Okay, on Saturday at services a lady asked me if I could bake a birthday cake for her son this week. She wants to pick it up Friday at 4pm. I told her if she called me Monday morning I would be probably be able to fit her in. So this morning, ummm...let me check my calendar....oh yeah, it's Wednesday.....she calls and wants to know if I can still make her cake. I asked what she wanted and how many servings, etc. She wants a chocolate cake to serve 15, so far so good. But she wants me to make it in the shape of a bass jumping out of the water! 
Okay, I think, I'm up to the challenge, and I'd love to make a cool cake for her son who I taught in Pre-K a couple of years ago. So I quote her $50.00, which I think is on the low side for a shaped cake, but it's a small one. She says okay, but I hear the hesitation in her voice. So she calls back 5 minutes later and cancels because it's too expensive. 
This is a person who regularly shops at the ritziest cake shop in Raleigh, where the smallest shaped cake they make runs $225.00 (although it serves 50), and requires a month's notice! So what's that about?
Was I out of line for a shaped cake? For a kosher, dairy free shaped cake?
Kathi
L' Shanah Tova!
Nope.... if anything you were way too cheap!!! A sculpted cake for only 15 peeps? I won't do a sculpted cake for fewer than 35. It's just not worth my time.
A kosher parve cake she can't get just anywhere, and she knows it. She was probably hoping for a big fat deal (like 20 bucks or so), just 'cause y'all are members of the same congregation!
I have read so many stories of folks getting dissed by members of their own congregation that it doesn't even surprise me any longer.
Are you kidding? I think $70 would have been closer to the mark for that cake! Some people! I was asked for a quote for my dog & bone cake exactly a week ago. I sent it back and didn't hear anything. So I presume that they thought it was too expensive. Well, she phones this afternoon to ask if I can still do it!!! I said yes. but she'll have to pick it up Saturday morning instead of Friday night now. Non-cake people do think it just takes 5 minutes to whip up a piece of cake art!
Thanks. I have been thinking the same thing as I have been baking my $50 order of 2 doz cupcakes! 
You know, if it had been someone who didn't spend a lot on cakes regularly, I would have understood them just having no idea how much it would be, but come on, she buys specialty cakes fairly often, so she knows how much they run at this other place. I will not be the "cheap place to go" which is what I think she was hoping I would be. I'd rather take a little longer to build my business and have people willing to pay my prices, than have a business that doesn't make any money!
mezzaluna, I've never sold a sculpted cake before so I wasn't really prepared to price one for her, but you're right, I need to set some kind of minimum serving size and price per serving.
Thanks, I'll try not to let it get to me.
Kathi
$50.00???????? 
...for a shaped cake...is a gift!...especially last minute..I wouldn't charge less than 125 for a shaped cake...Being that is only for 15 I might lower it a little...But just count how many hours it takes you to bake the cake...make the icing...do the cake...pay you an hourly rate..and add materials to that and see if you are charging enough...$50.00 is a gift...
Since you all are talking prices for shaped cakes (which I haven't started doing yet) What would you charge for the flip flop shoes a pair? And do you make them single or double layer? I have someone wanting to know. Thanks , These threads are very informing and yes people are cheap ALL around the world, they want something for nothing. For cakes anyway. It does make me wonder how certain people get ridiculous prices and some of us can't get what we are worth???????????????????????????
and I'd love to make a cool cake for her son who I taught in Pre-K a couple of years ago. So I quote her $50.00, which I think is on the low side for a shaped cake, but it's a small one. She says okay, but I hear the hesitation in her voice. So she calls back 5 minutes later and cancels because it's too expensive.
This is a person who regularly shops at the ritziest cake shop in Raleigh, where the smallest shaped cake they make runs $225.00 (although it serves 50), and requires a month's notice! So what's that about?Kathi
She is out of line.. she considers you a buddy since you taught the b'day boy and attend services together. Shame on HER for devaluing your work!
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