This date has finally come! October 5th! This woman that called me a month and a half ago to order a cake for her husband's retirement on the 20th of Oct. wants to come over to my house and discuss the cake!!!!! I have always prearranged things over the phone because that's more convient for everyone else or I know the person and blah blah blah. It's also a bonus that everyone has seen my cakes on my website.
This is someone that I do not know. She just got my name from someone in the galley at the Naval hospital! This woman is a type A I just know it from our previous conversation. I just talked to her and she said she'll call me at 10 a.m. tomorrow (the day we are to meet)!!! She said that she's a pretty good baker and all but her husband doesn't want her involved in his retirement in that way. He needs her for other things apparently so that's why she was inquiring about a cake from the hospital.
I'm nervous!!!!! She said she has yet to look at my cakes online. HELLO!!! She was only out of town for two weeks. What about the month before she left. She could have looked then if she is serious about a cake from me!!! I'm so nervous!! I'm type A as well so that's why I'm stressing about this. I hope she doesn't frown at anything I have done. We are going to look at them together on my website so she can "pick what she likes"!
WHAT DO I DO TO GET OVER MY NERVES!!!!!!
Amy
I feel your pain!! I have alot of customers come over and we talk about what they want, look at books, pictures, etc. I get so nervous about it but not about that part. I know they are checking out my home to make sure it is clean, etc...like we all do when we go into a store-if it is not up to my cleanliness standards I don't go back so I make sure (I do overkill I am sure!) everything is up to par before they get there! She is probably that way too-I'm not trying to make is worse for you-I make a pot of coffee, have a small cake and sit down, take a deep breath and just go for it-you will do fine-she is probably pretty sure of you even without seeing anything or she wouldn't be waiting this late in the game to order the cake! You will do fine-and think of the advertisement she will give you!!
Obviously, she has seen your work first hand. I bet she wouldn't have called you if she hadn't. She is probably looking for something really special and doesn't know how to explain it to you over the phone. Maybe she has no idea what she wants and wishes to talk to you in person. Your cake photos will blow her away. You have nothing to be nervous about.
OMG Cupcake!!!!!!! That is what I just said in an email to my hubby!!!! I said that my cakes will probably blow her away!!! OMgoodness!!!!! 
I forgot to mention that she said she "doesn't need anything fancy"!!! 
That might explain why she went to the hospital galley in the first place!!!!! They are perfectly capable of making a cake. I know I don't make every cake for every occasion at the hospital. It just depends on who is organizing the event.
That is a great way to think of this....the advertisement she could possibly give me!!!!! BREATHE AMY BREATHE!!!!
I am going to be up late tonight after the kiddos go to bed (in less than an hour)!!!!! I'm a pretty neat house keeper any way but I want to make sure. Shoot, I'm even going to put on make up tomorrow. How sad is that!!!!!! Hey, I'm a SAHM, and my hubby is out on the ship right now. What do I need make up for!!!! 
I'll definately post back here tomorrow after our 10 a.m. phone call and our 1 p.m. meeting!!!!!!
She doesn't want anything fancy! HMMMMPPPHHHH!!!!!! 
Amy
Amy, you'll do great!!! I feel the same way about the house thing, I'm especially obsessive about cleaning the kitchen area when people come to discuss or pick up things. I just feellike they are looking for an eyelash!!!! I'm a sahm too so I know what you mean about make-up! I'm sure she'll be so happy to go with you! Let us know how it works out!
Alison
Amy!
Relax and breathe. I am going to play a game with you that I play with all three of my children when they are worried about something.
1} What's the worst thing that can happen?
She doesn't like your work, or want a cake from you.
2} How will this affect the rest of your life?
Not very much! It is only one sale, and people who take the time to check out your work love it! There is always another customer out there waiting to be wowed by you.
Wear make up if it makes you feel better about yourself. She is coming to your home, you have the advantage! Now, relax and get a good nights sleep. 
Charmed1 - That's some good parenting! I think I need to take that lesson in mind too!
I'm a Type A as well - but I've learned over the years to let some things go......... take a deep breath and follow Charmed1's advice! The worst that can happen is she doesn't want you to make the cake - and it could be a blessing in disguise!!! 
That'll kill me if she doesn't want me to make the cake. If she doesn't I certainly hope it's because of the price and nothing else!
Okay, that's great advice "MOM"!!!!! You're so positive like my husband!!! Things I am worried about usually work out great and make all the worrying completely unnecessary! I hope the same is true in this case!!!!!!
If she doesn't want me to make the cake then that'll be a good thing I guess because I'd have to start the cake the day my husband get home from being gone for a month and a half. He's only going to be home for two weeks before he has to leave for another month. I should turn her down. What was I thinking accepting to meet with her!!!!! I dont' need to be spending what precious little time I have with my husband before he deploys for seven months in January making cakes!
What's done is done though! I'll just accept no more orders for the rest of the month! Okay, I'm breathing!!!!! Thank you all for your kind words and votes of confidence!!!!!
Amy
That irritates me too! I'm irritated for you. My husband runs a video business out of our home. He has gone to "by appointment only" for many reasons including the fact that my hubby stays home with our 7 month old and 25 month old and some times are bteer than others.
Just the other day a lady made an appt, didn't show, rescheduled for another day, called to say her hubby would come in her place, he didn't show until hours after the appt. He just rang the bell as if the world should stop for him. 
What if my husband was not home? Or what if he had another client over? Or it was bathtime? What can you do? I know you normally don't have clients come to the house but if this happens again, I suppose you have to make it very clear that your schedule is full and you have that special time set aside just for her and if she needs to come at another time, it is very important to re-schedule. Then again, people like that probably don't care.
