Price out those ingredients that you have inherited and turn them into the money value you would have received, had your grandmother not spent that money buying them in the first place. From where I'm seeing it, you inherited less money, because she bought all those ingredients, so you are NOT spending only 30 Dollars on ingredients, you just saved some TIME from shopping for them. Don't kid yourself, you are giving your co-worker a heck of a deal and cheating yourself from your inheritance. The only one benifitting from your inheritance is your co-worker not you

If the cake was for a stranger, would you feel that they should get a discount because ingredients came from your Grandmother. It matters not where you got the supplies for the cake, the value of them is the same as they would be if you went out and bought them. When you use them, say Thank you Grandmother, you gave me a wonderful gift.

Don't let her con you into giving her any information as to your cost, they are none of her business.

I can't wait to hear what this woman says.

She has some nerve!

I know that I'm probably way off base here, but is there any chance that she wants to see the receipts so that she can be fair to you? Does she happen to know that she's getting a screaming deal and wants to make sure that you aren't spending all of the $400 on supplies? Perhaps she mentioned the price to someone and they told her that she's getting a killer deal and that it will cost a lot of money to make that cake so she doesn't want to screw you over.

I know...I am a little too optimistic.

Good idea. Like someone said earlier, SHE has made the work situation tense by insinuating that you're somehow trying to take advantage of her. How insulting! I certainly wouldn't be worried about the relationship.

I like the tip that you should pretend you thought it was a joke and then play dumb. Ask to see a copy of her dress makers expenses so you can understand what exactly she wants a little better!

If she were to get receipts, she'd know your ingredients, obviously. That's a big chunk of your recipes. Your recipes are proprietary. Yours, not hers, not mine. No receipts. Period.

Sounds like a good way to spread around what makes your cakes so special that people will flock to buy from you (aside from your decorating skills and such, of course).

Did you inherit eggs and butter too? I'm thinking on a cake for 200 I spend more than $30 on eggs and butter alone. I know I could pull up some info and do real math, but yeah...


I've had one customer ask me for the break down of cost for their cake at a consultation. It was a couple years ago, I'm trying to remember what I said... in any case, I didn't do it. She still booked with me.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably just not address it at all. Then if she brings it back up say something like, hey, I know weddings cost a lot of money, and I know I'm giving you an awesome deal on this cake, but if you need to go to Sam's or something to save some money, I totally understand.

First - I LOVE this site. As a cookie decorator, I often feel like I have to justify the price of my cookies. Thank God for a supportive site like this!

I dont think you should even begin to explain the costs because (1) it isn't her business and (2) that is not really the question she is asking. She obviously has a problem with the price (could be because she isn't educated about the costs of cake or possibly thought you were giving her a very expensive wedding gift).

I would simply ask her if she has a problem with the price and explain that what your competitors normally charge per slice. Or even better, let her know if you are giving her a discount (sounds like your prices are below average). Then I would kindly give her an out. Perhaps making a scaled down version of the cake or explaining that there are no hurt feelings if she goes elsewhere. Whatever you do, don't minimalize the value of your cakes. Good Luck!

I just ran the numbers through my cake matrix and for that size of cake using my basic scratch recipe (it's cheaper than using cake mix) and buttercream the cost it gave me was $55. I also ran it through using WASC since that is popular and it bumped it to $66 cost.


And I live in a low cost of living area. Regular price for cake mixes at Walmart are a buck for example. I know I've seen them twice as much and more in other states.

Even if you "inherited" some of the supplies, you'll have to replace those items at some point if you sell cakes regularly.

I'd just ignore what she said and if she mentions it again, tell her she's free to call around and find out what others might charge her for an all fondant cake for $200. I guarantee it isn't $2 per serving.

I had a girl I went to HS with ask me if I could do a wedding cake for her for 150 to 200 people. I'm not in a position currently to be licensed because of where I live, but I thought, I'd love the opportunity to get a wedding cake under my belt. So I quoted her $1.75 per serving... stupid I know.... and her comment was that she wasn't sure she could afford that much for a cake. I'd love to see her go anywhere else in this area and get a cake for that price for 200 people.

After all the time and cost of supplies and ingredients, I wouldn't have made anything off of that cake. Glad she decided that price was too expensive.

ravnmommy, we need another update!!

Just be honest with her, I imagine you have found her wanting receipts offensive. I would just put it out in plain English, that you do not share your cost breakdown to anyone. Please, no long winded explainations to her are necessary, short and to the point. If you come across as apologizing for your policy or price you just keep the door open for this lady to weedle you.

Do you still want me to be your decorator?.....Wait for her answer, if she continues with her whine about receipts, nip it right there....tell her, she needs to find someone else that will better suit her needs.

by your justification of "i inherited the supplies, did not pay for them, therefore do not charge for them" as a reason for not charging, i'm going to assume that you will continue to get these supplies from dearly departed loved ones, or at a local store for free...CORRECT?

if not, then there will come a time for you to replace those lovely items...will your coworker step forward then with an open wallet...or when your house is repossessed or car loan is due, perhaps? maybe when the electric company decides to charge for the services they've given you for free all these months?

point made and taken, hopefully.

2 thought's to share

1.) This ungrateful girl is getting the deal of the century! I would charge about $950, NOT including delivery or tax. She should ber kissing your feet, not implying that she's being ripped off. I would return her deposit and make it WIDELY known in the office just why I had done that. Her lack of respect is breathtaking.

