Wedding Cake Payment Due Today!

Decorating By mommabuda Updated 21 Aug 2007 , 9:19pm by onegr8girl

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mommabuda Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 1:49pm
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I had this couple come over in early June to book a wedding cake with me. Their wedding date is August 25th. I had a contract that we both filled out together and I had them sign it. It said that 1/3 of the payment was due in order to reserve the date and then the rest MUST be paid in FULL by the date that is 3 weeks prior to the wedding date. They paid the 1/3 down and I ordered the Kolor Flo fountain, pillars, plates... all that good stuff for their cake. So I waited and no payment from them... I called the bride's phone yesterday (she had her name & number down for the responsible party) and no answer. I left a message stating that the payment is due by tomorrow (which is today), I still don't know if they were going to have a cake topper (their cousin is the "wedding planner" and she hasn't let me know either after I contacted her 3 times...) So what do I do? I've had a few people want me to make cakes for that weekend and I had to tell them that I was already booked... I have in the contract that "the full payment must be made by 3 weeks prior to the wedding date in order for your cake to be made" so should I just forget their cake? I also have that that 1/3 deposit is nonrefundable. I'm kinda angry with these people and this is exactly why I started doing the contracts... let me know what you think. Thanks!

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cakesbyallison Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 2:36pm
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Did you have them sign a contract?

I would leave them another message and give them a deadline for responding back to you. Let them know you need a reply, by "x" or you will assume the no longer need the cake... Sometimes people are just like that! ....they may have a lot going on and cake is just not on the top of the list (what a shame!), or they may even be out of town. Hopefully their deposit will cover the cost of your supplies!

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mommabuda Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 2:39pm
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Yes, they signed the contract and it clearly stated to have it paid in full 3 weeks prior to the wedding date. When I called her I told her that we are going to be out of town today but that she should leave the check in our mailbox so I guess I'll just have to wait till tonight. I tried contacting their "wedding planner" numerous times and got no reply. I'm really mad about this because if I wouldn't have had the wedding booked, I could've entered the county fair cake competition but now it's too late to do that as well... ugh, people!

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shebellas Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 2:46pm
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Here is my policy...

Deposit The amount of your deposit is determined by the total cost of your cake(s), this will be no less then 25%. Deposits become non-refundable 30 business days prior to the date of the event. In the event of a qualifying cancellation, the deposit will be refunded within 30 business days.

Final Payment - All cakes must be completely paid for at least 15 business days prior to the wedding. If payment has not been received your order will be considered cancelled.

I have only done 3 "Celebration" Cakes and this is part of the contract that each of them has signed. I also clearly tell them that I will only make one attempt to contact them if it is the day final payment is due and that if they don't return my call by the end of business (and I give them my cell number and make end of business at 8PM and tell them this) that I will consider thier order cancelled.

I did make one exception on my the second order because the Bride's grandma was hospitalized with a stroke 2 days before the final payment was due but she even had the courtesy to call me and tell me that so that I wouldn't cancel the order.

I say if you don't hear from them by tonight to cancel the order. But thats just me.

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darandon Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 2:47pm
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It is unbelievable that people ignore messages, even when they are left repeatedly. It takes 2 seconds to pick up a phone and respond. I hope you get in touch with then.

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Cynda Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 2:56pm
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If it clearly states full payment due today, and you dont hear a reply from them by tonight then cancel their order. You have left messages on their phone and tried to get a hold of their wedding planner. You have done all you could. I know it could be fustrating, but you did your best to contact them.

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springlakecake Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 3:00pm
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Well I think y ou have two choices.

You could tell them if you dont receive the money by the end of the day, that you are sorry, you will no longer do their cake. But I would be prepared for some turmoil!

Or you can try and contact them again and say that you understand they are busy planning the wedding, but they signed a contract that said the payment was due today. Say you are willing to extend the due date to xxxx and if you do not hear from them or receive payment by that time you will need to cancel their cake in order to book other orders.

I made my first wedding cake a few weeks ago. I took 1/2 of the total as a deposit when they booked. I told them I would expect the full payment 2 week prior to the event. A couple of days before due date I had not heard from her. So I emailed her my address so that she could send me the remainder of the money. I did not receive it by the due date, so I emailed her the next day and told her that I understood she was busy but I needed the money in order to make the cake. She apologized for being late and I got the money right away. In most cases I assume people want the cake and plan to pay for it, otherwise they will lose their deposit. But I realize you could get left high and dry!

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grama_j Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 3:17pm
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I think that if you tell them that since you have not heard from them, you will assume they are cancelling the order,and have ordered from someone else. Wish them a wonderful wedding, etc. etc....... I'll bet you hear from them PRONTO !!

