I will be meeting with a customer who owns a Chuck E Cheese type place. He wants prices on cakes. I want to offer cupcake cakes. But don't know what to charge. Any help? Helen
Thanks. Does that include the pix you put on it too? Like BCT?
I think I would charge a little extra for more extensive decorating. Maybe 25.00 and up. For simple decorating...I would charge the 15.00. I hope it all works out...but do not let them take advantage of you. I just passed on a similar opportunity because they wanted me to do it for too cheap. I told them I make specialty cakes which take more time and decorating.
traci 
HI..
If you REALLY don't want to pass up on the account...you can go with a plan to offer them a choice..
Generic design: cupcake cake with minimal decorations, top & bottom border...."HAPPY BIRTHDAY" on it maybe some little colored sprinkles for color.
Top of the line design: CCC with a butter cream transfer, customer's choice.
Price accordingly..check out the market in your area, and don't undersell yourself!
( sometimes accounts like this, manage to pay the bills and may be worth the extra work. Gives you a chance to "practice" new borders and color combos!!)
I have done accounts like this many times, and when I've been able to hire help, I give them these "accounts", and let them keep the extra money as a little bonus. ( But, that's for later when you get busier..lol)
Thanks, Diva. Oh, I have learned over the years, to charge more rather than less. I like the idea of offering a generic CCC plus one w/BCT.
I see in your signature, you mention chocolate. Do you also do candy? I have been making homemade chocolate & handpainted choc. novelties for 27 years.
candyladyhelen,
Yes, I would make chocolate novelties for friends and family, since mostly EVERYONE loves chocolate..lol
At holiday time, I become a truffle producing factory at times, eating more than I pack..lol
and currently making candies and chocolate showpieces at school. Can't get my chocolate box to upload..oh well.
I too LOVE offering people a choice, they usually start out with the lower priced item and then upgrade.
One more hint...you can "SELL" the generic item to the party place...but the extra money for the BCT...is 100% for you..lol
and ANY business that you get from your parties, is yours and yours alone. Believe me, when you walk in with your cakes...make sure you have business cards with you...you WILL get calls from parents for more "special cakes' for their little ankle bitters!..lol
Just make sure that you type up a simple contract to protect yourself from the franchise. I know you're a smart cookie, you wouldn't be in business for 27 years if you weren't!
Good luck with whatever you chose to finally do!
It's true. I have my business cards, price & flavor sheet, and contract form. I feel like I am starting all over...we moved from up north 2 years ago. Had a great following. Now it's all new. But my customer base is growing.
PastryDiva...you make a good point. However, sometimes these types of businesses will try to take advantage of people. They want you to give them a "discount" because they will be ordering several cakes. I know this because I used to do cakes for a lady that owned a party place. It just was not worth my while to do it anymore. A couple of months ago...another business approached me and wanted a "discount." I typed up a list of my prices for GENERIC and NOVELTY cakes. I gave it to them and they still wanted cheaper prices. I told them politely, "NO."
I think it is important to see how much it is costing you to make the cakes and then price accordingly. Otherwise...you might not end up with a good enough profit. The business card idea is great. I carry mine with me all the time. You never know when you might run into someone that will be interested. By the way...your chocolate candies sound delicious!
traci 
I'm just saying that it's a good idea to do Party place cakes to get the word out there, and establish yourself.
If you find that you are not making enough profit you can always deduct the cost as " the cost of doing business".
You know...Part of your promotional budgets.
Doing cakes for party places is a thankless job. If they want prices so cheap, my take is, buy the cakes from the supermarkets and don't try to take the food out of my children's mouth..lol
They are asking us for cakes because they want a good product.
The other alternative is to have the party place send you the lead directly. and let you deal with the client yourself.
You are right. I was able to get some side business from some of the customers. I decided to pass on the other place because I am so busy right now with what I have. I advertise in my area and have built up a nice clientel. I think also that I am looking to get away from children's cakes and do more wedding cakes. I find that I make the most profit on wedding cakes. I just live in an area where there are so many kids and have not found that steady "connection" for wedding cake customers.
Anyway...it sounds like you have a lot of experience with the business side of things. How did you go about building your clientel?
traci
I built my business on world of mouth and word of mouth only, and became busy enough to take a small storefront, learned from dealing with so many different people.
Here in Miami,Florida, you need too much money to open a place.
I heard that you can spend up to 40 thousand on a fire suppression hood, which is needed, another bundle on grease traps so forth and so on.
So, my dream to open a place here is not looking so good!
I would also love to open a bakery of my own...but it would be so expensive. I had to settle for a second baking kitchen in my house. I do love it...but sometimes wish I had my own store.
It seems like you are doing very well. You never know what the future holds for you. You are very business smart and your cakes are gorgeous. I am sure you will go far with your dream. 
traci
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%