Am I overcharging?? - Page 2

Amen to that!!

Sorry!!! but $60.00 for a 3 tiered cake...Uhhhh Nope!! and she knows that too!!! Don't let her take advantage of you....

Don't let anyone take advantage of you and your skills! That being said, you should definitely have two sets of prices: one for regular customers (retail price) and one for businesses that you supply (wholesale price). The prices for the resaurants that I supply are between 10 and 20% less than the prices to the general public.. However, when I do a wedding cake for a restaurant, the owner just gives me the customers name/number and I deal directly with the customer. Your situation is a little different since you are kinda in the middle! Just my 2 cents!

Anyway, once you give a price..be firm and hold to your guns or they will try and walk all over you!

The lower she gets you to go -- the more she can markup. SHE WILL MAKE A PROFIT!! SO. don't be ashamed of your price!

We are wonderful artists and we're underpaid for the time and stress that goes into our art work!
Hummm...yep, we're starving artists. LOL

I spent 6 hours just on frosting and decorating a cake and got paid $30, I'm not gonna let that happen again!

[quote="Dale"]I think an appropriate response to her, pehaps should be something along the lines of:
"Woman, have you lost your freaking mind!!??"quote]

Is she mentally unstable? Just kidding! Seriously though, I hope you gave her a piece of your mind in the most lady like way

Tell her that for $60, you can do "Blah, Blah, Blah" (add in what ever it is that $60 would cover.) For the type of cake she wants with all the bells and whistles, you can't do it for any less than $160.00 (add 20 extra bucks, since she's being SOOOOOOOO unreasonable). Let her know that you can't do it for any less due to time required to create such a cake and not to mention, all the supplies needed.

IMHO, I think she's smoking crack and only a person that drugged up would say such a rediculous amount for what she's asking for.

I understand what Miss Missey says about charging restaurants a little less b/c it's a whole sale type of thing. . .BUT then again, it's not like she's ordering 5 three tier cakes at once. . . Ya know what I mean? Hang in there girl, and let us know what that drugged up lady has to say to your response. . .

ellepal, I just saw your photos... WOW! Your better stick to whatever price you are comfortable with. I am a beginner decorator, and 60 bucks would be cheap even for my "newborn talent." You are very gifted. You will get plenty of other customers in the future who truely appeciate your talent. THEY will be willing to pay!

Brandy

How about telling her you'll do it for whatever Sams/Costco will do it for including their charge for delivery, set up and and use of the the equipment...tee hee! (Cause we all know that ain't gonna happen)

OK, hand me a shovel so I can hit myself on the head!

Once again I'm reading a post in TOTAL disbelief!

I agree with who ever said get the customer's name and number and deal with the customer directly.

I think that when you posted that you were going to do this we all suggested something like that...

that you do regular tortes for the cafe...like carrot cake, chocolate cake and whatever and wholesale them to the cafe and have her refer any "specialties" to you directly!!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN!...

* Diva shaking you by the shoulders!..lol

Stick to your guns, you will find out that cake is worth over $300 in the open market and don't for a MOMENT believe that's not going to be the price that cake is going to sell for.

I would sit this woman down with a contract....and spell it out ...


You will make her Tortes to sell by the slice or whole from her shop...but any other cake..she needs to give you the referal...in turn you will agree NOT to do any plain tortes for the clients.

I don't care WHAT she want's I wouldn't sell a 9 or 10 inch cake for less than $25.00..what she charges her customer is HER problem.

She MAY get someone to do them cheaper, but..not as good as you!

PS: a 10 inch cake CAN be cut into 12 to 16 slices....if you charge 25 bucks for the cake, it means she's paying 2.08 cent's a slice, if you cut it to serve 12. She can sell that slice for $2.50 to $3 dollars and make plenty. The more slices she cuts the cake into the more money she can make. Let her make that call for her shop.

Stay out of that mix. Just don't undersell yourself!

I think some people live in La-La Land!!!

If she want to spend $60.00 might as well settle for a sheet cake...

3 tier cake with the stuff she wants plus you have to deliver it and set up...

Shoot! Its like a wedding....

So, I am not a professional but you are NOT overcharging...

I'm with others. Even I (who is notorious for undercharging) think that $60 is a ridiculous expectation for a 3 tiered cake. We've all said that people who don't make cakes have no clue. Maybe they think that because it's not a wedding cake, it shouldn't cost that much?? If they don't want to spend any more than $60, then maybe you could give them some ideas for cakes within that price range? I would certainly charge for delivery and set up no matter what though! That's your time and $$. You shouldn't be giving that away. Good luck! Hope it all works out for you!

That would come under wedding cake prices for me. I charge $3.00 pp. Deposit for seperator items. $25.00 for delivery & set up

I agree with everyone else STICK TO YOUR GUNS. First of all I feel that $140 is to cheap.

Just my 2 cents.

Ellepal,
Do not come down on your price!! You will just be selling yourself short!!

Don't think for a minute that this woman is going to think of you when people ask her about the cake and if someone else wants a cake that they think she provided, she will run to you again and ask for a STEAL, mark up her fee, and then she is taking all the credit for YOUR cakes and leaving you in the shadows.

I have seen the cakes that you do, they are gorgeous!! Don't let this person take advantage of you like that!

I agree with everyone here on this issue and with Diva's idea of doing her regular cakes and tortes and having her send the referrals directly to you!!

Ok, now I am getting off of my soapbox.