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OhMyGoodies Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 3:18pm
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I would give her until the end of today. Understanding they are busy with the wedding plans and such she also has a "wedding planner" that is to be helping her keep track of these things...

If you really want to continue working with this woman and want this order/need this order to be finalized and not canceled, I'd give her until no later then tomorrow at 8pm to get the money to you in full. If it's a check I would explain to her that if the payment does not clear you will not make her cake. (been known to happen)

If you don't need the order then cancel it tonight at midnight. Notify her via email if you have it, or by mail, that since she broke the contract (enclose a copy of the signed contract with the due date highlighted) that their cake is no longer booked with you and they are responsible for finding another baker at this point.

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mommabuda Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 4:16pm
post #10 of 201

Thanks everyone for the input. I am going to give them until tonight at midnight and that's that. I gave them my one phone call already explaining the situation and they read and signed the contract so there's no reason for this. I could of course USE the money for the cake but I would much rather not deal with these people anymore... they seemed very ungrateful for the cake in the first place so hopefully they don't drop the payment off icon_smile.gif I just wish I would've known this was going to happen so I could've registered to be in the county fair competition. Those entries had to be in by July 20th... darn! Well, I'll let you all know if I hear from them or anything by midnight. Thanks again!

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OhMyGoodies Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 4:27pm
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Just look at it this way... the items already purchased for her cake... if the order can't be canceled and the money pocketed then you could try to get your next order to use those same things, make the money off it, without having to buy it again icon_wink.gif

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cakequeen50 Posted 4 Aug 2007 , 5:03pm
post #12 of 201

My advice would be to add a priority letter. This way you have it in black and white that you made every attempt to contact her. They can always say they didn't get your message. "my answering machine doesn't work right....etc."
send a copy of the contract, the amount of times you tried to call her and the planner, keep a copy of the letter for yourself. Send it to where it must be signed for. Write that , according to contract, "..yada, yada....." and KEEP THE MONEY!!!
she owes it to you for all the trouble.
I have a 50% non-refundable deposit and I stick to it unless there is a problem that is out of their hands or it is well in advance.

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mommabuda Posted 5 Aug 2007 , 1:12pm
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well, no payment! i'll be sending out a letter tomorrow with a copy of the contract. in a way i'm glad they didn't pay, i don't have to deal with them anymore! thanks for the help everyone!

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grama_j Posted 5 Aug 2007 , 1:19pm
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Well, I'm sorry you lost an order, but it sounds like it may have been for the best........ DO NOT refund any money she has given you !

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mommabuda Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 9:27pm
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UPDATE! So today I got the check in the mail for their cake. It was written on the 3rd and must've been mailed on the 4th (the payment due date). When I had originally called them, I told them to DROP IT OFF! Not to mail it because I knew it wouldn't get here on time and the kicker is that they live about 12 blocks from my house! That's not even the worst of it yet... the check was supposed to be for $264.00. The groom wrote it out and he wrote in the number part $264.00 but where you write the "wording of the amount" he wrote: "two hundred four three dollars"... EXACTLY like that! I don't think anyone would even cash it if I tried... so should I just send them the check back or what? I mailed her letter via Priority Mail this morning so they should get it tomorrow that the contract was broken and I'm no longer doing their cake...

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indydebi Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 9:45pm
post #16 of 201

While it could be coincidental on the wording, my hubby was a banker for 25 years and tells me the number not matching the wording is ".... the oldest trick in the book".

Could be totally innocent....... icon_rolleyes.gif

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springlakecake Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 10:21pm
post #17 of 201

Well they may have mailed it on the 3rd, but it may have been past the pick up time or something. They might have expected it to get to you on time (since you live so close, they might have figured it would only take one day to get to you) And the check could have been a mistake. That is giving them the benefit of the doubt. But who knows.

I think I would give them a call. If you are not going to do the cake, they probably need as much time as necessary to find another person.

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grama_j Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 10:30pm
post #18 of 201

Good for you....... thumbs_up.gif now stick to your guns....... I would imagine that check would have bounced even if he had made it out properly.... some people " forget" to sign them to hold things up also.....

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OhMyGoodies Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 11:35pm
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I would send the check back to them with a letter stating that the contract was broke since the payment was not in your hand on the date the contract stated, and not only that but the groom to be didn't write the check properly and couldn't be cashed due to that. Hell you can even say that's the rest you're denying the check now. icon_wink.gif

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marthajo1 Posted 6 Aug 2007 , 11:43pm
post #20 of 201

If you want to do the cake.... which I don't think you do .... you could tell them you will need to have a new contract signed and an additional $50 for the over date and check error. They must bring a money order when they come to sign the new contract. I don't know what you could call the fee.... ?

