I know that there have been hundreds of pricing threads and I apologize for adding to them. I'm planning on taking some cakes and cookies to a farmers market this weekend and along with individual cupcakes, I was going to make a few 6" cakes to sell. Now I price my buttercream at $1.75 a serving and according to Earlene's serving chart a 6" will serve 8. Do you think it is ok if I sell the cakes for $20 each, even though that's more than I'd normally charge per serving? I don't feel that it's really worth my work if I get less than $20 for all the work I put in. I hope this question makes sense. Thanks a lot!

$20 doesn't sound too outrageous. If anything, you're shorting yourself. There are cake places in my area that charge $60 for a 6in fondant covered cake!

I agree....that kind of cake would go for a lot more where i'm at.....but then again the cost of living is outrageous here!

i charge $36 (starting price)... i usually ge orders for 6 inch cakes but by the time they decorate them they end up bing more than $50...

I agree make it worth your time. I think if the cakes are decorated all pretty and what not they tend to sell themselves. Show them something they can't find in WM. I find that most people don't even know that other types of cakes and designs exist until I show them samples. If nothing else you'll get request for your business cards and can get future sales.

Presentation it's everything.

Mine start at $45.00. They serve 10 by my chart.. so $4.50x10 and there you go.

You have to think too that with a 6" you have some wasted batter.. you still had to make that batter.. so you need to make sure you cover the ingredients and your time.

I also wanted to say that I have a $90 min order so most people don't just order a 6". I was speaking of when it's ordered as part of a bigger cake before.

i agree jkalman, i think as long as you cover your cost and then your time, you could sell it and make a good profit...

i never hav batter left over, bc i cut my recipie in half and it is exactly what i need for a 6...

How much does it cost to make? How much is booth rental, if any? What does your competition charge for a similar cake? How does that price fit with the target audience? Will there be any other baked goods you have to comepete against for market share?

Mike

jkalman.. i dont have a minimum order, i like making small cakes bc it gives me a chance to be super creative and it is small and tiny and adorable!!!

Wow, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of these responses!

I'm just trying to get my business started so I know I'm pricing a bit lower than others. I don't normally do just a 6" because it's not worth my time, but since I'm baking a lot of things to take with me, I thought I'd take a couple of smaller cakes just in case there is someone who wants one. Just to get my name out, kind of thing. I just wanted to know if made enough sense, even though it doesn't fit with my per serving charge.
When I've been to this particular farmers market, there have been people selling breads and some drop cookies, but nothing like decorated cakes and cookies.

I think you are on the right track...there's a few cupcakeries who sell at farmers markets here in Edmonton (Canada) and they are normally sold out fast. You will do great!

I would ask what kind of farmers' market is it? Most farmers markets around here are the garage-sale price range, so $20 for a 6" cake (when you can get a cake at sam's that size for $6-$7) wouldn't go over.

If it's a higher class market, the wine-n-cheese crowd, then you'll probably be ok

It's "the" farmers market around here. It's located down town and actually has cheese and wine shops!

$20-$25 is what I charge depending on the flavors.

I charge 15 Euro for a 6in, but that doesn't include anything "special" just plain flavors and bc filling and icing.....anything extra COSTS extra Sadly, I'm learning these lessons the hard way.