Enough Money?

[bernieb]

I don't know if I'll be able to keep my micro bakery going. I've been doing this for 9 years, but ingredients are getting expensive. I have a great customer base and it's expanding all the time. I hate to raise my prices again. I did that 2 years ago and didn't get any complaints. But I know everyone is hurting financially. When flour started costing $20 for 25lbs, I switched brands. I can now pay about $8. I've learned to freeze eggs and when the local supermarket has a case sale, I buy as much as I can (brown sugar, powered sugar, butter, instant powered milk, etc.) Chocolate is through the roof. I'm trying to stock up on other stuff because I don't know how high transportation costs will go with this war. So, I guess I 'll keep going until I can't afford it anymore.

[Old Crank]

1. It is tough

And you haven't mentioned utility costs or your own time.
Do you actually make a profit from your sales?
I think the customers for your products will understand since they are looking for premium products.

Good luck.

[bernieb]

7. Yes

I do make a profit. What doesn't go back into the company goes into savings. We were able to take a nice 10 day vacation last year with my sister and brother-in-law.

[Native]

2. Everyone else is raising their prices, why not you?

People will certainly understand. Whether they can afford the prices is another story.

[3Hotdogs]

3. Maybe raise the prices by a few pennies now and save the increase profit so as to delay a larger

increase later.

[bernieb]

9. Dealing

Thanks for your suggestion. Dealing with coins at a farmers market can get crazy. I've had my helpers do it in the past . It just gives me a headache. I'm thinking maybe a tip jar, though I got a lot of negative feedback from other vendors.

[Whip-poor-will]

4. Money

I was in business for 50 years one lesson is not to guess how much someone has or is willing to spend .

Good ain't cheap cheap ain't good never has been never will be.

[Joinfortmill]

5. I hear you.

[Fiorillo]

6. Raise your prices.

I absolutely understand why a small company like yourself would need to raise prices to cover this tariff trash. You have my support! My question is to all companies affected by rising costs. When the tariff's are removed, will prices come down? That is what I would like the media to focus on.

But then again, this is the same "news" media that ignored the bird flu, when reporting on the price of eggs during a presidential election, and blamed Joe Biden.

Ciao

[bernieb]

10. Thanks for your support

[spanone]

8. Buy eggs at Costco.