How Much Should I Charge??? Please Help!!!
Decorating By cre8_acake Updated 16 Oct 2009 , 12:54am by cre8_acake
I made a cake over the weekend for a friend and now I have others wanting the exact same cake. Of course I under charged my friend but what should I charge the average customer? The cake has two 10' on the bottom and two 7.5' on top with fondant and double layer buttercream underneath. What should I charge???
When you say "2", do you mean 2-layers per tier or two 2-layer cakes per tier?
If 2-layers per tier, *my* price would be $239 + deposite/charge for the SPS system holding up the cake.
If two 2-layer cakes per tier, then double the above, so $478 + SPS deposite/charge.
Also, my top tier would be a 7" square, because I don't have a 7.5" pan.
Keep in mind that prices differ depending on where you live. Cakes in NY or LA, for example, tend to cost more than ones in other parts of the country.
Thanks for ur input Ive been keeping track since I posted and I was desperately seeking for someone to answer. lol Oh and to clarify the cake has 2 layers of cake per tier and both tiers have a double layer buttercream.
I am so shocked at the prices quoted to you. I see I obviously UNDER charge for cakes. I made a baby shower cake almost identical in shape with a duck on top and charged $50.00. I also make alot of cakes for family and friends and take orders from outside. WOW! I wouldn't dream of charging someone $300. for a cake like this. Am I CRAZY?
I personally would do an 8" on top of a 12", just looks "evener", but I get that it's not supposed to look even, it's really supposed to look like two presents plunked on top of each other. I would also do it in fondant so I didn't have to worry about putting a border on. It would go for no less than $4.50/serving.
So yes, Chatawa, you're crazy.
And great bow OP!
I am so shocked at the prices quoted to you. I see I obviously UNDER charge for cakes. I made a baby shower cake almost identical in shape with a duck on top and charged $50.00. I also make alot of cakes for family and friends and take orders from outside. WOW! I wouldn't dream of charging someone $300. for a cake like this. Am I CRAZY?
So rough estimate, about 60 cents a serving. Walmart is more than that.
I am so shocked at the prices quoted to you. I see I obviously UNDER charge for cakes. I made a baby shower cake almost identical in shape with a duck on top and charged $50.00. I also make alot of cakes for family and friends and take orders from outside. WOW! I wouldn't dream of charging someone $300. for a cake like this. Am I CRAZY?
Well, you are vastly under-valuing not only yourself but everyone else who makes and sells cakes.
How long did it take you to make that cake from shopping for the ingredients to baking, to stacking, decorating, clean-up and delivery?
Time = money. So, basically, you ended up PAYING someone else to let you make them a cake.
Well, you are vastly under-valuing not only yourself but everyone else who makes and sells cakes.
That too. That is rarely ever discussed.
Seventy-five 1x2x4 inch servings @ $3 a serving is $225 already--three bucks is an average price for buttercream iced cakes. You've added some nice decor--another cost involved and more time doing fondant.
I love that color blue--it's so perfect with that brown--such a pretty cake.
Yes, Chatawa, you are low balling yourself to burn out heaven or burn out hades whichever way you look at it.
Idea for both of you~~Go to the mirror and say "Yes that'll be two hundred and twenty-five dollars." Say it as much as you need to till you can do it easily. I'm not saying raise your prices I'm just saying see what it's like to do this job right.
And when they say, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!! BUT IT'S JUST A CAKE!!! then you reply, "ohhhhhhhh! You wanted JUST a cake. walmart....aisle 8 ... knock yourself out. I recommend the Betty Crocker."
Then walk away.
And when they say, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!! BUT IT'S JUST A CAKE!!! then you reply, "ohhhhhhhh! You wanted JUST a cake. walmart....aisle 8 ... knock yourself out. I recommend the Betty Crocker."
Then walk away.
LOL Love that Indydebi!
And when they say, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!! BUT IT'S JUST A CAKE!!! then you reply, "ohhhhhhhh! You wanted JUST a cake. walmart....aisle 8 ... knock yourself out. I recommend the Betty Crocker."
haha indydebi you never fail to make me laugh!
I would charge around 200 as well for this cake.
I am so shocked at the prices quoted to you. I see I obviously UNDER charge for cakes. I made a baby shower cake almost identical in shape with a duck on top and charged $50.00. I also make alot of cakes for family and friends and take orders from outside. WOW! I wouldn't dream of charging someone $300. for a cake like this. Am I CRAZY?
I just have to ask what do ingredients and equipment cost you? $50 is what I would probably spend on ingredients & equipment alone to make the cake.
Thank you all so much!!! I really appreciate the feedback. You all have OFFICIALLY given me a confidence boost!
Indydebi your comment was the greatest EVER! LOL
Chatawa67- I know I've been under charging but I most certainly wouldnt have fixed my mouth to say $50 for a cake like this and you actually had more detail with the duck. I feel like the fondant work alone was worth far more than $50 considering all the work you put into making, coloring, rolling, etc. I guess thats the price we pay for being "newbies" as CC has us listed. LOL
Lurvely- I actually started out with 8" and 10" cakes but bcuz the 8" seemed to be too big when I positioned it I trimmed it to 7.5. Also I did use fondant but I was unhappy with the corners therefore I improvised with the border decor but the customer loved it anyway bcuz it incorporated more of the brown.
Thanks again CC Friends!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%