I had to run out last night for some dinner ingredients to one of the local grocery stores. Being that I have never been in there because it's not too appealing (and I've lived here a mere 4 months), I took a stroll past the bakery. The are the only place in town that makes wedding cakes. The quality of the design is not what I expected. It looks like a toddler decorated it (which is fine, but this is the best part)--- They charge almost $800 for a cake that feeds 259 people. . Now, maybe this is the norm, but I just can't believe that they would have the odasity (sp?) to charge that high of a price for something that is not too nice. My s/o thinks that we should up the price of our cakes just on the basis that we, the Wal Mart, and the dirty supermarket are the only "advertising" cake makers in the small, one horse town here. I just cant not justify charging something so high for a cake such as that. (Did I mention that the price only includes BC decorations? They had a sign cleary marked that gumpaste and fondant are extra). Personally, I think my prices are OK- They average about $1.03 per serving with only BC. Should I increase my prices or keep them as the pony? TIA

At $1.03 per serving, I would up the prices! IMO, your customers are getting a deal!

Where near Dallas do you live? My daughter got married 2 years ago and we paid $3 per slice - we bought from a bakery in Plano.
Melissa

puppylove hun,
your local walmart charges more than you do. I would definitely up my price to bout maybe 1.75 - 2.25 per serving. maybe more if you can get away with it. Remember, when you set your prices you can always go down but it's harder than heck to go up. People will want to know why?

I live in the metro area of Mississippi and I charge $2.75 per serving for buttercream. I think you may need to reevaluate your prices. You must remember your time costs just as much as your ingredients. Good luck!!

I say definitely go up! I charge $1.50 but am about to go up to $2.00 based on the fact that I have been checking out other people's prices in my area and even $2.00 is cheaper than them.

Absolutely raise your prices!!! Where I live in Boston, many wedding cakes START at $10/serving. Can you believe it?

I got married last year in my hometown (middle-of-nowhere-PA), and even there, my buttercream-covered cake came to $6/serving. Granted, I asked for some fancy fillings, but still. Definitely not cheap.

I would suggest doubling your current rate to $2/serving to start, and see how that goes. Charge extra for expensive fillings, detailed design work, etc. You hard work is worth it! In my experience, people are willing to pay for quality.

oh you defiantly need to go up!

I now get $3.25 per person. I raise my prices every December for the upcoming year by .25. Yes, you need to up your prices!!!!!!

I would say that you should raise your prices.

It's amazing what these supermarkets get a way with. The grocery store I shop at is part of a large regional chain of stores. I always have to walk through the bakery department to remind myself that I tend to undercharge. The other day they had a teeny-tiny cake airbrushed with a couple of crappy decorations thrown on top for $10.00. I would guess this cake was about 6 inches by 4 inches -- tiny!

You should definately up your prices if your competition is charging much more than you. Your cakes are probably 10 times better in terms of flavor and attention to detail. From everything I have read from here at CC and on other sites, the #1 rule when pricing is to NOT undercut the competition. If you want to charge more, that is entirely up to you. However, IMHO, you should at the very least match what the current market prices are in your area.

So do you think a $1.50 per slice is OK to start? The Walmart has their's at about $1.18. I'ts about 2/3 in the middle of what they and the other supermarket are charging. There is a lady here who is a home baker that is charging $1 a slice if that matters.

I would at least do $2.00 per slice.

If they're charging so much for a lousy cake, you could charge the same and probably get a lot of buisness. What I mean is if the prices are all the same, they're going to go for skill level. Don't cheat yourself, but don't take advantage of people either and you'll be rolling in cake orders!! I'd charge at least $1.50 per slice for buttercream. Good luck!

Honey, you need to up your prices. There are always those that go for the lowest priced item, and that's up to them, but if you undervalue yourself, discerning people are going to wonder why. After all, you usually get what you pay for, right? So make sure you charge enough to send the message that you are worth it! I think at the minimum $1.75/serving. Probably more.

I'd charge at least $2.00 a slice. That is minimum what you should get just for buttercream. Extras are, well, extra!

I think it depends on your skill level and experience. It is hard to judge since you only have one cake posted.

That said, you should at least match the grocery stores!

Actually, I am checking out your website and see that you are actually charging LESS THAN A $1 per serving!!!!

Round Cakes:
Starting at: Serves:
8", $16....................................16 ($1.00 per serving)
9", $25...................................31 ($0.81 per serving)
10", $35.................................39 ($0.90 per serving)
12", $50.................................56 ($0.89 per serving)
14", $65.................................76 ($0.86 per serving)
16", $100..............................100 ($1.00 per serving)

Are you nuts?!?!?

