I am happy to report, that I have an understanding of serving size now and will never go that over the top without payment again! In the future, the SS will be $129, and the track will be $115.
I've had the opposite problem with several people. They'll email me pictures of the cakes they want, then tell me the number of servings they need. Problem: they usually want a cake that will feed a gazillion people (okay, slight exaggeration), but they only need 20 servings. So they expect the price to reflect their number of servings, yet the cake to look like the one in the picture.
With one repeat offender, I've gotten so I'll make the cake for and use her number of servings only to make sure she'll have enough (or, usually, too much) cake, and not run out. But, she's gotten more than her fair share of cakes at a cut rate by telling me she only needs 20 people or 10 people, then asking for a tiered or otherwise huge cake. I'm at fault here, because I haven't sat down and explained to her that I can't give her what she wants for $/serving x 20, because what she wants is x40 or x75. *sigh*
I did this cake to match the birthday invitations. It's 6, 8 and 10 inch cake. Chocolate cake with strawberry filling and franch vanilla cake with baverian cream filling. I charged $210
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1990343
I don't know if this is actually related...it is indirectly, I guess. How much do you guys charge for a deposit? Do you charge a set fee or a percentage? And when do you ask for the rest of the payment?
Wow! I love this thread! I always have people that call and say they want a cake, then I tell them the price, which I underprice too, and they never come back! I live in a small town where everyone is accustomed to going to Walmart for there cakes. Although they think that because I am baking it at home that the cake should actually be cheaper! I have a potential customer coming by tomorrow to look at my cakes. She wants something for a baby shower. I hope that this works out for me. I have had about 3 people back out of orders in the last few months!
Hi everyone! Newbie here. I just had a few questions if no one minds?
First of all, I have to say everyone's cakes here are just beautiful! I'm hoping I can do just as well eventually. I happened to stumble across this forum and topic as I was searching the internet for cake decorating supply stores. I have no idea what I'm doing to be honest. Lol. I've just been searching for some basic supplies for the beginner. I've never decorated a cake before, other than your basic Duncan Hines box mix and frosting. I once played around with some fondant bought at Wal-Mart by Wilton, but that turned into a horrible mess. It was either too dry or too gummy and tasted icky. So, I'm trying to search for a good tasting fondant, and a good buttercream recipe. This is something that I very much want to do, and want to get lots of practice in. I eventually would LOVE to go to Notter School of Pastry Arts, but I don't want to go in there clueless. So anyway, I guess my questions are these; What tools do you suggest for the beginner? I'm on a very tight budget and can't afford too much. Eventually I'd love one of those Wilton kits though. And secondly, does anyone know of a great fondant recipe, and buttercream recipe? I would really appreciate any advice anyone is happy to give, and I thank you greatly! Oh! One more thing.. I don't have a stand mixer. Can fondant and buttercream recipes be mixed by hand, and still turn out? Thanks so much everyone!
First I would just like to say that all of you that have shared your cake pictures are so talented and I hope that someday I can get to your level! I have never had any training and everything I know I have learned just from jumping in and doing it. I mostly make cakes for family members but recently after posting my pictures on Facebook I had two people approach me about making cakes for them so I agreed. I had no idea what to charge so I added up what it would cost in ingredients and then added to that so I have no idea if I charged appropriately for the cakes. So being totally new to this and you all being the experts that you are I have posted the two cakes and the prices I sold them at and would love for your feedback. Did I over/under charge? Thanks so much!
Minnie Mouse cake for a 1 year old.
8 3 layer, vanilla cake, MMF Sold for $50.00
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1977941
Package Cake
11x15 Chocolate cake, Chocolate MMF, MMF bow, ribbon and tag Sold $55.00
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1990630
Some new photos & prices...
Cross Christening Cake - $40
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993594
Toy Story Cupcakes - $30 for 2 dozen
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993583
Funeral Cake - It was for my Aunt's funeral so I didn't charge, but if I did, it would be $40
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993576
Simple Sheet Cake - an 11x15 cake. $55
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993569
Hibiscus 6" Cake - $25
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993562
Joint Cake - Quarter Sheet - $50
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993566
Jungle Themed Baby Shower - $110
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993546
Jungle Themed Cookie Favours - $2 each
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993538
Yoga Cake - $90
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1993522
Carved Audi Cake - this was for my cousin's birthday, so I just charged for cost of ingredients. If it was a regular customer, I would have charged between $100-$120.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1992406
I just want to ask what everyone is pricing their sheet cakes at?
the sizes I have are 9x12, 18x12, 12x24(which is just two 1/2's side by side)
i was looking around and trying to get my base price for the 1/4 thn x it from there but the price i had seen around was about .50/serving working out to and that seams really low
i was thinking single layer 1/4 35.00 and double with basic fillings 55.00?
thats about .75/serving with no filling and 1.25/serving with filling
First of all I had the same problem when I first started this side business. I found myself working all the time and not getting paid for it. NOW.....I have learned that it is better to do less and make more.
