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How do you price decorated cookies?

post #1 of 39
9/29/07 at 7:36am
Thread Starter 
I've made soccer shirts to match my daughter's soccer team jerseys. Then I've made a few jack-o-lanterns for the smaller siblings. If all goes as hoped I'll have parents ask how much I charge. If not no big deal. So, I'm wandering. How do you price cookies?

I wish I had pics to show you but I haven't dowloaded & don't have time right now. But the shirts have black collars w/ yellow shirt & the kid's # piped on. The jack-o-lanterns are just pumpkins w/ basic black faces. They are regular rolled sugar cookies w/ royal icing.

Thanks in advance
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post #2 of 39
9/29/07 at 7:56am
At least $12 per dozen!!! Cookies are fun but take a lot of time.
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post #3 of 39
9/29/07 at 7:57am
Mine are priced at $1.00/inch. If they are really intricate or have gumpaste flowers, etc., I'd have an additional charge.
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post #4 of 39
9/29/07 at 8:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karensue

Mine are priced at $1.00/inch. If they are really intricate or have gumpaste flowers, etc., I'd have an additional charge.



That's a great way to price those small cookie cutters!! I'm going to have to do some refiguring!! Thanks for the info thumbs_up.gif
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Madison (1995) Mackenzie and Makayla (1999)


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post #5 of 39
9/29/07 at 8:15am
I am so bad at pricing things - will be doing 40 cross cookies for a baptism, and quoted the lady $1.25 a piece, decorated (similar to the one in my photos). icon_redface.gif Now I know that is way underpriced, but I plan on giving her an invoice showing the real price (which should be a good $2 each) and stating this is a first time discount. She had cookies at a co-worker's party, and that co-worker was not charged alot because she frequently orders from me - was afraid they spoke about pricing.

One of these days I am going to trace several different cookie cutters so I can give folks a general idea of the cookie size, and the REAL price that should be charged.

Deb
mom to Christine, John, Michele, Joseph & Peter......grandma to Zachary and Colette
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post #6 of 39
9/29/07 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
Thanks. I just hate pricing things. Sometimes I feel I over price stuff & then feel guilty & underprice it. As my mom says, "it's not your livelyhood so if they don't want to pay what you charge then it's no skin off your back". I just hate it when people don't consider the time & effort you put into it (plus ingredients) and then say "well, I can get it a lot cheaper at Walmart" icon_mad.gif
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post #7 of 39
9/29/07 at 8:50am
If someone said they can get it cheaper at Walmart, I would just point them the way. We all bake with fresh ingredients, not pre-formed frozen things, and put alot more effort into them than Walmart would. I already knew this woman loved my cookies, and would probably have paid $2 each if I asked, but then again this is just a hobby that sort of pays for itself, so I feel guilty (yes know I should not feel that way) about charging alot right now. However, friends are starting to order more and more - time to start raising prices!
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post #8 of 39
9/29/07 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dandelion56602

and then say "well, I can get it a lot cheaper at Walmart" icon_mad.gif



This is like walking into the Lexus or BMW dealership and saying, but I can go to Chevy and get a car a lot cheaper.

Umm hello... you can't compare apples and oranges.
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post #9 of 39
9/29/07 at 9:03pm
$1 per inch. Don't ask for any less. Those cookies are lot of work and the ingredients are not cheap. I know it feels odd asking for $4.00 a cookie or maybe even $5.00 for a really large one, but people will pay it. I always explain while they are inquiring about my cookies that I charge $1.00 an inch. Then when they choose their cookie cutter, they won't be surprised because the will expect the quote. Decorated cookies take so darn long to make (make the dough, roll it out, cut it, bake them, cool them, make the icing, decorate the cookies, let them dry, package them, make tags, box them up etc.....) No matter how many times I make them, I'm always amazed at how long the process is. Yes I enjoy it but I want to make sure I get paid for all of my work. It's a great reward.
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post #10 of 39
9/30/07 at 9:08am
Well said heidinambo!!! thumbs_up.gif
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post #11 of 39
9/30/07 at 12:50pm
Thread Starter 
Well, no requests but a lot of compliments. Hopefully, they'll keep me in mind for the future! At least they've seen & will hopefully will tell friends too! I'm just so shy when it comes to doing things like that & am worse when it's friends that ask b/c they expect you to do it for free or nearly zilch. I don't think I've ever expected my friends to use their ability for me for free so why do they? And why do I feel so guilty for charging a certain price for cookies or cakes? Is it the look I get (bulging or rolled eyes) or thinking b/c they are friends or acquaintences that I should give it to them cheaper?

But thanks for the advice. I would rather go in knowing something than looking stupified if I were asked.
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post #12 of 39
9/30/07 at 3:40pm
dandelion56602 here's an idea for you the next time you "hand out" your cookies. Make a "stick on tag"with a cute name for your cookie "business."
(Just get some return address labels at Office Max!)
You can even add your phone number, or even your email address. That way...the people that you are handing them out to will then say, "OH, this is a business that she has" instead of just thinking you are a really nice Mom with a lot of time on your hands to make cookies! lol I started doing that with the cookies that I made, and it really helped a lot. Just something to think about!
Good Luck!

Joanne
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post #13 of 39
9/30/07 at 5:53pm
Do not feel guilty. Just be matter of fact about it. : ) If they want it they will order it.
Your time is valuable and so is your talent. It's no skin off your nose if the person doesn't want to pay what it's worth. That doesn't mean you are going to do it for less. Cookies take forever! Price them appropriately! : )
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post #14 of 39
9/30/07 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Joanne914. I'll remember that. I work at a Mother's Day Out too & will do that when I make their Thanksgiving & Christmas "treats".
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post #15 of 39
10/4/07 at 4:03am
I was going to post in a new thread, but figured that this one has basically answered my question.... but I still would like one tiny bit of clarification...

When pricing by the inch, is that length or width/height??? icon_razz.gif For instance, I have Halloween cutters that have bats and spiders... they're 1 and 2" high, but 2" and 3" wide. Do you just go with the larger number? icon_razz.gif

I've never charged for cookies before, but a friend has asked me to do a sample batch for her office manager to see. They're considering using me to do cookie bouquets for Christmas, and I want to be able to give them a realistic quote on the invoice, even though I'm only doing it for supplies reimbursement for right now (not licensed!). But for future orders, I'd like to be able to quote appropriately. icon_razz.gif

Sorry so long... I haven't had enough caffeine to think concisely this morning. LOL
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