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Just a little vent....

post #1 of 67
3/21/12 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 
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...
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post #2 of 67
3/21/12 at 2:37pm
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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post #3 of 67
3/21/12 at 2:51pm
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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The Bakery Business Perspective
An experimental blog with new content every Tuesday!

Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
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post #4 of 67
3/21/12 at 2:51pm
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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post #5 of 67
3/21/12 at 3:01pm
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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post #6 of 67
3/21/12 at 3:06pm
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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post #7 of 67
3/21/12 at 3:07pm
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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post #8 of 67
3/21/12 at 3:38pm
I agree with Jason.
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post #9 of 67
3/21/12 at 4:25pm
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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Before you ask- I'm licensed, inspected, insured, and all that jazz.
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post #10 of 67
3/21/12 at 4:47pm
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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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #11 of 67
3/21/12 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
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
"I smile because I have no idea what's going on..."
"Oh, I offended you? Please take a number and wait in line with everyone else waiting on me to give a f*#k"
Reply
"I smile because I have no idea what's going on..."
"Oh, I offended you? Please take a number and wait in line with everyone else waiting on me to give a f*#k"
Reply
post #12 of 67
3/21/12 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 
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
"I smile because I have no idea what's going on..."
"Oh, I offended you? Please take a number and wait in line with everyone else waiting on me to give a f*#k"
Reply
"I smile because I have no idea what's going on..."
"Oh, I offended you? Please take a number and wait in line with everyone else waiting on me to give a f*#k"
Reply
post #13 of 67
3/22/12 at 2:29am
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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post #14 of 67
3/22/12 at 4:55am
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!

23 years old, Mom to no one and damn proud of it lol.

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23 years old, Mom to no one and damn proud of it lol.

Cookies!
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post #15 of 67
3/22/12 at 5:00am
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!!

23 years old, Mom to no one and damn proud of it lol.

Cookies!
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23 years old, Mom to no one and damn proud of it lol.

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