Just A Little Vent....

Business By BarbaraM0809 Updated 26 Mar 2012 , 3:09pm by QTCakes1

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BarbaraM0809 Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 9:31pm
post #1 of 67

Ugh, I am getting really frustrated with selling cakes....I have had 5 people pass me over because I'm "priced too high"...and two of them were weddings! Grrr...I make everything from scratch- buttercream, fondant, cake, decorations et. and live in a small town where no ingredient is cheap. A lady just emailed me wanting a quote for a 1st birthday cake (12 inch and 8 inch) with lots of fondant dots, bumble bees, flowers and loopy ribbons, a dozen cupcakes, a 6 inch smash cake, and 60 number 1 cookies with very detailed royal icing decorations. So I quoted 120.00 for the cake@ 2.00 per serving, 15.00 for the cupcakes, 60.00 for the cookies@ 1.00 each, and 5.00 for the smash cake. So 200.00 in all...VERY cheap in my book. Well, she said she got a quote from a friend of hers that knows someone who would do the cake for 75.00, cookies for 5.00 a dozen, and the smash cake for free....I don't know what else to do, I can't really lower my prices any and still make a profit icon_sad.gif Thanks for listening to my rant I feel a little better lol...hope everyone is having a good day...

66 replies
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Texas_Rose Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 9:37pm
post #2 of 67

Sounds like she's trying to bargain you down.

I'd email back, "That's great! Sounds like you got a fabulous deal! Wishing you the best on your special day," and then be glad that you don't have to do 60 number 1 cookies...my hand is aching just thinking of those.

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jason_kraft Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 9:51pm
post #3 of 67

IMO you should double your prices and change your marketing strategy so you target people who are willing to pay for quality.

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jgifford Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 9:51pm
post #4 of 67

I totally understand. A lady called me last night for a quote on a full sheet cake for a birthday. I told her $200 and she said "Well, it would only be $40 at Wal Mart so never mind." Honestly? Even Wal Mart won't do a full sheet for $40.

It's a good thing I have a full time job. yay

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Cakery2012 Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 10:01pm
post #5 of 67

Quote from. a friend that knows SOMEONE . Thats not a quote she is trying to push you to get your prices cheaper. I dont see how you can go cheaper . It just wouldnt be worth.it .
I agree email her like Texas Rose said . I'd also.add that with ingredient costs and labor its just not possible to.reduce your prices .Or something to that effect.
The cake alone would be more than $200 in.most areas.
Good luck.

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Cakery2012 Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 10:06pm
post #6 of 67

Quote from. a friend that knows SOMEONE . Thats not a quote she is trying to push you to get your prices cheaper. I dont see how you can go cheaper . It just wouldnt be worth.it .
I agree email her like Texas Rose said . I'd also.add that with ingredient costs and labor its just not possible to.reduce your prices .Or something to that effect.
The cake alone would be more than $200 in.most areas.
Good luck.

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Cakery2012 Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 10:07pm
post #7 of 67

Quote from. a friend that knows SOMEONE . Thats not a quote she is trying to push you to get your prices cheaper. I dont see how you can go cheaper . It just wouldnt be worth.it .
I agree email her like Texas Rose said . I'd also.add that with ingredient costs and labor its just not possible to.reduce your prices .Or something to that effect.
The cake alone would be more than $200 in.most areas.
Good luck.

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Norasmom Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 10:38pm
post #8 of 67

I agree with Jason.

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LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 11:25pm
post #9 of 67

At the prices you quoted I'd be surprised if you are covering expenses as it is! Definitely don't lower your prices. I agree with everyone else, I would RAISE your prices and see if you can start marketing to people who are actually willing to pay for custom work.

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step0nmi Posted 21 Mar 2012 , 11:47pm
post #10 of 67

i say GOOD RIDDANCE! I literally just had this happen to me. I'm sick of feeling like i'm snobby in my emails because someone wants to try and lower my prices. You shouldn't care what they are wanting to pay but what you are WORTH! and if it is a friend of a friend they always think they are gonna haggle a lower price from you. take a deep breathe and move on icon_wink.gif

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BarbaraM0809 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:27am
post #11 of 67

Thanks everyone...I guess being in small town Arkansas ingredients aren't that bad but still not dirt cheap lol...and I told her to let me know if she decides on me and if not then I'm glad she scored such a great deal and keep me in mind for the future icon_biggrin.gif I'm still working on putting all my recipes into my cake boss software so I can put together a solid price list. Right now I'm covering my cost and barely making a profit...what's crazy is that people start out with "Oh my you're not expensive at ALL icon_rolleyes.gif " Then a couple of days later it's "Oh, we decided to go with someone else..." Oh well, I'm definitely going to redo my prices and aim for a higher market icon_lol.gif

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BarbaraM0809 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:29am
post #12 of 67

Thanks everyone...I guess being in small town Arkansas ingredients aren't that bad but still not dirt cheap lol...and I told her to let me know if she decides on me and if not then I'm glad she scored such a great deal and keep me in mind for the future icon_biggrin.gif I'm still working on putting all my recipes into my cake boss software so I can put together a solid price list. Right now I'm covering my cost and barely making a profit...what's crazy is that people start out with "Oh my you're not expensive at ALL icon_rolleyes.gif " Then a couple of days later it's "Oh, we decided to go with someone else..." Oh well, I'm definitely going to redo my prices and aim for a higher market icon_lol.gif

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Ilikepie Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 9:29am
post #13 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by BarbaraM0809

Grrr...I make everything from scratch- buttercream, fondant, cake, decorations et. and live in a small town where no ingredient is cheap.




