Can I vent for a minute?

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So, as most of you know I do cakes.  I think my pricing is pretty reasonable for a cake (please tell me if not).

I know times are hard and I am trying to work w/peoples budgets, but my time is worth money too.   

I have been emailing back and forth with a potential customer about a cake for January.  SHe just emails me and says she forgot about her BIL turning 21 on Monday.  She wants to order a cake.  She sends me pictures of a greygoose bottle, a box of bud light and a cake with a beer mug (see below).

 

I give her prices and then she says well I only want to spend $20.  So I tell her I can do the beer mug, no cake under it for $20 (this would be a 4 layer cake).   She emails me back so the whole cake for $20 right? 

Am I unreasonable that this cake would be my normal $40ish cake?  Honest feedback please.

 

 

gapgirl972001

I can't see the picture, but I don't think $40 for what you are describing is to much to ask for.  Your time is worth money and you also need to buy the materials as well.  

 

sethsgal05

I can't see a pic either, but you are not unreasonable at all...She's not gonna get a plain sheet cake at Stop & Shop much less the $20 and if she is looking for something specialized then she needs to pay for it.

cheekywife

ditto everyone else, your time & talents are valuable and you absolutely deserve to be properly compensated. i also echo elisabeth that $20 is what you'd pay for a sheet cake at a grocery store not a custom cake.

alison&adam

I can't see the picture either... but $20 seems stupid cheap, especially for last minute.  I would tell her to go to S&S..... but I know that would be bad business for her.  Try explaining how much your supplies cost.

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Thanks ladies,  pam is trying to help out with the picture thing!

I just sent her an email explaining this stuff to her.  She emails me back another pic of a cake shaped into a Grey Goose Bottle (super detailed, covered in fondant etc).  Ummm for $20 seriously? I almost want to just ignore the emails ,but that is bad for business as well. 

psyri

All completely reasonable. Plus for this upcoming Monday? Really? Who has extra time at this time of year??

kmm13

psyri:

All completely reasonable. Plus for this upcoming Monday? Really? Who has extra time at this time of year??

Umm exactly this.

Temp764942375002523

Yes, for this Monday!  It is fine, but last minute orders, especially since she is not a past customer or friend, I would chg an extra $5 or so, depending on size of order.

I also just rec'd an order for xmas eve!! 

pjscooby

Yeah, I'm sorry, but if she went to Shaw's or S&S she'd pay that for a generic stock cake.  I'm beginning to learn as I do my crafts that my time is $.  The longer a craft takes me to do, the more I'm going to charge.  It's not just the cost of supplies.  Your price is very reasonable.

hopeann

The fondant alone to cover cakes like your talking about is $10.00.  Honestly, I would probably charge at least 85.00 for a sculpted cake covered in fondant.

pfal6

She is ridiculous Amanda! If you want something specialized then you have to pay for it. I don't think you could get a half sheet cake at BJ's for 20 bucks! Oh and your prices are reasonable. You were within 5 bucks of a price quote I got from a local bakery.

Politely tell her that's the price!

MrsRoDeBa

sethsgal05:

I can't see a pic either, but you are not unreasonable at all...She's not gonna get a plain sheet cake at Stop & Shop much less the $20 and if she is looking for something specialized then she needs to pay for it.

 Exactly this! 

mer&joel

Ok...seriously..you are not being unreasonable. I totally agree with the girls.