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

[MrsA2015]

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)

Sorry. Getting a bit carried away here

But gwan, put us out of our misery OP

Beautiful cake, can I ask how many to would feed ?

I am also waiting for the big reveal

I don't buy cakes so have no idea about costs.

Honestly, if I were making some assumptions of it being a cheapish sponge cake (?) and effectively coloured icing sugar, created by someone knew what they were doing so wouldn't take much time - and already had the ingredients in bulk - then I'd probably guess £50ish at most?

So she might not be being a total arse. Just, you know, an total ignorant one - like me

£300!

Gosh are cakes that expensive!

I mean YANBU of course OP she should pay what everyone else does but blimey how much does £300 work out to per slice.

You can tell I'm not fussed about cake, can't you?

It would feed ?

Also -- for how many people etc//what dimensions etc?

I bet the friend offered a tenner. Or nothing.

Also, are you 100% sure that your friend didn't make you an offer and expect you to make what you could for that price, while being "inspired" by her picture rather than reproducing it?

How long it will take you to prepare? Set yourself a minimum hourly rate (taking into account your skills) and work out labour costs. Then factor in ingredients. Don't undersell yourself.

Are you baking the cake right now OP?

I think you were offered £10-20. But you need to be charging about 10 times the amount.

Can I buy it? If it's gonna look like that?

I'd expect to pay at least £150.

£80

Suggest that a supermarket cake might be more appropriate:
www.marksandspencer.com/triple-layer-golden-rose-chocolate-brownie-cake/p/p60058407?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect
(£55 from M&S for those who don't follow links)

I really want to know the price now (and the offer)!

I was thinking maybe £40 for that cake...seems I'm in the minority!

Honestly no idea how much people would pay for it or even how big it is. I imagine your friend doesn't have a clue either.

Have you agreed to do it at the price she specified? That's not how this works and you know it. You set a (commercial) price, take a bit off for mates' rates, and then she can take it or leave it. If she has a budget of say £50, tell her what alternative you could offer her at that budget. You don't have to do the exact cake she asked for at the price she wants it.

If your mates aren't in your target market (ie not prepared to pay your prices!) then that's ok. Sensible options are you use cheaper ingredients and simpler designs, or accept that you need to look elsewhere for customers. Unreasonable options would be if your friend expected to get a £200 cake for £50, or you expected her to give you the custom for a premium cake she wouldn't otherwise spend £200 on, just because you're her mate. It's fine for her to walk away from paying your price, and it's fine for you not to make the cake at her price.

Don't get into the "she can afford it" line. People may be able to afford a dozen yachts or space travel without feeling that £50, or £100, or more on a cake is value for money. And yes, they do chronically undervalue the time, skill and material costs of bakers, but they are neverthless under no obligation to buy hand made cakes.

Or this supermarket cake looks like a closer equivalent (obviously a bespoke handmade cake costs more):
www.marksandspencer.com/cascade-of-pearls-wedding-cake-chocolate/p/p60069998?prevPage=plp

(£199 for roughly similar two-layer cake)

It's a bit difficult to judge the size from the picture but I'd say around £60-£80

I need to know how much the cheeky fucker wanted to pay!