How do you handle this?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Linda Wolff on August 27, 2012 at 2:13pm

Dee, what I do is explain to the client that the amount of cake per design, will be more servings than what they want, and also that I charge (X amount) per serving. So, I ask the client if they are willing to pay for the extra servings, and if not, then we go back to the drawing board for a design that will fit what their servings needs are. Believe me, it's happened to me more than I would like for it to happen too. But I charge by the servings, so that is what I expect to be paid for.

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 27, 2012 at 2:20pm

Thank you so much, Linda.  That was my feeling so I'm glad to know I wasn't way off the mark!  

Permalink Reply by Faith Gealey-Brown on August 27, 2012 at 2:36pm

Ditto on what Linda said Dee!  I charge based on what the cake they want serves.  If they want a 6"/9" then they pay for the appropriate amount servings.  If they only want 20 servings then I tell them the size they can get for 20 servings so that way the customer is aware of what a 20 serving cake really is :)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Seidling on August 27, 2012 at 2:36pm

I charge for the amount of servings the cake sizes amount to and just tell the customer I have to charge for the "actual" number of servings.  Otherwise you are shorting yourself because you have to pay for the ingredients and time invested in the "actual" amount of cake made.  People usually understand or they will pick a smaller design.

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 27, 2012 at 2:43pm

All very good advice.  Thanks so much Linda, Faith and Lisa!

Permalink Reply by Lydia Beier on August 27, 2012 at 2:58pm

I agree with everyone Dee.  Once I had a bride who wanted a cake that would totally suit her price range and servings.  I should have been concerned when it was the only cake picture she looked at.  I quoted a price (and even gave them a deal because of knowing his family and circumstances).  She called and wanted another tier added to the bottom and I said it wasn't needed and would have to charge.  She then wanted pillars added.  I ended up not charging more, but wasn't comfortable.  The cake recipe she wanted wouldn't work in the largest tier and since I wasn't charging for it and it wasn't needed made a last minute decision to drop it.  Then the pillars didn't work at the venue (long story) and I ended up with the exact original design I quoted for.  A MONTH later she came and complained about several things including the cake (I catered the wedding too) and demanded money back.  Because the groom's mother was a close friend and dying of cancer I refunded the money.  Since then the quote is made up front for the servings supplied not the servings needed.  

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 27, 2012 at 3:03pm

Oh, wow, Laurie.  How stressful for you!  That sounds like a lot of work to end up not getting paid by  a "friend."   Almost makes you want to put up a sign that says, "Now serving strangers only!"

Permalink Reply by Lydia Beier on August 27, 2012 at 3:21pm

LOL!  Well, the bride was fairly "new" to me.  But since then she has grown up a lot (just had her second child) and we get along okay but my friends were her hubby's family and that has never changed.

I just hope you are able to work this out with your bride.  But be firm on your price. 

Permalink Reply by Dee Miller on August 27, 2012 at 3:26pm

Glad to hear all was not lost!  :)  

Laurie Beier said:

LOL!  Well, the bride was fairly "new" to me.  But since then she has grown up a lot (just had her second child) and we get along okay but my friends were her hubby's family and that has never changed.

I just hope you are able to work this out with your bride.  But be firm on your price. 

Permalink Reply by monica murphy on August 27, 2012 at 8:31pm

Hi :

I agree with everyone, being a cake designer you will run into this problem more often than not, especially with 3d cakes.  Everyone wants the type of 3d cakes they see on the cake challenges and other like programs, but are shocked at the price.  I had one person add up to the tee the amount for her cake, i firmly explained to her, when purchasing 3d cakes, its not how much you end up with but how much you have to purchase, they have to be curved out of alot of cake and you have to pay for what i bake, not what you eat!  i try to take the time to explain everything to them, make it clear, we go over everything, i also will give a option for something cheaper.  You get some people that want half chocolate/vanillia, then they are charged for both cakes, i have to make both, even though its just say a sheet cake, they pay for two sheet cakes, but i explain that to them.  Bottom line, you must get paid, if they have a problem, they can go somewhere else. people want their cake and eats it too, lol.

Permalink Reply by Diane Loualid on August 27, 2012 at 11:30pm

I was wondering while on this subject if anyone has a chart that has how much per slice or for size of cakes? Thank You Diane

Permalink Reply by monica murphy on August 28, 2012 at 12:07am

Diane, i use earlenes cake serving chart @ www. earlenes cakes.com.  As far as the pricing goes, i just check the prices of the local bakerys in my area, i have based all my cakes including wedding on their prices, this way you arent too high or too low

 

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page