Ok, I have a neighbor who has a 6 year old little girl. I babysat for her Saturday from 9-4:30, and only charged her $25 for the day. I thought that was a steal, especially for a Saturday. She asked me to brainstorm some ideas for the little girls's ballerina birthday cake in August. I told her ok. She's not sure what size she wants or anything, just wanted me to brainstorm some ideas to show her. No problem. I was talking to another neighbor this morning, and she told me they were complaining because I was WAAAYYY to expensive for the babysitting and they will never use me again. Fine by me! I have a feeling that they may be better off getting a cake from Wally World if they think that $25 for all day Saturday babysitting was too much. Should I ask her about her budget for the cake, then get back with her for size, design, etc, or should I assume that since they are so cheap for childcare, that I should have them go somewhere else for the cake? I mainly do custom birthday cakes, and I really think I'll be WAY out of their idea of a price for a ballerina cake.

You're probably right that they will think it is too exspensive, but you never know. I would tell them your price when they decide what they want, and don't budge on it. They can take it or leave it and you'll be no worse for the wear. And $25 for all day Saturday, that's expensive??? Yeah right! They got a bargain!

RUN!!!! j/k (sort of) I would see if she approaches you and go from there... I just get a feeling this one is going to be a stinker so if it starts getting like that right off when prices come up, tell her plainly that these are custom cakes and that quality costs more (and you cakes are great BTW).

I agree. Let her know your prices for the different sizes with the normal decorations and anything extra will cost more. Hold firm to your prices because yuo are talking about your talent and abilities. You should never negotiate those!!

Wow! That's less than $4.00 an hour. I didn't look at where you live, but babysitters get paid around $5.00 an hour here. Sounds like your cakes might be too pricey for her. Maybe you should wait to see if she approaches you again.

hmm 7.5 hours for $25 that's barely over $3/hr....

gosh, around here it's $5/hour or more (and I bet you fed her lunch too as part of the $25)

Go, ahead, give her a quote on a really pretty custom cake...maybe even show her some pics of others cakes w/ the "I have a friend how made this cake (show pic)...and here's another....oh and by the way...the cheapest one here is this one....and it cost $$$) I'll be glad to make one for the same price. BUT I know how tight money is right now...so maybe that's too much, but I know WallyMart makes cakes too.)

I think maybe I'll find out what size they want and all, and give her a quote. I have orders coming from people who don't think twice paying what I charge, I just have a feeling they'll be difficult. The ynever told me the babysitting was too much, but talked to other neighbors about it instead They got a steal on the babysitting, and I'm not going down on my cake prices. I think some of them are too low anyway. Thanks again everyone!

Good grief! Will you come charge me that? Around here, I have to pay $7-$10 an hour for my two guys. With one child it was still at least $7. We left them all day for Sat once and I think it was $50 at least. If she's complaining about that....wow.

jen1977
RUN, THE OTHER WAY!

Looks like you ARE BOOKED for that day/weekend/year

You just might get BURNED on this one. BEWARE, BE VERY A-WARE of a cronic complainer who will not be happy oopsy

With a shot gun if you are a postal worker !! LOL just kidding!! or maybe by holding up a big sign that says "FREE" ..

I pay $8 an hour for my two boys! I knew they paid another neighbor $2 and hour for babysitting, and thought that was too much.

Wow, I guess it's different where I live. With my friends and neighbors, we usually trade off enough with babysitting or other favors that it works out without a problem. We've never charged each other.

For babysitting on a regular basis, like for work or college classes, I've charged and paid no more than $2/hour per child. But these are always friends or neighbors.

Teenagers that babysit also get $2/hour per child. They've never complained and always say yes when I call them. They are also friends, though, from church.

The before and after school care at the school is between 2.75-3.50/ hour per child, depending on how many children are enrolled, including meals.

I can't believe how different the rates are for childcare around the country. It's interesting.

next time they ask you or the neighbor...sorry, busy, but here's the number of my sitter. (can we say sticker shock)

Sorry...didn't answer the question.

I would just come up with a few ideas and give her your price. If it's too much for her, then she'll probably tell you. It seems like some people spend a lot of money on certain things, and not on other things, you know.

For me, I spend a lot of money on making sweets for my family, but cringe at the thought of spending more than 1.50/pound for ground beef or chicken to make dinner. It doesn't make any sense, but it's something I do...I don't know why.

Good luck!

