How Do I Tell My Friend I Need More Money!!! (Long)
Decorating By springlakecake Updated 13 Nov 2006 , 2:41pm by formerbuckeye
Thanks everyone! It is good to have CC for support!
I think your cakes are wonderful and better then most people's. Your flowers are perfect and I have saved several of your cakes in my saved photos.
I would charge at least $50 for the two you have shown on this thread. You should be able to get that with no problems.
I think that you should make a portfolio of your cakes with the price on each cake listed for each design. You are a professional decorator now, just look how georgous your cakes are. Now you get to act like one. HEEHEE Then type f a flyer that has a price list of the size, flavor, and designs for each cake along with your number. Give her a few flyers and tell her that if she knows of anyone interested to please hand them your flyer. Let her know that these prices have been itemized and that you have to make the amount stated on the flyer if you want to continue in this business. Let her know that your husband will not allow you make any more cakes if you are comming out in the hole. Tell her that it takes XXXX hrs from start to finish and to continue it must be worthwhile. After all if your husband does not watch your children, you might have to hire a sitter.
You guys are all very nice and helpful. At least she was the only one getting the "discount" So hopefully I will be able to take all of your advice and be charging full price to everyone from now on unless I WANT to give a discount. So do you all think a price list, flyer etc. to hand out is appropriate when you dont have a legal business? I would like to do it legal at some point, but you have to start somewhere. I just started doing this in February and I think it is too soon for me to invest in a real business.
First, I haven't read the entire thread, so maybe you have already heard this answer. Your cakes are beautiful! The flowers alone are worth $15 at least! I think you should charge at least $30 for each of the cakes shown. Maybe you could explain to your friend that when you first started out, you didn't have a good feel for the amount of time and the cost of the ingredients it would take to make the cake. She should understand that you are not wanting to work for free. She wouldn't would she? If she's a good friend/neighbor she should understand.
yes, I think she is now fairly aware of the time/cost to make cakes (at least in part) I tried the whole hinting around about it for awhile and she never really asked questions in detail I think becasue she didnt want to feel bad about the super deal she was getting. I started to not want to make cakes for her when she would bring it up and started to resent the time I was putting into it. So I knew I needed to say something since it's my own fault for not speaking up. I wish I had said things a little better when I told her, i just sort of blurted it out that I couldnt do it for $15 anymore. But at least it is done and she now knows the price I am really charging for these cakes. I am sure I will continue to undercharge for cakes until I can really get a system going to establish costs.
After looking at all your pictures of the amazing cakes you have done....I absolutely agree that you need to stop undercharging. Whatever you have to do to make a price list do it. It's completely in your best interest. In NO way does your work look like a beginners and you DESERVE to be paid like a professional.
Putting your foot down in a professional way won't make you a bad person or make her not like you. A good friend wouldn't take advantage of you. So if she gives you a pout, she's not worth even associating with anymore. I think you would feel a relief as much as all this is plauging you.
Lastly, all parents that work lose time with their children. But they do it to provide for their families. How many people do you know who work all day for free?
Get paid girl!!! Your cakes are of a professional grade!!! You should be very proud of your talent!
Good Luck!!!
okay here's the update! So I did the cake for my friends mother. (it was the uncle sam cake in my photos ) I had told my friend last week that I cannot do it for $15 anymore and I am starting to charge $30 for such a cake. But I told her I would still give her a discount, and I would do it for 20 or 25 (I know I know, $20 is still too little, but I was nervous) Anyway she came to pick it up and gave me the full $30. So I was happy. I am glad that is overwith. Thanks all for your encouragement, support, kind comments!
Wonderful! I'm so glad that everything worked out. You did a great job on the cake as you do on all of your cakes. 
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