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Do you have a minimum?

post #1 of 21
8/19/11 at 4:51am
Thread Starter 
How many of you have a minimum. Not cake size as much as price. I just got a request for a 8 serving cake, which would be a 6 inch round but honestly it isnt worth it to turn my oven on for what my price per serving is.

I notice in looking at websites that alot of cake business so. If you have one what is it, if you dont mind sharing.
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post #2 of 21
8/19/11 at 5:27am
I just stopped doing the 6" cakes....had my last one last week. It totally is not worth the time and money. They were $25. I didn't even get minimum wage on those....and that last customer was the biggest pain in my butt ever! (smallest cake, biggest demander, go figure!) I guess I can thank her though, because otherwise, I might not have realized how little I actually made on those!!

Now, I have a $40 minimum order...for my pricing, that equates to a 16 serving single layer, basic flavor cake.

I will do the small 6" cake if that's what they really want, but I'll charge $40 for it. Just not worth doing a cake for less than that IMO.
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post #3 of 21
8/19/11 at 6:22am
Yes...a $40.00 minimum and even somedays I think that is too low....
Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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post #4 of 21
8/19/11 at 7:17am
The smallest cake we make is an 8" round double layer, starting at $44. Customers are welcome to order a 6" round if they wish, but the price will still start at $44.

We do have other products available for less than $44 -- a dozen cupcakes starts at $30, and a dozen muffins starts at $24. But we don't really have to worry about turning on the ovens for just a $24 muffin order since we're pretty busy every weekend, and those smaller orders are great for making use of slack time.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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post #5 of 21
8/19/11 at 7:53am
I'll do a 6" cake if someone wants it, but they are paying for an 8" cake. that's my minimum charge is the price of an 8" cake, or for a dozen cupcakes of the same type. Since I bake to order, I can't do a mix and match for only a dozen.
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post #6 of 21
8/19/11 at 8:12am
I bake for my friends and family and quite often they want just a 6" cake. So what I have been doing is when I make larger cakes or cupcakes, I take the extra batter and put it in 6" round pans and bake it. Then it goes in the freezer. If they want a 6" cake, they have to be willing to take whatever is frozen. I too like to have only 6" cakes for my own family birthdays and mini celebrations. Too much cake in the house means too much of ME in the house.
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post #7 of 21
8/19/11 at 8:27am
I have a $125.00 minimum, if all they want is a 6" cake that's fine but it will be $125.00
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post #8 of 21
8/19/11 at 8:47am
My busy season is May - September (weddings, weddings and more weddings). During that time my price minimum for custom cake orders is $400. I don't have a minimun on cupcakes because I find those really easy and not time consuming.

From October to April I have a minimum of $50 because I slow way down and little orders are not as much of a pain in butt.
"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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post #9 of 21
8/19/11 at 9:08am
I'm right there with you Mindy. I need to set a minimum, it's so sad when your doing a cake and the whole time your saying, this is so not worth it. I actually need to relook at all my prices. People call and I just say 40 bucks...50 bucks... always scared to overcharge, but I need to sit down and look at how much it COST me and how much time goes into it. It would be nice to actually buy some cake supplies verses breaking even after busting my butt.
http://www.facebook.com/JessicaPaternoster#!/pages/Conceptual-Confections/180568445342969
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http://www.facebook.com/JessicaPaternoster#!/pages/Conceptual-Confections/180568445342969
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post #10 of 21
8/19/11 at 9:42am
$150 for cupcakes and $225 for Novelty/3D. Wedding cakes starts at $300.
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post #11 of 21
8/19/11 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by harlemcakelady

$150 for cupcakes and $225 for Novelty/3D. Wedding cakes starts at $300.



150 for cupcakes? I'm curious how many cupcakes does that include, like enough for a big event like a wedding?
http://www.facebook.com/JessicaPaternoster#!/pages/Conceptual-Confections/180568445342969
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post #12 of 21
8/19/11 at 10:17am
250.00 for non sculpted
400.00 for sculpted
It takes a crazy person to make Crazy Cakes! I guess I'm a complete wack-O.
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It takes a crazy person to make Crazy Cakes! I guess I'm a complete wack-O.
www.crazycakes.com
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post #13 of 21
8/19/11 at 11:06am
I'm so like you Athenarose, when people call I just call out a price.
Sweet Delites
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Sweet Delites
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post #14 of 21
8/19/11 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
I do have set prices for my cakes but for a 6inch cake it will be like $25 which just doesnt seem worth it. I was thinking of telling him my minimum is $35. If he doesnt order that is fine too.
I need to eventually raise that as I get busier..
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post #15 of 21
8/19/11 at 11:17am
$100, and that gets a minimally decorated 6". Can't say I've ever had anyone order just the minimum. I might as well up it to $200, cause that's the lowest priced cake I've done in years.
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