Well, I had my 2nd cake order and they picked it up Saturday. I worked really hard on this cake, but when she picked it up she didn't seem too happy with it, she didn't say she didn't like it but she didnt say she did. I wish you could hear my tone with her responds - oh, thanks.... Thats it. I work with her and I have bront in pratice and class cakes that looked really bad and she always said she like them.
Today another co-worker asked her how the cake turned out and she didn't answer her, than right afterwards I ask - Oh, yeah did everyone like it - still no answer. So, I told the other co-worker that she must be ignoring us.... Then she piped up and said - Oh yeah they liked it. What???

I was inspirered by two cake from other CCers. I didn't do as good as you guys did but I did my best. Thank you btw....

My question's are:
1. What should I do? (Since she hasn't said she was uphappy)
2. Should I be dwelling on it as much as I have been? - After all it's not like we are friends or anything. I am just worried that she will bad mouth me behind my back (she's been known to do that)

D77,

I would try to let it go. I know it is difficult to do, as we always want everyone to be happy with what we make. However, you can drive yourself crazy if you can't let go of it. Try to move on, there will be other cakes. You did your best and that is all you can do.

I see you are from Iowa, I am as well.

~ihavasweet2th~

((((((((((Hug))))))))))

You can't please everyone all the time. I will say that again, you can't please everyone all the time. There might be more to it than you think and maybe she simply isn't feeling well. You asked and her guests were pleased what more do you want?

Move on from this and get more clients.

My advise for the talking behind your back, cross that bridge if it happens.

Small world here on the World Wide Web..... QCA here you?

Thanks, I am really trying not to let it get to me.

I so feel your pain!!!! I expect everyone to ooh and ahh over each and every cake. Some people are never going to do that -- even if it is the most fabulous cake in the world!

I am sure it was great!! Keep going and don't be discouraged!! I don't think you need to ask anything else about the cake!

I wouldn't worry about it. I had a custoemr who was very specific that she wanted the cake not too sweet a certain filling etc. Wanted the suitcase cake exactly like the previous one, colors and all.

Dropped off the cake and she called me and said it was very pretty. I told her I'm sure you'll like the filling (which was a specific filling) and she said We'll see. I'll email you.

Did not hear back from her and of course, I worried.

It's been over a month and I got an email from her saying she loved it and was sorry she didnt get back to me sooner but she was in Africa.

So maybe this customer wasn't as vocal, some people just aren't. But if she hated it she would have said something.

No news is good news.

Something similar happened to me...

The weenie-dog cake that I did for a co-worker's mom, they didn't seem as EXCITED about it as they did for the previous order (where they gave me a $20 tip). The next day at work, my coworker didn't say anything...and then about an hour after I get there, he said that his mom 'really liked it'. I was worried...

A week or so later, his mom came by work. She goes, "That was the best cake I've ever had...it was so cute I cried! AND IT TASTED GREAT!" I felt like a boulder had been lifted off of my chest - I had been worried for no reason. Hehe...


Anyways...please try not to worry. I'm sure the cake was wonderful; maybe she was stressed with other last-minute things for the party, and maybe that's why she didn't seem as enthused about it.

People don't always tell you when they like something but they sure are quick to tell you when they don't!! If she didn't say anything bad I'd take it as a good sign.

hey i'm near the qca too, and I wouldn't worry about it. Some people just are in the mode of a cake is a cake. Sad, but very true. I would think if she was unhappy with it, she'd say something about it being a friend or not. No one wants to spend money and be dis-satisfied. I am sure it was great and we all look forward to seeing your pics soon!
Jen

D77,

I'm in Central Iowa.

~ihavasweet2th~

Hey that gets the total up to 5 that I know of withen 25-30 mins of the QCA now! I am about 20 mins south on hwy 61.

I know how you feel, I really do. Mine was with my best friend. She lives in Texas, I live in Georgia. She asked me to bake a 6 inch cake for her daughter for Valentine's day.

