I know this is a controversial topic on here, but I just think it's important to see the result of undercutting and how it really does affect your local cake market and the industry as a whole.

I got an FB message from someone yesterday asking about a graduation cake for her son. She wanted a shaped cake.

Our shaped cakes are expensive. I'm not even going to try to pretend they're not. They are a pain in the butt, and very time consuming, so they are priced accordingly. They start at about $7-$8 per serving. (That's really not that high compared to other areas, but it's on par with the other custom cake shops in our area) We also will not make a shaped cake smaller than about 40-50 servings. It's just not worth it to us to make a teeny cake in the shape of a dog just because the customer only needs 10 servings.

So, back to the message. We worked up the quote and sent it to her. The quote was $550. She thought I meant $50. When I reiterated $550, she says that she doesn't understand how a cake can be that much, and that all of the other quotes she had gotten had been between $50-$70. (FYI, our plain ol' regular round cakes start at $60, so there's that)

Ok, so since she has gotten all of these other quotes for $50, $70 at most, she now thinks we are just greedy and ridiculously priced. Which is fine for her to think that on one hand, it just means she is not our customer. But on the other hand, all of these other bakers have put this idea in her head (and many others) that a custom 3D shaped cake should not cost more than $70.

Need I say more??

AOh hunny you are preaching to the choir!

AHallelujah!!!

AI get attitude about my prices too. You can always get it cheaper somewhere else... It sucks.

IAmPamCakes, it sure does! I don't even care that she can't afford it, that's fine! It's the attitude and rudeness I can't stand!

And just to make the point clear, (since this has been a point of contention when discussing this topic in the past) I am not slamming home bakers under cottage food law, 'cause guess what?

I am one!

But just because we work under cottage food law out of our home doesn't mean I am going to work for a pittance since "I'm not a big bakery and I don't have overhead." (which by the way, is a load of crap, if you'll pardon my french)

What we do as custom cakers is a specialty, and I'm not going to spend hours on something perfecting every detail and then charge $70 for it. Nope, not worth it.

AOf course one can get a cake cheaper somewhere elsr, but it'll end up on Cakewrecks.

Crazy, for that price they can't even get a dog shaped cake from a Wilton pan with the star tip. Bark off!

AOh I'm sick to death of the attitude that there is plenty of work to go around. No, not really. Great post.

AWhat raises my hackles is the brand new customer who has never ordered a custom cake before and gets bad advice and recommendations for a decorator. Doesn't know to check past work, is excited about the low pricing, and expects a nice cake. They get a hack of a cake, didn't pay much for it, and decides it's not worth raising a fuss over.

But that is the last time they ever order a custom cake again. They could have been a great repeat customer for someone who was running a good business.

I get attitude about it too. People just already inherently don’t seem to understand how much cake should cost. Couple that with other people severely undercutting prices and some potential customers think I'm crazy/greedy when I tell them my prices.

I had one girl post a picture of a baby shower sheet cake to my facebook page and ask if I could do a similar cake and how much it would cost. She kept insisting that she needed a “full sheet” based on the fact that she had purchased a “full sheet” cake from the grocery store last year and it served 50 people. I told her rather than going by terms of “full”, “half”etc, to just go by how many she needs to feed and we’ll go from there.

When I told her what size cake would work for her preferred serving amount and the price, she responded with “Seriously? Thanks but no thanks.” And then proceeded to comment on the picture she posted to MY facebook page and say, “Does anyone know someone who makes cakes for a decent price. I need a full sheet.” I could have screamed.

AI hope you deleted that and banned her!

AYeah, you probably wouldn't have won with her no matter what. I can usually tell by the cake they asking for, and if that's not enough, the language they use is bell ringing. Sad that I can profile like that, but it's just really predictable by now. "How much 4 dis but only 2 tires?" That usually goes nowhere.

AIts really sucks...thankfully (or not) who charge really low around here aren't very good. So the difference is clear. I just notice this attitude like they HAVE TO HAVE ORDERS. And they'll quote whatever just to be booked. They all burn out. It's sad.

ASpideysense! Where in Arizona are ya? Won't be long now, our "lovely" summers will be here soon. Unless you're in a fabulous part of the state with nice cool summers

A

AAh, much cooler where you are! I could handle living there for sure. Rather be up on Mt. Lemmon, but maybe in my retirement years. I have a few friends down there, I know one for sure is a member here, Lorie of Sugarsong Cakes.. She always has a nice venue in the backgrounds of her photos, and has beautiful work as well.

ATdove, that is just ridiculous. I mean wow! Has she even made, packaged, and transported one hundred before? Not a big deal for most, but she can't possibly think that will earn her any money at that price. Woooooow.

A

I dont know!!! But ill tell you the different responses Ive got when Ive suggested it:

"Youre young, you had the time to hone your skills, Im older, I have to go for it now!"

"I dont want to waste materials, i can only practice if I get orders"

"Well, youre making a career of this, so of course you have to do it differently..this is just a part time job for me!"

I dont understand what ever happened to just plain research and development. I had a plan..and I took almost two years before I put it in motion. I went to classes, I spent every hour i had on youtube or here learning techniques, I bought books. I take pride in being professional. I just dont get why somebody would choose to go into an industry handicapped.

Theres just simple things I think that really make a difference. 

A[@]AZCouture[/@] your cakes are amazing