Ok sent out mass email to my church playgroup needing help with referals. I get an email asking me about doing a surf board sculpted cake to feed 30 people. Can I do it? Can she do a tasting? I told her no problem as far as doing the cake. I nicely said I did not do tastings for birthday cake. Ok she understands wants to know how much I will charge. Ok so I have like many of you have undercharged for my cakes way tooo many times to count. I finaly started getting my pricing where it needs to be. I told her I could do it for 45.00. Which keep in mind she wants a sculpted cake. She can't find anyone else to do it as far as grocerystores duhh. Not sure if she checked with the only cake store in town or not but they have a history of being way over priced. So I felt this was somewhat reasonable givien the work & it's through a church thing. Plus 99% of these people who are stay at home moms. I don't hear back from her & figure oh well it's for the best. So I get an email from her now & asking what if she does a small surf board cake for her son & a sheet cake for the rest of the guest. What will that do as far as changing the price. Now I am having to make 2 cakes for less money? What should I tell her or am I to high? I think she wants an awsome cake for a grocery store cost. But I really could use the exposure to another group. Sorry so long but help 
Let me tell you something I read around here: Cakes are a luxury not a basic necessity. If people want a cake they should pay for it. I think you should tell her that 2 cakes are more expensive that one. Because if you give in, other people from church will want the same discounted price.
Hope this helps you.
Thats what I think to but what should I tell her? Do you think that's to high? Or not high enough? Thanks
I agree, if you have only just got your pricing where it should be... then don't change it for her. Explain to her that 2 cakes is more work and will be $xx and give her the choice to go elsewhere if she wants cheap cake.
You have already exposed your willingness to do cakes to this group, don't go overboard giving discounts or freebies or they will all want it that way and you won't make a profit.
Hang in there!! 
What? 
You offered to do a 3D cake for only $1.50 a serving and she wants it to be less? Is she nuts? Are you nuts for even thinking you are charging to much?
No way! Don't give in. Explain how low the cost really is. At $1.50 a person she will never find a great custom made cake.
Don't sell yourself short. You deserve to paid what you are worth and you are charging way to little even at what you quoted her.
A lot of members have a basic minimum price for sculpted cakes - say $45.00. (And it doesn't usually cost that much more to make them larger; but small ones are just as much work. It's not the cost of materials; it's the skill required to do the carving, etc.)
Also for wedding cakes, some members charge the same per slice for sheet cakes as for tiered cakes - it's the same cake just a different shape.
If she wants a smaller cake; I'd still charge $45.00 for the carved and then your normal sheet cake prices.
As has been said, custom cakes are a luxury. You wouldn't go to a Jaguar dealership and ask for a "smaller" one because you only want to pay x amount of dollars. (They'd laugh you out of the dealership.)
Also, don't think people try to talk Colette Peters down - if they want the best, they'll pay custom prices.
Perhaps you could direct her to Sam's for a nice sheet cake with plastic surf boards. LOL
HTH
Thanks guys you are the best! I don't know what I would do without you guys.
personally, i think 45 is way to low in the first place. i recommend that you stand firm with a minimum price otherwise, you will grow to resent baking and decorating if it of no compensation to you. more than likely she will pay it anyway- because she WANTS it. thats why she counter offered....she doesnt want to let it go, cause what you can make her is what she is looking for- and cant find it elsewhere.
btw, i am nearby...if you sent her my way i'd charge her triple. heehee.
personally, i think 45 is way to low in the first place. i recommend that you stand firm with a minimum price otherwise, you will grow to resent baking and decorating if it of no compensation to you. more than likely she will pay it anyway- because she WANTS it. thats why she counter offered....she doesnt want to let it go, cause what you can make her is what she is looking for- and cant find it elsewhere.
btw, i am nearby...if you sent her my way i'd charge her triple. heehee.
Totally agree, $45.00 seems very low. Take this opportunity to come up with a base price you'll be happy with for future orders.
And if this customer does come up with the $45.00, make sure she knows she's getting a one-time "special introductory price".
Some custom carved cake pricing threads:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-365793-.html
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-183001-.html
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-299903-.html
HTH
Unless you want a lifetime of having people haggle and irritate you by asking for the earth for the price of a postage stamp tell her your honest prices and don't come down. I have never ever ever come down on price. Frequently people tell me I'm too pricey - but frequently people come to me and buy my cakes because they are happy to pay for quality. Would Harrods worry if someone complained that their prices aren't New Look? (Harrods = v v v pricey, New Look= cheap high street clothes shop)
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