Are you familiar with Excel? I have this AWSOME (but complicated ) spreadsheet that calculates down to the penny what you should charge. If you are interested, let me know and I can e-mail it to you.

strawberry0121

Can I get in on that spreadsheet offer?

Sure! Post or PM your e-mail OR I am checking out this one that I just found on this site. It is less complicated, but also less thourough. Here is the link for that one:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-5711.html

OMG!!!!!!! I was just snubbed for charging $1.00 per serving. After many, many freebies, I decided, enough......I'm going to charge. AFter figuring out my costs (from Walmart supplies to boot!!!), I tacked on an extra $50 for my troubles (for 250 people), not to mention, my time shopping around for best prices etc.......AGH!!!!!! I wish people would take the time to figure this out and not look at us like we're out to lunch when we offer home baked from scratch goods for next to nothing!!! I'm making my niece's wedding cake for 250 people in July for nothing (considered this part of my gift to them....) If I charged the Dallas prices as I've read, that would be a $2500.00 cake!!!!! Not sure many people realize this! Wish I could print out some of these posts and sneak them somewhere where everyone could appreciate this....sorry ...had to vent again. Think I've been making too many free cakes!!!!

Strawberry, I price my wedding cakes differently, as I can only give a fair enough price based on what the client wants. If it's a sheet cake w/ just BC, well, then it's just a sheet cake w/ bc...lol. I charge differently for stacked, tiers, fondant, etc, just b/c I am putting more work into it and tiers scare me...eek! For example, I have a bride for next June who has 100 people. She wants a 14, 10, and 6 stacked square with BC, a filling of some sort, swiss dots, and an elaborate chocolate monogram and BC roses around the based tinted perfectly to match the bridesmaid's dresses. $ 275 inlcudes delivery and set up. But, yes, they're generally still TOO cheap from what I see. Honestly, I am afraid to charging too much. People seem to want something for nothing, they want quality but don't want to pay for it, yadda, yadda. I just moved here and dont know who does what or has what so I'm a bit apprehensive about getting off on the wrong start and getting turned down I think it is a lack of confidence as well. BTW, thanks for the excel sheet; I'm gonna check it out now.

Jenn123, there is a note on the bottom on the pricing sheet of my page explaining why I dont have anymore pics up..kinda stinky

$2.00 it is.

Strawberry, I price my wedding cakes differently, as I can only give a fair enough price based on what the client wants. If it's a sheet cake w/ just BC, well, then it's just a sheet cake w/ bc...lol. I charge differently for stacked, tiers, fondant, etc, just b/c I am putting more work into it and tiers scare me...eek! For example, I have a bride for next June who has 100 people. She wants a 14, 10, and 6 stacked square with BC, a filling of some sort, swiss dots, and an elaborate chocolate monogram and BC roses around the based tinted perfectly to match the bridesmaid's dresses. $ 275 inlcudes delivery and set up. But, yes, they're generally still TOO cheap from what I see. Honestly, I am afraid to charging too much. People seem to want something for nothing, they want quality but don't want to pay for it, yadda, yadda. I just moved here and dont know who does what or has what so I'm a bit apprehensive about getting off on the wrong start and getting turned down I think it is a lack of confidence as well. BTW, thanks for the excel sheet; I'm gonna check it out now.

Jenn123, there is a note on the bottom on the pricing sheet of my page explaining why I dont have anymore pics up..kinda stinky

$2.00 it is.



Again, thank you all for your imput. I appreciate your honesty.

Maybe you could advertise as being Grand Opening prices until you get calibrated for the area? Just don't want you to LOSE money on your cakes!

I think you should increase your price. Once people know that you can decorate your cakes more professionally than the grocery store or walmart, they will be willing to pay the price that you set.

Besides grocery stores and Walmart decorate cakes based on supply and demand. So the simply the decorations the easier it is to produce more for themselves and customers.

Lots of Dallas area people on here. I live near DFW airport!

I don't think people it that area would pay "Dallas prices" for a cake. The only real bakery in town is gone. So Walmart & HEB are the only places to get a cake. Except for a few that do it out of the home and we know that is a no-no. I have never charged for a wedding cake - I have done 3. Mine and 2 daughters of close friends. So I don't know what they go for. All I know is she is in a heritage rich community that won't pay $4 a slice.