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help with pricing for vendor event

post #1 of 10
2/3/13 at 3:19pm
Thread Starter 

ok i need some help. my brother runs the local little league in my city, this year on opening day in april  instead of doing a traditional concession  like they have done in the past burgers dogs, chips, soda juice and candy, they are doing a taste of (the name of our city) vendors will sell food my church is doing Armenian food ( were Armenian).  other foods that will be there is Hispanic food and some other stuff. i am going to do a cupcake table i was thinking of making it simple so i will just bring maybe 2-3 flavors of cupcakes. my issue is with pricing.

 

 

i live in a city, the league has a huge mix of all people from all different races. its the opening day ceremonies kids will be there with their family's i want to make a profit but i also dont want to over charge or under charge. ( i live very close to the park its being held in so millage is not an issue when factoring in price. i used to run the food stand for little leauge and some of these parents are very picky when it comes to prices on things., if i charged at least 1-1.25 a cupcake would i be making any money ? most people will expect them to get it for a quater ( like we did at bake sales at school growing up) 


also i am not even sure how many cupcakes i should make the league has over 800 children. if you consider that plus siblings parents extended family. i know not everyone will want cupcakes but i also want to get my name out there i will be bringing plates and some take home boxes in case people want to take home anything i am thinking well over 300 cupcakes i would make the cupcakes the night before box them and frost in the am 

 

supplies for everything i will need for these cupcakes will be around 65-70 dollars 

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post #2 of 10
2/6/13 at 8:15am

i don't know

 

if your point is to 'get your name out there' with this event--

 

what about advertising it as an "opening pitch half price sale"

 

how much would you charge in real life?

 

then advertise that with a big X over it and say half price sale

 

i'd have some of them decorated like baseballs too

 

but make sure you're clear that they are fresh baked too

 

this would entice the crowd over to your table and get your name out

 
 

 

 

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post #3 of 10
2/6/13 at 8:19am
If you expect to make money with your business, the last thing you want to do is spend money to advertise to customers who are looking to pay 25 cents per cupcake.
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post #4 of 10
2/6/13 at 8:27am

yes very true

 

but that's what a 'taste of' is basically

 

vendors kinda give it away-ish

 

often proceeds go to charity

 
 

 

 

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post #5 of 10
2/6/13 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 

this is how it works you bring table  food set ups containers etc you pay the league 100 dollars to rent space at the park that day you get to keep all your profits. 

 

i normal charge 25 a dozen for cupcakes i was thinking between 1.00 and 1.25 for a cupcake leaning more towards 1.00 estimate on expenses would be 60-70 but after talking it with my sister she thinks 300 cupcakes is way to much she said i should bring 200 cupcakes business cards and a price list and i should advertise it as a opening day special cupcakes 1.00 

 

i was thinking a table with my cupcakes bring some pretty platters leave some cupcakes on each platter ( enough to look like a good presentation) and keep the rest in the box i will also be bringing some containers or plates if they want to take home any of the cupcakes i am keeping my cupcakes simple 2 of my cupcakes use the same buttercream base just the flavoring is different and then i will have  a chocolate 

 

3 different flavors. chocolate fudge on chocolate cupcake

Caramel  M&M buttercream on vanilla cupcake 

and oreos and cream buttercream on a oreo vanilla cupcake 

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post #6 of 10
2/6/13 at 1:46pm

so what do you do when you get an order for a dozen cupcakes and they want them for $12

 

less than half your normal price because that's the price you are reaching them with

 

i don't know--

 
 

 

 

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post #7 of 10
2/6/13 at 1:52pm
If you want to give people a taste, hand out free samples (by handing them directly to each customer, not leaving plates on a table). Leave your prices where they are unless you want to attract people who are looking for cheap cake.

$2/cupcake is already pretty low. How much is your cost, including labor and overhead (license fees, insurance, etc.)?
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post #8 of 10
2/6/13 at 2:03pm
$2 a cupcake is the going rate around here. At a ball game, you expect to get stiffed on the food, like a slice of pizza for $3. I tend to over do it, and at least you won't run out, but that's what I was raised doing, my grandma still cooks for 9, and puts the leftovers in the fridge. She'd rather have food for anyone dropping by, than be sitting there eating and not have enough to go around. But I would do at least 400. If you have left overs you can donate or tweet or tell your Facebook community and try to get them sold.

I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

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I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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post #9 of 10
2/6/13 at 2:04pm
You could also ask another vendor how much they sell.

I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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post #10 of 10
4/30/13 at 9:27pm
Smile22 how did it go?
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