I am making a five tiered cake and I am trying to figure in the price of the plates and pillars. My problem is that they are very expensive and after pricing, will cost me $45.00 plus the cost of a sturdy cake board about $10 dollars more. Add the cost of my ingredients, $55.00 for flour sugar, butter, etc. I am also making the groom's cake. After adding the ingredients and materials that is already $110.00. i am also delivering the cake 45 miles away so my gas will cost about $5. I am trying to give the bride a break because I only do this occasionally but I would like to recoup for my time. This has gotten long and basically, the question is, is there a cheaper method for teiring cakes? Thanks for your help.
can the plates and pillars be on loan and then you get them back afterwards to use on a future cake?
I don't know if you have seen this but a good, inexpensive tier system is from Bakery Crafts. I've used it and it's very sturdy. Here is the link from Country Kitchens: http://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/SearchResults.aspx?description=bakery&page=-1
Looking at Wilton's products, the disposable kind aren't really much cheaper. because they are so far away from me, I don't count on getting my stuff back. i have already lost a cake carrier, and several cake plates. I usually do wedding cakes for my friends as my wedding gift to them and ask for my materials back but I rarely get them back. I only average two a year but the supplies add up. I'm not liscensed so there are no contracts to have them sign. This is usually done as a favor. I was just hoping to make a few extra bucks this time because money is so tight right now. Mainly I just want to get my name out there so when i do go in business I will have a good reputation. 
Have you thought of dowel rods and double up on cardboard cake rounds?
Take two cake rounds, tape them together. Cover them in contact paper or florist foil.
Use large dowels that will sport the cake and secure them somehow.
Maybe use cheep glass vases to separate the teirs. I am probably not much help.
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