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)

bogey I want one of those kitchens too! My kitchen is so small I could touch two walls if I stretched my arms out, I've got the worktop space of two chopping boards but lucky enough to have a fold out table in living room which I work on. This too shall take me two days as I have DD to keep an eye on (started walkin lately!) Plus a day baking and day making buttercream and decorating. Gaaah wish I had assistants to do the clear up!

Confuggled right. Take the £40 for time and electricity but give her shopping list for ingredients so she gets an idea of how much this costs. You're forgetting if you buy ingredients you'd need time for that too!
And tell her how long it will take!

Sorry Mrs for thinking you had hairy hands, though pictured cake WAS the cake! dim and not called Tim

Agree with PPs to send her out with the list (incl brand names etc) to buy the ingredients herself - and if she makes noises that it shouldn't cost that much then she should have no problem affording to buy the ingredients and pay you the princely sum of £40 then should she?

I agree with PP

I would talk to her tomorrow and play dumb, I would say something like "I've been thinking, it's probably just easier for me to get the ingredients isn't it? It will save you a job...so it's up to you but I don't mind doing it if you want to just give me the money for them instead, I think £ should cover it, obviously I will give you any change if I find a bargain!" laugh

She couldn't possibly have thought she could get the cake for that - if you go with that attitude it should come across and shame her in to not being able to argue
Put it across as you doing her a second big favour in offering to get them - how could she argue when you are trying your best to help her

MrsA You too will be allowed access to my kitchen when I win the lottery!

So 2 days work so far, and thats worth £40 including the ingredients? No.

Dont back down! Its £40 + ingredients or she can do it herself! Practise saying "£40 is mates rates for my time, it doesnt cover the cost of the ingredients, but if you cant afford that then I understand if you want to go somewhere else".

Keep saying that.

I guessed correctly! Just saying.

I'm so glad you're going to ask her to re-think. Go in with costs of ingredients and say it will take you however many hours. I really think people just don't realise how much it costs to buy the stuff or the length of time these thing take. Be strong! I

In your shoes there is no way would I do that for £40 plus ingredients. You said this is therapeutic and I'd rather bake that cake for Christmas or sfor a family get together.

A more sensible counter offer would be to offer to do it for £40 less than you would for a client. People have mentioned £150 a lot. There was someone, who said people don't pay much in their region and they'd charge £110. That's how I'd work it anyway.

Don't do it for that OP. You will lose money and your time is worth more than that. A true friend wouldn't ask for that.

I wanted a simple, three tiered cake with plain white icing for our wedding 13 years ago and the baker asked £500. My MIL made it for us in the end (we then decorated it with a home made topper and fresh flowers). I think that woman was taking the piss but just wanted to show you that you are way, way, undercharging, OP.

Adding to the £40+ ingredients plea - purely to stop you getting taking advantage of and being out of pocket when word gets round

One awkward conversation now and she's a cheeky mare so don't feel bad! will help prevent many future awkward ones

Text her 'sorry hon, can't do 40 (expensive to make plus hours of labour) but could do cheap mates rates - two layers for 75 or one for 50. If you'd prefer to use a shop, Mum mentioned that M+s also do teird cakes for occasions but no idea how much.

...and let her get them or you might not see the money

...and get the £40 upfront or she may end up withholding it!

Or say £60 for one layer, £85 for two as mates rates.

What do you normally charge?

Taking the piss in a major way.

I think YABU for letting a mate make an offer. You should be telling them how much you'll charge. Unless you have full hygiene certification etc etc you wouldn't be charging 'market rates' anyway.

Cherry chocolate and cake . This makes me very happy.

I don't make OP but I have a few friends that do and I have seen what goes into their work. Please don't sell yourself short. Explain to your friend the costs involved. A true friend would not expect you to be out of pocket.

Not looking forward to the conversation but I supposed I've got to prevent rather than cure future situations? fleur I did state a price but was met with haggling and bargaining, also adding on extra tier/layer once deal was made.

Ahh, Billie Joe is just so beautiful

Also, I'd never even thought about it before, but seems a cake like this is well out of my price range

Really great thread, thanks for that. Please don't let it die by definitely asking her today and letting us know the response

Blimey, Bogey, I didn't expect the Spanish cake inquisition!

Just did a snorty laugh at 'happy weeding day '

Seriously OP, you cannot do it for that price. If she won't agree to your updated price today, say you can't do it. She's taking the piss, nobody would do it that cheap.

Good idea to let her get the ingredients then she gives you £40 for making it.

I didn't realise people would pay so much for a cake down south. Northerners wouldn't pay £150 for that cake.

If you are mad enough to do this at least get the cash up front. She sounds like the type who would wheedle out of paying on a technicality....

at all the pricing of £150-200. For a cake!? It's two sponges with some icing on it!!

£40 seems fine to me...

It gets annoying when people query prices and say "oh it's only butter, eggs, sugar and flour", it's even happened on this thread! Yes it's all these things and these cost, especially Lurpak butter. But it's so much more - including vanilla paste which is becoming more expensive.
My last cake also included -
Cake board and box
Dowels
Cake cards for under each layer
Ribbon
Fondant icing (supermarket stuff ok for everyday cakes but not so special cakes - check out price of Massa and Couture!)
Icing sugar for buttercream
Quality food pastes colours
Flower paste
Edible glue
Tylo powder
Flower wire and tape
Edible prints

It soon adds up!