I just had 2 sisters (separately) email me about giving them a discount if they both ordered their wedding cake from me.  One actually asked specifically for a discount, stating that another baker said they would give 15% off each cake, where the other asked if I discounted if she referred someone to me.  I explained to both that I don't discount, I felt I kept my pricing reasonable and smaller tiered cakes with sheet cakes is an option to lower the price a bit.  The weddings are 8 months apart.  This got me wondering if anyone discounts for situations like this? I couldn't find anything online doing a general search so I thought I would come straight to the source.  Love to hear feedback on this.  Thanks.  Michele

Nope. Give the right price for your cake and be confident about it. If it were a wholesale order, that's something to consider, but a custom cake? No. 

Few of us have so much profit built into our product that we can discount. Retail bakeries make up for lower prices in volume, but usually cannot provide the level of customization an individual cake baker can. So your customer has to decide which side of the pricing issue she wants to come down on. 

And 8  months apart? Where is the guarantee that the second cake will happen?

Nope.

Thanks for the response.  That's how I feel too but wanted to make sure I wasn't losing my mind or something.  My area is very oversaturated with cake decorators, many just doing it on the side and not a full time business.  I had a bride last year that really wanted to go with me.  All fondant cake, fully decorated, I told her $5 per serving.  Her fiance had found someone who told them $2.50 per serving!  I couldn't hold my tongue and asked how she could possibly do the cake for so little.  The woman told me she said that she loved to make cakes.  Well, I love to make cakes too but I need to be able to make money to stay in business!!  My husband is constantly saying I charge to low but if I go to high in my area, I'll price myself right out of business.  I've seen several bakeries price, what should be appropriate pricing, but too high for this area, and have to close their doors.  It's a constant battle. I, of course, didn't get the fondant one and I'm sure I won't get the 2 sisters' cakes because they'll go with the 15% off each cake person. Oh, well.  On to the next one!

I pretty much agree with the rest...once word gets out that you are willing to negotiate, you'll get a whole lot of unwanted business!

AWhen my bro-in-law got married and want me to make the cake, I did give them a discount. They didn't asked for it but I offered explaining thatit would be our gift. They signed the contract just like anybody else and the receipt clearly states the regular price and the discounted price. If you want to give a discount, it has to be on your terms and not them demanding it.