I'm so mad! This is the first time I've ever had someone tell me I'm too pricey. This bride orders a cake that is 4 tiers with four smaller cakes to go around it. Delivery is almost two hours away. I quoted her $400 for all. What do you guys think? It was going to be a really detailed cake, too. I politely told her that other bakers in this area charge a lot more than me and if she ordered from a box store, she had to choose from their designs, not the one I designed for her. And she would have to transport it and set it up all on her own. Should I have lowered my price, or am I okay?

No...It sounds more like your undercharging not overcharging. You know what your cakes are worth and like I've read many times on here ... That is not the customers you want. You want those that value your time and work & will pay what you charge Do not lower your price. It's way to low as it is.

I think your charging way less then you should. And she is just being a selfish bride, let her look around. Even if she doesn't go with you it's her loss. I have gone through the same thing multiple times, I am so over bridezillas!

Absolutely. I agree with the other comments. $400 for four tiers and four satellite cakes PLUS a 4 hour delivery (2 there, 2 back) is a STEAL!!! Let her walk away and see what others charge her for the same thing. And, if they charge less, I would love to see the end product.
Just walk away. And, if she calls you back, suggest that she do some price shopping, and make sure she is comparing apples to apples. I bet she'll change her mind and gladly pay your price...

[quote="platinumlady"]No...It sounds more like your undercharging not overcharging. You know what your cakes are worth and like I've read many times on here ... That is not the customers you want. You want those that value your time and work & will pay what you charge Do not lower your price. It's way to low as it is.[/quoteI

I agree! i you are WAY undercharging! Let the bride walk away. If she comes back, increase the price due to short notice. I recently increased my prices after much nail biting...I was afraid people would stop ordering, and guess what? I'm having to turn people away. Your time, your artistic skills, your baking...it all needs to be worth it!

$400 would be my delivery fee and I am cheap! Certainly don't back down- you'd be better off if she went elsewhere.

I agree, $400 is very cheap for all that cake and delivery. Wow...let her go, those complainers are not worth the time, more customers who appreciate you will come along! And I agree that you should increase your price if she comes back!

Good luck...update us on what happens, would love to know...

$400 for the the cakes, plus the smaller cakes to go around, plus you taking it and setting it up to me is a FANTASTIC price!! Let her walk away and then crawl back...

..........Should I have lowered my price,.........

NO! You don't say how many servings there are in this 4 tier plus cake so it's a bit hard to know how to advise you but never, Never, NEVER consider lowering your price when a bride hems and haws

Let them take their guests to a resturant and buy them each a piece of cake off the menu and see how much it costs!
That's an idea - go to several of the local resturants and get their menu to have on hand to show these people who baulk at our pricing.

I agree with everyone else...I live in one of the least expensive markets in the US, South MS! Houses and everything around here cost a fraction of what they do in say, NYC. With that said, I am doing a 4 tier cake this Oct, with delivery which is very close, $500, and its a modern, plain square cake!

I think she is getting a bargain! I agree with KylaQ, she will find out real fast what a great deal she is getting.

A 4-tier cake and 4 smaller cakes. Did I miscalculate, isn't that 5 cakes???? I'm a hobby baker, by no means a pro, but even I know from friends and family weddings $400 is SUPER CHEAP! IF she comes back to you charge her more, tell her cost of supplies increased. ;}

Thanks so much for the validation! I was so mad over this. Everyone watches these cake shows on TV and get these grand ideas, but they don't want to pay for them. I took my design back from her just in case she did find someone to fit her beer budget. I don't want someone else getting the design I worked so hard on. I don't mind to share on here, but that seems different to me for some reason. Thanks guys for making me feel better!

That is a pretty big cake and a lot of work for $400. If that didn't please her I doubt much else will. I would cut and run on that one. Even if she does shop around and then comes back and says "OK, I'll "let" you make my cake for $400". I think I would tell her "sorry, I'm booked".

Assuming the four tier cake was a 6", 8", 10", and 12", and assuming the four satellite cakes were 8" rounds- according to the Wilton chart, that would serve about 226 people. Our basic buttercream price for that many servings would be $847.50. That's not counting delivery. And that's a basic design, no fondant, no intricate piping, etc. So, NO, you should not lower your price. She's going to get a rude awakening if she expects to get that much cake for less than $400!

Try this the next time you get a cheap-a$& bride:

"Not everyone can afford me and that is okay."