General Discussion

bernieb

(101 posts) Tue Mar 17, 2026, 05:44 AM Mar 17

Enough Money?

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.

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Enough Money? (Original Post) bernieb Mar 17 OP

It is tough Old Crank Mar 17 #1

Yes bernieb Mar 23 #7

Everyone else is raising their prices, why not you? Native Mar 17 #2

Maybe raise the prices by a few pennies now and save the increase profit so as to delay a larger 3Hotdogs Mar 17 #3

Dealing bernieb Mar 23 #9

Money Whip-poor-will Mar 17 #4

I hear you. Joinfortmill Mar 17 #5

Raise your prices. Fiorillo Mar 17 #6

Thanks for your support bernieb Mar 23 #10

Buy eggs at Costco. spanone Mar 23 #8

Old Crank

(7,272 posts)

1. It is tough

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 07:06 AM

Mar 17

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

(101 posts)

7. Yes

Reply to Old Crank (Reply #1)

Mon Mar 23, 2026, 01:21 PM

Mar 23

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

(7,389 posts)

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

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 07:13 AM

Mar 17

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

3Hotdogs

(15,552 posts)

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

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 07:23 AM

Mar 17

increase later.

bernieb

(101 posts)

9. Dealing

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Reply #3)

Mon Mar 23, 2026, 01:27 PM

Mar 23

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

(518 posts)

4. Money

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 08:27 AM

Mar 17

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

(21,679 posts)

5. I hear you.

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 08:41 AM

Mar 17

Fiorillo

(24 posts)

6. Raise your prices.

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2026, 08:50 AM

Mar 17

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

(101 posts)

10. Thanks for your support

Reply to Fiorillo (Reply #6)

Mon Mar 23, 2026, 01:28 PM

Mar 23

spanone

(142,065 posts)

8. Buy eggs at Costco.

Reply to bernieb (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2026, 01:23 PM

Mar 23

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