How much do people think a cake costs to make??? - Page 6

LOL I love that! May I use it?

Over the years I found that I've also undercharged. What's helped me out is before I consult with a client, I give them a brief rundown on how I charge for work. So I'll say something like, "before we meet to discuss plans for your cake, please know I have a $100 cake minimum for all sculpted cakes, and the price generally goes up accordingly in regards to design, cost of materials, labor, how many people it will feed and delivery...if you would like to take some time to think it over I understand, or if you'd like to proceed and book a consultation I'd be glad to set a date and time" this works well in an email too. You could also use what ever other formula you use to price your work, I use the minimum price to set the stage for the rest of the conversation. I find it lets people off the hook easily so they don't feel stupid for not understanding that the work is expensive. I think that's where alot of the attitude comes from. And prefacing your sale like this gives your client a better idea of the cost of your work. This way I don't waste my time laboriously discussing a cake that someone won't buy because of sticker shock. They know I'm expensive right out of the gate. they take it or leave it. Also too, I charge separately for consultations, again, time is money. If they book with me i refund the money into the final cost. If they don't book with me, atleast I'll leave with a check for my time. These days I only take on the projects that will pay for my time, and/or clients that appreciate my work.

I never knew what to say .. to be nice in saying NO Samples .. This I will use .. LOVE IT .. Thanks ...

I'm in the same boat as everyone. I'm only a hobby baker who usually bakes for my family (usually free of charge) or pot lucks & my husband's job. I would also bake for my friends for a discounted price b/c I feel why should I pay for someone else cake?

With that said, I get the occasional, "You have beautiful cakes. Can you do a cake for___?" (fill in the blank). Of course I will. They get excited b/c they think that b/c I don't have my own business that I will be cheap. I am cheap. But they want a $300 (to some of you CCer's standards) for $30-40. A friend from high school sent me a few facebook & personal emails asking if I could do a particular cake. She told me all of the details (and it was A LOT). I quoted her for $150. I haven't heard anything since.

I undercharged myself. Especially for a 3-D open shoebox cake w/vertical butterflies on the side of it with a gumpaste strappy, gladiator shoe w/silver accents, 50 diamond/jewel shaped teacakes w/a pudding filling, two cake flavors etc. So, yes, I undercut myself. $150 was a steal. I think I'm going to request that I get 50% up front.

No one wants to pay for anything now-a-days!

HA! I am just loving all these great sayings---I'm keeping track of them for when I need them! You gals are great!!!!

I too am in the same boat with bringing in free samples at work. I like the idea of getting feedback to help improve my recipes, but most of the time, people do not even tell me if they liked it or not. In fact, this friday, we have someone leaving the office and someone else approached me and said "are WE doing a cake for so and so..." Now it's expected that I do the cake because after all I'm the one who brings in free samples. I told this person that I had no idea, but I should have told her to start a money collection to pay for it. I feel bad for the person leaving, but it's not my responsibility to make and pay for the cake!!! After all I'm just a admin assistant!!!!! I'm at the point now where I feel like I'm being taken advantage of....I told my hubby that I will not be brining in samples anymore.......

and you right Angelfire3---nobody wants to pay for anything!!!!!

I'd rather GIVE a cake from my heart and make it because I want to than to have to figure a price and then hear a whole lot of this and that. I paid $375.00 for a double heart cake here in California two years ago that did not look any better than mine. If people don't want to pay the cost at least for making a cake then let them go elsewhere. It will be their loss for all they will get is a commercial tasting cake with flowers that taste awful. I only make cakes for people I love and care for. But then I am not interested in making money. That is why I retired, so I can do what I want when I want! Making cakes is a lot of fun for me, however people should be willing to at least pay you what it cost to make it, which we all know is as a rule very expensive! I am lucky to have a hobby and a skill, some don't have either one! Ha Ha

Same here! I think its obnoxious- this guy keeps asking my husband when I am going to make him a cake- my husband told him to go get his own wife to bake him cakes

This has been a very interesting discussion. I have been creating cakes for 35 years now, and this year, I have decided to charge according to the requests of my customers. With the advent of Cake Boss and Charm City Cakes on TV, these programs have given the general public great ideas for purchasing cakes. As all of you know, the public does not have a clue as to the time and ingredients that goes into the over the top custom decorated cakes.
I have learned over the years that there is nothing worse than undercharging for a cake and then baking, designing, and decorating the cake knowing you did not charge enough.
I have a minimum size party cake of 35 servings. The base price is $3.00/serving or $105.00. (California) The price goes up from there depending upon the decoration. It just does not pay for me to do cakes for less than 35 servings. There is no money to be made there. I do not consider my customers my friends. I do not give discounts to anyone. However, that being said, I have on occasion given a cake as a gift. I learned very early on in this business that if you bake only for friends....you will never have customers.
I have often thought that we should all include the price of the cake whenever we post a photo of a cake we have decorated. It would also help to include the state that you are from as prices are different across the U.S. I will do this in the future.
Do all my customers accept my proposal on a cake they have requested....no. But, I have decided that that is OK. They are certainly free to go elsewhere and try and get it cheaper. I know the time and the amount of work I put into my creations. I am now happy with the prices I am asking for my cakes because I am worth it.

I never realized how many people have the same issues as I do with customers. People always bargain with me. When I was first starting out I figured it was better to charge less and get my name out there than to turn down work. But then people started talking about how much they paid and I couldn't raise my prices to what they should be. I can't afford to give away cakes.

Thanks for sharing! Its one of the biggest issues that is discussed on here and the hardest lesson to learn!

In my state (AR) you can't bake and sell from your home unless you have a county certified kitchen-and it must be a separate building from your home. You can sell by "word of mouth only" no advertising of any kind.

I have made some practice cakes and given them away to elderly friends or as baby shower gifts to the mother. My son has a friend who is getting married and she asked how much I would charge for a wedding cake. He told her he didn't know but he has known of me giving some cakes away, but not ever giving away a wedding cake. Well, the girl called me and said "your son said you would make my wedding cake for free". I told her it wasn't free and we would have to discuss what she wanted.

I get messages from the "bride to be" changing her mind of what her wedding these will be. All her ideas are completely tacky and some aren't fit for a wedding. I told my son that no matter what she wants, if this cake is for free, she's getting a tasteful, not tacky wedding cake.

So in the state where I live, most don't even consider $20-$30 for any kind of cake. They think because you know how to make them, and you can't sell them from your home....then they must be free!!!!