Life, Home & Table · Story 3
Need advice on my wife’s pricing
A Reddit user is asking for advice on how much his wife should charge for decorated cakes, sharing photos of her work. The post, which has over 11,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, reveals mixed opinions on the quality of the cakes and what constitutes fair pricing.
The thread illustrates the common struggle of valuing creative, homemade goods—balancing ingredients, time, and skill level against market expectations—something many small bakers, crafters, and home-based sellers face. It also shows how online communities can offer blunt, unpaid market research.
Key details
- The post is in r/Baking, with 11,617 upvotes and 575 comments. The original poster did not share their location, which commenters note affects price comparisons.
- Commenters posted photos of two cakes: the first is described as 'fabulous,' while the second—a 'candle cake'—is criticised for unfinished writing and a 'gift-quality' rather than 'sellable-quality' finish.
- The top comment (5,484 upvotes) questions whether the baking is a business covering its costs or a hobby that happens to pay for itself.
- One commenter suggests the wife may already know what she should charge and will increase prices as her skill improves.
- Another top comment (1,479 upvotes) notes geography matters: prices in New York City differ greatly from those in smaller cities like Kalamazoo.
Discussion angles
- Commenters debate whether the cakes are truly professional-grade or more suitable for gifting, with the second cake receiving heavier criticism for its lettering.
- Many focus on whether the pricing discussion should treat the cakes as a business or a hobby, with a significant dividing line between covering costs and earning a labour wage.
- Some commenters argue the wife should price based on skill level and raise prices over time, while others question if basic decoration standards are yet met.
- The missing location detail is a key point: several commenters say she cannot get fair advice without stating where she sells.
Top comments
The community reaction is split: many praise the first cake but are critical of the second, suggesting it is not yet worth charging for. A strong theme is that the baker should decide if this is a business or a hobby—and price accordingly. Several commenters note the lack of location information as a major gap in giving useful advice.