I opened my cottage food law home bakery about a year ago and have gained clientele at a good rate. My only method of advertising currently is word of mouth. I had a little trouble with pricing at first but have slowly learned how to accurately price my cakes. I do not have trouble with REAL clients, the only issue I have ever encountered was with family and close friends. I never said no and charge them 25% less than my regular clients.
I made a 10 in square (3 layer) cake with a 6 in fondant UT baseball cap on top. This cake was for a very special and close friend of my husband. A lady who went to his party saw the cake and subsequently asked for my info and the price paid which the friend failed to mention was at special rate.
So this lady calls me and asks for the same cake at the same price. Of course I tell her that he received a special rate and that this cake cost so much and so much. Again she tried to barter me down and I finally said "I don't think that I can meet your budget with this particular design. I'm sorry it couldn't work out but if you do change your mind and decide to order it, please call me 10 days in advance. Thank you." That felt so good to say and I didn't feel bad at all!!
Two days later, the lady calls and books the order at MY price. Yay!! I think my haggling days are over!

SUCCESS! that is awesome that you stuck your ground even while speaking with her! good for you

Thanks for letting us know, fedra. I loved your holding firm!

Good for you!

Good for you! Even better that you didn't feel bad and better still she came back at regular price.

Yay!!

Good for you! I think it gets easier to be firm on pricing with every cake you make, just because you carry on learning how much time you spend on them.

Congratulations!!!! A caker with a business hat on, yeah.