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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is too much to pay for a cake???

191 replies

AmIjustreallymean · 12/10/2023 21:34

We're having a double celebration (not a wedding) but we thought we'd get one cake to celebrate both events. Cake in the shape of numbers but decorated in two different styles.

The baker was recommended to me and is consistently recommended on our local social media. I don't want to hassle them and i might not get anyone else as the event is soon. But the quote is for 3 figures, ie over £100!!!!

The last cake I bought was £65, nearly 8 years ago so I'm a bit surprised. Am I being really mean and this is a reasonable price?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Loopytiles · 12/10/2023 21:35

what size of cake?

Fourlegsandatail · 12/10/2023 21:36

I think the price of butter and eggs in the last year alone makes the price leap understandable.

blanketsmell · 12/10/2023 21:37

Yup sorry that's the price of things now. Ingredient costs have gone up fuel costs have gone up.

DustyLee123 · 12/10/2023 21:37

How many numbers, as I assume each number is an individual cake ?

Simonjt · 12/10/2023 21:37

Ingredients, plus minimum wage, plus utilties, cost of advertising etc mean around £100 is fairly cheap.

KrisAkabusi · 12/10/2023 21:37

If it's in the shape of numbers, both decorated differently, what you're looking for is TWO cakes. So, yes, you're being tight.

Dixiechickonhols · 12/10/2023 21:37

Depends on size and how elaborate decoration. Ingredients like butter have gone up massively.

Finteq · 12/10/2023 21:37

I bought a birthday cake 2 years ago for over £200

SecondUsername4me · 12/10/2023 21:38

The last cake I bought was £65, nearly 8 years ago so I'm a bit surprised. Am I being really mean and this is a reasonable price?

I'd say in the £90s for a cake that cost you £65 nearly a decade ago (!!) is probably about right. Utilities, insurances, staff wages, delivery costs for supplies have all increased enormously in the last 3 years alone, nevermind what happened the 5 years before that.

McBethany · 12/10/2023 21:38

Yeah, doesn’t sound that unreasonable for a bespoke professionally made cake.

OrangeVelour · 12/10/2023 21:38

How much do you think the ingredients cost, and how much time would it take to make/decorate?

ThePoshUns · 12/10/2023 21:39

Sounds about right for a bespoke cake these days

Sigmama · 12/10/2023 21:39

You're quibbling over 30 quid

MedievalWell · 12/10/2023 21:40

People truly underestimate the hours of labour that go into handmade products such as decorated cakes. If you work out the hourly rate, as well as ingredients, the baker is likely not raking it in.

gamerchick · 12/10/2023 21:40

Pretty normal OP. You could always pop to Asda and just get one off the shelf.

BoohooWoohoo · 12/10/2023 21:41

Considering how much food prices have risen, £65 to £100 doesn't sound outrageous to me.

TeaKitten · 12/10/2023 21:41

Obviously prices have gone up in 8 years. But also it’s 2 cakes, decorated differently… over £100 for 2 professionally made and decorated cakes isn’t a bad deal.

WandaWonder · 12/10/2023 21:41

Then bake it yourself, that sounds fair to me

2jacqi · 12/10/2023 21:41

I know that the special vanilla costs my friend over £200 a bottle! why dont you buy the number moulds and make your own?

Coffeerum · 12/10/2023 21:42

£65 8 years ago and £100 now, it’s almost as if there has been high inflation and particularly with basics like eggs, flour etc.

DoratheFlora · 12/10/2023 21:42

Sounds about right.

Go to a supermarket if you don't want to pay the going rate for a bespoke cake.

SeptemberTime · 12/10/2023 21:42

Sigmama · 12/10/2023 21:39

You're quibbling over 30 quid

Which would be a 50% price increase, this is assume the cake is £100 - OP has said it’s in the 3 figures so who knows

ImADevYo · 12/10/2023 21:42

That's cheap depending on the size of cake! You can get plain number celebration cakes from Waitrose and decorate yourself if you want.

IDidntKnowMyOwnStrength · 12/10/2023 21:44

If it were that cheap and easy everyone would be making their own.
I know a lady who has recently given up her cake making business, she said she never made a penny because if she charged the correct price no one would buy them.

YoureALizardHarry11 · 12/10/2023 21:44

Yes, you’re tight. Baking and cake decorating are skills, it takes hours and ingredients cost money. There has to be a bit of profit in there somewhere.

If you want a cheap cake buy it from the supermarket or make your own if you feel you’d do a better job. How do you expect cake makers to make a living, exactly?