This attached photo is a wedding cake.
Charged 1,250.00 (that includes set up)
It was to feed around 400 people.[img][/img]
Is anyone from Ohio?
I am sure the prices are different in different areas.
Most of my 3 tier birthday cakes are between $90 and $150.
4"-6"-8" or 4"-7"- 9" and 4"- 8"- 10"
I was only charging $40, for the smallest size, when I first started and started charging more as I became a little more confident. I would like to charge a little more but not to sure if Ohioians will pay much more than that.
http://cakecentral.com//gallery/1977778
http://cakecentral.com//gallery/1991288
Am I still under charging?
well, my husband would be glad to hear that he was right! I am WAY undercharging for my cakes. This thread has proved it. I thought I was getting better, but I am no where near where I should be. I'm taking a cake break for a while maybe one day when I get back to it I will have the nerve to charge more.
Hi all, I have just finished this cake.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1997200
My first jungle cake. The time I have invested is close to 12 hours. In all
fairness, though, I am new to the fondant realm. It probably takes me a bit longer than most to finish a cake. I live 35 miles from NYC in New Jersey,and I am wondering what might be a fair price for this cake. It is a 11x10 inch base with a double 6 inch layer. The cake is lemon with cream cheese icing and lemon curd filling. All of the figures are hand made not molded. Any suggestinos would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Two tier fondant covered birthday cake. The inside is white cake with a light amount of vanilla buttercream. It is a four inch cake on a 6 inch cake. The seashells on top are chocolate that I "made" in candy molds. Materials cost about $35. She paid me $50 for it. Since it was only my second order, and I'm very new to selling my cakes (only on my seventh order this weekend) I wasn't sure what would be a reasonable amount. At the time, I felt like she was $50 was really expensive. Now I'm starting to think that $50 was reasonable... any input is very very welcome.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1997293[url][/url]
Is anyone from Ohio?
I am sure the prices are different in different areas.
Most of my 3 tier birthday cakes are between $90 and $150.
4"-6"-8" or 4"-7"- 9" and 4"- 8"- 10"
I was only charging $40, for the smallest size, when I first started and started charging more as I became a little more confident. I would like to charge a little more but not to sure if Ohioians will pay much more than that.
http://cakecentral.com//gallery/1977778
http://cakecentral.com//gallery/1991288
Am I still under charging? What is the going prices?
Here are some of my cakes with what I charged... Let me know what you think
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1988763 , charged 30.00 us
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1988801 ,
charged 160.00 us after customer did not want to pay original price of 225.00 learned a very valuable lesson on this one!!
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1988756 ,
charged 150.00 this cake was the first one I did for payment... The customer actually said I'll pay you this much for a cake what can you do for that....I love those types
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1988781 ,
charged 45.00 cuts paid fifty with tip..that was nice
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1988753,
didn't charge for this one b/c it was my very first ..gift for friends twin girls..she let me do whatever and she bought the topper....I was thinking I would charge about 300-320 for this it fed almost 180
This is a great thread for us newbies. You guys do some awesome work! I am just starting out and was want to make sure I'm not undercharging. What would you guys charge for the folling cakes?
This one is a 9x13 that I did for a friend's baby shower. It is covered in MMF.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2007051
This one was done for my daughter's birthday. It was carved from 2 10-inch round cakes and the blanket is MMF.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2007045
Thanks for your input!
This is a great thread for us newbies. You guys do some awesome work! I am just starting out and was want to make sure I'm not undercharging. What would you guys charge for the folling cakes?
This one is a 9x13 that I did for a friend's baby shower. It is covered in MMF.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2007051
This one was done for my daughter's birthday. It was carved from 2 10-inch round cakes and the blanket is MMF.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2007045
Thanks for your input!
Duplicate post, please also see:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-7102177.html#7102177
HTH
I did this one for $110 US. It was a 10 inch square pink champagne cake with vanilla rum bc filling. This cake was 5" tall. Fondant icing and 50/50 fondant and gum paste bow. Tfl!
Hmmm, after looking through all of your prices, and most of you (like me) saying "I should have charged more"... Maybe I'm underpricing my cakes????
This is a round 12,10,8,6 with gumpaste flowers. I charged $390
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1979767
This one is an 8,6,4. I charged $100
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1937216
Granted, I'm in a smaller city....but I'm tired of working myself to death just to keep my head above water.
Oh my God, you should have charged at LEAST $600 for that wedding cake with the gumpaste flowers! Have you priced the cost of the flowers alone? And you had so many! Try going online and pricing what it would be to purchase your sugar flowers from a sugar artist. Plus your work was perfection.
Your pink and zebra cake should have been $200 at least. Do you figure the cost per serving? Where are you coming up with your prices?
People expect to pay more for wedding cakes...and if they don't then you don't need the headache anyway! I worked for a custom cake bakery and I can tell you there is no way they would charge any less than what I just quoted for the kind of cakes you made. If you don't charge what you're worth then no one will pay what you're worth.
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