Fuming!

Decorating By daisysn2001 Updated 20 Jun 2013 , 10:27pm by BatterUpCake

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daisysn2001 Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 5:50am
post #1 of 18

I am sooooooooo tired of people thinking I can pull a cake out of my back side and they don't need to pay me for it because it is just a cake. I didn't use to have this problem. I lost the use of my legs a few years ago and I recently have been able to get back to doing cakes here and there. However, people act like I should be grateful they are asking me to do a cake. And it is not like they are asking me for a pretty little butter cream cake with a few flowers on it. They want the cakes they see on Cake Boss. I had a someone see a cake I liked on FB that was a winnie pooh with the tiers being the tree. Her question how much for just a little one. Well, what I think is little and what you think is little may be different. How many servings?  20-24  I say it is going to be approximately $2 per serving. She says, "well I am on a fixed income" My comment, "so am I" WTH I realize times are hard but I don't have the money to pay for someone else's ingredients and I hurt way to damn bad after doing a cake to not get paid for my time!  Vent over, Thank You!

17 replies
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Annabakescakes Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 6:10am
post #2 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by daisysn2001 

I am sooooooooo tired of people thinking I can pull a cake out of my back side and they don't need to pay me for it because it is just a cake. I didn't use to have this problem. I lost the use of my legs a few years ago and I recently have been able to get back to doing cakes here and there. However, people act like I should be grateful they are asking me to do a cake. And it is not like they are asking me for a pretty little butter cream cake with a few flowers on it. They want the cakes they see on Cake Boss. I had a someone see a cake I liked on FB that was a winnie pooh with the tiers being the tree. Her question how much for just a little one. Well, what I think is little and what you think is little may be different. How many servings?  20-24  I say it is going to be approximately $2 per serving. She says, "well I am on a fixed income" My comment, "so am I" WTH I realize times are hard but I don't have the money to pay for someone else's ingredients and I hurt way to damn bad after doing a cake to not get paid for my time!  Vent over, Thank You!

That is sickening that someone would tell you they are on a fixed income, as if you are not. Heck, most people are, in the sense that they can't just decide to go make more money in some way, or are not commission based, or aren't allowed overtime... Many people have no skill, and would have to sell something to get more "income".

 

That being said, if it is the cake I have seen going around with Winnie and the tree trunk, my price would be $5 a serving!

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Sweet_Cakes Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 2:48pm
post #3 of 18

When I worked in the billing department of my company all I ever heard was I'm on a fixed income, I can't afford this service. Well, first of all..99% of our population is on a fixed income. Secondly, why are you trying to buy something that you can't afford? People just need to wake up and realize that you get what you pay for. If you can't afford it, don't buy it/order it. Sheesh.

 

daisy...stick to your guns! Don't let anyone take advantage of you! icon_biggrin.gif

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CakeRae80 Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 3:19pm
post #4 of 18

It's disgusting that people think and act that way! Absolutely stick to your guns!!  I've not had to experience this yet, but I'm sure it's coming.  A woman I work with hinted that she wanted me to do a cake for her husband but I think when she caught wind of what I charge she changed her mind and didn't say anything further to me. I don't mind at certain times offering to make a cake, or we had a baby shower for a co-worker and the woman in charge asked if I could make the cake.  That was fine b/c we were all pitching in to get food items.  My neighborhood does Bunco and I offered to make a luau girl cake to take for my food contribution next month. I've not done one and it's a great reason to make it and put it in my portfolio icon_wink.gifBut most bakers aren't charity workers and cakes aren't free to make which means they're not free to order!
 

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AZCouture Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 4:05pm
post #5 of 18

Ok, that comes out roughly to $40 give or take a few. Really? Are you sure you didn't have "normal" cake (tiered, something flat maybe) on your mind when you said that? icon_eek.gif

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labmom Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 4:27pm
post #6 of 18

I am glad that you are able to get back doing cakes.  My health also has been horrible with month at a time in the hospital at times over the last couple of years.  But when I get out I want to get strong again to start doing cakes.  they make me feel great and having some purpose. No sitting around watching TV.  I also have people who want to give the cakes as gifts  to friends or relatives. for weddings, and birthdays from them but are upset when I don't give them a cheaper cost because they are helping out the bride and groom with this part of the wedding, or occasion.  Don't they understand that I still have the time and costs involved.  guess not!  And for  specialty cakes they never want to pay what they are worth.  $2.00  per serving for one of those is to cheap.  go to duffs or cake boss or any TV  website think the minimum price$600. someone said for one of there specialty designs. Tell them to call them if they think your prices are too expensive.  I did it once and they got mad but ended up just getting a grocery store cake.  oh well.    Best to your health.. and again glad to hear you can still do what you enjoy doing. 

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morganchampagne Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 6:07pm
post #7 of 18

AGlad to hear you're back to being able to do cakes! Don't let anybody take advantage!! $2 is quite low but if she's a friend or something hey I get it. Sometime I lowball friends and family even when I know I'm not making that much or any money off it. It's the principal with me sometimes. You're gonna pay me!!! Kind of thing lol

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Pyro Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 9:24pm
post #8 of 18

So, I would like my Porsche silver, with chrome all over. But I only need 1 door to get in and 1 seat ( the driver ). Can I get a discount ? Cauz you know, I'm on a fixed income.

