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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
lovealookabout · 13/10/2016 00:32

--Definetly not placemarking--

Bogeyface · 13/10/2016 00:38

All that sugar work for £50?! You got an absolute bargain from someone who clearly doesnt know how to charge properly!

RockinHippy · 13/10/2016 00:40

Thats really nice & seems like a bargain, which it is, but its a very different type of cake. It might look complicated Vulty but if you look at the faces they are all the same, that shows that your cousin used moulds to make the models, which cuts down time & effort a lot.

Its just a shame the Op can't do that with her cake, but unfortunately its a very smmoth, hand painted/airbrushed one that requires a lot of skill, time & expensive equipment. Often the simpler the cake looks, the harder it is & more skill & time it requires, which is the case here

ThatGingerOne · 13/10/2016 00:45

Definitely not place marking Grin

Yono · 13/10/2016 00:49

How about getting out of it by telling a big fat juicy fib.... for example how about telling them your cooker has broken so they better get someone else to do it. Apologies and don't look back.

Vulty · 13/10/2016 00:58

It took me ages to scroll through to find out how much was actually offered and saw people share cakes to pass the time. I guess Im a bit late! Im guessing her prices are pretty high now that she has her own shop in north berwick.

I would definitely try get out of it, I can't believe someone would be so cheeky friend or not! That is unless you really want to do it :)

tibbawyrots · 13/10/2016 08:35

£70 is still way under the value of the cake OP.

People want the moon on a stick.
You want to earn your living.

If you're planning on staying on in this or any business then you really have to get a backbone. People can and do take the piss.

Have you done any business start up courses? The advice and encouragement you'll get from those is amazing!

BTW mates rates don't apply unless you have offered it on your terms because you want to. They're not laid down by the buyer - they can be as adamant as they like and so can you

"No, that's not possible" "no, I can't do that"

Don't give excuses or any leeway for them to wheedle more out of you than you want.

Any "I can get one in m&s, Sainsbury's etc for (peanuts)" comments say "that might be the better option in your situation then" and don't budge.

Good luck, OP; it won't be easy but once you've stood your ground it will make future business decisions easier.

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/10/2016 08:54

Glad to see latest update. £70 or don't do it

Def don't do it for same price /40 and use cheaper ingredients - it won't rose /taste nice etc

peekyboo · 13/10/2016 10:05

OP - you might need more experience in business but yay to you for keeping us updated!
And being self-employed means always learning, especially when it comes to dealing with customers. It can be hard to say no even to people you don't know, so saying it to a friend is really difficult.
BUT you are in business because you have the talent to do something creative really well, don't forget to value yourself as well as your cakes!

atticusclaw2 · 13/10/2016 10:18

OP I think you should ask for the cost of the ingredients up front too. otherwise you may well find that you make the cake and she then refuses to pay. It will also make her realises how little you are being paid for your time...

helennotsomadnow · 13/10/2016 10:33

I have been reading this over the last few days and getting more annoyed every day with what a piss taker your so called friend is.

why don't you go online now and do a shop for all the ingredients YOU want to use, don't buy them its just so that you have an accurate price for all the ingredients. Include the decorations as well, then tell her exactly how much they will cost and make it clear you are not doing it for £40.

Its hard but ultimately as others are saying its going to be your reputation and potential future business. If you charge her such a low price others are going to expect cheap prices, and if you try to charge a price that reflect the ingredients time and effort people are going to think you are overcharging

hope that makes sense, good luck

PurpleCrazyHorse · 13/10/2016 10:48

DH doesn't do mates rates for anything, his business does give every tenth job away for free based on a fair few criteria and scope (so you won't get an 100 page website with online shopping for free!). But it gives a website to a small local business for free and DH (and his business partner) love helping out projects/charities who couldn't usually afford to use their agency.

However, note that DH and his partner, choose when this is (traditionally quieter times or between bigger jobs), choose the recipient and already know how much they will give for free. If you want to do cakes for marketing purposes, choose who to offer a discounted or free cake to, and know what your limit is for the size, decoration etc in advance. So, you could offer someone a two tier sponge cake with x decoration(s) because you want to photograph it for your website/brochure, and would they then like it to be donated for their birthday party/fete etc? You pick the cake and therefore cost and probably have already made it/bought the ingredients, and chosen the recipient. You call the shots, aren't offering discounts but lovely people might get a free cake if it suits you.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 13/10/2016 10:51

You also have to be aware that whatever you charge your 'friend', you might get calls from people who also want to buy your cakes at that rate. You need to stick to your guns and charge full rate, otherwise everyone will want (expect) a cheap cake. I you really want to make this a business rather than a hobby, you must switch quickly to full rates.

IhatchedaSnorlax · 13/10/2016 13:28

Well done Op - £70 seems a fair price for a friend (would expect more for a stranger) - hope you get the right result.

IhatchedaSnorlax · 13/10/2016 13:28

Well done Op - £70 seems a fair price for a friend (would expect more for a stranger) - hope you get the right result.

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 13/10/2016 14:30

Update!
Grinlooks like it paid off! I'll have 70 pretty pennies in my purse come Saturday thanks to you all giving me a kick up the back side! The sister agreed to chip in after a very long chat.

Can't thank you all enough especially those who have messaged me with advice and tipsCakeFlowers

OP posts:
RockinHippy · 13/10/2016 14:36

Well done MrsA !!! Flowers

Now you can enjoy making that cake Smile

RockinHippy · 13/10/2016 14:39

Oh & I just got a haul of 1kg packs of icing sugar from Poundland - that might help your profit a bit more too Wink

GabsAlot · 13/10/2016 14:58

nice one mrs a can u show us when is done?

WhatchaMaCalllit · 13/10/2016 15:09

I do hope that you're not doing it (after all of this) for 70p and that you actually meant 70 pretty pounds Smile

MrsA2015 Update! Grin looks like it paid off! I'll have 70 pretty pennies in my purse come Saturday

Original poster
MrsA2015 · 13/10/2016 15:55

Lol yes I did mean pounds! And just typical! My local pound land had that offer on for a while and somebody told me asda now have the same offer on! I will stock up and thanks for the info Grin

OP posts:
WeArePregnant11 · 13/10/2016 19:00

Awesome, OP!:)

And really, people have no right to request mate rates, that's something you offer (if you want to...).

I think it might be a good idea to keep the receipt and then do a quick calculation to show her how much you actually earned per hour.... (and add something for electricity, please don't forget that).

Good luck and congrats Flowers

FinderofNeedles · 13/10/2016 19:49

Re mates rates. My Dad ran his own business. When my brother started up his own business (different field), my Dad's only advice was 'beware friends and relatives'. We've given work to both my brother and my SIL, both self-employed, and in both cases we insisted on paying normal prices. That way, our work wouldn't be delayed in favour of someone else paying full whack, and also they wouldn't be tempted to cut corners to keep their profit the same.

Know your value, OP, and don't apologise for what you charge.

Whocansay · 13/10/2016 19:53

Get the money before she gets the cake!

CookieLady · 13/10/2016 20:06

Yes, ensure she hands over the money first before you give her the cake.

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