So the reason I got into cakes to begin with was because I didnt have the money laying around to buy cool cakes for my kids from the grocery store. 9 Years ago, and no I am not perfect, but enjoy it and have had a ball. Been a part of quite a few parties in this small little town. I only charged people the cost of materials. My theory was "I wanted something great for my kids and didnt have 20 bucks to spend on a frozen cake with a few dinky toys....and help them out." I am a sucker for kids. Anyhow, just in the past year, I came up with a reasonable way to get my hubby to quit fussing at me for "giving my stuff away". Whatever I put into the cake then multiply by 2. It isn't anywhere close to what others charge, but they are different and I am getting "out there". This week, I was asked to do a wedding cake, they were close friends and on a budget. Now for weddings, I charge x's 3 cause I stress more. I agreed and to help them out sd I would do it x's 2. Made a 1 layer, 3 tier, heart shape wedding, along with a grooms cake made from cupcakes. Total cost for me....are you ready.....30 bucks. I tell her her price is 60.00 and heard "that much? that is more than he wanted to spend." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! I about screamed!
Everyone loved the cakes, and I get paid tomorrow. But really.....come on people! For starters, I knocked off 30.00, I didnt charge anything for using my stands, nothing for delivery, nothing for set up, and lost family time, sleep (cause I decorate after my kids go to bed), put up with MANY MANY design changes, cheap flowers.....uugh. But before going to the wedding, i checked out a few memos on here about pricing. so when the topic came up (slyly I might add) I was prepared to tell her what it would have cost her "per slice" like was posted on here. Topic changed Oh So Quickly.
Now, on a positive note. I absolutely love this website. There are so many great ideas out there that even tho this was an upsetting weekend, I wish I had more orders so I could try all this "new stuff" out. Have a toss up between going on a spree for new cake stuff to play with or a photoshop program for my puter....hmmm..... Thanks for the ideas!
Total cost for me....are you ready.....30 bucks. I tell her her price is 60.00 and heard "that much? that is more than he wanted to spend." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! I about screamed!
This is why it doesn't pay to give people a break on price. It's a classic case of "give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile".
Everyone loved the cakes, and I get paid tomorrow. But really.....come on people! For starters, I knocked off 30.00, I didnt charge anything for using my stands, nothing for delivery, nothing for set up, and lost family time, sleep (cause I decorate after my kids go to bed), put up with MANY MANY design changes, cheap flowers.....uugh. But before going to the wedding, i checked out a few memos on here about pricing. so when the topic came up (slyly I might add) I was prepared to tell her what it would have cost her "per slice" like was posted on here. Topic changed Oh So Quickly.
Your time and skill is worth soooooooo much more than $30! I think you have a very kind heart for wanting kids to have beautiful cakes, but if I were you I would price by the serving for wedding cakes, at LEAST $1.50, and require payment before delivery.
Does this dumb bride know how much wedding cakes go for, even at walmart or other food stores? When you get paid, (which I make my brides gfive me a $50 non refundable deposit just to hole the date, then full payment is due 2 weeks before the event. I would NEVER, even for a friend, bake and get paid later on a wedding job)
When you get paid, I would price several bakeries for the same size caked and cupcake you made and givve her the spred sheet of all of THOSE figures...
omg, they weren't looking to spend $60 on A WEDDING CAKE???? GMAB! Talk about nerve!! People at my job just don't order bc they are so cheap. I do have a few faithful clients, these r the ones who truly appreciate my hardwork and dedication. Whenever I GIVE away samples, people can't track me down fast enuf but, when it comes to buying...sheesh! I don't care, I am NOT lowering my prices, I think my time and effort is worth more than that. 
Hey, where's ur pic? I'd love to see ur cake! 
Most people don't have a clue - but that's not just with cakes.
My husband just quoted a large addition with a deck and an enclosure and the lady had the nerve to look at him and say - are you ready for this - "i'm just a poor, hard working gal here. Can't i get a break?" You have to wonder if she thought it was just a hobby for my husband! He's a one man show and she's the one with the $$$ for the addition, deck and sun room! Sorry, didn't mean to change the subject. . .
Debbie
I agree with everyone on here, your time is much more valuable than the $60.00 you charged. I think you should surprise her and say you meant $160, even that wouldn't be enough!
Most people don't have a clue - but that's not just with cakes.
My husband just quoted a large addition with a deck and an enclosure and the lady had the nerve to look at him and say - are you ready for this - "i'm just a poor, hard working gal here. Can't i get a break?" You have to wonder if she thought it was just a hobby for my husband! He's a one man show and she's the one with the $$$ for the addition, deck and sun room! Sorry, didn't mean to change the subject. . .
Debbie
Yeah, like everyone is NOT a hard working person?!? People just don't get it.
I'm not even out there yet and getting big orders but for that cake I would've charged $150.~ plus a stand rental (I don't have any stands yet so it would've cost me big to buy one lol) plus delivery fee and if I was asked to stay and serve it that would've been an additional charge... so I think the total for the cake you just made (just the wedding cake) would've been about $180or a touch more... and a grooms CCC.... depending on detail and how big it was.... $30.~ I charge $1.00 each for cupcakes unless they have filling then they are $1.50 unless the filling is a special filling then they are $1.75 each. I haven't done a CCC yet so I couldn't say what the pricing on that would be but I'd charge accordingly depending on what details were on it.... I think you need to rethink discount and screwing yourself over hun... there is helping out a friend and then there is getting used.... and I'm sorry to say I think this couple used you for a great, beautiful cake, and didn't wanna pay anything for it.... Feel lucky if you even get paid the $60.~ you asked for it...
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