Has this ever happened to anyone else? I'm just getting started in all of this. Still in decorating classes and all. I've been taking my class cakes to work (don't want the temptation at home!) and my co-workers have loved them. To make a long story shorter, this has led to two jobs. I delivered the first one yesterday ( 2 cakes). Unfortunately, I, we never talked about pricing. I know, I know, should have taken care of that one but I have always been a bit bad at pricing anything I have done for someone. That's another story. Anyway, when she asked the price I told her $50. This was for the baby baptism cakes in my photos. She was a bit silent for a half second but we agreed on it at that point.

Now, I'm stressing over it. Was that too much? I worked a total of 10 hours from start to finish, plus delivering it. I've even thought of refunding her $10.
I need some advice on this! I have two more to do this week, to 1/4 sheets, one decorated and the other plain.

So many of you have been at this for much longer. What would you all have charged and what would you charge for the next two?

I dont think you over charged by any means. You put alot of work into these.
Mara

PS Your cakes turn out awesome.

Well I think $50. was a good price for 2 cakes. But now you know talk price first. The cakes look wonderful.

These are gorgeous cakes! Just out of curiosity, what size is the larger one?

I agree with you - pricing is sooo hard! Especially when family members want a cake, I have a hard time telling them a price - I use them as my guinea pigs, so I hate to charge them much more than actual ingredients - if that much, depending on the the occasion.

Tina

What size were the cakes? Filling? Torted or two layers?

Pennysue, I do not think $50 was too much at all, In fact, it may be too low. She really should have asked the price first, or maybe you should have made it clear. That way, there are no surprises, and no-one feels like they are stuck.

They are beautiful cakes! Congrats!

That is reasonable!! For two cakes that are as beautiful as these!!?? Oh, yes, I would have charged 70, because I know what my time is worth to me. You can see the work you put into them. She got a deal!!

isn't your time worth at least minimum wage ($5.15/hr)?

that would be $51.50 just for time alone.

Then add in the cost of ingredients.

and if you want to be very business like a % of the total cost of all your equipment (wear/tear/replacement/depreciation).

so that cake is worth.....(add up all the above)

The larger is a 9x13x2, torted and layered with cream cheese filling and bcf. I made the little pearls out of fondant and pearl dust.

I don't think you overcharged at all. I think some people expect lower costs because they can get a half sheet cake at Costco or Sams for under 20$ and some supermarkets are not a lot more. However, they need to understand that we are NOT Costco/Sam's Club bakers. Our cakes are usually made with better ingredients, are more customized, have more detail, and a lot more time put into them. I think it was the infamous Earlene who said (and I quote her loosely) - if they wanted a cake from the supermarket, they wouldn't have asked you! So you shouldn't feel bad that you charge more - it's two totally different kinds of cake!! But, like I said, people are thinking supermarket/warehouse prices in their heads, so it's good to be up front about prices, and never apologize or feel bad for what you charge!!! Your cakes are lovely, by the way.

Thank you! You all are very encouraging! If I do a little dress again, I will back it first so it doesn't look like a yellow dress. The design came from a rather poor photo of a 100 year old heirloom, irish linen christening dress. Live and learn!

I think you did a wonderful job - i would have charged at least $35 - $40 each. I did a 12x18x2 for $45.00 one layer - it was really simple - but I put alot of time into it - my lady had no problem with it.

Your cakes are beautiful and I don't think you over charged her. I feel this way and this is just my opion that we do custom cakes, and I say that because I have been in a lot of super markets and I usually go by the bakery just to look and I have yet to see a beautiful cake like all of you do, so that is how I arrive at custom cakes

I would have charged at least $50 EACH!!!!!!

Your time is valuable...and it sure doesn't look like u just started recently...your cakes look great!

Your cakes look great!! Don't feel bad for one minute about the $50! you worked hard for it, and you deserve it!

I think your cakes are really beautiful. I too am new at this and this was pricing thing was bothering me a lot. I am so glad to get some imput on this.

Ok I am a bit confused here. You charged $50 for both cakes? Why are you worried about overpricing? If anything you undercharged. How much did it cost you for the ingredients and packaging?

Princess


P.S. Dydemus, what makes Earlene infamous?

I agree with everyone here $50 for 2 cakes is not an over charge by any stretch of the imagination. Are you sure the awkward pause/silence wasn't because she was stunned by the deal she was getting on 2 custom made cakes - that look beautiful by the way.

Oh my goodness, NO! I think you were *more* than fair. Around here she couldn't have bought 2 sheetcakes w/roses for that price - and yours are just beautiful!

50 BUCKS!!!!!!!!!??????????? FOR TWO GORGEOUS CAKES!!!! The silence was for the deal she was getting on these cakes!!!! I would have charged $50 each!

Each cake serves aprox. 40 people....so two cakes 80 people. If you do the math that .61 cents a serving! Not even a dollar a serving. Who can get a custom cake (s) for .61 cents a serving!

Minimum I would have charged $1.25 a serving. Even at that price if you break down your cost & time your not making that much profit............. But I am still learning so I do not feel that I can charge much more.

BTW, your cakes were beautiful and there do appear to be done at all by someone just starting out. Beautiful detail and handwriting.

bj

The larger cake was 9x13x2, and the smaller was 6x6x2, both torted and filled. So it was $50. for both of them. I think it was the amount of work that went into them. I'm not in business as yet but would like to be someday. My writing was done with the help of a font I have. I printed it out, took a pin and punched around the letters. Then I very carefully laid it on the top and pressed down. The result was a very faint imprint of the letters that I could follow with the icing. It worked for me!

oh yeah, she was amazed at the deal she got...There better not be any reason for her to be upset for that price..If she is..tell her to "hit the road jack, don't ya come back "...

The font on the cake is called DJFancy from D.J. Inkers. Most of my fonts, however, I find online for free. I was suprised how well this worked on the cake. That was what I was most nervous about...my writing skills. This made it soooo easy!