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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
32
SarcasmMode · 12/10/2016 11:18

Expat how muny would that serve? 75ish?

If so I'd give you £175-£200.

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 12/10/2016 13:28

Ok update: just received phone call from friends sister hinting at including a topper as they cant find one cheap enough online! My response: have a look in hobby craft, I can't include or make one as it'll bump up my cost too much as your sis has already haggled me down way too much.
Sis: oh I didn't know about that, I'll ring you when in hobby craft, I'm so excited about the cake.

I'm going ring up now.

All of your cake creations look brilliant btw!

OP posts:
Daisies123 · 12/10/2016 13:33

Placeholder. Watching with interest. Good luck OP!

I have similar issues with knitting project requests...

HarryPottersMagicWand · 12/10/2016 13:35

I love Hobbycraft.

You can get great toppers on ebay that arent expensive. How cheap is she trying to get these things for!

LagunaBubbles · 12/10/2016 13:44

How much are you doing the cake for MrsA?

ExpatTrailingSpouse · 12/10/2016 13:48

sarcasm - according to Wilton, somewhere between 40-65 people. I remember at the party we didn't even break into bottom level (at least 20-30 adults and kids).

acatcalledjohn · 12/10/2016 14:11

Ok update: just received phone call from friends sister hinting at including a topper as they cant find one cheap enough online!

Shock Sounds like you have a battle ahead of you. Good luck!
HazelBite · 12/10/2016 14:13

I used to take orders for cakes and soon realised that people were not prepared to pay much more than what they would pay in M&S or tesco.

I only make cakes for family and close friends now and do it solely for the love of doing it.
If a friend of a friend asks about a cake because they saw a wedding or birthday cake I have done I just say, "I don't have time , I work full time, and just did that cake as a huge favour".
Several people have said to me "Wow, why don't you do that as a job?" and the main reason being that there is little scope to make a living out of it let alone a profit!

LagunaBubbles · 12/10/2016 14:53

HazelBite, you sound exactly the same as me. I to work full time and when people say to me I should make cakes as a living I just laugh and say its an enjoyable hobby.

ExpatTrailingSpouse · 12/10/2016 15:08

rockin - key is LOTS of greasing the mixer bowl and blade/hook. you have to do it a whole bunch of times throughout (scrape the icing off and grease then dump icing back in. but saves your poor hands kneading!

bogey - i don't see why you can't use a mixer to do the ready made stuff too. and, if you're not going high end - sainsburys has a pretty decent ready to roll fondant that comes in all different colours, including black which i hate trying to colour myself. my sis has bought it a couple times and it tastes totally fine and rolls really easily. (pic attached used sainsburys).

To expect to be paid more than half? (Pic included)
acatcalledjohn · 12/10/2016 17:20

I'm the same, Hazel. I say no when I want, and those who say my talents are wasted have no idea of the amount of work that goes in to a cake, and how little profit there is in that field. I enjoy baking, but I would like some spare time for just me. And making it a job with the competition out there? No ta.

pollymere · 12/10/2016 17:47

If a good friend you could make it at cost but certainly no less. Best solution is to ask her to provide the ingredients and charge a small amount for making it. She'll readily agree, thinking she's getting a bargain and probably won't register how much she's spent on ingredients or, if she does, realise how much she was conning you out of. So you get £25-50 for your trouble...

Reebs123 · 12/10/2016 19:19

I reaaallllyyyy don't think OP should do the cake for £40. I started baking during PND aswell. People take the piss. They don't even want to pay for ingredients. It all adds up, it's not just a bit of flour, sugar, butter and eggs.

U will always be known as the "cheap cake lady". Now I'm on maternity leave I no longer receive party invites-where I was expected to bring along a free cake.

Don't let people dictate the price. Ur time is precious!!

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 12/10/2016 19:49

Update!

Price is staying the same but have said I'll be using cheapest ingredients around and won't be providing packaging or delivery.

All has been left amicably and with no bitterness. I'll use this as a learning experience

DD is miserable with a cold so really looking forward to the next two days in the kitchen...not.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 12/10/2016 20:14

until the next time op

still think shes taking the piss

YellowDinosaur · 12/10/2016 20:29

That's a real mistake if you're trying to set up in business doing this. Because when the cake tastes like Crap because it's made with poor quality ingredients, you won't be getting any orders....

EweAreHere · 12/10/2016 20:46

You are too nice, OP.

I can't believe even your friend's sister was looking for you to fund even more of the cake that you're already making at a lost. Ballsy.

Inertia · 12/10/2016 21:19

With respect, I think that's a very foolish solution. You'll be providing potential customers with poor quality cake, limiting future opportunities.

If she insists on that price you need to adjust the size, not the quality.

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 12/10/2016 21:32

I agreed to adjust the sized but they're adamant to have that size and I was asked why it'll cost me so much when "I've seen bags of flour for 80p and 15 eggs for 1.20 in sainsburys!" So I said "ok I'll use those then" and looking at it as if she were prividing ingredients, no way in hell would I use them in my other baking but she's getting what she wants? I wont compromise on the eggs though they've got to be free range or I won't use them

OP posts:
zoemaguire · 12/10/2016 21:43

She doesn't get to be adamant - it's you who should be calling the shots! It's one thing doing work for nothing (2 days of work, for 40 pounds minus ingredients!!!!!), but it seems really exceptionally foolish to limit your future business plans by making a cake that doesn't taste nice.

frikadela01 · 12/10/2016 21:45

I used to always buy allinson flour when I did cakes until my bil who's a chef told me I was just wasting money. Having done a side by side test there was no difference when I used value flour.

IhatchedaSnorlax · 12/10/2016 21:46

I agree with Zoe as surely that'll damage your reputation.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 12/10/2016 21:46

I knew you'd chicken out of saying anything OP. You've been thinking about this how long and when her sister called you still didn't manage to say anything!

I really hope this is a learning experience for you and you woman up next time.

KarmaNoMore · 12/10/2016 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.