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First Refund....

post #1 of 47
4/21/07 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
So, here is the cake that I am refunding. I was so dissappointed with this cake. It was lopsided and everything. I feel so sorry for the bride, but I didn't know what else to do.

I delivered it today. I didn't have time to redo it or anything, so this is what the poor bride received. I am so dissapointed in myself. I never wanted to be part of a brides nightmare. Dang it!!!

How would you all deal with this.... The wedding was today, so I have not heard from the bride on how horrible my cake was, but I want some words of wisdom on someway to make the bride feel okay. Is there even a way???? Or did I truly ruin this brides wedding?

Anyway, here is the cake:
LL
LL
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post #2 of 47
4/21/07 at 7:45pm
First let me say that we are always our own worst critics. Our eyes look at cake in a way that is different than everyone else. You are the only one who can say "it's not my best".
That being said, if you are truly unhappy with the cake, then the right thing is for you to make contct with the bride before she calls you ( if she intends to). Only the two of you know what was envisioned. If the final product doesn't match it, an acknowledgement is step one in making it right.
I truly doubt that it 'ruined' her wedding, but since there is no do-over, it might have been disappointing to her. A refund doesn't take it away, but paired with an apology, it is a huge reflection on your integrity.
The best thing to do is to tell her that you don't feel it was your best work, you would like to offer her a refund and ask her if there is anything you can do to make up for it. She may say it was fine, no refund necessary.
We're going to have to suck it up at least once in our careers. Someone said my cakes look great but don't taste good. I know that's not true and everyone has their own personal taste, but believe me, it cut to the bone.
Hey, if we were all perfect, pencils wouldn't have erasers. Don't be discouraged! icon_smile.gif
Hope that helps!
Sharon
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post #3 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:09pm
I agree with sugarplum-I highly doubt that you ruined her day. Afterall, this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Far more to be excited about than dissappointed. Also, let me say that I have seen TONS of cakes at weddings that looked ALOT worse than what yours does and there were no complaints whatsoever.
I'm sure you are dissappointed if this wasn't a display of your best possible work, but everyone has bad days. As long as the bride hasn't called to complain, I don't think you need to offer a refund. If you really feel your service was inadequate and want to offer her something, perhaps you can offer her a free anniversary cake top next year made fresh? If its still eating at you, call the bride and ask about her satisfaction with the cake. You just might be pleasantly surprised!
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post #4 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:16pm
Don't be so hard on yourself!! I do not think that there is anything wrong with this! It may not be 100% smooth, but I find it VERY hard to completly smooth buttercream. I always stress myself out about cakes. My Advice: take a long bath and relax!!!
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post #5 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:28pm
I does look a litttle rough but still very pretty. Personally I would take a few tools along to the set up to smoothe/fix things as needed before adding the flower topper. It looks like a fondant smoother and a viva towel might have fixed the icing some. Sorry you're so disappointed. I can understand your thoughts of refunding though. Is this what the bride specified and you just don't feel like you delivered what she wanted or is it purely that you don't fell you did your best? I'd call her if it continues to bother you. i think it couldn't hurt, and I'm sure she'll appreciate it whether she was satified or not. And I agree, it does say a lot about your integrity.

Hugs,
Carol
"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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post #6 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:38pm
I pro-actively made a refund once. As I was showing the bride and groom how to cut their first piece of cake (I always help them with this), she commented, "which tier is chocolate?" This look of horror came across my face as I told her, "Oh no! I made them all white!" She said that was ok, but I felt SO BAD! I emailed her the next day and told her that while she said it was ok, I felt bad that her special day was not perfect because I didn't make the cake part chocolate as she requested, so I offered a $75 refund since it wasn't exactly what she ordered.

She contacted me when they got back from their honeymoon, saying they had rec'd the email while on their trip, and they were very impressed that I would do that for them especially since she had not specifically requested it. But I saw that look of disappointment on her face.

That $75 was the best PR money I ever spent.
Cake Cutting Guide: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/cake%20comb
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/
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http://debiswritingcollection.blogspot.com/
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Cake Cutting Guide: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/cake%20comb
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/
www.cateritsimple.blogspot.com
http://debiswritingcollection.blogspot.com/
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post #7 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:53pm
Deb, Good for you!! That's called going the extra mile.
"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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post #8 of 47
4/21/07 at 9:54pm
Deb, Good for you!! That's called going the extra mile. People remember that.
"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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post #9 of 47
4/21/07 at 10:13pm
Thread Starter 
My major concern isn't that the icing isn't smooth, it is a home made whipped cream icing (very difficult icing to smooth) My major concern is that it is lopsided. Thank you everyone for your kind words and words of wisdom. It is good to know that she will only be dissapointed, that I didn't ruin her day.

I am still dissapointed with myself, but I have to move on.

Thanks you guys!
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post #10 of 47
4/22/07 at 4:48am
Do you mean that it's off center? Sorry but I just can't see that it's lopsided.
"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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"Life's tough, pilgrim. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" John Wayne
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post #11 of 47
4/22/07 at 5:49am
Wow, I expected a disaster, only to find a very pretty cake! You are being WAY to hard on yourself, TPDC!
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CakeCentral is my addiction...boy, am I glad there's no 12-step program for it!!
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post #12 of 47
4/22/07 at 6:00am
As mentioned earlier, if this bothers you as much as it appears to be, I would reach out to the bride first with a "fix".....BUT, looking at the picture, I'm having a difficult time seeing any lop-sidedness.....so it's possible you're being very hard on yourself unnecessarily....or the picture isn't telling the whole story! I think the cake is beautiful and I would not expect any kind of refund if I were the bride!

Cheer up....it happens to us all!
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1639748767#!/pages/Brookville-OH/Clever-Confections-Wedding-and-Party-Cakes/121751374504069?ref=ts
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post #13 of 47
4/22/07 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
So, this is what I emailed the bride.

"Thank you for allowing The Perfect Day Cakes to make your wedding cake. Due to the fact that the cake did not meet my standards I would like to know how I can make this up to you? Please let me know at your earliest convenience. If you are on your honeymoon, please enjoy this relaxing time away. You guys deserve it!"

I will see what happens and keep you posted. Thank you for the kind words everyone. I do think my pictures don't show the whole truth. Here is another picture that shows the off center and lopsided part of it better.
LL
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post #14 of 47
4/22/07 at 10:38am
I agree that you are being a bit hard on yourself. I'm going to guess that you get a bride who was pleased with her cake when you recieve a return e-mail.

I use whipped cream icing quite a bit but make sure that anyone getting the cake realizes that it will not be completely smooth. It's a good lesson for the next cake. Make sure the recipent understands this and signs off.
Cake's a powerful food. Cake can actually bring people together. You know... "It's Bill's birthday" "Yeah, I hate that guy." "There's cake in the conference room." "Well, I should say hello."-Jim Gaffigan
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Cake's a powerful food. Cake can actually bring people together. You know... "It's Bill's birthday" "Yeah, I hate that guy." "There's cake in the conference room." "Well, I should say hello."-Jim Gaffigan
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post #15 of 47
4/22/07 at 10:45am
Your cake looks very nice. We all have had those days. It could have been worse - the cake could have collapsed. When I did a square teired cake I was obsessing over the corners that gravity instisteded on drooping. Keep smiling.
Co-Owner of Fat and Happy Confections
Partner's User Name: FatandHappy
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Co-Owner of Fat and Happy Confections
Partner's User Name: FatandHappy
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