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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect to be paid more than half? (Pic included)

817 replies

MrsA2015 · 10/10/2016 17:58

Background: I'm a home baker using decent/top quality ingredients in my cakes, friends and family buy off me for special events and am trying to kick start a little baking business from home ( after receiving loads of compliments and encouragement which I'm thankful for!) A friend has requested a cake (pictured) and offered well below the asking price knowing what quality I use and usually the one to berate others if they take the mick when it comes to price. I don't over charge and usually find I've undrecharged when adding up costs ( new to this). How much would you expect to pay for this cake? I'm just feeling a little upset really, I love her and will still make it just surprised at asking to pay less than half. I understand mates rates and all...
Before you ask
Yes she can afford it
I don't buy wholesale ingredients
No I didn't stick to my price (out of shock)

To expect to be paid more than half? (Pic included)

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Chala86 · 10/10/2016 18:03

People never appreciate the time and effort put into baking. I would probably expect to pay between £150 - £200 for this. Ie ingredients, your time and overheads (electricity, gas etc). Having done a bit of homebaking myself it's my experience that people only think of ingredients costs. Surely they shouldn't have to pay for your time too!!

RayofFuckingSunshine · 10/10/2016 18:04

I don't know exactly how much I would expect to pay, but i would expect it to not be cheap. People who don't bake at all tend to not realise how expensive it is and how much time it takes to get something looking professional.

Personally, I would tell her that the price is the price and you won't be doing it for the price she wants to pay as you'd be out of pocket - a good friend would understand.

Chala86 · 10/10/2016 18:04

Should also say YANBU.

tristerflexu · 10/10/2016 18:05

I agree, that's a £150+ cake and it's beautiful. Seriously OP, make a rule. Don't do mates rates, at all, ever. Either they pay the going rate or don't use you

user1471471304 · 10/10/2016 18:05

I'm a cake decorator I would charge £150 for this. Start as you mean to go on once you are properly registered or you will struggle to be paid appropriately in the future. Good luck x

OonaLoona2 · 10/10/2016 18:05

I think people just don't realise how much time and effort goes into making cakes like this. Or how much the ingredients alone cost.
I love making cakes and can make some pretty nice ones. Family and friends always ask me to make their celebration cakes. I'm not registered as a business or with any local authority health and hygiene type places so I can't charge for my time or make a profit so I always work out how much ingredients will cost and ensure the person buying knows this and is happy before I start baking.
You know how much your cakes are worth. You should set a price and expect to be paid it!

Mrsemcgregor · 10/10/2016 18:06

I would expect to pay at least £150 for that cake, and if it was for a wedding (fruit cake) maybe £250 +

yanbu, you value your time and talent and so should she.

fuzzywuzzy · 10/10/2016 18:06

I would charge the price you usually charge, I find people tend to be more appreciative when they're paying proper price for cakes.

If she wants to pay in change she can go to the supermarket and pick up a cake.

OP you're going to have to toughen up if you want to run a business. People are always ready to take the piss

Original poster

MrsA2015 · 10/10/2016 18:07

Oh you're all going to scream when I tell you what I was offered...take a few guesses

OP posts:

WeAllHaveWings · 10/10/2016 18:07

I've never bought a cake like that (it's beautiful), how much did the ingredients cost and how much time did you put into it.

ChequeOff · 10/10/2016 18:07

I'd expect to pay £150-175.

ChequeOff · 10/10/2016 18:08

If you say below £50 I'll go over to your friends house myself and clobber her with a rollingpin

Mrsemcgregor · 10/10/2016 18:08

If it's less than £80 find a new friend!!

Original poster

MrsA2015 · 10/10/2016 18:08

Oh and the pic is not of my work, it'd just what's been requested.

OP posts:

Chala86 · 10/10/2016 18:09

Please tell me it was at the very least £75 as in half of what you'd expect. Even then that's extremely low.

Mrskeats · 10/10/2016 18:10

I'm a tutor and have been stung with the mates rates thing before.
Don't accept less than your normal rate-that cake is beautiful and your friend should pay the going rate.
Please tell us offer-I'm on my last nerve already and need an excuse to have a rant :))

DoItTooJulia · 10/10/2016 18:12

Op. In the nicest possible way you need to grow a pair! Tell her it's a £150 (or whatever it should be) cake and you'll do her a 10% Mates rates discount this once.

Do not make this cake for £20!!!!!

Becca83 · 10/10/2016 18:12

I'm gonna guess she offered £20- £30!

PoppyPicklesPenguin · 10/10/2016 18:13

Beautiful cake, have no idea about the costs of cakes but £150 would seem reasonable to me.

I think some people never appreciate the time hand made things take.

I make quilts and they take days of my time (I love making them) and the cost of materials is high, someone wanted me to make one and offered me £30, with a comment about this being very generous . I explained the costs and time they thought I was taking them for a ride and told me not to bother.

It's when people think they are doing you a favour that it bugs me

BitchPeas · 10/10/2016 18:13

Has the cheeky fucker offered you £25 or something?

I'd expect to pay £150 for that at mates rate!! About £300 from a cake shop

ChequeOff · 10/10/2016 18:14

If she offered less than £40 I think OP misheard and friend actually asked for a laxative cake

PoppyPicklesPenguin · 10/10/2016 18:15

I forgot my guess

£25 because she is confusing you with ASDA

myownprivateidaho · 10/10/2016 18:15

Depends what part of the country you're in, for one thing. I agree with others that £150+ is reasonable. However, I think that YABU for being offended if she's asked you to do it for £75, and YADBU to agree to it. Why oh why would you not just say, no sorry that wouldn't cover my costs? There's no point having others guess what her guess of the price of your ingredients was when you actually know your own costs and could have just told her.

AnnaleeP · 10/10/2016 18:15

I have a friend who does similar to you, makes beautiful cakes for special occasions as a side business. Initially most of what she did was very reduced in price for family and friends to try and build a portfolio. She made my wedding cake as a gift when she was starting out. I know how much effort and time goes into it and so do the people she deals with now, yet a mutual friend tried to get her to do 'mates rates' on their wedding cake (3 tiers, 3 diff kind of cake, bespoke style of decoration etc) and they offered her 200 quid. Would have taken her a week to make it, let alone cost of materials. Stick to your guns. A small discount maybe but if you feel uncomfortable with the price say no.

ChequeOff · 10/10/2016 18:15

You know, to rid herself of the pole shoved up her arse

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