So What'ya Think I Should Charge For Something Like This??
Decorating By thedessertdiva Updated 5 Sep 2007 , 8:33pm by cakeatopia
I have been contacted by a bride and her husband to do a similar cake to this design, minus the castle on top (maybe just a repeat of the snowflakes on the bottom tier). Needs to feed about 80-100 guests. I was thinking $250-275 or am I selling myself short? I do have a mold I can make the snowflakes from, so that is not a problem. Just need some honest opinions...thanks!
Anyone? I want to make sure I am giving her and myself the best price and deal. Any suggestions, I'd appreciate it...
Personally, I would not charge any less than 3.5 -4.00 per serving.
Don't sell yourself short, beautiful cake, and alot of work.
For a 100 serve cake, I'd charge $300 for buttercream & $400 for fondant.
I'm with both of them - I charge $2.75 per buttercream serving, then adding in the details: making a mold, all of those snowflakes, all of those dragees, etc., I would have to charge no less than $325, not including delivery.
This is a very pretty cake!
depending on the type of cake, design, time and to be reasonable in my area, anywhere from $2.00 - $3.50. I know she is on some kind of budget, and I did get her to agree that the castle is more then either one of us want to get into (financially or otherwise) I figured NO LESS $250...but maybe I can be fair to both of us and say $300, thats $3.00 per serving about, and she requested buttercream, not fondant. easy flavors, swiss chocolate and white choclate cakes.
well I gave her a quote of $325.00 including delivery/set up (the event is all of 1/2 mile from my kitchen) and I even said that I would toss in a 6" for them to share on their honeymoon or a 1st anniversary cake since their cake has no top saver piece...
She answered with "I'm going to check a few other options including a friend of a friend who used to work in a bakery...we'll let you know"
Not holding my breath on this one. I refuse to chase business down, you know? My time and product is valuable and if you do not want it..go elsewhere, I will not beg.
I think you have the right attitude. I'm sure she probably thought by throwing out that veiled threat you would lower your price. I think the price you quoted was reasonable. Good luck.
I love the cake,I have always envisioned making a cake with snowflakes....I have to find a mold. I would not lower your price,she's already getting a deal. I think people feel like homebakers don't need to be paid for our time,just our ingredients. Your work and time are worth the price !
price was reasonable to me..don't go lower
you won't be happy and she might demand more for the buck!
well I gave her a quote of $325.00 including delivery/set up (the event is all of 1/2 mile from my kitchen) and I even said that I would toss in a 6" for them to share on their honeymoon or a 1st anniversary cake since their cake has no top saver piece...
She answered with "I'm going to check a few other options including a friend of a friend who used to work in a bakery...we'll let you know"
Not holding my breath on this one. I refuse to chase business down, you know? My time and product is valuable and if you do not want it..go elsewhere, I will not beg.
I would stick to my gun's on this one i had a girl just the other day call me and asked if i could do cupcakes 250 to be excate i said yes i could she wanted fall colors and there initial on top of each cake i priced them at $1.50 each then she wanted 2 8in cakes one was to have a firemans cross on it and the other she wasnt for sure so i priced these at $60.00 each , she waited a couple of days and called me back and asked what i would do the cupcakes i told her 1.50 each she said she was thinking about going with a cookie to cut i told her i didnt bake cookies but would be glad to do the cupcakes, she finilly emailed me yesterday and said she was going with another person i think there price shopping she probably will get walmart to do the cookie and cupcakes, There nasty tasting anyway lets not sell ourselves short we are good and they know it
well I gave her a quote of $325.00 including delivery/set up (the event is all of 1/2 mile from my kitchen) and I even said that I would toss in a 6" for them to share on their honeymoon or a 1st anniversary cake since their cake has no top saver piece...
She answered with "I'm going to check a few other options including a friend of a friend who used to work in a bakery...we'll let you know"
Not holding my breath on this one. I refuse to chase business down, you know? My time and product is valuable and if you do not want it..go elsewhere, I will not beg.
Good for you! Stick to your guns!
That cake is beautiful. Did she give you a date or did you give her a date when you need to know if she is going to use you or the friend. Her attitude sounds like a winner(saracasm here). You either want it or don't. She knows her price range. I hate when people try to haggle over a bargain they are already getting.
Maybe she could save some more $$ and just make t herself.
Don't let her pull the old "I'm on a budget" to get you to lower your price. Unless you see her actual "budget", she may not even really have one. That is an old bargaining phrase from sooooo long ago.
Wish I could use that line for paying for private school. I either have the $$ or I go somewhere else!
Its states clearly on all of my information that I must have AT THE MINIMUM 3 weeks notice for the date of delivery and at least 50% down by that time otherwise I will not bake. She knows where I stand, and although I am friendly with my potential clientele, I am firm with my pricing and timeframe.
She is having her wedding in December (days before Christmas). I told her that If I did not hear back from her by the week prior to Thanksgiving I would not be able to make this cake for her, as I have other engagements during the Holiday season. Lets see if I even hear back...
Ooooooooh....I just saw the part about her saying she was going to check with a friend of a friend who used to work in a bakery!! For that remark, when she does come back to you, tell her you're booked up already for that date and the price would have to include a $100 extra RUSH fee.
That happens to me all the time. I don't even charge 1/2 of what I should. On most cakes I do them at discount just so I can keep practicing or try new things.
I've had an order from two different ladies for a 3D Elmo cake. Each time I've told them that I charge a minimum of $100 for my 3D cakes due to the amount of time needed to carve and decorate them. But most times I'll just tell them, "$100 is fine...plus, I'll have him sitting on a 1/2 sheet or something so that you get enough servings."
Both times I've been told, "My friend said she could make it for much cheaper...I'll just go with her." Why didn't you just go to her in the first place??? Well...having a large family means I get feedback on those other cakes and both times they've been horrible. I've even seen pictures of cakes that look like my 2 year decorated them.
You get what you pay for. If you want a professional to do it, you have to pay the going rate. Are you going to have your paper boy build you a deck off your house? Are you going to go with experience or an amatuer just to save a couple of dollars and not get the product you want in the end? I wouldn't....
Okay, I got married 5 days before Christmas 10yrs ago this year. I used a wedding planner/caterer/decorator. I HAD to book her, including the cake I swear by August b/c of the holidays and all.(i'd had to check my planner for sure). My cakes were done in buttercream(and I think not as complex as ones I have seen on here--I had no clue about fondant,otherwise I'd gone with that--learn sooo much on CC 
and they were at least $3/slice "back then" and that was mid range.
One thing--everyone commented on how good the food and cakes were so I have no regrets of what we paid. Though fondant would have been nice--maybe I'll get her to do a simple cake for our anniversary--I still have not gottent he courage to do a fondant covered cake yet.
Some people should keep their mouth shut, even if she is really thinking about using the other baker. It's insulting. She is looking for a cheap cake.
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