I love that painting........so, so much! Is that weird? It really speaks to me like nothing I have ever seen has. (Which would be why I have 3 different prints thruout the house, lol.)
I also used to get a bit hurt when I was told I was too much..... it wears off. I felt ALOT more hurt when I backed down and did a huge, labor intensive cake that took 6 hours and only charged $50!! After that, I looked at it as a relief. If people don't want to pay what I charge, no hard feelings.....quite frankly, If I didn't do cake, Costco bakery would be getting my business 6 more times out of the year!
FANTASTI Hannah Montana cake, btw......holy cow! 
It amazes me that people will go out to a restaurant and think nothing of ordering a dessert that costs $6.00 and then balk at $3.00 a serving for a wedding cake.
I see this statement all the time. I too have paid $6 for a great looking slice of cake in a restaurant and most of the time it tastes great too. What we ought to bear in mind is that when people pay that in a restaurant it's for one or two servings. Sure I'll pay more once in a while, but if I was expected to buy everyone's desert that'd be a different story. For instance, that same $6 piece of cake multiplied by 150 guests, I'd have to say yikes!
My Relay For Life team did a bake sale for the American Cancer Society last Saturday and my sis made her special carrot cake, cut it into 10 servings and slapped a $3 price on it. After three of us team members bought the first 4 pieces the rest went fast. My sis was amazed people paid $3 for it. I asked her if she saw a great looking carrot cake for $30 would she by it and she made a face and said probably not.
I'm just saying that just because someone will drop $6 for desert after dinner doesn't mean they'd spend $900 for the whole cake.
If someone inquires about my cakes and doesn't like my price I don't care if they go elsewhere. And as soon as anyone brings Wal Mart prices into the discussion they can just go there. In my position I don't have to negotiate on price to satisfy a customer. I think it's always a good idea to offer pictures of your work to potential customers. I offer even when they haven't asked.
Great looking Hannah cake!!
.... but if I was expected to buy everyone's desert that'd be a different story. For instance, that same $6 piece of cake multiplied by 150 guests, I'd have to say yikes!
But I think that is the whole point. It's what I refer to people going math-dumb. If they take 6 people to dinner and the cost is $10 each, they can easily figure that it will cost $60 to feed those 6 people.
But when faced with taking 100 people to dinner for $10 each, the only thing they can think of is "A THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!" 
Do the math. 150 x $6 = $900. If your budget legitimately can't afford $900, then you need to not have as big of a party. It's not $900 for "a cake". It's $900 for enough cake to feed 150 people.
Do the math. 150 x $6 = $900. If your budget legitimately can't afford $900, then you need to not have as big of a party. It's not $900 for "a cake". It's $900 for enough cake to feed 150 people.
Debi, I get what you're saying, but I think most people will adjust down to a less expensive cake rather than drop people from their guest list. For my dd's wedding we made the guest list then shopped for the cake to serve them. We didn't decide on the wedding cake we wanted then decide which people to invite to use that much cake. LOL
.... but if I was expected to buy everyone's desert that'd be a different story. For instance, that same $6 piece of cake multiplied by 150 guests, I'd have to say yikes!
But I think that is the whole point. It's what I refer to people going math-dumb. If they take 6 people to dinner and the cost is $10 each, they can easily figure that it will cost $60 to feed those 6 people.
But when faced with taking 100 people to dinner for $10 each, the only thing they can think of is "A THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!"
Do the math. 150 x $6 = $900. If your budget legitimately can't afford $900, then you need to not have as big of a party. It's not $900 for "a cake". It's $900 for enough cake to feed 150 people.
Well, on this point I will have to bring a different point of view.
If I'm having a special dinner for my husband and me, I might sometime, splurge on something extra special. But if I want to entertain a lot of people, I'm never going to be able to afford to serve them something that expensive. And I would rather enjoy my friends than wait until I could afford to really impress them with cake. And my friends feel the same way about me, I hope.
