Cakes too cheap at school fair?

[Clary]

It was our school fair this afternoon; I went to help as requested on refreshments, carrying cakes I had made (big chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate buttercream).

Got there only to see a notice advertising cakes on sale at 20p. Surely that's ridiculous? It wouldn't have covered the cost of the ingredients in the cakes I made. Now I know people donate the cakes, but surely no-one objects to paying 50p a cake at a school fair, do they, even if it's just for a glace-iced bun?

The cost of ingredients has risen hugely in the last couple of years (a dozen eggs is £3 up from £2 a year or two ago, the butter I use is now £1.40 where it was 90p two years ago, etc) and don't PTAs need to bear that in mind? Or AIBU?

(BTW I am on the PTA and will be putting some of this to the chair).

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Make smaller cakes next time. I don't like loads of buttercream anyway.

[milkybarkidsgirlfriend]

I put ours up to 30p this year! omg the other members of the pta almost shot me down in disgust, but i agree 20p is ridiculous!!

I also put cans up to 60p (from 50p last year) I certainly ruffled some feathers, but where on earth can you buy a can of Coke for 50p???

[JoleneJoleneJoleneJoleeene]

We charge 50p for cup cakes at the start then reduce if they are not selling. It's insulting to the people who have botherrd to make them otherwise.

[Clary]

But even if they were smaller wouldn't 20p be ridiculously cheap?

If I put them in the smaller bun papers rather than muffin ones, I guess I might have made 16 rather than 12 for £2.50, but still I would rather donate £2.50 than sell cakes that cost that for £3.20.

Maybe I'll just do that next time (sigh).

[AgentZigzag]

Send in raffle prize and a donation.

Put feet up.

Job done

[skybluepearl]

yes you should put that to the chair. cakes at our kiddie school sales are 50p each for a bun. school coffee morning fund raiser sell to adults only - one pound for cake and one pound for refilable coffee/tea.

[glassescase]

Some of those yummy cupcakes cost £3+ each; 20p is ridiculous.

[Clary]

Sorry missed later posts. Yes I agree that price higher at start then you can always reduce.

I would have made the pont before it started myself but because it was on a Friday afternoon I couldn't come and help set up as I work every day.

[dixiechick1975]

Agree!

I made some for a cake stall at work (nice butterfly cakes - muffin sized with jam and buttercream) - someone priced them at 20p, I was - they sold immediately.

School priced same at 50p and they still all sold very quickly.

A bar of choc is 50-60p.

[dixiechick1975]

This is in a small deprived northern town - so if you can get 50p here you can get it anywhere.

[madhattershouse]

Clary you must have been at my local fete...I just picked up 2 summer dresses and a pinafore for the grand total of ...... 60p!!

[Carrotsandcelery]

I have found the price of baking varies enormously. It is worth finding out in advance if items will be individually priced or there is a set price for items. It is insulting to see the baking that cost you a fortune selling for a pittance.

My mum has advised me that if I bake for a sale to preprice the baking myself. It would take a real character to reprice it when it goes on a stall.

It is much harder when it is a set price no matter what the item. In our village we have got round this by charging a certain amount for someone to sit down and have a cup of tea and a plate of cakes. For 2 adults and 2 children we normally aim for £10. £3.50 for an adult and £1.50 for a child, although it is usually the children who eat heaps of cakes.

The other way we have got round it is to ask for donations but not specifying a price. People usually put in £1 or £1.50 or thereabouts, whereas if we just charged 20p they would just pay 20p.

Definitely speak up. The people who attend these events are generally parents so the money goes to their children. They all know this and should not complain. The PTA is having to fund a lot more than the luxuries right now and they need the cash.

[nolembit]

This year our school was selling highly decorated fairy cakes at £1.50 and smaller simpler ones at 50p.

It stopped the kids binge eating them, one year I saw a child with a carrier bag full.

I believe they all sold.

[Clary]

Well the event is about fun, but also AFAIK to make money. I think if you price cakes so cheaply you would make more money from a donation of the cash, then something is wrong, surely?

I am glad that most people think 50p is a reasonable price to pay for a cake.

[JoleneJoleneJoleneJoleeene]

But its ludicrous if the cakes are sold for less than the cost if making them. That would really piss me and make me not want to bother next time.

[Clary]

LOL @ Advanced Economics of Baking tho I am a bit like that, am trying to work out if I actually could make money from selling cakes (not at PTA dos, obv!).

[Happyfinnish]

Yes please to the glace-iced buns. I love those buns. :)

[Chipsycheese]

You are not being unreasonable. This applies to lots they sell, not just cakes. Our school asks for various things on certain days e.g. toiletries on Thursday is you want to wear mufti.

I sent in posh bath bubbles. At the fair I saw them being sold at the same price (20p) as Asders own brand ones!

I would be happy to just give them the money directly or pay more realistic prices at the fair.

[Chipsycheese]

You are not being unreasonable. This applies to lots they sell, not just cakes. Our school asks for various things on certain days e.g. toiletries on Thursday is you want to wear mufti.

I sent in posh bath bubbles. At the fair I saw them being sold at the same price (20p) as Asders own brand ones!

I would be happy to just give them the money directly or pay more realistic prices at the fair.

[JoleneJoleneJoleneJoleeene]

Yes but why make 20p when you can make 50p

[griffalo2]

Our school sent home a paper plate to be filled with cakes and returned for farye,think they sold for £1-£1.50 per plate.some mums went to great efforts with icing and decoration making them worth more whilst others sent in a packet of no frills tescos plain fairy cakes makin them worth much less.i think they should be individually priced imo