I'm Worried that i overcharger for this cake. (75$) It took a lot of time, but I worry that it takes me so much time because I am a beginner, so maybe it is not right to charge for my time. The cake is 3 9X 13 white velvet cakes - but I carved away a lot of the cakes. It also has carmel and choc cake balls and I hand panted the label/fondont accents. i think the main reason why I feel bad is because maybe the customer did not expect something so elaberate and so maybe she didn't expect to pay so much. She did pay though and she did really like it. What do you think? Thanks so much in advance for your opinion!
I'm having trouble adding the attachment. It's the scotch bottle gift basket cake in my photos...
Please look in my Photos for the gift basket scotch bottle cake...
I think $75 is right about right I don't sell cakes but I would not mind paying $75 for a cake like this plus you can't buy a cake like this at Walmart, I love basketweave cakes by the way your cake is very nice you did a good job
NO not at all! I TON of work went into that cake.
I would have charged about 3.50 - 4 per serving, so around $150 or so.
Great job!
How many people was this cake to serve? I think for a cake like this, with all the extra chocolates too, I would charge an absolute minimum of $3 per serving, probably closer to $4. This is a labour intensive cake and you should be compensated for it!
Thanks for all your input. I admire all of your work, and apprectiate your consideration!
I agree with everyone else. You did an amazing job on that cake and I think you undercharged for it.
No you didn't overcharge. You did a great job on that bottle! : )
But girl we need to talk about something. : )
You need to ask people up front what their budget is. Not just do a cake and then surprise them with the bill.
The lady paid it, and it went well it sounds. But I did something very similiar and just about never heard the end of it. The lady was my friend and afterwards told me she was going to show me how to cook from scratch since scratch was so much less expensive. (sorry my scratch cakes are even more I told her) -we are still friends by the way. She paid me but we argued for a few days about cake decorating.
Always, ask them how much they want to spend and then figure out what you can do in that budget. : )
Or tell them your idea up front and give them a price for that up front.
Great job on your cake! I hope I didn't sound harsh, it's just speaking from experience on my part. : )
BTW, my friend that ordered the cake...she used to decorate cakes although I never saw one that she did. But she told me once she did a wedding cake and was to get paid after the wedding. (first mistake, LOL) Well the people had ordered a cake to feed 200 and they only had 100 people invited She told them that was too much cake but they wanted it anyway. So after the wedding the MOB only wanted to pay for what was eaten. She said that was her last cake. LOL.
I'm Worried that i overcharger for this cake. (75$) It took a lot of time, but I worry that it takes me so much time because I am a beginner, so maybe it is not right to charge for my time. The cake is 3 9X 13 white velvet cakes - but I carved away a lot of the cakes. It also has carmel and choc cake balls and I hand panted the label/fondont accents. i think the main reason why I feel bad is because maybe the customer did not expect something so elaberate and so maybe she didn't expect to pay so much. She did pay though and she did really like it. What do you think? Thanks so much in advance for your opinion!
I dont understand your question...you charged your customer 75 dollars for a cake which she paid for and was happy with ...
?? so...what are you asking???
why wouldn't it be ok to charge for your time?? Do you feel that you're NOT worth it?
Did the customer discuss the cake with you before hand? did you give her a ball park figure on the cake before she came to pick it up? You need to work on your prices...what if she had only had 20 bucks in her purse? Would you have let that cake go for 20 bucks? Made the customer come back with more money? Let her take the cake and then hope she came back? Keep the cake and MAKE her come back?
see..?
No Way, did you overcharge for this cake! I am just like you. I feel terrible charging people for my hard work. But, this is something we have to get over. People are willing to pay for something they can't or don't want to do. Plus, they will refer other to you for your quality work. It is amazing how that works.
Keep making great cakes and charging what you feel is over priced, and people will keep coming back. Personally, I think they feel you aren't charging enough, but they aren't going to say that, because they think they are getting a great deal. It is a win, win, situation. You feel you are getting to much and they feel they aren't paying enough.
i think you charged about what i would charge for a cake like that. it's a great cake, btw! i love the idea as well!
keep this in mind: cakes are frivolous. we dont NEED cake. it's something that symbolizes a special event. People will pay big money for a WOW for any event! the cake is usually the centerpiece, too! Customers want their event to SHINE! I know that i do! your cake is a definite WOW cake. i'm sure she will be back for more of your work!
You are right that i should have asked her her budget before i started. I appreciate the constructive critisism. Can you tell I'm really new at this? It's hard for me to give an estimate because I've never done this before, and I don't know exactly how the cake will turn out before I make it. Right now I'm trying to get my name out, so I am definately not making such a big profit. 75$ is the most i've ever charged for a cake. I see your point about the cake as a centerpiece for a party.
Cake making has become such a passion and such ab ig creative outlet for me. But the business end, although I know it's important, is such a drag. I really need to force myself because i am in this also for the money - I want to be able to stay a stay-at-home- mom.
Thank you again for all your advice. i just love this site! It's great to see poeple who love this as much as I do, and who are so creative and talented!
I agree with others, you undercharged.. not only is it labour intensive it is 3D which in my experience takes more work and supplies, like dowels and such... If you are beginning I would say undershoot a tad but not a mile.. just to get your name out there.. but if this customer is a repeat.. stick it to them 
hehehehehehe
you did a great job and I think you should be proud of yourself despite, the money will grow in time... and you should never underestimate yourself or your art!
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