she said "what?!?!?!".......is it her? or me? Ple - Page 2

Ok, ok... Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. Some people have ONLY purchased baked goods from a grocery store.

If I always have my oil changed at Jiffy Lube for $19.99, I wouldn't understand why someone who does mechanics from his driveway would charge me $50. Since I don't know what's involved with an oil change, my natural assumption might be that he was trying to overcharge me.

Someone who doesn't do cake and has never paid more than $14.99 for a 1/4 sheet might understandably think you were trying to bilk her.

Regardless, she could have been a little more tactful. Don't take it personally.

you charge her very little she has no idea, I charge 2.50 for regular swirl
I think I would of charge at least 3.00 for those you did a great job
but some people do not understand that

I agree with all the postings here. You did a great job on your cupcakes. About a year ago I started my own business, but before that I did all my baking out of my home and used my coworkers and my husbands coworkers as my critics. About a year ago I decided to start selling my products. I made several things around Thanksgiving (goody bags with candies) and took to work to sell (just to see if anyone would like them). And everyone OUTSIDE my dept loved them and brought almost everything I had but my coworkers NEVER brought the first bag. It wasn't until I had just one or two bags left, I told them they could have them and they were on them like a dog on a bone! Up until then no one want anything. I never took anything back to work, not to my own dept any way. People can be so ungrateful.

I know how you would feel. I've quoted a couple of people that I start charging my cupcakes at 1.50 and UP depending on what they want done. They never called me back. It does make you start second quessing yourself. But I will stand firm. Hope you do to!

Customer: "You want HOW much for cupcakes??"

My response: "You want Wal-Mart, go to Wal-Mart."

Let me start by saying that your cupcakes are definitely worth the price, they are adorable!

But in defense of your co-worker.....you said you don't make them for profit. It doesn't cost $80 to make 40 cupcakes. So there is compensation built in for your time and effort. When i tell someone I don't do it for profit, i only take the amount for the supplies. My compensation is the practice. So I can see where she may have been surprised. However, she could have been more tactful!

I think they think because their your coworkers that makes them intitled to something for free. Family is like that too. I had the same problem when I worked full time in an office. I would bring stuff in all the time and they couldnt stuff their faces fast enough. As soon as I started selling them, not one of them would buy anything from me. And same goes for my neighbor. I gave her daughter inlaw a cake to feed 70 people, PLUS 50 cookie favors that I hand decorated, added a personal poem on each with the babys name on it AND gave her my changing table I wasnt using anymore. Did I get a thank you card? Nope. When he turned 1 in August did I get the order? Nope.
Not everyone out there thinks the same way we do. Being polite is a thing of the past Im afraid.
Even if your not in business, being compensated for not just your time but your ingredients is a must. If she wanted custom cupcakes she would of paid double that at a regular bakery. If she wants something that is off the shelf then let her buy that. You shouldnt comprimise your talent and time for someone like that. You gave her the right answer and if they pass, they pass. Less work for you! If you would of given into her and gave her a even less price that barely covered your costs then she would expect that amount all the time and use you and really, you dont need people like that in your life! (sorry so long winded! But people like that burn my ...well you know!)

I took all the Wilton classes, and all my cakes, cupcakes etc. went to work. It never in a million years would have occured to me to be upset that no one offered to compensate me in anyway. That's ridiculous. They didn't ask me to bring the stuff in, honestly, THEY were doing me a favor by eating up this stuff so it didn't go to waste.

As for the coworker's reaction - you were not in the wrong. $2 a cupcake is EXTEREMELY reasonable, especially for custom decorated ones.

I had a coworker ask me to make her a cake once for her anniversary, and I asked her what her budget was before even quoting a price. She said $20. I told her she'd be better off making her own for that much, because once I factored in my ingredients, my time, my skill, etc, $20 wasn't going to get her much. She was like, well, since you put it THAT way, I guess you're right!

I never told her what I would have charged, and therefore, she never had a chance to offend me, LOL!

I read on here that you can't buy a Mercedes on a Hyundai budget. This is my new favorite quote! Seriously, next time, just say,"Well, you know, you can't buy a Mercedes on a Hyundai budget! You know, there's always Walmart!" and give her your most WINNING smile.

Cheapskate, I just looked at your cupcakes and even the all the different colours takes time to make up. She thought you were a soft touch.....

Don't be feeling bad you don't want to work for someone who would talk down to you like that.

Your cupcakes are really good, I love the werewolves, might be stealing your idea there myself this Halloween.

You did the right thing....

Just another example of people with the attitude they can get something for nothing....chalk it up up stupid people experience and move on...

Your cuppies are great!!!!

I must second king's comments. The only way you can get a cupcake for $2 here in Australia is if a very good friend is doing you a special favour or you are baking them yourself. Remember that the ingredients are not the only cost too. There is electricity, water, paper towels, baking paper, plastic wrap, foil, dishwashing liquid etc.

http://www.planetcake.com.au/couturecakes/wedding.php --> Take a look this site to get some idea of how much a professional shop in Sydney will charge.

You did the right thing and you should never feel guilty about wanting to be compensated for your efforts.

First your cupcakes look Great! I really like the monster ones, the kids would love them at school.

Second, I know how you feel. I was asked to make a cake for our Financial Directors Retirement Party. Since he is an avid hunter I decided on a 3D deer head cake (carved from 2 12x18 sheet cakes). I asked $65 (yes only $65) since he's my boss's boss I thought it would also be my gift to him. Then the lady that took over planning the party didn't want to pay that much. I was furious but not because she didn't want to pay me, I couldn't believe she didn't feel he was worthy of a nice cake. I decided to do it anyways as my gift to him but I'm not bringing a dish to pass at the potluck. She's going to call around to see what others would charge for a regular sheet cake and pay me that much. Some people just don't get it.

You're cuppies are great and I know how much work goes into them! I did easter egg cuppies for someome once and each one was different...took me forever! I never thought it would be a late nighter on that order, but it was. $2/cc is very fair!

"Hello, Cadillac dealer? I want an Escalade. But I'm not paying $50,000 for it because I think that's ridiculous. I'm going to call around and see what mini vans and small SUV's sell for and I'll pay you THAT much for it."

Yeah....THAT'LL work.

"Applaud" to you for doing it as a gift. You might even remind this woman that Duff has a $1000 minimum for cakes like this.

Words, as usual with this kind of idiot encounter, fail me!