Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating › Need Help Pricing This Guitar Cake (First Time)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Need Help Pricing This Guitar Cake (First Time)

post #1 of 4
10/5/12 at 10:03pm
Thread Starter 
This is my first guitar cake (and my first commissioned shaped cake). My father-in-law asked me to make it for his guitar group.

I worked on this cake on and off for four days (baking, making my icings (buttercream & MMF), molding 50/50 accents, hand painting details ... and then doing the majority of the decorating the better part of the day before it was due (torting, filling, deco, assembling. This all took about six hours).

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2413948/5th-annual-cok-agf-gathering

I'm not a quick decorator, but I put a lot of work and detail into this cake. I used the Wilton guitar pan and extended the neck (= add more servings). I'd say the final servings for this cake was between 15 - 20.

Question is, what do I charge for this? He is offering to pay full price but I'd like to offer him a discount (especially since we're living with him temporarily. We just recently relocated). What would you charge for something like this -- without a discount?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

And, thanks to all who gave me advice on how to "woodgrain" the buttercream! You CCers are the best!!

Be blessed!!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 4
10/5/12 at 11:27pm
I suspect that this very nice man gave you the "commission" for your first custom cake and offered to pay full price as a gracious act of support and kindness.

Personally, I would ask him for $45 for the cake. That will allow him to have the joy of paying you for your first commissioned shaped cake. It is enough to sound expensive, but with a discount offered with love, and to make each of you proud of each other.

If you plan to sell more cakes if/when the OK Cottage Food Law goes into effect, it may also be a nice gesture to frame the first dollar received for your cakes. You could put a photo of your darling cake below the dollar bill.
(If you aren't familiar with this custom, simply Google: Framing first business dollar.)
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 4
10/6/12 at 3:57am
If it was for anyone else. i am sure you could have charged 100/=. But, since it is for yr F.I. L give him a 50% discount. you have put in a lot of work
In the house of the wise, are stores. But a foolish man devours all he has. (proverb 21:20NIV)
Reply
In the house of the wise, are stores. But a foolish man devours all he has. (proverb 21:20NIV)
Reply
post #4 of 4
10/6/12 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for your thoughts!

Be blessed!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cake Decorating
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating › Need Help Pricing This Guitar Cake (First Time)