We look at weddings the same way. I often read on these boards that you shouldn't have so many people at your wedding if you can't afford to properly feed them. I have to say that is not an attitude I've lived around. The wedding is about the marriage to us, not about the party. I've heard many times from folks that they would rather have a potluck and have everyone come than something fancy and have to leave anyone out. The focus for us is celebrating marriage and having the privilege of being a part of the day. So the starting point is trying to figure out how to provide for all the people who we love and want to be there, not how many people can we afford to serve.
So, when I have a party of any sort, I'm always trying to find ways for my guests to have a great time but not break my budget. I don't think anything is wrong with that.
Carol and ziggy, you both make excellent points, and believe it or not, I actually agree with you on those points. I guess I was coming from the viewpoint that I encounter .... those couples who try to play the "I'm so broke and poor" card, then tell me their headcount is 250. I just have a hard time dealing with "poor, broke" people planning a party for 250 people. (had one of those a couple of weeks ago).
When people say "That's way out of our budget..." I just smile and say, "Oh, well then, thanks for calling." *click*
It's not them saying *you're* too expensive. It's them saying, "*I'm* not willing to spend that much."
If you have $9.99 to spend on a shirt, you better not walk into Nordstrom, because they'll laugh you out of the store. Same principle.
Don't feel bad at all when people say you're "too expensive"; it's nothing personal, just business.
Carol and ziggy, you both make excellent points, and believe it or not, I actually agree with you on those points. I guess I was coming from the viewpoint that I encounter .... those couples who try to play the "I'm so broke and poor" card, then tell me their headcount is 250. I just have a hard time dealing with "poor, broke" people planning a party for 250 people. (had one of those a couple of weeks ago).
And I agree that the fact that they want to have a party for 250 people and can't afford what you offer is not your problem!
Even though I don't live in a small town, we have a sense of community. For example, when someone gets married, the whole church is invited, and that is just for starters. You just find a way to have a reception that makes you happy and gives your guests a chance to enjoy themselves. I can picture that depending on who my daughter marries, we could easily have 350 people at the wedding, or more! Somehow, we'll have to have a cake (when that day comes). But cake and party food are not necessary to sustain life or to have a happy marriage and no cake maker or caterer is responsible for helping to fund the reception....which is what you are really being asked to do when someone gives you a sob story. Perhaps she will not be able to have her first or second (or third or more) choice for a cake or anything else, but life is about making choices, not having everything you ever thought you might want. 
I used to paint murals and during consultations people would say stuff like, I want a sky blue ceiling with clouds and birds, this on that wall and that on that, in other words a complete custom mural on all four walls and ceiling... and when I would quote a price, they would say 'oh, my budget is $350' After the shock wore off I should have told them 'Excuse me, but the going rate around my neck of the woods to have all four walls painted the same color with a sprayer is $400, no ceiling included and you want me to hand paint 75% of this room for less.... I tried to work within their budget, but always ended up doing more and being frustrated at myself for not just saying no...
People want more for less everywhere... It's hard to turn down work, especially if you're just starting, but when you start doing your good work for less than you're worth, you will enjoy it less.
I'm not painting anymore, haha. Luckily my husband is supporting my cake hobby and actually wants me to get licensed.... And with cakes I don't have to go to their houses to do it... 
I also agree with the recent posts. The wedding should be about love and the marriage and family and friends getting together to celebrate. However, alot of the time, it ends up being a social statement.
When I watch the wedding channel and they have these elaborate weddings and you find out how much people pay for that....tsk. However, people will always have special occasions to celebrate.
I made the groom's cake for a big wedding last May (Drum set)--catered event, lots of attendants-type of wedding. 6 months later, the BRIDE decided she didn't want to be married anymore.
I made the groom's cake for a big wedding last May (Drum set)--catered event, lots of attendants-type of wedding. 6 months later, the BRIDE decided she didn't want to be married anymore.
I have a theory that the more you spend on a wedding, the shorter the marriage lasts! 
I made the groom's cake for a big wedding last May (Drum set)--catered event, lots of attendants-type of wedding. 6 months later, the BRIDE decided she didn't want to be married anymore.
I have a theory that the more you spend on a wedding, the shorter the marriage lasts!
Teehee! 
