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MAJOR Family fight re: cookie bouquet pricing...help anyone? - Page 4

post #46 of 61
10/14/09 at 9:06pm
A friend stopped by tonight and saw the pics of your cookies. She just paid $65 for some at the design shop and took to the office. They were not at all tastey, not nearly as nicely done, nor was she or anyone else able to finish one. She would have been happy to pay you for yours at the same price gladly. Something about the aunt and uncle that wasn't nice as well. Your grandma is a keeper to stand up for you.
yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. from the movie Kung Fu Panda
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yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. from the movie Kung Fu Panda
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post #47 of 61
10/14/09 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 
Lol, well I have to agree with Kmemphis about the feud not being about the price of the darn cookies! But shoot, my family had been known to stop speaking over a fight about an episode of Survivor so I should have known better. icon_lol.gif

I can't tell you much I appreciate all the nice things you have said. At first, I was okay with them and of course my kids made a fuss (but c'mon!! you can't trust kids and sugar! icon_smile.gif ) and then I started listening to family and well, you all saw where that got me.

So I am going to stick to my guns and charge what I said. OH! Forgot about the stick attaching thing: that was something I saw here (again, cannot remember the member who posted it) but they don't bake with the sticks in.

She said she used hot glue on the back of the bag and then put a large piece of clear packing tape to cover, then put cookie in and tied bag to stick, giving the visual of a cookie on a stick.

For me, the only problem I had was the hot glue melting thru both layers of the bag, creating a ruined mess so I skipped the hot glue and just taped. That was fine for my displays but for the actual bouquets, I think I will use some type of craft glue and let them dry overnight, then cover with tape. thanks again....



lol, go granny, go granny, go, go, go granny! icon_smile.gif
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post #48 of 61
10/15/09 at 12:36am
I'm glad you're sticking to your guns Diva, your bouquets are beautiful and very well done!

The alternate cookie on a stick genius is Shiney and I love her method. I never ever do the hot glue just strong clear tape over the stick on the back and it works perfectly, on bigger cookies I just reinforce a bit more.

Best of luck I hope you sell out and I like the idea of giving everyone cookies and your aunt and uncle the flour and sugar icon_biggrin.gif
~Andrea
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~Andrea
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post #49 of 61
10/15/09 at 5:04am
There is a low temp glue gun that uses a glue that isn't as hot as the hot glue. That might be a better choce than sticky craft glue.
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post #50 of 61
10/15/09 at 6:49am
yes the low temp glue gun and low temp sticks! And you can put a dab of glue on the popsicle stick and the wood will absorb some of the heat and then stick it to the bag and maybe it won't burn through the plastic.
¢¾Sarah
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¢¾Sarah
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post #51 of 61
10/15/09 at 7:12am
CakeDiva73, I'm glad that you are sticking to your guns, but (depending on your area) I definitely think you should raise your prices. Sometimes packaging costs more than the actual product. Consider all of your costs. If your uncle thinks that your cookies don't look professional, he obviously has vision problems. Your cookies look better those most that I've seen for sale in the cookie shops. Good luck.
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post #52 of 61
10/16/09 at 11:22am
I'm still reading all the posts, but if it's bothering you that much don't put prices for these items in your brochure.

I have a similar problem with my family. They tell me I should charge more, but also say they wouldn't pay that much for a cookie. Sigh.
No longer baking and caking. Medical transcriptionist and Thirty-One Gifts independent consultant.
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No longer baking and caking. Medical transcriptionist and Thirty-One Gifts independent consultant.
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post #53 of 61
10/16/09 at 12:19pm
Families can be crazy and full of drama!

Your cookies are beautiful and you should price them at the price the market in your area will support. I know that price can be difficult to figure out sometimes, but don't sell yourself short.

My husband is an executive with a company in the diesel engine industry. I certainly don't tell him how much he should price his fuel filters because I don't know anything about the costs or market of the product. Your family may know what they will pay for "just sugar and flour", but they have no clue what other people are willing to pay.