2.) Are you doing this as a hobby or a business?If a hobby, then ok. But if a business, you need to think of yourself and of your business in a businesslike way. Value your time, your skill, respect yourself! You aren't even going to make minimum wage on this cake. When you are up at 3AM working on this cake, you won't get any pleasure out of it because you will resent the Bride (Hell, I resent this Bride!) and be mad at yourself for allowing her to take advantage of you. I know, I"ve been there. It was a long hard lesson for me.

First, I don't doubt she know what a cake like that cost, she probably did her homework.
She got a great and I stress Great deal! she is really trying to get over.

Ask her for a meeting and discuss with her in details what is she looking for and and have posted in your receipts and in your shops about your pricing policy so that it is noticeable for now and futures customers.
Don't be afraid to address concerns and matter related to your cakes and business in a stern but professional tone!

I'd love to see an update on this. I wonder if the bride realizes just what a great deal she's getting, or if she really is looking a gift horse in the mouth.

I think what the op might have meant by the fact that it's costing her $30 for ingredients due to the pantry she inherited is that she only has $30 of receipts to show, not that she thinks the cake only costs that to make.

What ever the bride is thinking, it's obvious she's on a different page and doesn't realize that this is nothing more or less than a business transaction. Or she's got a real strange concept of what constitutes a business transaction

[quote="indydebi"]She is so fulla sh*t her eyes are brown!

Hey, thats my line! ^^^
I wonder if she asked her fiancee for the receipt for her ring!!

There are two things to remind yourself in this situation.

1) you are a professional
2) you must be able to live with HOWEVER you decide to respond.

Now about #1 - don't share receipts.....you would never do it with anyone else and don't do it with her. Simply put together an invoice. This $ for the servings, this $ for the flowers, this $ for delivery, this $ of a discount as coworker/friend (whatever you want). Hand it to her and say, here is a breakdown of the cake for you. THAT IS IT!!!! It is the SAME as you would do for anyone else. "If you feel so inclined to compare prices and would like to go elsewhere; I will grant you 48 hours to do so before forfeiting your deposit."

About #2 - do what you need to in order to feel okay about your decision. Don't have ANY regrets about what you coulda/woulda/shoulda said/done.

Lastly, about your prices. It is cheap.....absolutely. But it seems like you offered her a discount for whatever reason....that is your decision. BUT, PLEASE, make sure that SHE knows that. If you write it all on the invoice, then she is aware of her discount. What happens if her friends want to order from you and she tells them what you charged her.....they won't understand why you quote a higher price. MAKE SURE IT IS WRITTEN ON THE INVOICE!!!!

I have been there. I have done it. I am not comfy with my pricing and I am trying to justify it to myself, but I ALWAYS make sure the person knows they are getting a discount because it allows me to charge more later.

Keep us posted...and best of luck.

And simply tell her: "this is the invoice that I provide all of my customers with".

Now first let me say i did not read this whole thread, so i apologize if this is repetitive

I would kindly (no need to be nasty) tell this bride that if she feels you didn't offer a fair price she can shop around and see what others are getting for wedding cakes. And then you can tell her very sweetly that if she doesn't feel its a fair price she is welcome to pay you more

Heres a little story of two cakes.

bride one co worker, cut a deal 250 for 120 servings, delivery, hand made flowers cake each tier 3 different flavors, filling all covered with choco pan.

2nd bride stranger, same size cake hand made flowers, buttercream icing with buttercream filling, delivery Same date reception places with in 5 miles of each other. $400.

1st girl was driving me crazy till i was conversing with her about cake two and made sure to let her know what the second bride was paying. It shut her up real fast and i never even had to get mouthy with her.

Lesson learned on this i don't discount any more unless its a free cake.

I just saw an article in the newest Bride's Magazine, (or was it InStyle weddings, they all seem the same)...Anyway, it was another "budget wedding" article, and one suggestion was to ask every vendor for a detailed breakdown of their expenses, ostensibly so that the bride could then request that certain line items be cut out. If this person read that maybe that's where she got the idea. We'd all better get ready for people to start asking us to do this like it's a normal thing, because if one magazine suggests it they'll all start suggesting it.

sorry, but I think co-worker is just an idiot.
I'd give her the the mesaly $400 she is paying for this cake, then
under that, write what other bakeries in the area would charge for the same work. (not Walmart) and then she can see for herself what a great deal she is getting.
then I'd leave it alone. If she still insist on receipts, then I'd get a bit cranky and tell her you can't do her cake here is your deposit back. thank you and good luck.

melody

I ran into a similar "feeling" the other day. Basically...is somebody trying to "get one over" on me? It's a tough thing to handle with grace. For sure.

Since it's a co-worker thing, I'd probably opt out. I'd probably say, I don't feel comfortable with the fact that you've requested to see an itemized listing of my costs. There are many intangibles that are difficult to quantify. Seeing how this is not a common industry practice, I wouldn't want you to feel slighted by my not providing you this information. I'm sure you'll be able to find another bakery that would love to make your cake.

Of course, in the back of my head, I'd probably be cussing her out. But, you'll have people like that....

OP, is there any new info? I thought I read on one of the pages on this thread that you were going to have a meeting today. Good luck.

Ravnsmommy,
I thought I would check in to see how the Wed. meeting went.

-Debbie B.