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sheet cake pricing

post #1 of 35
6/25/10 at 6:21am
Thread Starter 
I am struggling with sheet cakes. I've had 2 questions lately about how much they cost. Both wanted edible images, which I don't do. I told them if they bought them I could put them on a cake.

Can you share your pricing structure as regards these types of orders? I HATE sheet cakes, but so many want them. Say it's an edible image thing or something simple like the name and some flowers or balloons (ick...shades of Wal Mart). How do you price those in comparison to normal 2 layer cakes?

I charge $3 per serving normally and $3.75 for fondant. Do you think $1.75 per serving for these is wrong?
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post #2 of 35
6/25/10 at 6:50am
yes, wrong.

your price for them is $3/serving or $3.75 for fondant.


a serving is a serving is a serving!
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post #3 of 35
6/25/10 at 7:13am
I'm with Doug, a 2x2x2 serving is the same amount of cake as a 1x2x4 isn't it? So why should the pricing change?
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post #4 of 35
6/25/10 at 7:22am
ditto

The cake doesn't care what shape it is.
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post #5 of 35
6/25/10 at 7:39am
I totally agree with everyone else. It should be the same. Having said that, I charge less for sheet cakes than other cakes as long as it is just simple decorations and no fondant work. Bad, I know but it works for me.
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post #6 of 35
6/25/10 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
I just feel a bit like a pirate charging the same price if all I'm doing is slapping an EI on there and doing a border. Seems sooooo simple for that price. I don't even have to fill and stack it! Obviously if it is a double layer one, that's different.

I'm half inclined to say I won't do them. Why do people like them so much? I HATE those things.
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post #7 of 35
6/25/10 at 8:10am
I don't get why people don't like doing them. If the customer is willing to pay your price, who cares? Less work for you = higher profit margin. If you're so adverse to doing a 9x13 sheet cake (25 2x2x2 servings) then make an 8" square double layer (32 1x2x4 servings). They can buy the edible image to fit. You now have to bake, torte, fill and stack 2 cakes (layers). More work, same money.

I think it's our own "perception" of Walmart cakes that make us dislike them, but sheet cakes can still look very elegant. JMO
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post #8 of 35
6/25/10 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgm_cakes

I don't get why people don't like doing them. If the customer is willing to pay your price, who cares? Less work for you = higher profit margin. If you're so adverse to doing a 9x13 sheet cake (25 2x2x2 servings) then make an 8" square double layer (32 1x2x4 servings). They can buy the edible image to fit. You now have to bake, torte, fill and stack 2 cakes (layers). More work, same money.

I think it's our own "perception" of Walmart cakes that make us dislike them, but sheet cakes can still look very elegant. JMO



I don't know why. I just hate them. I don't think they ever look good. I guess it just bugs me that it seems to be everyone's first choice. They are so plain and "blah". Gut reaction. Perhaps because that's the most common looky lou price shopper question: "How much for a half sheet?"

I'll take their money, I just don't enjoy them at all and that is just how I feel about it.

Thanks for your thoughts, all- I'll give it some thought and make a decision here soon.
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post #9 of 35
6/25/10 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgm_cakes

I don't get why people don't like doing them. If the customer is willing to pay your price, who cares? Less work for you = higher profit margin. If you're so adverse to doing a 9x13 sheet cake (25 2x2x2 servings) then make an 8" square double layer (32 1x2x4 servings). They can buy the edible image to fit. You now have to bake, torte, fill and stack 2 cakes (layers). More work, same money.

I think it's our own "perception" of Walmart cakes that make us dislike them, but sheet cakes can still look very elegant. JMO



I don't know why. I just hate them. I don't think they ever look good. I guess it just bugs me that it seems to be everyone's first choice. They are so plain and "blah". Gut reaction. Perhaps because that's the most common looky lou price shopper question: "How much for a half sheet?"

I'll take their money, I just don't enjoy them at all and that is just how I feel about it.

