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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
32
Phalenopsisgirl · 10/10/2016 22:20

Yup I second bogey face, just say you went online to buy the stuff and it comes to way more

RockinHippy · 10/10/2016 22:20

BlushBlushBlushBlush

I need to type faster

I hope you make sure she knows what a bargain she is getting OP

I would tell her what it SHOULD cost by way of asking her to tell other people thats what the price should be if they ask where it was made etc - also tell her you expect her to display your business cards next to it as you are doing her such a favour

Enjoy making it Smile

Mindfields · 10/10/2016 22:21

Where the fucking fuck is the update. Arrrrgghhhh!

£35 for one tier, expected 2 tiers for £40

Bogeyface · 10/10/2016 22:21

www.aldi.co.uk/moser-roth-mousse-au-chocolat/p/063482006565800

I was in a rush, because I can now see that its obvious that they are filled bars!

VinoTime · 10/10/2016 22:21

thatstoast - that absolutely had me buckled! GrinGrinGrin

£40 is far too low an amount OP. But you already know that Smile It's a nice gesture to do it for that amount for your friend, but being overly kind while trying to set up a business will run you into the ground financially. Please get firmer in future! Wink

bluebellforest · 10/10/2016 22:23

Oops, missed ops post, soz! Grin

RockinHippy · 10/10/2016 22:23

MrsA please at least put the price up to £75. You wont even cover your costs if you do it for £40! Doing a friend a favour is one thing, but judging on the picture, you will end up paying out more than she is paying you!

Got to say I agree with this ^^

WatcherOfTheNight · 10/10/2016 22:23

Apologies Mrs Blush
I suggest you offer her the cake I posted for the price she wants to pay!

PinkyOfPie · 10/10/2016 22:25

Thank god you replied OP. I was about to call 101

PinkyOfPie · 10/10/2016 22:25

Oh and yes you'll spend more than £40 making it don't do it!

RockinHippy · 10/10/2016 22:25

Thanks Bogey I love Aldis chocolate for cake making, I will definitely be stocking up on some of those Smile

roasted · 10/10/2016 22:27

You should really tell her how long it will take to make. If she's not a baker herself, I bet it hasn't occurred to her how much of a big job it is in terms of labour.

Lilacpink40 · 10/10/2016 22:29

Update is such a relief I've eaten all the chocolate in the house as I don't have cake. I can now go onto non-cake threads Grin

geeup · 10/10/2016 22:29

Thank you mrsa. Can sleep now...

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 10/10/2016 22:30

Plus, if you do make it for that price you may end up resenting her for evermore. Conciously or otherwise. Would it be worth it?

MimsyPimsy · 10/10/2016 22:32

Thank you for returning, OP! I can tell my DH now, and we can go to bed... Oh no, wait, he's not interested, and has gone to bed already. Blush

ChishandFips33 · 10/10/2016 22:33

Make a muffin size version for that price!! That'll teach her Grin

I like that it's therapy for you OP but you shouldn't be out of pocket

Room101isWhereIUsedToLive · 10/10/2016 22:33

Yono that wedding cake is indeed bea-uti-ful!
disappointed that not many other beautiful cakes were posted. But at least there was an answer when I read!

confuugled1 · 10/10/2016 22:39

I reckon you should tell her that you just wanted to check that you weren't talking at cross purposes earlier and was she going to provide the ingredients, in which case you will give her the details and you'll need it by xxx date or does she want you to get them separately and you'll just give her the receipts for her to reimburse you... And (all in the same breath so she can't get a word in) say that when you are obviously doing it at such reduced mate's rates you've found it easier to keep the ingredients side of things separate so that everybody knows whete they stand. And can you imagine that some friends wanted me to make them a cake for less than the cost of the ingredients let aline the time, effort and electricity involved, can you imagine. And given that if you were paying full rates it would cost at least [double £££ and then some] at least you're getting a great deal and we're all happy.

And if she has the gall to say anything after that, you can just say Oh. Oh dear. It never occurred to me that that was the full price you expected me to charge you. I know I like baking but I wasn't expecting to have to pay for the privilege of baking you a cake. I just can't afford to. I thought I was being pretty generous agreeing to do it for the amount you said plus ingredients because that's still a long way beneath what you'd normally have to pay for this cake. Just out of interest, how much did you think the ingredients would cost? And how lobg did you think it woukd take me to do properly as you want? Do you really think that 43p an hour (or whatever ridiculously low or free or negative amount it comes to) is a fair thing to offer a friend?

And then see if she has the grace to look uncomfortable but take the out that you have given her or if she ploughs on and demands that you do it below cost price just because she thinks she is doing you a favour by asking you to do this.

Just out of interest being nosy, how much would the ingredients cost and about how long would it take?

Apologies if I've cross posted - I keep being interrupted so this post has taken a while!

haveirememberedthebaby · 10/10/2016 22:45

I like confuugled1's idea of going back with '£40 + the cost of the ingredients, obviously' - saves face and will break it down so she knows how much the ingredients (and cake boards - someone, somewhere's making a packet on those...) will cost - which will then show her just how ridiculous her offer is ;-)

AtMyHouse · 10/10/2016 22:46

Why not...

Ask her for some money for your time ... And...

Give her the list of ingredients and ask her to buy them and then give them to you (seeing as you have a 1 year old and all that...). She can see for herself how much it costs...

Maybe?

AtMyHouse · 10/10/2016 22:47

X-post

ChuckBiscuits · 10/10/2016 22:48

If you proceed, expect everyone else to want one at that price.

Do not be a fool. Do not accept mates rates. Mates who value you would want to pay the going rate, surely. Never be the cheap option.

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 10/10/2016 22:48

Thank you for all of your replies and suggestions, I'll mention a re-price tomorrow and see how it goes and will update! Still shocked over the response!

OP posts:
RetroImp · 10/10/2016 22:49

Well, I'd do it too for that price. I'd grab the money upfront to buy the ingredients and then proceed to create a beautiful miniature sized version. Pretend to have misunderstood and tell her you assumed she meant cm or even mm units which would reflect the tiny budget like a Spinal Tap Stonehenge moment...