well-meaning people!

i completely agree..... mainly coz i want everything perfect and i just know someone will mess things up someway

I totally agree too ... people want to help by nature, but when it comes to our cakes, the bottoms must be supported and they most be carried carefully .. if done any other way, the result can mean disaster ... you're right antonia74, we have the right to refuse their generous offer.. we must be kind and in a polite way tell them that cakes are very fragile if not handled properly .. that it's best left up to experts to do ... and besides, that's what we're paid for *wink*

I would have been pi$$ed! I just can't believe anyone thought you would be unable to handle the "job"! Hello, you made the cake and if you didn't know what you were doing you would have never accepted the job of making it. I would have bit my tongue as well but it would have been very difficult.

Amy

Oh my! My hubby always wants to help when I need it, but refuses to move or handle any layer of my cakes...

Yep! I agree with the other. I am a beginner and I have already made that a rule(hands off!!). I have already Had a few oop! am sorry looks. I also have a few people who just pop in without calling too. My kitchen is always in a mess then. This makes me feel a little embarrass,so, I ask if there something I may help them with. Some tell me what they need but have this look on their face as they are looking around as they speak. Others has said no, I just wanted to say hi and ask if they may watch. How do you deal with people like this without being rude?

I'm so sorry that happened to you! My husband wouldn't carry one of my cakes for anything in this world! I like it that way. If it's going to get messed up I better be the one doing the messing. LOL . It's funny, no one wants to open a door or help when I'm pushing a double stroller, but if I have cake everyone wants to help. No thanks!

I never let people help me carry my cakes unless they are in my line of business! People that don't do what we do just don't understand how fragile a cake is. And I know they don't understand the many hours we sit decorating! Anyway...I am sure you learned a lot from this experience!
traci

oh jscakes, I have my husband trained... he's awesome and helps me carry all my cakes now .. as a matter of fact, he'll tell me "you get the trunk and I'll carry it" ... he actually does better with them than I do LOL

Heehee, are we twins separated at birth, JSCAKES ?
I totally agree, I don't let people touch my cakes. You are absolutely correct in feeling this way. However, I think I would tell the bride and groom what happened to that other tier.
I had a lady pick up two cakes last week. Fortunately she saw them in perfection condition. But would you believe she stood there talking to me and actually placed her purse on top of the cake box. We are talking those flimsy white cake boxes that anyone would know cannot support any weight. Even after I told her she left her purse on top of the box and even though I told her she must carry the box with her hands underneath it, she still squashed in the sides of the box. But hey, they were perfect until she came along, so I guess I just have to look at it as not my problem.
However in your case, it was different. I have my hubby tell everyone not to help, because it is better than I ruin the cake than anyone of them. He always makes some joke about me likely killing anyone for doing any damage and it seems to get the message across!
Most halls have catering dollies and if you call ahead and ask, they will tell you where you can get one. They are usually made up of two or three shelves on wheels which you can put your boxed cakes on and wheel close to the cake table to set up.
I am sorry this happened to you, it must have been very disappointing after all of your hard work!
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I AM WITH YOU PEACOCK ON THAT. IF IT'S GOING TO GET MESSED UP IT BETTER BE ME! THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL. THAT WAY THE ONLY PERSON I HAVE TO BE MAD AT IS MYSELF AND I CAN'T YELL AT ANYONE AND THEN I DON'T HAVE TO FEEL BAD AFTERWARDS!