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auntginn Posted 19 Jun 2013 , 9:46pm
post #9 of 18

Like my momma always says, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it"  There is no entitlement here because you are on a fixed income.  I ask people if they know what they want, they say yes, then I ask what their budget is for a cake and that's before I ask what  they want because 9x's out of 10 they have no clue.

 

My customers know they get their monies worth and for a while what I've been seeing on this site, I think I'm too low.

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Cakery2012 Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 2:32am
post #10 of 18

You teach people how to treat you ! Hell like someone said most of us are on a fixed income . I make a certain amount yes I would like to make more but my wages are fixed, I had someone who is retired say to me ( not about cake) Im on a fixed income now . Well their fixed income is about 1/3 more than I make working 40 hour a week thats why I usually work 56  hours or more . Not much fun and doesnt leave much time for caking . And 2 dollars for a decorated cake is like paying them to take it IMO

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annabananana Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 2:52am
post #11 of 18

AWhen people say I'm on a fixer income it makes me mad because it is always more then what I make working my fingers to the bone. "After I pay my car bill and mortgage and bills and buy groceries I barely got money for my cigarettes and recreation " boo hoo! You got money to smoke this day in age with cigarettes being $6 a pack then you got more money then I do cause I can't afford cigarettes and gave them up 5 years ago because I had no money. And what are activities and recreation? I sit on my porch and watch traffic go buy. And I borrow a car for a case of beer when I need to deliver a cake. I can't afford a car note.

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Sweet_Cakes Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 10:22am
post #12 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyro 

So, I would like my Porsche silver, with chrome all over. But I only need 1 door to get in and 1 seat ( the driver ). Can I get a discount ? Cauz you know, I'm on a fixed income.

Sounds legit...icon_twisted.gif

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indydebi Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 6:45pm
post #13 of 18

Put me in the category of despising the "fixed income" comment.  As many have stated, EVERYBODY is on a fixed income.  Most of us can't just ask our boss for more money/hours/etc. Our paychecks are the same amount every year.  Oh, and hubby has been told two years in a row there will be no raises where he works, but I understand those "fixed income" people get cost of living raises.

 

Now that I've unloaded that steam ..... icon_biggrin.gif ......  my answer to those who said they were on a fixed income or on a budget (means the same thing), I would respond with "So are we, thats why I cant discount."

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 8:40pm
post #14 of 18

Unless you are a debt instrument, if you are on a fixed income, it generally means that you are on a subsistence income, with little or no hope of improvement.

 

I'm guessing that customers who seek discounts because they are on fixed incomes are human beings, not bonds. They deserve to be treated as human beings.

 

But by the same token, what does anybody on a fixed subsistence income need with a custom-made professionally-baked-and-decorated cake? A cake mix, even a good one, is cheap, and so is a one-pound box of powdered sugar.

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jason_kraft Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 9:07pm
post #15 of 18

AIf someone is on a fixed income they are not necessarily at the subsistence level, they could just be dependent on social security, pensions, annuities, disability, retirement account distributions, etc., and are not able to increase their income (by taking on another job, for example). Depending on their financial situation and how they have planned, a fixed income can leave plenty of room for discretionary spending. Or it can leave just enough to survive with nothing left over.

Personally I don't have a problem accepting orders directly from debt instruments as long as they are investment grade. The biggest hurdle is figuring out what they want to order.

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AZCouture Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 9:12pm
post #16 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by hbquikcomjamesl 

 

 

But by the same token, what does anybody on a fixed subsistence income need with a custom-made professionally-baked-and-decorated cake? A cake mix, even a good one, is cheap, and so is a one-pound box of powdered sugar.

 

Because it's their riiiiiiight! Everyone should have the opportunity for a luxury cake at every stinking event that happens in life, didn't you know??

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 10:27pm
post #17 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by remnant3333 

You will be losing money for doing it at 2 dollars a serving!!! You need to raise your prices for sure especially for a cake that will take longer to make!!! At two dollars a serving, you are practically doing it for free when you calculate your time plus ingredients!!! Most customers have no idea as to the time it takes for doing specialty cakes!!!  I am glad that I don't do cakes for a living. I would hate to have to deal with some of the people who think making cakes takes no time or energy!!! My hat goes off to you guys who do this for a living!!! You all deserve to get paid good money for those specialty cakes that take time!!! Hang in there and don't get too stressed out!!!  Just learn to stand your ground!!! Good luck!!!

I do $2 a serving just for plain frosted buttercream cupcakes. When you start adding fondant, gumpaste and the work that goes in it that drives the price up.

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Jun 2013 , 10:27pm
post #18 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by remnant3333 

You will be losing money for doing it at 2 dollars a serving!!! You need to raise your prices for sure especially for a cake that will take longer to make!!! At two dollars a serving, you are practically doing it for free when you calculate your time plus ingredients!!! Most customers have no idea as to the time it takes for doing specialty cakes!!!  I am glad that I don't do cakes for a living. I would hate to have to deal with some of the people who think making cakes takes no time or energy!!! My hat goes off to you guys who do this for a living!!! You all deserve to get paid good money for those specialty cakes that take time!!! Hang in there and don't get too stressed out!!!  Just learn to stand your ground!!! Good luck!!!

I do $2 a serving just for plain frosted buttercream cupcakes. When you start adding fondant, gumpaste and the work that goes in it that drives the price up.

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