Then mine should last forever! My hubby and I are NOT crowd-type people. We were married in front of our parents and the pastor, no one else, in bride and groom white tees and bluejeans Then we had a reception for our friends and family. Friends made our cakes and I helped my mom with the food. It was fun and cheap, and everyone had plenty! It's not so bad to downsize. (and we weren't nervous wrecks, having to say our vows in front of hundreds! 
)
i had similar situations last week. i was working with two potential customers on design options, flavors, etc. and after about 5 days of back and forth emails, both told me that although they were certain my cakes were "worth it", it just wasn't in their budget. i have to admit i felt sad about it and angry; afterall, i had already spent a lot of time corresponding and doing research. it just goes with the territory.
i just don't think people have any understanding of what goes into baking entirely from scratch and all the time that goes into just frosting a smooth cake let alone decorative accents. and all the tools and equipment that are used to acheive that look.
ashley
At least they are telling you that's the reason they don't order. I had a cake customer correspond with me a few times about a cake and then not send me a deposit and then I couldn't get in touch with her again. She knew the cost from the first correspondence. I don't know what happened, so it just makes me wonder and not feel confident........
At least they are telling you that's the reason they don't order. I had a cake customer correspond with me a few times about a cake and then not send me a deposit and then I couldn't get in touch with her again. She knew the cost from the first correspondence. I don't know what happened, so it just makes me wonder and not feel confident........
yes, that's what happened to me with one of those clients. i was waiting for them to make a payment and emailed her once and didn't hear back. then i emailed once more and just told her that i had another order i'd like to accept for the same weekend and needed to know where our order stood. it did shake my confidence. i felt like maybe my prices were too high for my skill level.
ashley
your prices are more than fair......I live in a teeny tiny town with cheapos and I charge 5 dollars less for each of those cakes you listed!! Double layers = twice as much cake!!!! Are they insane!!!!! By the way......Wal-Mart here sells a half sheet for 23.00 so that's still 46 dollars for a double layer half sheet!!! Seems like the type of person that didn't wanna have to PAY for a cake in the first place...........let her go to Wal-Mart and have her guests talk about how aweful her poor child's cake was!! lol
Have you noticed when you go to Wal-mart all their store brands say "Compare to:" and it's followed by the brand name (i.e. GV shampoo Compare to: Pantene)? Maybe this is cause for confusion. Maybe some people just aren't intelligent enough to know that Wal-mart cakes don't come with that same disclaimer. Walmart sheet cake Compare to: Exclusive Scratch Bakery cake? YEAH RIGHT! 
IMO, I'd rather pay $3+ per serving for cake that was going to be eaten vs. paying $1, or less, per serving for cake that's going in the trash. You might think you're saving money, but if you throw the cake away, you just threw your money away too. 
... I'd rather pay $3+ per serving for cake that was going to be eaten vs. paying $1, or less, per serving for cake that's going in the trash. You might think you're saving money, but if you throw the cake away, you just threw your money away too.
That's what I told my employer when they did their annual price comparing.... "You can get cheaper cake at walmart, but it's not delivered and you can throw away half the cake that's still there at 2:30 in the afternoon. Or you can continue to pay my price, which includes delivery, and the cake is gone by 10:00 a.m."
They continued to pay my price.
Walmart sheet cake Compare to: Exclusive Scratch Bakery cake?
Funny story!!! I went to wm the other day and trotted by their "bakery" and there was a red velvet cake that said "baked from scratch" 
I left with a huge grin and hubby just looked at me and started laughing too!!
Just politely reply. Well, Wal-Mart is very affordable for most people and you can get a small 1/2 sheet cake with shortening only frosting and plain cake mix for about $25 bucks! However, I make my cakes from scratch and my frosting is made with real butter. Just go to "Wal-Mart" and you can look at the cost of butter and then you will understand WHY "THEY" DON'T use REAL butter in their cakes because they'd have to charge a lot more. Also, the most important thing is the fact you are requesting a """"CUSTOM"""" cake!!! lol
I had a lady call me and want me to mold a lady's body (I don't do naughty cakes anymore anyway), with fondant and the whole nine yards. Well, I quoted her $115.00 and her reply was, "OMG, $115 for a 'CAKE?' I said, well, you're paying me for my time more than anything and the fondant is very costly. I could do it with buttercream for $75.00. She said that was way to high and they were expecting max of $30.00. My minimum on anything is $50.00 (and that's a 10" round with minimal decor) I had to help myself to keep from laughing.
