ASo this woman called me up asking for a cake to serve 30 people, covered in fondant with some pretty decorations. I then quoted her what I thought was a very generous £50 only to be told that im too expensive. I havent been selling very long but am I wrong for being upset? Its not too expensive is it?
No...Not at all..I'd charge a lot more than that! Would that even cover your costs?? The general feeling here on cc has been in the past that you sometimes have to educate customers that not only are they paying for ingredients and materials but also your TIME!
So if she wanted a cake for 30 people, you'd have priced for a 9" or 10" cake... there is no way £50 is too expensive. Quite frankly, that's too cheap!!
Sure, compared to Tesco, Asda, etc, it's expensive... but people who want to pay supermarket prices for bespoke cakes are NEVER going to be your customers, anyway.
Think of it like clothes... If you want a shirt for $5, you can find one at Walmart. If you want a custom made shirt, you will pay more for someone to take your measurements, help you pick a cloth, cut it out, sew it, tailor it, and make it perfect for you. Both will cover your body but you won't get that shirt for $5 or even $50. Next time anyone says that to you, just remember that it is their loss, not yours, because you would be the one losing if you made them a cake for Walmart pricing. If you want to give away your cake time, give it to a real charity and not a cheap person who doesn't appreciate what you do unless you do it for them for nothing. And remember too, the reason they came to you was because they couldn't do it themselves.
AWhen you set your prices too low (as you have done) you will attract people who are shopping based on price only and will still think you are too expensive. Ironically, increasing your prices will usually cause fewer people to complain about your prices, since you will be targeting customers who are willing to spend more and appreciate quality.
Hi, don,t let it worry you anymore. The next client will pay what you ask. We all have been there. I rather sit an twiddle my thumbs that to bake and decorate cheaper than what it is worth. I did the same thing in my beauty shop. Ain,t gonna work for nothing.
That's still cheap - no matter the size - let her find a cafe/restaurant that will feed 30 customers for 50.00 pound.... pfffttttt, not going to happen.
Cheap cakes attract cheap customers - don't go there - it won't be worth your time and effort.... just smile and wait for the next customer who wants a custom cake....
Bluehue
When you set your prices too low (as you have done) you will attract people who are shopping based on price only and will still think you are too expensive. Ironically, increasing your prices will usually cause fewer people to complain about your prices, since you will be targeting customers who are willing to spend more and appreciate quality.
Very, very true. Unfortunately these people will only buy cake from someone who works for nothing, but of course they don't admit to themselves that what they are doing is taking advantage of someone, so they "attack" you.
When you set your prices too low (as you have done) you will attract people who are shopping based on price only and will still think you are too expensive. Ironically, increasing your prices will usually cause fewer people to complain about your prices, since you will be targeting customers who are willing to spend more and appreciate quality.
I have loved this answer since you first posted it. It couldn't be more true, and yet I doubt many give it any real consideration. :(
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