BTW: one way to get some help on developing pricing and a business plan is to contact a local college or university that offers MBA and other business degrees. Students are often looking to help develop business plans and pricing strategies for small businesses as part of their coursework. It gives the students some experience and you some free advice. My husband and a couple of other students in his Executive MBA program did this for a small bakery that was just starting out. I don't know how much they helped but 13 years later the bakery has continued to grow and thrive.
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post #54 of 61
10/16/09 at 12:35pm
Your cookies are SUPER! I think you are offering a good deal for such a flawless item. Tell your family to stay out of it.
Despite difficult economic times, I'm determined to be rich!
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Despite difficult economic times, I'm determined to be rich!
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post #55 of 61
10/16/09 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beanbean



BTW: one way to get some help on developing pricing and a business plan is to contact a local college or university that offers MBA and other business degrees. Students are often looking to help develop business plans and pricing strategies for small businesses as part of their coursework. It gives the students some experience and you some free advice. My husband and a couple of other students in his Executive MBA program did this for a small bakery that was just starting out. I don't know how much they helped but 13 years later the bakery has continued to grow and thrive.



Love a happy ending!!! That's still continuing. icon_biggrin.gif
 
 

 

 

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post #56 of 61
10/16/09 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beanbean


BTW: one way to get some help on developing pricing and a business plan is to contact a local college or university that offers MBA and other business degrees. Students are often looking to help develop business plans and pricing strategies for small businesses as part of their coursework. It gives the students some experience and you some free advice. My husband and a couple of other students in his Executive MBA program did this for a small bakery that was just starting out. I don't know how much they helped but 13 years later the bakery has continued to grow and thrive.



What a great tip, thanks!
After Jesus, there is nothing better to ease the pain than a good piece of cake!!!
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After Jesus, there is nothing better to ease the pain than a good piece of cake!!!
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post #57 of 61
10/17/09 at 1:11pm
Love your bouquets!

Sounds a little like my family. My sis made a comment the other day when we were talking about cupcake bouquets. There was some on here posted not long ago. The designer added silk flowers to the cupcake bouquet to add interest. In one of the posting they stated they charge around 45-75dollars for them. I showed my sister and here response, "i can't believe anyone would buy them for that price. i mean you can go to the grocery store and buy a cake mix for a dollar". She has made that comment in the past about decorated cakes as well. Drives me nutty when she uses the "$1.00 cake mix" arguement. Yup, like that's what a cake is made of..ONE cake mix..duh! I've itemized one of my cakes for her once to show her where all the cost comes in and she clearly wasn't listening to any of it. VERY insulting and frustrating to keep the peace at these times.
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post #58 of 61
10/17/09 at 1:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetcravings

i mean you can go to the grocery store and buy a cake mix for a dollar".


Don't you just want to scream and beat 'em upside the head!? icon_eek.gif

I get it on the catering side. "We can buy the food cheaper than that!" DUH! Heck, darlin', I'll even buy the food thru my supplier for you so you can get it cheaper. Back your car up to my back door and we'll move it from my refrigerator/freezer to your trunk. Oh? You want it prepped? And cooked? And delivered? And served? Oh sorry .... they way you were talking, I thought you were wanting to buy JUST THE FOOD!"

Dumba$$es.
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http://debiswritingcollection.blogspot.com/
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post #59 of 61
10/17/09 at 2:05pm
indydebi, I have so got to meet you. You are now on my bucket list. I think we need to have you made into:

1. a talking doll

2. answering machine tapes
Press 1 for cheap cake remarks
Press 2 for cheap venue remarks
Press 3 etc

3. spokesmodel for all small bakery/catering events to educate the cake muggles. You can be hired and become more popular than the swedish bikini team!
yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. from the movie Kung Fu Panda
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yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. from the movie Kung Fu Panda
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post #60 of 61
10/17/09 at 2:21pm
I agree with everything I have read above, with one exception. Prices will vary according to location. What you pay for something in NYC isn't going to be the same as what you would pay in a little hick town in the middle of nowhere. You have great quality work there, DO NOT UNDERSALE yourself at the same time don't completely take yourself out of the running by overpricing either. If you goal is to make extra money, you may do yourself more harm by overpricing.f You must also take into consideration the state of the economy, if a person needs to adjust their spending luxury items are always the hardest hit. Keep them affordable enough that they would make a great gift exchange gift, and be sure to ask your local businesses to post a flyer.
If you are a newbie you might want to check out
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If you are a newbie you might want to check out
my blog!
www.cakenewbies.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/people/Cabes-Cakes/100000350374357
http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwcabescakescomphotos/
Jackie
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