Her last repsonse was... "Well, I guess we really don't understand why a custom cake cost's so much." My response was, "Well, because it's a CUSTOM cake."
Don't waste your time with these people. They'll either pay or they won't. One of my really good friend's that's a fabulous cake designer in the biz for like 15+ years told me when I got started; "When you tell them the price they'll either say 'OK' or 'No Way,' there's really no in between. I have found her statement to ring true everytime.
Toodles.....
I haven't really had any price complaints lately but...I do have quite a few who call, say they want a cake, get the price...and then they say they will call back later and of course never do...
Too many people around here have these grand ideas they want for a 3D cake and then they aren't prepared for the price....I guess they just figure it will be double a Walmart cake and are shocked when its priced much higher.
I dunno but I hope somebody with money comes along soon...MAN its slow this year. *sigh* I have a licensed business and nobody able to pay expenses!
Too many people around here have these grand ideas they want for a 3D cake and then they aren't prepared for the price....
Had an inquiry this weekend.... they wanted a cake carved like a specific car with a budget of "$50-$100". Now, one thing I learned in my corporate life is that when they say $50 to $100, the budget is actually $50. I emailed her back and told her I wasn't available (true) and gave her the names of two other bakers who might be able to help her. I also "warned" her that most carved and scuplted 3-D cakes will probably START at $100, ".....so if you find one that works inside your budget, you should grab it because you will have found a real bargain." (I also managed to work into the email that the carved 3-D cakes we see on Ace of Cakes START at $1000.)
Too many people around here have these grand ideas they want for a 3D cake and then they aren't prepared for the price....
Had an inquiry this weekend.... they wanted a cake carved like a specific car with a budget of "$50-$100". Now, one thing I learned in my corporate life is that when they say $50 to $100, the budget is actually $50. I emailed her back and told her I wasn't available (true) and gave her the names of two other bakers who might be able to help her. I also "warned" her that most carved and scuplted 3-D cakes will probably START at $100, ".....so if you find one that works inside your budget, you should grab it because you will have found a real bargain." (I also managed to work into the email that the carved 3-D cakes we see on Ace of Cakes START at $1000.)
I was starting to feel bad about my prices but then I had a groom's cake I charged $300 for. The bride originally contacted Ace of Cakes and also a well known local decorator...both quotes were well over $1000 for a 25-30 serving cake! Many professional decorators do not want to waste time on a 3D cake so you have to pay premium prices. I wish I could tell everyone that! I guess telling people doesn't put more money in their budget though....
Pish- She didn't say you were too expensive. Rather she said your price was beyond her budget. There is a difference. One says something about her ability to pay, the other says you are over priced. Most of us spot things we would like to have until we see the price tag. Generally the price is more than fair, but our pockets just aren't that deep.
If no one complains about your prices, then you are not charging enough!
I had a woman tell me the same thing--that the cake she wanted-- 3 tiers, all different flavors and fillings was WAYYY out of her budget at $3.50 a slice. So I felt bad for her and did the whole cake for $50. Well, she was a friend of my mil's and my mil told me that the family COULD well afford it at the price I quoted her originally. So about a month later, the woman called me back to ask for another cake, another big custom cake. So I just flat out told her that I only made $5 on that last cake I did for her, and that I couldnt do something like that again, as much as I'd like to be able to, and that if she needed to find someone else to do this one that I completely understood. ....She said OH! I didnt know you werent making anything on it. I thought the ingredients were just a few dollars. And she HAPPILY paid $4 a slice. Some people just want to see how low they can get you to go on your prices. Dont budge on it. If they cant pay for it, then they cant. Oh well. They can go get a sheet cake from a grocery store or walmart or somewhere. The thing to remember is that if youve never had a bakery cake, a sheet cake from a grocery store isnt all that bad. It's still just as special for some people.
In short...Dont worry about it!! Dont take it as an insult. They maybe honestly couldnt afford it, but probably were just fishing for you to lower your price.
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