school teacher. If you don't teach, you don't understand. If you don't bake/decorate, you really don't get it.
Sounds like she went for the "reputation" of the place -- so she could tell people that she got it there. 10-1 they get their cakes already made. LOL -- maybe not, but it's nice to think that once in a while.
Hang in there! Your prices are very reasonable.
S.
I know what you mean, I'm to the place anymore I quote the price (I'm still cheaper than bakery but more than sams or walmart only by 5-7 dollars a cake which is cheap for the quality) I figure either they pay it or they don't . I quoted a lady last night on the gift package cake in my pics for 231.00 that was 1.90 a slice. I figure she pays or she don't I'm tired of working my tail off for peanuts. If they want filling I charge .25 others do .50 so if they don't want to pay I'm not giving it to them either. Ok I feel better now thanks for letting Me vent............... 
If I could come over there and shake you senseless I would. Are you serious with 1.25 or 1.50. You are so much better than that price. I would agree with that if you didn't decorate well. You are a good cake decorator. You should raise your prices way up.
I'm coming with you! Honestly, if you don't value what you do, then no-one else will either! My cakes are fairly expensive (well, compared to most of you on here, but I scratch bake and our cost of living is waaaay higher than in the US, but I digress!), and some people choose to go elsewhere, but most don't, because I am what they consider to be 'upscale'! Then again, if you saw Dutch bakery cakes, you'd know why 
! My prices start at $2,70 for buttercream and $4 for fondant. I just got an order this past weekend for a fondant wedding cake to serve 74 for $500 (not including delivery!), and they didn't bat an eye, and my bride is an American 
! How come? To quote my bride, my tasting cakes were 'divinity on a plate', and I was the only baker they had been to who would do what they wanted (stacked cake with elegant piping etc). So it often pays not to have the reputation of being 'cheap & cheerful'! My 2 cents anyway![/i]
Even in my small town that is way to low. I know some here charge $2.25 to $3.50 and get it here. And this is farm town USA.
Perhaps this coworker is just rubbing salt in the wound so to speak. I would just smile and tell her that you are glad she enjoyed the cake from the bakery. Of course you could turn it around on her and say," gee how can you afford to pay those high prices on our sallary!!! 
You don't want that business anyway. Some people will take advantage of your relationship... don't allow that!!!!
People don't have a problem walking into a bakery and paying whatever the sticker price is. Why do people not give us the same respect? 
I think pricing is the hardest thing! B/c in some areas you CAN charge $4.00 for a slice of cake and in some areas - you can only charge $1.25 - I'm more in the $1.25 - $2.00 range. At least that's what I think..... I bought cakeboss and am trying to figure out my pricing! It's still difficult! You don't want to overprice, but you don't want to underprice - and it's hard to "match" even the local bakeries (not walmart) b/c you can't buy in bulk and you don't produce as many cakes (at least I don't).
What people value is different all places too. I went to buy a corsage the other day and went into a 3 florist shops - two didn't make them, one did, but wanted like $20 - $30 for a corsage. True, they were gorgeous. And she said they took a lot of time. I told her I was sorry, they were pretty and I'm sure they took a long time, but I couldn't afford that. I got one at Kroger for $4.99. And it was still pretty - an orchid. But that's what I figured a florist shop might sell them for - $4.99. So I was a bit surprised. It's the same with art. I go to art shows like they're museums b/c I appreciate all of the art there, but I can't afford any of it! Even stuff I think "maybe", when I find out the price, I just can't believe it. I know it took time, effort, sweat, tears, etc. - but sometimes I don't value that particular thing enough to pay that much. I think the same thing happens with cakes. Just my two cents 
Thank you all again for letting me vent. And most of all, thank you for the vote of confidence in my decorating ability - my prices just went up today. As bonjovibabe pointed out, I don't want the reputation of being "cheap but cheerful". I aspire to be "upscale" and hopefully, I am on my way.
Right now, I don't really have that many clients other than family and a few friends. I am not legal so I am reluctant to mention it to strangers. I mainly do a lot of practice cakes for family who totally get cake decorating since my mother and aunt used to decorate years ago.
Thank you again for the vent and the votes of confidence!
People don't have a problem walking into a bakery and paying whatever the sticker price is. Why do people not give us the same respect?
Because ......
....If you don't value what you do, then no-one else will either!
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In my ever so never humble opinion, I see a lot of posts where the decorators seem to be saying, "Oh gosh, I couldn't imagine paying that much for a cake .... so I can't CHARGE someone that much for a cake...... can I?"
If YOU dont' believe the cake is worth the price, then how can you convey and convince your client your cake is worth the price?"
Count me in on the entourage heading to your place. I'm the one with the Mom-Finger wagging in your face!
A good customer of mine always buys poundcakes. She has never bought a decorated cake from me. She called me in March and asked me to hold her June 30 date for her 50th b-day. I spoke with her about what she wanted and she said she needed enough cake for 150. Then she started throwing ideas about what she wanted. I told her a stacked cake would start at $3 per slice. I also gave her the sheetcake option. She was shocked! That was on Monday this week. She hasn't got back to me yet.
People don't have a problem walking into a bakery and paying whatever the sticker price is. Why do people not give us the same respect?
Because ......
....If you don't value what you do, then no-one else will either!
----------------------------
In my ever so never humble opinion, I see a lot of posts where the decorators seem to be saying, "Oh gosh, I couldn't imagine paying that much for a cake .... so I can't CHARGE someone that much for a cake...... can I?"
If YOU dont' believe the cake is worth the price, then how can you convey and convince your client your cake is worth the price?"
Count me in on the entourage heading to your place. I'm the one with the Mom-Finger wagging in your face!
i LOVE your straight forwardness! and its GOOD for us to hear that, you are not being rude, but helping people to see that what we do - we should be confident of. thanks!
I agree...it's so hard to find the "right" price for your cakes. I just called around to a few local bakeries in my area(Providence) and there was quite a variety of prices. I had already told the bride around $3 per serving for fondant. Then later on I called up some bakeries and some started at around $4 per serving and one started at $7 per serving for fondant! To me it's just amazing how much more money you can get for a wedding cakes as opposed to a party/shower cake.
Courtney
Thank you all again for your straightforward advice and votes of confidence. I think my prices just went up again today!
Just out of curiousity (sp?), what do you think I should charge? As a point of reference, here are the prices from the local bakeries for basic cakes/basic decorations:
Bakery #1 --8" round, 12-15 servings - start at $20.00
Bakery #2 --8" round, 20 servings - $22.00
"Upscale" bakery referenced in original post--8" round, 12-16 servings-$23.00
Thank you again!
I wouldn't say my cakes are unforgettable but I don't do the standard grocery store deal either with 3 buttercream roses and a happy birthday.
I try to do something different and for my flower cakes, I always use royal icing roses (much easier since I work full-time) and really like to use a variety of royal flowers if possible.
Thanks for everyone's input!
where in tucson do you live? I just moved here. I live in Rita Ranch.
I live on the SW side of Tucson.
where in tucson do you live? I just moved here. I live in Rita Ranch.
I live close to the Casino (SW)
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