So I shipped it and when I asked her how she liked it, she refused to answer... our friendship was bad for like 6 weeks, than she got over it and we moved on.

My advice is to just move on and eventually she'll get over it.

Rachel

I think we all have had an experience like that. I once worked my tail off on a Martha Steward wedding cake. I mean, I don't think I've ever worked harder. I delived the cake and never heard from them again. The mother of the bride dropped the cake base off at my parent's house because they live near them and never did say a word. I've seen her in the grocery and around and she sometimes says hi and sometimes not.

Sometimes, people have a lot on their minds. It may be their circumstances and they just don't think about it. Or, your co-worker sounds a little "haughty" to me...maybe she isn't one to give a lot of praise?

I'd just let it go. If she wants to, she'll order again. If not, heck with her. Keep your chin up. We can't please 'em all!

i hate to say this, but (oh please god don't let them shoot me)...

Some people think of it as "just cake" oh the horror I know! OMG!

You know I should have know something would go wrong when I quoted her and her reponds was - how long does it take you to make a cake Hello What I just wanted to let her have - but I kept my cool and said well, since i would til 5 have to go home and deal with dinner and my 6.5 y/o son and my 30 y/o son (boyfriend - same diff ) It takes a little longer than it should - problably. That is why when you guys ask me "how long did it take you to do that?" I can never give an exact time.... I know A LOT of you know what I am talking about. I was telling a friend of mine (who does cakes too) this story she was like WHAT? - Well she really doesn't understand. I told I guess you are right because I didnt understand either until I started...
"your co-worker sounds a little "haughty" to me...maybe she isn't one to give a lot of praise?" I think that you are right sunlover, because she is kind of cold anyway. It was a little chiller in there today than normal....
And you're also right - if she doesnt like what she got - her lost.....

Thank you guys, I feel a lot better.

Oh, and to all you QCA CC'ers, Trevor True Value in Moline sales a lot of cake stuff (in case you were unaware of it). My instrutor told us about it and it is great. They have pans there that Micheals and hobby lobby don't carry....

D77....your cakes look really nice. I just think it goes back to the old adage, "You can please most of the people most of the time, but not all of the people all of the time."
Last wedding season, I did a cake I was really proud of (there was a huge post with my rant about it). The bride hated it and made it a point to tell me that.
Well, it ended up placing honorable mention in the 2006 Wilton contest. (I gladly made it a point to tell her that)
Your cake was probably great.....some people just can't appreciate what you do...no matter how great it is. You just walk away and say, "Next". I learned my lesson!!

I guess unhappy and unapprecated customers just is part of it.... What can we do - right?

All of you have been very supportive and have made me feel much better by sharing your stories.... I thank you for that....

Here is to the next creation

I don't really have anything to add that hasn't already been said except that

"When are we going to have lunch???"
Iam in clinton and get to the QCA once a week.

I love Trevor True value....OH and was Perian your instructor??

If you ever have any questions just give me a holler.

I am glad I read through the entire thread... I was going to ask what "QCA" meant (finally figured it out to mean "quad-city area" when Moline was mentioned. Am I right?) Anyway, I would suggest visiting with your co-worker if your are trying to establish a business. Take her comments with a grain of salt!! but she may just have some insight for you if indeed there was something a bit 'off' with the cake?!? I am sure her comment may end up being a personal preference in cake taste, texture, color, or design execution but then you'll have a better idea of what to ask from any future clients. Do you want a light, airy cake or one that is more dense? Buttery? Specs. on design, etc. Most people won't be that specific, they're just looking for the design, but for those with a specific taste, you'll know what to ask? Sorry so long.... you've probably "moved on" by now. lol

Ok, I was thinking about emailing my "unhappy" customer tell me what you think....

I was just wondering if you had any constructive criticism for me about my cake, you know what I can improve on and what shouldn't change.
I would really love your honest opinion.

Or should I just leave it alone?