Did I Charge Too Much For Gumpase Baby?

Decorating By crazyladybaker Updated 19 Nov 2010 , 3:17pm by diamonds-and-rust

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:23pm
post #1 of 42

Hello everyone. I had a new customer that ordered a gumpaste baby from me and after their comments I am wondering if I over charged.

They said that they thought the baby was at least 5 times as big as it actually was based on seeing photos. That would have made the baby 15" in length. No request for a refund was mentioned.

They asked for a quote for a baby shower cake and the gumpaste baby as they had seen in some photos. Turns out the cake was out of budget for them. ($2.25 per serving) So they just ordered the baby and I charged $10 for baby. She was going to make her own cake (probably a round cake but she wasn't sure yet) and put the baby on top.

Here's the baby:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1848660

There was never a question of the size of the figure when the order was placed and they had seen photos of a baby shower cake, cookies and the baby sitting on top of a small round. Here is the pic that she first saw the baby. Am I just crazy or is it not clear in this pic that the baby is pretty small?

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1750405&sub=1750415

My price was not out of line was it and who puts a 15" gumpaste baby on a cake?

icon_eek.gif

PS...yes, lesson learned. In the future I am including all measurements of items ordered.

41 replies
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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:28pm
post #2 of 42

subject line should say...gumpaste...lol
I really should not type before coffee icon_redface.gif

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Kitagrl Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:31pm
post #3 of 42

I certainly do not think you undercharged them for that topper!!!!

They should not be working with a custom caker if they have a Walmart budget...and your prices are very reasonable too...way cheaper than where I'm at....

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:43pm
post #4 of 42

Thanks for the reply Kitagirl.

I felt like the cake pricing was reasonable. Bakeries in the area are around $3.00-$3.50 per serving for a simple cake like she was wanting so I thought my price was fair. I have never had a request for a figure like this before so I wasn't sure on pricing.

Supplies don't cost that much for baby but when I consider... my time, cost of baby mold, gumpaste, fondant, impression mat and flower cutter I don't think $10 was outrageous. icon_rolleyes.gificon_lol.gif

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Redsoxbaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:45pm
post #5 of 42

Overcharged !!!! No way. That is a piece of art. She's got to be kidding. Great job. thumbs_up.gif

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Kitagrl Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 2:46pm
post #6 of 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyladybaker

Thanks for the reply Kitagirl.

I felt like the cake pricing was reasonable. Bakeries in the area are around $3.00-$3.50 per serving for a simple cake like she was wanting so I thought my price was fair. I have never had a request for a figure like this before so I wasn't sure on pricing.

Supplies don't cost that much for baby but when I consider... my time, cost of baby mold, gumpaste, fondant, and flower cutter I don't think $10 was outrageous. icon_rolleyes.gificon_lol.gif




I don't usually do "just figures" but when I do, I charge more than if they were ordering a cake too because the profit margin is so much lower.

Just had someone order a cake with a specific topper...I charged $75 for the topper (it will be involved and detailed...). Then someone in their party decided to order the cake elsewhere (whatever) but still wanted the topper...so I raised it to $100 for the topper since they were not buying cake.

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 3:07pm
post #7 of 42

Thanks you two. I am feeling a little more reassured now. I have not replied to them yet because I wanted to think some more on it and get others that have experience input on it.

I think I am going to direct them back to the orig pic showing the cake, cookies and baby and say that I thought the size was pretty clear from the things on the table in relation to gumpaste figure size. I think I will also make mention that a 15" gumpaste figure would cost a lot more not to mention the weight of the thing on top of a cake. They probably don't realize that part since they don't make this kind of thing I suppose.

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sechrestloans Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 3:10pm
post #8 of 42

If anything you undercharged them!! I would charge $15 to $20 for that. Dont you wish you could hand them a ball of gumpaste , some coloring, and say go for it and let me know how it turns out and how long it takes. They will have a whole new appreciation!! LOL

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thumbs Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 3:12pm
post #9 of 42

I think you undercharged not overcharged. By the time you factor in gumpaste, and the time you spent.

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mbark Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 3:32pm
post #10 of 42

also, it is completely clear to me from the 2nd photo that the baby is very small, to fit on a 6" cake. she's wacky

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Bubbl3h3ad Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 4:10pm
post #11 of 42

Yeah I agree, it was CLEAR to see that the baby topper wasn't that big from the picture you posted. And what did they expect, a life-size baby on top of a cake?!?! BTW, that cake and cookies and everything about that table was really cute thumbs_up.gif

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 4:13pm
post #12 of 42

Thank you so much EVERYONE thumbs_up.gif I haven't had any kind of negative response to anything I have done so this caught me off guard.
I try so hard to please the few customers I have.

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ccc407 Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 5:25pm
post #13 of 42

Did the client not read the description?? The baby figure is sitting on a FOUR INCH CAKE!! I think you were in the perfect right of things...probably even undercharged her.

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DH2008 Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 6:17pm
post #14 of 42

Awesome job! Should have charged more. At least 15.00. icon_eek.gif

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 6:21pm
post #15 of 42

I am about to send my reply to her. I went back and read all the correspondence between us before the order was placed. She even made mention of looking on eBay for the mold to make it herself but didn't have time.
So, since she viewed the mold online and hopefully read the description and I know she saw my cake table pic and could surely see the size comparisons of everything on the table I feel better. Thanks everyone for giving input and the support you offered.

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cabecakes Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 6:55pm
post #16 of 42

First off, I think your cake prices are very fair, and that your figurine price was fair as well. Let me also say that you in no way misrepresented the size of the figurine. Only a moron would think it was that large. How big did she think the cake next to it was...come on. She knew...it sounds like she was trying to make you feel guilty so you would come down on price. Obviously, she is trying to get champagne quality on a beer budget. These kind of customers you just need to not let bother you. She probably can't afford you anyway, but still wants to act to all her friends like she can. I hate when people try to make impressions using someone elses hard work.

