I do not sell cakes. I only make them for family and friends. Our local bakery charges $30 for a quarter of a sheet cake. This sheet cake can have borders and 3 buttercream roses ...or borders and sprinkles ...or a buttercream clown with borders. Now, if you want something extra on that quarter sheet cake like 5 roses instead of 3 then the cake goes up $10. If you want the cake customized, then it depends on what you want as to the price. And these cakes taste fine but I can tell they are standard mix and pre-made buttercream.
I would talk to this person and explain to her what you feel you can do for $30 to feed 20 people. Then if she wants something else explain that it costs more...that's all you can do. Don't lower your prices because everyone else will be looking for a deal and you will be bitter about this cake while your making it - not fun for you!! If she gives you the line of "I can get this kind of cake at ----insert store here----" then use what I do: "I don't make cakes that are in competition with those, I make custom cakes and if you want a cheap cake - go there". So far I agree with everything everyone is saying.
tell her in a very nice way that 30 will get her a great Wal mart cake or perhaps one from a local mega mart grocery chain. I think some fail to realize that they are not paying for ingredients, instead they are purchasing your time, knowledge, and skill. Be nice but do not allow her request to devalue what you bring when creating what is essentially edible art.
Sugarlaced,
Just so you don't think we are talking out the side of our mouths.... I just told one my sorority sisters that she should get a cake from Walmart or some other bakery because I would not make her a package cake to feed 50 people for $50. She did the song and dance thing and went so far to tell me that a lot of people (over 100) would be there and this would be a good chance to showcase my work. I pointed out that everytime I make a cake (at full price no less) I am showcasing my work. She'll probably never want a cake from me again but that's fine because I don't want her business if she doesn't want to pay full price.
So what size can she get for a Hannah Montana cake like that from her local grocery store for $30? Is a Hannah Montana cake made how she desires even available at her local grocer? I bet not. That is why you go to a CUSTOM cake decorator.
I think if you gently recommend to her to do some price checking, she will see that she isn't going to get much for $30, even if she decides to go elsewhere. Maybe if you can sell her the idea that with a really cool cake, you don't have to spend as much money on decorations, and then there is less cleanup, because the centerpiece will be eaten. Just rearrange the budget and move some decoration funds to the cake fund.
My vote is a small cake, and have her purchase an Edible Image so you don't get caught up in the copyright reselling mess.
Stick to your normal prices...Maybe and I mean maybe I would give a small discount..Where I work a cake like she is requesting would run her $30 for the sheet cake alone iced with buttercream...The extra decorations would run her about $10 extra and the filling would also be an additional price. Dont let her buffalo you...You are worth more than that.
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