with people who have no idea of the amount of time (and money!) that goes into making a cake thinking that I charge extortionate prices! I took this cake to a brunch today:

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=bonjovibabe&cat=0&pos=0

and was asked how much I'd charge for that cake if I were selling it to someone. I replied "about E75" (about $90). Well, you should have seen the look on my friends faces who obviously thought I was joking and that it was way too much money to ask for something like that! What they don't seem to get is that I put at least 8 hours into baking, making the flowers/butterflies and then decorating that cake. Plus making MMF here is not cheap, it costs me just over E6 (about $7.50) per batch! I have to import all my colourings and nearly all my equipment. Powdered sugar is E1,95 ($2.40) per 500g (1lb)!!! It all adds up and I am trying to turn this into my business, not a charity. It just makes me so mad and makes me feel like I'm overcharging people, when I know deep down I'm not! . Sorry, just had to vent - hope you're all having a great Easter!

Oh yeah, and I did this cake for one of my daughter's teachers the other day for just E10 (I would usually charge E20!), but again was made to feel like I charge too much, so I dropped the price :

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=bonjovibabe&cat=0&pos=1

It just makes me wonder if I should continue to try to do this as a business or just keep it as a poorly paid 'hobby'! It wouldn't seem so bad if I knew that local bakeries were charging far less than I do, but I know that nobody makes cakes like mine (at least not in bakeries) in this country aaaaggggghhhhhh All you can get here are sheet cakes with either edible images or cake toppers on them!

I say don't give in....you will eventually find people that are willing to pay for quality cakes. Until then....offer discounts to the people you want to only if you truly want to do the cake....otherwise just say, no, I don't have the time to do a free cake right now.

Happy Easter!

I definately feel your pain. I don't get alot of orders because they can pay less at Kroger or Walmart.

Barb

Ahhh I know how frustrating it can be....I have no problem getting those prices for my cakes but you are right...some people just don't understand the time and money.All it takes in one person to totally love your designs and then it spreads.Don't give up!!

Im hearing you!! People dont know how much time,money and effort that goes into these cakes that we do. They just think of the ingredients that the cake takes and have that price in there head.

Bonjovibabe--
I say "do not go down" on your prices. I would have charged at least that much for your butterfly cake--it was beautiful.

People will come around that will pay that much for quality. I'm betting they can't get a cake like that at a bakery.

After I made the lighthouse cake, someone asked me how much would I charge for that same cake in a smaller size. I told them that exact cake would cost $800.00. For a smaller version, we could negotiate but starting out would be $100.00 then go up from there depending on size. I have to start working on the pieces a week in advance. Then they sit around my house until time to finish cake.

That cake is very beautiful and worth more than $90.00. You are right. They don't get it. But you have to stand strong. They'll start to get it when they see that what they aren't getting is a beautiful and tasty cake!! Don't undersell yourself. You are worth much more than that. At work people try to play those games with me too. But if they don't want to pay what I charge they don't get a cake. Simple as that. Then just for fun I take in one cake to feed everyone at the whole hospital. Which means everyone just gets a bite or two. Keeps'em wanting more

Lazy_Susan

Hi bonjovibabe,

I totally can understand you and I think 90 for your cake is a very fair price!

I don´t know if it still exists, but there was a Dutch sugarcraft Guild several years ago. There is a sugarcraft interest in the Netherlands! You might take a look at www.sugardreams.nl (you might want to look at www.sugardreams.de as well ), I also found: http://www.cake.nl/.

Your cakes are beautiful and I think there will be a business there.

Happy Easter

Bettina

I tell people that snub their nose up at me & give me funny looks: Hey! A bakery won't make anything like this for you.....and if they did it would not be as cheap as I can make it.

I have the same problem also. People just don't want to pay for cake. Do people think that cake just falls out of the sky and onto a plate beautifully decorated and tasty as well?? I have people say "Oh I wish I knew how to decorate cakes but I don't have the time or the patience." I love decorating, but sometimes I don't have the time or the patience either, and to have someone tell me that a cake I've spent days on isn't worth the money is a slap in the face. I'm sorry I'm venting, but this is a sore subject with me! I was told by someone to charge just enough to turn some business away, that way you get the customers that will appreciate your work. Your cakes are awesome and if people don't want to pay, they truly don't appreciate the art of cake decorating.

I can totally sympathize with you! I've only done cakes for friends and family as gifts...I'm a stay at home mom with both children in school, so I do it for something fun to keep me busy...BUT, if I were charging I would expect to be well compensated. It takes A LOT of time and patience!

As with everything in life, you get what you pay for! Bonjovibabe, I hope you keep your chin up about it. Don't undersell what you know is worth much, much more. Those who appreciate quality will pay for it, IMHO.

Your cake is beautiful! Stick to your guns and don't lower your prices. They wont get anything close to your quality at a bakery or grocery store.

I definately think this cake was worth $90. It sounds like your cost is so much more than ours, too. Maybe you could tell people, you will charge cost plus XXX amount. I know what you mean. I live in a rural area and people do NOT want to pay. I charge 1.75 per serving for a wedding cake with buttercream. I have never done fondant. They bring me these beautiful pics from fancy places and want them for nothing!!!!! Don't give in, girl!!!!!! Your cakes are worth it. YOU are worth it!!!!!!!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who replied and gave me advice and encouragement on this situation! I've revised my website and removed the pricing guide! It was the first thing you came to after the home page, and I was wondering if that was putting people off (even though the prices were VERY reasonable!). Now it just has my pictures, flavours available etc and contact details. My plan is to lure them in with the merchandise and then price things up when asked (and maybe I will start charging a little more where I know I will spend lots of time on a project!).

Thanks again,
Trudi

I say continue doing what your are doing. You know your worth, that's what my grandma says. If they don't like the prices let them go somewhere else. It's quiet difficult to please everyone.
Tina