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Should I charge?

post #1 of 31
10/13/08 at 5:15pm
Thread Starter 
One of my friends is having a baby and I was asked by another mutual friend to make the cake for the baby shower. I always thought this group of friends, including myself, was close enough that the shower would be a joint venture. However, today I received an invitation to the shower. I haven't been included in any of the planning, except that I was asked to make the cake. They did not ask me how much the cake would cost. I think they expected the cake to my contribution to the shower. BUT, when I got an invitation, it changed the way I see things. Hummm. icon_confused.gif The invitation states that the shower is being given by "friends". Would it be tacky to charge for this cake? Should I charge for the cake?

I am asking for honest opinions. My DH has said that I need to reconsider my friendships as they are often taking advantage of my skills and talents. I give away alot of cakes or don't charge enough to cover my costs.

I might add, the lady who seems to be in charge was very detailed about how the cake should look. Most of the time they just let me do my own thing. She told me, this cake needs to be elegant, not too goofy.

Sorry this is so long. I do value your honest input on this one.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 31
10/13/08 at 5:28pm
I would either put a price out there for the cake or give a simple cake your design as the gift! If they dont want to pay for what they asked for, than give them what you want to give at your cost.
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/SilvercatSCakes#
http://silvercatscakes.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/MMillmanAkaSilvercat?authkey=jZ-waof0mOo#
http://mmillman-silvercat.blogspot.com
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http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/SilvercatSCakes#
http://silvercatscakes.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/MMillmanAkaSilvercat?authkey=jZ-waof0mOo#
http://mmillman-silvercat.blogspot.com
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post #3 of 31
10/13/08 at 5:30pm
I would either put a price out there for the cake or give a simple cake your design as the gift! If they dont want to pay for what they asked for, than give them what you want to give at your cost.
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/SilvercatSCakes#
http://silvercatscakes.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/MMillmanAkaSilvercat?authkey=jZ-waof0mOo#
http://mmillman-silvercat.blogspot.com
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http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/SilvercatSCakes#
http://silvercatscakes.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/silvercat76/MMillmanAkaSilvercat?authkey=jZ-waof0mOo#
http://mmillman-silvercat.blogspot.com
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post #4 of 31
10/13/08 at 5:33pm
I would so charge. I mean you are expected to show up with a gift as well no? I don't always understand giving cake as a 'gift' for a celebration. I mean especially for showers. The 'gift' of a cake for the shower assists the givers of the shower not the honoree.

I mean it will be pretty, it lends ambiance to the atmosphere but it does not so much for the baby or the bride who are the real point of the event. Yes?

I don't know, say I had a real pretty garden in my back yard to have the shower at. Shouldn't I still give a gift? Oh my present to the new bride/expectant mom was to host the party. It doesn't seem right.

Charge charge charge.

If someone asks me for a cake then they gotta pay for it. If it's my idea to give a cake--(I'd be feeling faint)--then it's my gift.
 
 

 

 

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post #5 of 31
10/13/08 at 6:40pm
I agree with Silvercat. If they're picking the details, I would most certainly charge.
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post #6 of 31
10/13/08 at 7:50pm
If it was me I would ask if I was part of the "friendsâ group giving the shower, sometimes my friends think that I know already what I really do not.

What I am trying to say is that if they are your friends they will be ok by you asking if you are being consider as an organizer.

If you are sure you are not then you can ask them to split the cost among all of you and if you like the girl the shower is been given to, I would just charge cost and not your time...
I am just brainstorming, let us know what you decide.
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post #7 of 31
10/14/08 at 2:03pm
That's a tough call. I think I would probably just do it for free or for the cost of ingredients. The cake could always be your present! Goodluck with your decision.
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post #8 of 31
10/15/08 at 6:37am
Normally I would say charge them, but you said that you were expecting to provide the cake as part of the "joint venture" throwing the shower. I understand that your feelings are hurt that you were excluded from the planning, but I say since your original intent was to provide the cake free, I still would.