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3GCakes Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 8:08pm
post #17 of 42

Also, I have that mold and getting a perfect baby out of it (atleast for me) is a challenge. I'll have to do it four or five times for a perfect baby.

You did not overcharge.

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 8:26pm
post #18 of 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabecakes

First off, I think your cake prices are very fair, and that your figurine price was fair as well. Let me also say that you in no way misrepresented the size of the figurine. Only a moron would think it was that large. How big did she think the cake next to it was...come on. She knew...it sounds like she was trying to make you feel guilty so you would come down on price. Obviously, she is trying to get champagne quality on a beer budget. These kind of customers you just need to not let bother you. She probably can't afford you anyway, but still wants to act to all her friends like she can. I hate when people try to make impressions using someone elses hard work.




That's what I was thinking. I stared and stared at that picture of everything on that table and it seemed to me everything was relative to sizing.

She did reply to my response and said she found someone to make a 6" cake for the baby to sit on and thanked me for making the figurine.
I guess all is well but I learned a lesson from this one.

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crazyladybaker Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 8:29pm
post #19 of 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3GCakes

Also, I have that mold and getting a perfect baby out of it (atleast for me) is a challenge. I'll have to do it four or five times for a perfect baby.

You did not overcharge.




I too have to make more than one attempt the baby out smooth. Some times I don't get everything pressed in there tight enough and baby will have a knick in it. Lately it's been better because I have spent more time on pressing the gumpaste in there and they pop right out after freezing for just a bit.

The one on the front page in the little bumble bee costume is so adorable. I want to try something like that soon icon_smile.gif

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windemire Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 9:03pm
post #20 of 42

Obviously it depends on where you're located, but I think you UNDER charged her; using that mold, I charge $20 for JUST the baby, and $25 - $30 for a complete topper (baby, top and/or bottom blanket, pacifier, and diaper if requested).

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Peridot Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 9:13pm
post #21 of 42

Then you would have needed to charge them at least $100 for a 15 inch baby! Your baby is perfect and I to know how difficult it is to make that little baby....time consuming for sure. Where in the world do these people get these crazy ideas - a 15 inch gum paste baby. Sheez!

I agree that you undercharged also.

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debster Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 9:34pm
post #22 of 42

10.00 is not too much, tell me where can you get ANY topper for under 10.00? Not here in Ohio for sure. That baby on the photo she sent looked smaller than the one that you made for sure. People want something for nothing all the time. I sure wish I could of bought that Cadillac that I WANTED on the Impala money I spent. I do love my Impala, but who wouldn't prefer a Caddy?

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jerseygirlNga Posted 30 Oct 2010 , 9:48pm
post #23 of 42

I read only the first couple of replies and I just had to answer...it was killing me to stay quiet.

Is that lady friggen nuts? 15"? Really? Let her bake her own 8" round (which is the size most home do-it-yourselfers have on hand and a 15" baby would be hanging off? Now, I ask you...would that be anyway to treat a baby, even a gumpaste baby?

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crazyladybaker Posted 31 Oct 2010 , 2:24am
post #24 of 42

I have been thinking most of the afternoon about this and had a good laugh thinking about a huge gumpaste baby. I mean...maybe somewhere there is a place for that kind of thing but not in my world. It would be almost life size and who knows what a hold that size would cost not to mention how much gumpaste it would take to fill it up! icon_lol.gif

I guess after the shower is over you could carry it around or wrap it up in a blanket... icon_rolleyes.gif

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luv_to_decorate Posted 31 Oct 2010 , 2:34am
post #25 of 42

I have that mold and I love it. But if she was thinking about buying it herself, she would have spent more than $10 for the mold, the shipping and the gumpaste. Not to mention coloring and maybe some dust to do a little shadowing. And if you have never molded with gumpaste before, she probably won't get the color right or a perfect baby on the first try. You undercharged her.

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icer101 Posted 31 Oct 2010 , 2:35am
post #26 of 42

I love that baby mold. You did a beautiful job with the topper. She is very lucky to get it at that price . I would have charged at leat $20.00. Yes, that is a piece of art. And you had the power to make it. That is what counts. Next time, charge more.Again, beautiful!!!

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usmdesigner Posted 1 Nov 2010 , 6:01pm
post #27 of 42

I think I understand why you are concerned, (due to trying to please the customer) and how you have been worried this entire time, (due to word of mouth business - aka customer badmouthing).

But I'll have to say, if you are charging $10 buck for that piece of art, more power to you. I mean, I could only say that would be fair if you are doing that in like 5 minutes or something, but from the looks of it, there is no way I'd figure you did that in a negligible amount of time.

Great job on that piece though, it looks fantastic.

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7yyrt Posted 1 Nov 2010 , 11:10pm
post #28 of 42

There are cookies on that table, for heavens sake... most people have an idea how large cookies are.
In any case; yes, putting the dimensions of the baby is a good idea.

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costumeczar Posted 1 Nov 2010 , 11:15pm
post #29 of 42

It's probably just a case of the customer not having a realistic idea of the size and gettign something stuck in her head abotu what size it would be. That being said, if she saw that picture of the cake and the little one next to it, I think it's pretty clear that the baby is smaller than 15" across, for pete's sake! icon_confused.gif My response would be something along the lines of "I'm sorry that you thought the figure was larger than it is. The next time you want to order something I'll be sure to make sure you're clear on the dimensions." icon_smile.gif

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mommynana Posted 1 Nov 2010 , 11:45pm
post #30 of 42

i would check to see what mental hospital she came from, 10 bucks r you kidding me!! bty u did a great job

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