HI,
Can you all tell me please if you require payment before at the time of order or after at the time of pick up?

I would like to think that if I take payment up front there will be a lot less No-shows because it will be their invested interest and not mine.

Thanks

I say before. You are right, if they've already paid, they will make sure they pick it up.

Do you have a lot of trouble with no-shows for birthday cakes, etc??

I've NEVER had that happen so I can't relate, but you could always ask for payment upfront from people that are not regular clients,etc. They could mail or drop off payment until they are established as reliable clients.

Wedding cakes, for me, are half payment due 60 days prior to wedding and the remaining balance due 30 days before wedding. I've never had a problem yet. Knock on wood....

This is how I do it...
For Bday cakes (or small occasion cakes) pay when they order or if they are returning clients pay when they pick it up.

For wedding cakes, groom's cakes (or other large cakes) 1/2 payment when they order & the other 1/2 one week before wedding (or the cake doesn't get made). All deposits are due when they order too. If they cancel they have to do that 2 wks before the wedding or they do not get any money back including deposits.

Good luck!

I"ve never really had any no shows but I would require payment for all occassion cakes after cake is delivered or picked up.

For wedding and grooms' cakes, I require a deposit then the remaining balance has to be paid 14 days before the event.

Cakes under $100 - Unless they are a repeat customer, I require payment in full at time of order or I don't even mark it in my book - not even in pencil.

Cakes over $100 - I require 50% at time of order and 50% 2 weeks prior to event. Unless the event is less than 2 weeks away...then I require payment in full at time of order.

I'd think 50% at time of order then 50% at time of p/u would be appropriate.

On weddings, grooms and large orders I get half down to secure the date. The balance 2 weeks before the date of event. If they pay after that it must be in cash only. I never collect at the wedding. As far as all occassion cakes, I do not collect ahead, and have not had any problems with them not picking the order up.

Weddings: 1/2 down 3 weeks prior, balance due day of the wedding. Non-weddings: payment upon delivery. Never been burned once.