Given the cake mix box and Wal-Mart ingredients in your photo album I'm wondering if you're using the words "from scratch" and "cheap" accurately?

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Lovelyladylibra Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 11:55am
post #14 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilikepie

Quote:
Originally Posted by BarbaraM0809

Grrr...I make everything from scratch- buttercream, fondant, cake, decorations et. and live in a small town where no ingredient is cheap.



Given the cake mix box and Wal-Mart ingredients in your photo album I'm wondering if you're using the words "from scratch" and "cheap" accurately?




Lmao the nerve of you to post that. One I see no cake box mixes in her photos, 2 so what she uses Wal-mart ingredients that doesn't mean it isn't "from scratch". Smh. If you don't have something positive to say then carry on!

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Lovelyladylibra Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:00pm
post #15 of 67

Oh yea and to the op, That price isn't high at all, I think your cookies are much too cheap, I price the same for my cakes but I add the smash cakes free, remember though 2 dollars a serving is basically just cake and frosting you need to charge extra for any fondant work and details. More ingredients being used and more time being taken. Also if you ARE gonna charge for a smash cake, charge more than 5 dollars, that's not even enough for ingredients!!

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redding86 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:24pm
post #16 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovelyladylibra

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilikepie

Quote:
Originally Posted by BarbaraM0809

Grrr...I make everything from scratch- buttercream, fondant, cake, decorations et. and live in a small town where no ingredient is cheap.



Given the cake mix box and Wal-Mart ingredients in your photo album I'm wondering if you're using the words "from scratch" and "cheap" accurately?



Lmao the nerve of you to post that. One I see no cake box mixes in her photos, 2 so what she uses Wal-mart ingredients that doesn't mean it isn't "from scratch". Smh. If you don't have something positive to say then carry on!




If you actually click on her pictures, you can see a Betty Crocker cake mix box in the back of her Nightmare before Christmas cake.
I think Ilikepie was trying to make the point that she shops at Wal-mart, where everything is cheap, even in Arkansas.

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step0nmi Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:34pm
post #17 of 67

that was a troll everyone LOL. calm down and carry on icon_wink.gif

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cms2 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 12:53pm
post #18 of 67

Making cakes is not cheap, regardless of where you buy your ingredients and what products you use. When they start giving away free cake mixes at walmart. I'll be the first in line. lol

Be thankful this customer moved on and enjoy the free time you'll have from not having this order. It would have been a no win situation. You would have felt that you worked your butt off and made very little money and the customer would have felt that she paid "way too much" .

Texas Rose- I really like your wording and may just use that sometime. thumbs_up.gif

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MsGF Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 1:11pm
post #19 of 67

Wow; very inappropriate Ilikepie. We should strive to be kind ALWAYS! Even when it is hard. Shame on you.

Anyhow I feel your prices are a little low, and when you have your CakeBoss Software filled up the prices will change. But I believe your quote was more than reasonable and fair for the amount of product and work involved.

Don't feel bad when people pass you over for another baker or Wal-Mart. People get what they pay for.

Good Luck & Happy Baking

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QTCakes1 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 1:22pm
post #20 of 67

You are not high. There is no way I would make all that stuff for $200. The cookies alone would have been starting at $270 and I think my economic area is just a little higher then yours, but not much.

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jason_kraft Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 4:07pm
post #21 of 67

The comment about the cake mix in the photos may not have been very polite, but it does make a good point. If you are taking pictures for a business you should make sure the background is clean so customers can focus on the cake instead of what's in the background.

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redding86 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 4:34pm
post #22 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

The comment about the cake mix in the photos may not have been very polite, but it does make a good point. If you are taking pictures for a business you should make sure the background is clean so customers can focus on the cake instead of what's in the background.




Yes. You can also see a dog/cat water and food dish in the back of one of her pictures as well, is that also allowed in a cottage food home or does it vary by state/county?

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petiterouge42 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 4:47pm
post #23 of 67

OP stated in a previous thread about not being able to be legal to sell because of the pets, but was just going to do it as a hobby since she didn't have the start up money to purchase/rent space.

I guess she just decided to go with being illegal and charging anyway.

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BarbaraM0809 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:12pm
post #24 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by petiterouge42

OP stated in a previous thread about not being able to be legal to sell because of the pets, but was just going to do it as a hobby since she didn't have the start up money to purchase/rent space.

I guess she just decided to go with being illegal and charging anyway.




