I finally priced out the wedding cookies I had talked about in the previous forum I posted. But in case you didn't see it- double bell shaped (wedding bells) sugar cookies with buttercream frosting and monograms or the wedding date on them. I gave this lady (I'm new at work only 3rd week) from work her price quote and the details that I would need a simple contract signed by the party responsible for payment and a final check on everything before I started them and the deposit amount. Simple- simple-simple...HELLLOOOO!!! I did that the day after she asked about it. I priced it out and it would cost me about 5 dollars to make the cookies in ingredients and then I bumped it up to 18 dollars a dozen for my time. She wants me to color match the wedding colors on the cookies and deliver them and everything. I said I would deliver them and set it up for free (since I'm new at work and want to be on the good side of the people there since I'm still in a probationary period and they are known for getting people fired if they don't like them...anyways). The wedding is on June 3rd. TWO WEEKS!!!! I asked her before I left last night if she knew if she wanted them or not since I may have to order some things to get them just the way she wants them (especially the color matching). An what was her response......"I'll have to get back to you next week. I'll check with my daughter at her shower this weekend. She's being really picky about stuff." How long does it take to make a phonecall???? I'm afraid that I won't be able to do them at all because she isn't giving me ample time. There are going to be 300 guests and there is a possiblity that these will be take home favor type things for the guests.....I work third shift and have a life outside of work and being on a last minute deadline for her....If she wants 300 cookies, I'm afraid I'm going to have to tell her no I'm sorry I can't do it. But I'm afraid that I will get her mad at me and hence get me fired (very touchy people at work). I'm thinking that I could tell her that I'm all ready booked and I'm sorry, but I can't do it. Thing is my mother-in-law works there with me too and she won't remember that it is just a ploy to get her to leave me alone because she can't make up her mind. It's last minute and she's making it more last minute every second.....Advice?????? Please!!!!!! I go to work in like an hour and a half to see her again....what to do? what to do? TIA

Repeat after me:
"I'm really sorry, but I must have a reservation for this order by [insert date here] because of the time and preparation involved. If I do not have a signed order and your deposit money, I'll have to entertain other orders for that time period."

Your time has value.
Your sanity has value.
Their lack of planning is not your emergency.

I completely agree. Let her know that you couldn't POSSIBLY wait till ext week for an answer as you do most of your prep ect on the weekends and were planning on getting the bulk of the mixing ect done this weekend. If she doesn't let you know tomorrow night then you won't have time to get it done. If you have to rush becasue you didn't have enough time, you may not like the outcome and it would be even more frustrating for you. Noone needs that. Stand firm.

It's not as if you can jack up your price for a time crunch, she would be asking for WAY too many cookies/people and with all that detail. I wouldn't ask her again, either, she doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry. These people think you are a genie and whip up decorated cookies with a blink.

and also repeat after me," I will never be emotionally blackmailed by anyone!!!!"