I am making a full sheet cake for a customer I do not know tomorrow, and am putting it on one of my wood cake boards. They live about 30 or 40 minutes out of town, so she is coming to pick up the cake. I feel kind of awkward asking for my big cake board back, am I being silly? I just feel like they might think it's unreasonable, and a huge inconvenience to come all the way back here to bring it back. I didn't charge anything extra to cover the cost of it... too late for that now.

Melissa

hi melissablack-the only silly question is the one you don't ask. ASK. If they can't bring it back, say you can pick it up. If it's worth trip, make it. If not remember this for next time. Charge for everything. You should try to find a source for full sheet cardboard sheets. I would just ask for it back.

I don't think there is anything wrong in asking for your cakeboard back at all... Hopefully you know this person and can get your cakeboard back... I did this once and never got my board back... I think it actually got thrown away or someone took it home... now I have my name and telephone number written on the bottom and I charge a deposit... I've gotten all my boards back since then because they want their deposit money back.. it's not being rude or inconsiderate, it just good business to do this... or at least I think it is

I also require customers to return my boards. I have my name and phone number on each of them. Heck--I spent a lot of time, effort, energy and money getting and making them--I want them back.

If it's someone I don't know--I charge them a refundable deposit. So far I haven't had any problem.

Note, though, I always try and use disposable boards for smaller cakes. However, if you are looking at anything large--then it's my board and I want it back!

Lisa

i have bought three wooden cake boards and now i have only one left. i had to go get them cut and buy the contact paper to cover them. i think that all that time spent is worth something. i charge a $15.00 deposit for the boards.
it's your time, you should be compensated for it!!

Melissa, I hope you get your cake board back. If she's a good customer she will turn it. I just went through this with someone I work with. I still haven't got it back yet. The one thing I've learned is to alway ask for reuseable items back. I think I well start doing refundable deposits from now on. Good luck.

I always ask for my large boards back. I put a sign on each that says "please return " and my name and number. I haven't had any problems. They understand and would rather have a nice plywood board supporting their cake than a flimsy cardboard one.

u can ask for it back but i dont think they would really want to drive all the way back to u to return something. i think if u want it back u should go and pick it up

Don't feel bad about asking for your board. I bet you they wouldn't have any problem asking you for their item back.

You might say something like, "what is a convenient time to pick my board up", they might even say that they will return it to you.

Will keep my fingers cross for you.