Wow I get to come back to all this attitude lol...ok, let me start out by THANKING everyone who had something positive and encouraging to say icon_biggrin.gif And now for everyone else. My cakes that I sell are "FROM SCRATCH" the cake mixes are either for cake pops, or for practice cakes that are NOT for anyone other than my family icon_twisted.gif SECOND, I do have a dog that's why I don't bake at my house if it's going to be sold (please feel free to troll my other posts about baking at my Grammas house) any pictures I have on here are the only ones that I can get to load on this site and they aren't the best I agree but I do have a 4 year old, a full time job, and am a full time college student so forgive me for being a little cluttered sometimes. When I get around to taking pictures for business they will look better lol. And as far as ingredients being cheap at Wal-Mart obviously you haven't had to spend $9 on TWO vanilla beans from there icon_twisted.gif
So in closings, Thanks again for all the encouragement and for anyone who has something negative to say "Kick Rocks" icon_wink.gif Have a blessed day!

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QTCakes1 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:14pm
post #25 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by petiterouge42

OP stated in a previous thread about not being able to be legal to sell because of the pets, but was just going to do it as a hobby since she didn't have the start up money to purchase/rent space.

I guess she just decided to go with being illegal and charging anyway.




Well IF that is the case, then $200 is outrageous. I don't want to spend a penny for anything that comes out of an uninspected kitchen, with pets to boot. Good luck.

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BarbaraM0809 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:14pm
post #26 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by petiterouge42

OP stated in a previous thread about not being able to be legal to sell because of the pets, but was just going to do it as a hobby since she didn't have the start up money to purchase/rent space.

I guess she just decided to go with being illegal and charging anyway.




Wow I get to come back to all this attitude lol...ok, let me start out by THANKING everyone who had something positive and encouraging to say icon_biggrin.gif And now for everyone else. My cakes that I sell are "FROM SCRATCH" the cake mixes are either for cake pops, or for practice cakes that are NOT for anyone other than my family icon_twisted.gif SECOND, I do have a dog that's why I don't bake at my house if it's going to be sold (please feel free to troll my other posts about baking at my Grammas house) any pictures I have on here are the only ones that I can get to load on this site and they aren't the best I agree but I do have a 4 year old, a full time job, and am a full time college student so forgive me for being a little cluttered sometimes. When I get around to taking pictures for business they will look better lol. And as far as ingredients being cheap at Wal-Mart obviously you haven't had to spend $9 on TWO vanilla beans from there icon_twisted.gif
So in closings, Thanks again for all the encouragement and for anyone who has something negative to say "Kick Rocks" icon_wink.gif Have a blessed day!

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fearlessbaker Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:45pm
post #27 of 67

Don't do it. You sell yourself short and are being taken advantage of.. What restaurant sells a piece of cake for $2 And a cookie for a buck?
No no!

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petiterouge42 Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:45pm
post #28 of 67

I know you were responding to my comment as well as other comments, but I did not intend mine to be negative, just stating a fact.

As far as the walmart ingredients, I bake mostly from scratch and buy certain ingredients at walmart all the time. It is simply more cost effective if I don't need a bulk item of something. But I would def. not buy vanilla beans from there if they cost that much- you can find them much cheaper online even with shipping factored in.

When I was hobby baking I just took pictures with my kitchen clutter in the backround too, it took almost a year before I started getting nice backgrounds set up.

That being said, if it is legal to sell from your grammas house then that's fine- if it's not, than I still stand by what I said in my previous post.

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carmijok Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:57pm
post #29 of 67

I don't know what the 'rules' are in Arkansas. I do know someone who worked at the same bakery I used to work at moved there because there is no cottage law in Oklahoma and from what I understand the rules are very lax in Arkansas regarding home bakeries. I don't know--I may be speaking out of turn on that.

I didn't see any cake mix boxes in her photos....and wouldn't have cared if I did. The bakery I worked for charged more and they used box mixes in addition to scratch. People bought them because they were delicious, and the designs were wonderful.

That being said I have something to say that may not be considered 'nice' but is truthful. The OP's skill level is not up to the level where I think she is putting her pricing. The potential is definitely there, but the execution at this point...in my estimation... does not merit top dollar pricing. I think she needs to pull back a bit and get more experience...and perhaps some lessons or study tutorials and DVD's.

Unless she is harboring more photos that show a vast improvement in execution than what is shown here...I think her pricing needs to reflect her capabilities. I really don't want to come off as harsh or mean...but if she's having people balk at her pricing...this very well could be the reason why.

That being said I think she's got the drive and the talent to improve and get to where she needs to be and I wish her all the best!

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fearlessbaker Posted 22 Mar 2012 , 5:57pm
post #30 of 67

I stopped posting for a very long time because of the mean spirited attitude of many. I think her original post was about pricing and now it sort of is a tar and feather free for all. I am fascinated by how much free time one has to care whether people bake from scratch or have the proper credentials. Think about bettering yourself and not being so judgmental. If you have so much free time think about the unemployed, people living in cars,victims of war,read poetry.

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