I think I'd tell her I can't do a cake for under..... will that fit your budget???

As for the baby-sitting, I charge $5 an hour per child. I use to do $5 for one, $7 for 2, and $9 for 3 children, but w/ gas prices up so high, and since I drive myself back & forth places - that's what I charge. If people want some teenager, that's fine (just like if they want some crappy cake from Big Box Mart - that's fine too). But I have a LOT of experience w/ kids (none of my own thank God - at least for the moment) and I'm not a teenager - so I feel my experience with that deserves higher pay than a teenager who is just kinda "there" w/ the kids.

Also, I have a friend who tutors children and charges $35 an hour - he and I talked about how the people don't even LEAVE the children w/ him and he gets that much - he said "If I were leaving my children w/ someone - i would want to make sure they were well paid....." You don't want baby-sitters stealing from your or harming your children - or just not watching your children or leaving the palce a mess.... so pay them what they're worth!!! I know baby-sitting can end up being very expensive - so I don't know how anyone affords kids at all, but if I'm leaving my kids w/ someone I want to pay them enough so that they will pay attention to the kids and will actually interact w/ them - not some teenager who will sit on a couch & watch TV and let the kids do whatever they want (disclaimer note: Not all teenagers are like this - I wasn't - but a lot are). This one couple I sat for hired a 13 year old boy to sit for their 3 kids ages 2, 6, 9 - and the place was ALWAYS a mess... that's why I think I should get paid more than him if the kids are in bed, the place is cleaned up, they've been fed & I cooked, etc.

Sorry that ended up so long..... I must be in a bad mood today......

I would give the woman the benefit of the doubt....people feel differently about paying for certain things. So she thought $25 was too much for babysitting....she may feel differently about the cost of her daughters b-day cake.
Plus, maybe she was just venting to the neighbor & I'm sure may be embarrassed that you found out. I wouldn't use her one comment about babysitting to determine that she will be difficult. I would come up with a few different cakes in different price ranges and present them to her. If she thinks its too much then nothing lost.

I am in Ohio ~ She got a STEAL for $25. on a Saturday. My daughter (17) gets $5. per hour PER CHILD for weekend sitting. If it is a holiday weekend, the prices go way up.

On the other hand - I would still give the cake quotes (after finding out what size cake first!)

And, IMO - the one who told you what she said may just be a person who likes to get stuff started.

25$ for an entire day of babysitting is way cheap! We pay $10/hour for our 2 girls (or $8/hr for just 1).

I think I'd ask her how much she is willing to spend on a cake and then give her ideas based on what she can spend. But if she's complaining to neighbors about how expensive you are without even discussing it with you, you just may want to keep away from this one!

Thanks everyone. I'll get her budget for the cake, and go from there. I'm just afraid that she'll be one of those people who are hard to make happy. She works at Wal Mart, and knows what she can get there.

Wow! I think I need to move. I pay between $10 and $15.00 per hour for babysitters here in Atlanta. And my kids are asleep most of the time. I've heard some Mom's pay $8.00 per hour for a mother's helper (age 11, 12 or 13) to play with their kids while they clean the house.

As for what to charge for the cake.... work up the design and explain the cost involved - well in advance so that you can agree on it or allow the mom to order her cake at the grocery store. I wouldn't let it turn into a big issue... simply explain about your costs and the hours of work that go into such a project and let the customer decide if that is something they are willing to do - just like you would with any other customer.

You know, the neighbor who told you that could have been exaggerating, too........ you never know.

I would calmly and confidently give her your price, say your cakes start at such and such for a..... and tell her what that buys her........... and they go up from there, what were you thinking of, how many do you need to serve? If it's too much, suggest she go elsewhere..............

Maybe that's why she's wanting a cake from you.........she's seen them close up at walmart! LOL!

On the other hand, maybe she thinks you're cheaper than wally world.

Let us know what happens and good luck!!!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but she didn't exactly ask you to make the cake. She just wants plans, so give her just that, plans!

As far as the babysitting goes, I have three kids (2 9 year olds and a just about 7 year old), and I don't even have a babysitter, can't afford one. Fortunately, we are blessed with a very nice neighbor who loves my kids and takes my kids on special outings. I used to babysit for $50.00 a week, 5 days a week. But that was when the kids were babies and I had no place to go (who really wants to drag three kids to a mall?). Now if I am asked to babysit I aske if the kid knows how to say "NO" and of they say he or she does, then the answer is NO!