I know pricing issues come up again and again, but I just have to know what my fellow CC-ers think about this....
I had a gal referred to me for a wedding cake. During our conversations she contiunously mentioned being "on a budget", but she also needed to feed 300-350 people. I talked to her twice more, and each time the number of cake servings she wanted went down. At our face-to-face, the servings desired was down to 200-250, with the various...."I don't know how many people will want cake..." etc. etc. Also at our face to face, she tells me she wants a fountain with two tiers on top, and two side cakes with two tiers each connected with stairs (three 10-inch squares and three 6-inch squares total on display cake). She wants all white with "scrolly" hearts (which I did on her FREE 6" sample cake I brought her) and SHE will provide the fake lillies to place on the cake, which as she mentioned three times should help keep my costs down. (I know, LOTS of red flags going off, right?)
So, I sketch out the cake she wants, which comes to @175 servings, and I factor in two sheet cakes to bring it up to @255 servings total (I always round down a little). I explain in my email that the original cost is $375 (which to me is cheap to begin with for so much cake) and that I'm taking $50 off because she offered to let me put some business cards out on the cake table. Well, suddenly, in her reply email it's "I'll have to talk this over with (fiancee) and we'll let you know some time next week." When before she was "Yes, we love your cake, and it was so pretty, we definetly want you!" Then obviously the price has turned her off, right? So am I out of my mind asking $325 for enough wedding cake for 255+ people? That worked out to around $1.25 a serving which seems very reasonable to me, especially with the fountain, stairs, etc. Am I nuts?
Arrrgh!!!!
Shelle
Hey there Shelle.
I totally think you were being reasonable. I think you're dealing with Bridezilla here. One thing they always worry about is can they get a better price somewhere else? She might find that you were by far the cheapest, and she'll come crawling back once she realises that. Then, it's up to you whether you'd still like to make the cake for her.
Don't worry so much about her. Just remember that it's a service YOU'RE offering, and if they don't like your price, tough luck for them.
I'm very new to all this and I haven't done a paid cake yet so I don't know how much my opinion is worth (but I'll give it anyway! 
)
Your prices seems incredibly low compared to what I've seen other on here charging. Especially with all the work that will go into it and the amount of cake you have. I think she was just hoping you'd give her a super cheap cake since she dropped all those hints. 
You do seem low but since you don't have any wedding photos posted I can't say. If you are experienced, I'd say your price is way too low. I always leave cards on the table (for free). I would charge separately for the fountain and stairs. Don't back down your price!!! You will kick yourself if you do.
That IS a super cheap cake. Personally, I'd be booked if and when she calls back.
I used to own a little antique/resale shop. I had a like new sofa and matching chair on the floor. A man and 2 of his friends came in and started telling ME what he'd pay and when he wanted it delivered. I kept saying NO.. No...and when he finished his list of demands, which by the way included free delivery, I asked him if he behaved this way at "Regular" retails stores. He said No... why?
I told him when he could treat my store with the same respect he treats them he was welcome to come back, but until that time he needed to leave.
Don't let her push you around. Her budget is NOT your concern. IMO you should set a price per slice and then let her order the size cake that will fit her budget.
*climbs down off soap box*
I was just thinking the other day that people won't think twice about spending three or four dollars on a cup of coffee so what makes them think cake should be any cheaper? I always feel guilty charging enough but I think you quoted her a very low price. She shouldn't have hesitated but if she does call back then you should tell her the price increased. Otherwise you may resent making the cake for so little when it comes time to make it.
That reminds me of a bride who ordered a cake from me. She went up in the number of people and I went up in price. She had the nerve to say: Well, it is just cake. I said: And it is more work and stuck to my guns. I can't understand why these brides want these big fine weddings, but yet they want to pay folks cheaply. Wedding cakes are a lot of work. And I betcha bakeries won't charge the amount that you charge for the kind of design she wants. She will find out. I will be leary of this one.
I paid $450 for my cake. It was simple, 3 tiers, one of them styrofoam, square, with roses and ribbon. Sounds a heck of a lot easier than what you are doing, and I paid more. Don't budge on your price, she won't find anyone cheaper unless she goes to a grocery store.
