my friend called me almost crying

That looks like a 1/4 sheet cake. That and 20 cupcakes for $250.00???? Wow she sure did get ripped off! I'm sorry for your friend but what she got will not serve 100. She should definitely ask for some money back.

Which city is she in? That in itself will affect the price and value for money. Seems a bit costly for what it is, ie skill level, but in a big city and popular bakery it may be par for the course.

This looks like it came from a grocery store bakery..(I work in one) Price for this cake should have been no more than $40.00. I would ask for money back..

I would ask for half the money back at least. Quality aside, there doesn't look like it would have feed 50 people, never mind 100!

Looks more like a half than a quarter to me but cannot tell for sure from the picture. t certainly does not look like a full sheet cake. It also does look like a single layer sheet cake. If it is there is no way that a half sheet and 20 cupcakes = 100 servings. At most that serves 50-60. If the baker charged per serving then your cousin most certainly got ripped off. The only way a half sheet comes plus the cupcakes close to a hundred servings is if the sheet cake is cut in 1x2 serving sizes. But that is if the cake is two layers. If it is a single layer the servings should be 2x2. If the cake is 11x15, 2 layers with 20 cupcakes she got the servings she asked for. From the image it just does not look like a 2 layer cake however.

As for the decoration is it pretty simple but calculated per serving it is only $2.50 per serving. As others stated depending on market $2.50 per serving may not get you much more than what is depicted in the image. It was a cake for a hundred after all. Honestly you cannot just look at the decocration and say in the abstract that is not worth $250. We have no idea about this individual's pricing scheme, the image your cousin showed to the baker, what they agreed upon during their consultations, etc. Frankly while simple the decoration looks clean--although the cupcakes are covering the side. Depending on location, I could easily see this baker charging $2.00 - $2.50 per serving for a basic buttercream design.

At a minimum she should inquire about the servings as it just does not seem like there is enough cake for 100.

The pricing for 100 people is fine at $2.50 per person, but the cake seems small.

just out of curiosity, what did the cake look like that she wanted?

I would ask for my money back too. Local bakeries sell these cakes to people that want a simple cake with a theme but don't have money for a tiered or nicely decorated cake. As others have mentioned what she charged for this should not be 250.00.

There's no way that's a full sheet and that's the only thing that will serve 100 people. The cupcakes are irrelevant. Your friend didn't get what she ordered - - she's entitled to a refund.

It's a1/4 sheet. I lined up cupcake liners (while waiting for my cake to bake) and the space inside measured approximately 13"x9"
Refund is due!

REFUND!

Wow, that is sad. You expect a nicely made cake and you get a grocery store cake for $250. Yikes!

What did it say on her invoice/contract?