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christinapp Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 12:21am
post #21 of 201

Theses people are not ready. If they really wanted your service, they would call to mention that the check was mailed. A call is far more easier, and resolves so much in less time. And to top it off, the check is not even made out honestly?They are really trying to cheat you. Give them one last call, if no answer, mail them their bogus check and disassociate yourself with them.
Remember to let them know that you don't appreciate being swindled for your hard honest work.

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mommabuda Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 1:05am
post #22 of 201

That's the part I don't get... you would think they would've at least CALLED me back even if they thought the check would get here on time... just to make sure! They have no contact with me whatsoever. We were going to be gone till late Saturday night and I left on their voicemail to just leave the check in our mailbox but it was DUE on Saturday so there could've been no misunderstanding. I really don't want to do this cake, these people never seemed very happy to be having me do it in the first place and after all this, I'm done. I sent their letter out today that said the contract was broke and I'm done so now I'll send their check back tomorrow in the mail. I wonder if they'll have the guts to come over now and yell at me for it... oh well, 3 weeks is plenty of time to get a new baker. We had to find one for our wedding in 3 days! If they put up a huge stink about the deposit I'll give them that too but I'm not going to go out of my way to give it back. I just want to be done with them!

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moralna Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 12:43pm
post #23 of 201

mommabuda - the incorrect wording on the check amount was no mistake - like indydebi's husband said - it is the oldest trick in the book; they just figured you wouldn't catch it. To be ont he safe side, yes, mail back the check to them, but call them and leave a message that you received the check but not on the due date as stipulated on the contract and also the check was incorrect which makes it null and void. Wish them well.

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cambo Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 12:51pm
post #24 of 201
Quote:
Originally Posted by moralna

mommabuda - the incorrect wording on the check amount was no mistake - like indydebi's husband said - it is the oldest trick in the book; they just figured you wouldn't catch it. To be ont he safe side, yes, mail back the check to them, but call them and leave a message that you received the check but not on the due date as stipulated on the contract and also the check was incorrect which makes it null and void. Wish them well.




I entirely agree with moralna and indydebi....the wording was no mistake and sounds like they don't have the $264 at this time to give you, which isn't your problem. Why in the world they mailed it when they live 12 blocks away and furthermore, after you TOLD them via your message to drop it off, is beyond me. You NEED to be rid of them, you have a business to run! I wouldn't be so upset over losing them as a customer, but moreso by the lost business they've caused you. Good riddance.

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mommabuda Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 6:07pm
post #25 of 201

Thanks everyone! I'm sending the check back today with another letter further explaining and now saying that I have 3 cakes booked in place of their cake (so they don't try to get me to still do it even though I don't have any booked!) When I got home this morning their wedding planner was on my answering machine saying that she doesn't know what time to have the cake delivered yet and that she would get back to me after Saturday... apparently they didn't receive the letter yet that I sent via Priority Mail with a signature confirmation. I'm sure they'll have something to say when they do get it and if they make a huge stink about it I'll have to refund the money (I'm not licensed so I wouldn't want them to take me to court). I hope this teaches them a lesson though. I guess I'm being a b*tch about it but in reality, it's wasted a lot of my time & money and how was I supposed to know if they were going to pay? I am too a little worried about that check being written so improperly. Well, I'll keep you updated when I hear from them (which I'm sure I will).

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Carolynlovescake Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 6:58pm
post #26 of 201

make a copy of that check!!!!!!!!!

If they do get nasty and this ends up in court a copy of that check in your hands will be priceless.

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OhMyGoodies Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 7:11pm
post #27 of 201

Going to small claims court wouldn't be that bad because you actually have a leg to stand on here. You gave them the deadlines and they failed to pay by the deadlines, you left numerous messages, they sent payment in a form that was unpayable, and would've resulted in fees if it had gone thru and bounced, fees that you'd have to pay. Don't be scared of them threatening court, 9 times out of 10 they threaten it to scare you into caving and then laugh because they never intended to push it that far. Most people will say "I'll take you to court" just to get you to cave in and give them their way... don't cave stand your ground they knew the deposit was nonrefundable when they placed it and here it is getting closer and closer to the date... the deposit is no longer refundable at all! under any means!

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twooten173 Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 7:13pm
post #28 of 201

mommabuda... don't you dare give them back the deposit. They didn't think it was important enough to follow the contract they agreed to then too bad. You have already spent money on supplies and priority letters... whose going to reimburse you for that?

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iramirez94 Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 7:17pm
post #29 of 201

Baking is just a hobby for me now. But I am learning a lot from everything that i read on CC.

I am sorry about what is happening to you with this couple. I hope the couple does not come back to you with more trouble.

Sending you a hug icon_biggrin.gif

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mommabuda Posted 7 Aug 2007 , 7:21pm
post #30 of 201

Great idea, I just went and did that before mailing it out, thanks!

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