Worse than the standard Bridezilla, you are dealing with a twit you has no idea what she needs or is looking for. 350 down to 175 or 250-ish??? Does she have ANY clue on what's she's doing????
One of the big clues I look for when brides come in: Do they have 3-ring notebook under her arm? If not, then I know I'm in big trouble. I LOVE brides with notebooks! That means they've been shopping, they've been researching, they are keeping track of things, they know what they need, what they're looking for, and they have a general idea of what things cost.
God save me from the bride who just wants to "wing it". 
I agree on setting a price per slice as your standard norm and letting people choose what they can afford. Your price is awfully low. Have you called around your area to see what the average price per slice is? I wouldn't think of touching it for less than 2.50 per slice and thats low. Maybe you should send her this thread LOL Good Luck and don't back down.
You are being reasonable but she is not. It continues to irk me that these girls can afford to invite so many people but try and cut corners on cake! Come on now!
She was a tire kicker. Move on and don't worry about it. I use to get these people all the time in real estate. Work hard do a market analysis only to find out that they don't want to list their house on the market all they want to know how much they can refi for at the bank. She is not worth fretting about.
YES YOU ARE NUTS!!!! Why in the world would you let her push you around like this?
There is NO WAY you should ever do a wedding cake for so cheep. If you do put business cards out and get more business then you will you be stuck with that low price.
I agree, tell her sorry but you are booked for the day of her wedding.
Man oh man! She is nuts if she thinks she will find anyone to make a cake cheeper then you offered.
Run away from her.
Thanks ladies for validating what I guess I already knew, but what she made me doubt! Sorry I don't have any wedding photos in my gallery for you to see, the last wedding cake I did was "BDC" or "before digital camera" and I never have scanned in my old stuff.
I really respect the opinions of the decorators on here, and I'm glad to know I wasn't lapsing in judgement, except to be charging too little! I'll keep you posted as to whether or not Bridezilla changes her tune.
Thanks again!
Shelle
Ditto to all that's been said.
I'll add that I'd watch this one for sneaking in sheet cakes from WalMart or Costco, too! Tell her no cakes from outside vendors--people may think you make "grocery store" cake if they happen to get a piece of one--and you don't want that!
I'm especially in agreement with the comment about people buying drinks like coffee--heck, even iced tea or soft drinks. What's it really cost to make a large iced tea--about 25 cents with the cup, lid, straw, and lemon. I pay $1.59 to $2.29 here in OH, depending on the "scale" of the eatery. Now, let's see--a cake has flour, eggs, flavoring, butter, lots of baking time and labor........and someone wants a slice of that for less than a cup of coffee 
Rae
You're totally right, Rae. She mentioned more than once that her "friend" said she could make sheetcakes and they would just get a fake cake to display, until they found out even that cost money (not from me, though, I don't do fake cakes). If she comes back wanting me to just do the display, the answer will be no. Like you said, I don't want my name out there if people are going to think I made the Wal-Mart cake!
Shelle
You're totally right, Rae. She mentioned more than once that her "friend" said she could make sheetcakes ....
Oh geesh! The infamous Kitchen Table Konsultant! The "well I KNOW they can do blah blah blah!" person!
Hubby worked in banking for 25 years and the horror stories he tells of people who came in and told him, "Now I KNOW you have to do this or you can do that because my unemployed brother in law who sells 'taters at the side of the road for cigarette money said so!"
god save us all from the kitchen table expert!
Hubby worked in banking for 25 years and the horror stories he tells of people who came in and told him, "Now I KNOW you have to do this or you can do that because my unemployed brother in law who sells 'taters at the side of the road for cigarette money said so!"
Taters!
ROFLMAO 
You are soooo right
I think you should read this thread
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-378013.html
Leah is so wise and very much hit the nail on the head..........reading this made me decide that I will not undersell myself to anyone.........you are dealing with the ultimate bridezilla, and I would lay it out for her.......you will do all the cake for the price you have quoted, or none at all.
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