Thanks for your thoughts, all- I'll give it some thought and make a decision here soon.
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post #10 of 35
6/25/10 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karateka

Quote:
Originally Posted by cgm_cakes

I don't get why people don't like doing them. If the customer is willing to pay your price, who cares? Less work for you = higher profit margin. If you're so adverse to doing a 9x13 sheet cake (25 2x2x2 servings) then make an 8" square double layer (32 1x2x4 servings). They can buy the edible image to fit. You now have to bake, torte, fill and stack 2 cakes (layers). More work, same money.

I think it's our own "perception" of Walmart cakes that make us dislike them, but sheet cakes can still look very elegant. JMO



I don't know why. I just hate them. I don't think they ever look good. I guess it just bugs me that it seems to be everyone's first choice. They are so plain and "blah". Gut reaction. Perhaps because that's the most common looky lou price shopper question: "How much for a half sheet?"

I'll take their money, I just don't enjoy them at all and that is just how I feel about it.

Thanks for your thoughts, all- I'll give it some thought and make a decision here soon.




Honestly, I think some people just don't know there are other options or they don't know what to ask for. Even though fancy cakes are "trendy" these days with all the reality shows, there are plenty of people who just don't realize the other options available. I guess people stick with what they know and that's sheet cakes. In the end, it's your business and you have to do what makes you happy. You didn't create this business foryourself to be doing stuff you hate - you could work for someone else and do that and not have the responsibility of owning a business. Do what you love. I don't mind sheet cakes and enjoy them so I still do them. Good luck to you with whatever direction your business takes you.
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post #11 of 35
6/25/10 at 10:04am
Why do people like them? Because it is what they have always bought at the grocery store. Or they figure it will be cheaper.

If you aren't going to torte the cake and fill it then yeah you can change a little less, would I charge a $1.25 less because there isn't any filling in it? Nah I wouldn't.

If you were to put that same image on a 10in square 'tier' would you want to change them less because it is just an image and a border?
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post #12 of 35
6/25/10 at 10:12am
Mine were a little cheaper because I didn't deliver sheet cakes whereas tiered/assembled cake pricing included delivery.

Regarding cakes that are "blah and boring", gawd I HATED doing "scrolls, dots and ribbon" cakes. I considered these the no-talent-needed cakes. They had no pizzaz, no personality, no WOW factor. But I made every single one of them because they paid the rent and covered the overhead.

I was not in business to "showcase my artistic expressions". I was in business to make a profit and feed my family.

When I'm independently wealthy, I'll happily get choosy on what people order for their event! icon_biggrin.gifthumbs_up.gif
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post #13 of 35
6/25/10 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Mine were a little cheaper because I didn't deliver sheet cakes whereas tiered/assembled cake pricing included delivery.

Regarding cakes that are "blah and boring", gawd I HATED doing "scrolls, dots and ribbon" cakes. I considered these the no-talent-needed cakes. They had no pizzaz, no personality, no WOW factor. But I made every single one of them because they paid the rent and covered the overhead.

I was not in business to "showcase my artistic expressions". I was in business to make a profit and feed my family.

When I'm independently wealthy, I'll happily get choosy on what people order for their event! icon_biggrin.gifthumbs_up.gif



Yeah, well...I said I'd take their money. But I don't have to enjoy those cakes. BORING!
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post #14 of 35
6/25/10 at 11:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karateka



Yeah, well...I said I'd take their money. But I don't have to enjoy those cakes. BORING!



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and then laugh all the way to the bank! icon_lol.gif
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post #15 of 35
6/25/10 at 11:25am
i dont understand why they are boring, Yes people do expect them to be a little less expensive but that is no reason for them to be boring. Make your self a base price for each size cake. Prices start there, then add on for the extra decorating that you do that the customer wants. I think the customer also sees a sheet as easier to serve plus they will be cutting a chunk of cake, 2x2x2 and it looks substantial on the place, where as if they have to cut a 1" slice they feel that that is not as much on the plate, even though we know its all the same however you cut it. If you really dont want to do them, price them high or the same as your layer cakes.
And give the customer other suggestions. People who order sheets are not wanting a center piece cake, they want a nice cake, thats easy to serve. But they never have to be boring. Are mine boring???? icon_sad.gif
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