Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 118
Location: North Dakota
Birthday: Jul 05
Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:19 pm
This is off of the FAQs page on Carlos's Bakery (cake boss) site:
"What is the price range for specialty and wedding cakes?
Any specialty cake is priced per person; basic butter cream cakes start at $8.00 per person and go up from there. A good rule of thumb is to look at cakes that are featured in any magazines or publications; they are usually priced in the $12.00 to $18.00 range per person. The more elaborate, intricate, and time consuming the cake is, the greater price range you will be looking at."
I think that's very well worded. Also, note that their cakes start at $8/serving, and that's for the most basic buttercream cake. I doubt they'd do a cake that serves 20.
DakotaDesigns Junior Member
Joined: May 12, 2009
Posts: 48
Location: California
Birthday: Sep 08
Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:30 pm
indydebi wrote:
Chefperl wrote:
you know how much a cake like that would cost at Charm City?
I know it would cost at LEAST $1000 minimum!
I LOVEEEEE the fact that Charm City has their $1000/Minimum order pricing posted right on their site. So when I have someone who wants something like what they do at bargain prices I refer them to their site to see that custome cakes come at custom costs. Still kicking my self in the butt for the wedding cake I just did. I'll rant more about that thoug in that thread!
Reading through this has reminded me to repeat to myself as well "I'm building a business I'm building a business". So thank you for the reminder!
Ok, I'm new, so please forgive my question, but I have a mother that has requested a cake for her 3 year old due January. It will be for 50 people. Yes, we're "friends," but she hasn't discussed price, only servings and would like a pillow cake with a tiara. She saw my last cake that I posted on Facebook, (also seen as "Kristin's cake" on here.) It was a gift for my friend, Kristin, however, I didn't mention that in any of my posts. That being said, what should I charge here for such a design...sculpted, fondant, and filled?
I apologize for the rambling, but I'm just curious as this is the first cake requested by someone other than family or a very close friend.
Thanking you in advance for any advice!
Allison
CakeForte Frequent Member
Joined: Oct 21, 2004
Posts: 481
Location: Internet
Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:53 pm
I charge my friends $125 for a custom/fancy cake that feeds 25. And that's WITH the friend discount.... And they gladly pay it because they would rather help me out, than pay a stranger. They also know they're getting quality.
If they want a free cake, I have to offer, first of all, and it comes in a pyrex cake dish, covered in foil. With no decoration. seriously.
Last edited by CakeForte on Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:42 pm; edited 1 time in total
Jeep_girl816 Junior Member
Joined: Jul 19, 2009
Posts: 32
Location: Kennewick, WA
Birthday: Aug 16
Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:30 pm
Buddy buttercream "specialty" cakes (like birthday or other occasion not wedding) start at $8 a serving while his "magazine worthy" wedding cakes are usually $12-$18. Probably wouldn't fly in my area but in his, given the time, expertise, reputation, etc, I think that's totally fair.
Is there a site that I may visit to get price lists for buttercream only, buttercream with fondant accents, fondant only, sculpted, etc. cakes?
One day, when my children are off the payroll, I hope to own my own bakery. It's in the blood...my uncle owned and operated a bakery in Louisiana. I now feel the calling that began at 6 years old. I figure there is no time like the present to begin research and putting my ducks in a row.
Thanking you all in advance for your assistance!
Make it a beautiful day!
Allison
crlovescakes Junior Member
Joined: Oct 01, 2007
Posts: 94
Posted:
Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:31 am
Would it be rude to put some of the pricing guidelines that bakerys such as buddy's (cake boss) or ace of cakes under the heading...
For those who watch the cake shows on tv...
Please note...
blah, blah, blah...
Is that legal for me to put on my website if I use quotations???
DakotaDesigns Junior Member
Joined: May 12, 2009
Posts: 48
Location: California
Birthday: Sep 08
Posted:
Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:02 am
crlovescakes wrote:
Would it be rude to put some of the pricing guidelines that bakerys such as buddy's () or ace of cakes under the heading...
For those who watch the cake shows on tv...
Please note...
blah, blah, blah...
Is that legal for me to put on my website if I use quotations???
I don't see why not as long as it's something they have posted for the public to see on their site. I've seen exactly what you're asking about posted on a couple of websites. I'll hunt around to day and see if I can't reference and example!
jakenheather Newbie
Joined: Mar 31, 2007
Posts: 15
Location: SC Sticks of PA
Posted:
Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:31 am
I think people forget how much time can go into a cake. Like the castle cake I just did for a friends wedding... About 12 hours from bake to set up. They tell me I need to start a buissness... Ok first off- I am a nurse, the supplies alone cost $90 for that cake and in my are I doubt anyone wants to pay that much alone for a cake or anything near half my normal wages for time spent on a cake. I have a few brides to be at work trying to figure out how cakes cost so much... Then I break it down for them and they seem to understand a little. I can see were this would be hard. I usually only do cakes for people I know and gift my time while they pay for the supplies. I just don't think I could ever do a real cake shop for the fact that I know no one wants to pay for it. Keep up with my dream gals...
It's early... hope I didn't ramble ...
preciouspjs Newbie
Joined: Feb 23, 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Massachusetts
Birthday: Aug 23
Posted:
Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:16 pm
I know I seriously undercharge.. definitely less than $2 per serving. I do fondant characters for $5 a piece (which someone on here just recently told me I was crazy about)... I'm slowly but surely getting more confident in saying my prices (and upping them a little too).. because the way I see it.. this isn't my FT job... I do this because I love it... so if they don't want the cake because they think is too much money.. well, then I get the night off
(if you look at my pics, you can see the 2d characters I've done.. Spiderman, Tinkerbell, Bakugan, etc)
brincess_b Forum Fanatic
Joined: Oct 19, 2008
Posts: 1694
Location: scotland
Posted:
Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:39 pm
it doesnt help the non-famous cake businesses that cake shows just seem to produce amazing cakes, overcoming great challenges very easily, with no mention of price.
but, even looking at non-famous cake websites, they do not give clear pricing either. i know it is hard to do some times (you get into the whole ' want that cake at that price, but i want 100 servings more' thing), but the average cake muggle looks around, sees no prices listed, or sees 'prices start at', and then contacts you without really knowing what reasonable prices are for anything other than a basic cake, and without knowing that basic doesnt cover a wide range of things!
crlovescakes - i think it would be diicult to word that! maybe someone can do it nicely, but id struggle. you would need to watch you werent putting them or your self down. would depend what you are trying to say! i think i you are in the service area of a famous bakery, it would be good to have them as a 'try this place' for when potential clients raise an eye brow at your price
MaryAllison - spend a lot of time browsing all the local cake websites, it will help a lot in figuring out sme general pricing ideas. it varies alot on where you live! you need to sit down and igure all your costs on making a cake - there are lots o posts on how to do this. i you give a discount let them know the pre-discount price!
xx
tarheelgirl Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 427
Posted:
Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:52 pm
Yep, for me business has slowed down quite a bit! I have had soo many within the just the last month alone who want an elaborate cake but once they hear the price they hang up quickly. Just the other day I told a lady my price and she hung up before I could even say good bye!! I'm ok with this.. my price is my price and I would much rather be spending my time doing something other then a cheap cake!! =)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