I would not, however, bother to make the cake they decided on without you. I would make whatever tickled my fancy. You wanted to make this cake for your pregnant friend, not these other friends that planned the party. Think about your relationship with her and make what you feel she would enjoy the most. If the other friends complain that it wasn't what the "ordered", remind them that they didn't offer to compensate you for the cake, so you made what you had time & supplies to provide for free.

Have fun, enjoy the shower, don't let your "friends" ruin it for you.
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post #9 of 31
10/15/08 at 6:53am
I don't think it was her idea to give free cake at all.. more that it was expected of her.

You need to find out what they planned on doing for the cake. Were they going to pay you for it or was this to be your contribution to the "planning" of the shower.

My thought it that noone tells me what I am giving as a gift. If you have a specific cake in mind then you are ordering a cake.. not recieving a gift.

If they are true friends they will have no problem talking to you about it all. If they aren't.. then screw them. I'd be tempted to say you can't do it if they give you any guff for it.
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post #10 of 31
10/15/08 at 7:21am
i dont know if this helps but if a friend asks me to do a cake for them and they dont ask what it would cost i know there expecting a free cake (im good at reading my friends) anywho.... when i think somones trying to get a free cake i usually tell the people involved to chip in in getting the ingredients... there usually good about bringing the supplies to me as long as i make a detailed "shopping list" so part of my "gift" is the time to put the cake together and theres always left overs that can be used for the next cake i have to make or i just use the left over eggs for breakfast the next morning. (this helps to cover my costs and im still able to provide a gift for the new baby). if you use "my method" it is important to stress that it has to be "salted or unsalted butter" not "margerine" or it has to be "pure vanilla" not "imitation vanilla" ect. dont know if this helps at all.....
I'm not a pro decorator or even close to being one! Considering the circumstances i think i'm doing ok. I'm self taught.
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I'm not a pro decorator or even close to being one! Considering the circumstances i think i'm doing ok. I'm self taught.
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post #11 of 31
10/15/08 at 7:42am
If you planned on doing the cake as a gift to the mom-to-be as your gift anyway, then continue with your original plan as the cake is your gift. She's the one your doing this for, not the friends. She will be appreciative because she ( and the rest of the people at the shower) will know that you did the cake. You'll be getting praise and accolades during the shower that will make it worth it! icon_biggrin.gif Your's is the only gift there that everyone can enjoy! icon_lol.gif
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post #12 of 31
10/15/08 at 7:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by laynie72

If it was me I would ask if I was part of the "friendsâ group giving the shower, sometimes my friends think that I know already what I really do not.



I completely agree. If you are really friends with these people then asking whether or not you are included as an organizer shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I am really curious about what they say...
I has a sad. I can has cake?
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I has a sad. I can has cake?
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post #13 of 31
10/15/08 at 7:58am
I'm been in that position, I would offer to do the cake and end up with an invitation, same as you. Truthfully, I was considered part of the "friends" my part of the job was the cake, and I was glad that I did not have to worry about anything else, like invitations, decorations food, etc, since the cake did take time and effort, but I'd definitely ask for some $ to cover the cost, or even help with it.
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post #14 of 31
10/15/08 at 8:09am
Definetly charge. The honoree doesnt benefit from your cake - only the "friends" giving the shower!
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post #15 of 31
10/15/08 at 8:12am
Yuck, yuck, yuck. I am in SUCH a similar situation. A good friend of mine is having another baby. Last time I threw the shower, this time I am not. Cake is expected. No payment inquired about.

What I would say is "I calculated the cost of the cake, and it will be $XX.XX" If they say that you should donate it, or give it as a gift, you can just say "Well, that is a nice idea. But honestly, it was more than I planned on spending on her baby shower gift." Leave it at that.

It's funny, though, people who "know" you think they are doing you a favor by letting you make the cake. "Oh, she likes to make cakes, let's just let her do it." Uh hem.
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