Hey Amy!
Assuming she hasn't called by the time you get this, you might be better off if she doesn't call or show up. This woman sounds like she is going to be a lot more trouble than her worth as a customer.
She hasn't taken the time to view your work on line, she wants to meet at your house, she says she'll call at a certain time and never does....
I see a pattern here. If she does show up and wants a cake, make sure you get everything in writing, all the details and price , and make her sign it. The only way she can treat you badly is if you let her!
Keep us posted!
Charmed1 
AMEN!!!!!!!
I'm pretty irritated. She is supposed to be coming over at 1!!! 20 minutes from now! I guess not since she has no idea where I live!!!! If she does happen to call AT 1:00 I'll just tell her that I was expecting her call at 10 a.m. and I am sorry but I now have another cake scheduled for her date. I'm lying of course because you know what......I was wrong to accept meeting her in the first place. At the time I did though I didn't know my husband's ship schedule. Now I do and he's coming home the 17th for two weeks only. I needn't spend that time making cakes but spending time with my husband and boys!!!!!!! I'll feel like a total creep for lying like that but she's the one that stood me up!!! My world does not stop for her!!!!!
Amy
Don't feel bad!!!!
She has been very inconsiderate of you and your time. I think telling her you have a meeting with someone else is probably a good idea. If she does call or show up you alsways have the option of telling her your husband is coming home and you won't be able to accomodate her.
She sounds like the kind of person I call "high maintenance" ! Don't waste your time being angry because of her. She's not worth it!
Charmed1
Amy
I'd say FAMILY comes first!
Anyone who will not keep an appointment and is as flaky as she sounds is not worth giving time up from your husband and boys.
BTW, tell your hubby - thank you for his service to our country!!
Bert
I agree! Thank you everyone! So much for my first meeting huh!!!!
I can't stress about this because I don't NEED to do the cake! Afterall, this is something I consider a hobby and do for people who know me and know how valuable my time really is!
Amy
Bert~Thank you and I will definately tell him when I hear from him! 
Amy,
I'd tell her (if she calls or shows up) that since your last conversation, you've found out your hubby comes home that day for only 2 weeks and since nothing was firmed up, you'll have to decline the opportunity to work her this time. She should be fairly understanding if she's a military wife too.
Every time I see this topic pop up I think you have heard from her. I say forget about her and IF she does call, you'll have to tell her you have booked your calendar at this time and you are sorry but you can not do her cake. Everyone else is right, you don't want to work with this woman. Just imagine what else she can pull. Don't be disappointed in yourself.
What on earth is a type A person? Did she ever call back or ring? Poor you being put through all this, I hope it turns out well!
Nope, never called! I could have called her I suppose but I decided that she was responsible enough to call me since she told me last night when I called her she would call me at 10 a.m.!! Most people call me two to three weeks ahead of time for a cake. This woman called me a month and a half out!!!!! I don't know!!!!!!!!
I feel relief actually! It's about time I had a break. I've been going strong since July!!
A Type A is some one who wants things done there way and their way only, stresses about things if they are out of order or out of their control. Can't let things go easily, stews about things....the list goes on..! Some one who can't RELAX!!!!!! Everyone is always telling me to relax!!! I'm finally learning how to do that!
You all have been so supportive through this!!! I so appreciate it! I got the nerves calmed right after I posted last night and now she stands me up! People really do do that don't they!
Amy
put my nephews to bed early tonight and have a glass of wine and some chocolate! Relax you just avoided a problem!
Okay ya'll!! I have an update on this WOMAN!!
First of all, I just read two threads on being "snubbed"! It's the worst feeling a cake decorator can feel besides being told the cake was "just ok"!!
Anyway, this woman called me the next day after we were to meet. She apologized for not calling me and said that she was trying to recover from her long cross country flight...blah blah blah!!! 
I asked her if we could discuss plans for the cake over the phone while looking at my gallery...well, my BIL's router went down so the website was down! That pi$$ed me off because I finally get this woman on the phone to show her my cakes....she had a month and a half to view them so she would be prepared for when we met and she didn't do it! Anyway, she called me the next morning at 10 a.m. (the time she was supposed to call me the day before) but I was in a Dr. appt. with my 22 month old for a follow up appt. to a ER visit from the night before!!! He had a 104.8 temp!!! He's had a series of shots and he's doing fine now. Anyway.....
I returned her call and she asked me what would be a good time to call me later that day. I said any time after 3:00!!! She NEVER called!!!!! 
So now it's today (saturday)..she calls me this afternoon from Macy's and asks me what size cake had we decided on in the five minute conversation we had earlier.. She's looking for a silver tray to put the cake on!!!!! That's gonna be a first for me. Hey, I'm always looking for ways to save on my board covers 
She said then that she would call me later.........Hello It's 10:30 P.M. No phone call!!!! For this woman telling me that I come highly highly recommended she apparently doesn't give a hoot about how valuable my time is!!!! All we decided on so far is size and flavor (btw, I need a good pineapple filling) Hello, it's coming up in less than two weeks and I need time to edit any images that she wants and get the design together!!! What is this woman's problem!!!! She's driving me nuts. She's doing all this in stages and I can't stand it. She so busy taking care of other details like engraved this and engraved that and oh "never mind the friggen cake"! No problem!!! The cake is just a minute detail for this huge retirement she is planning. Oh yeah, she also told me she doesn't need anything fancy! Uh!!! Silver serving platter!!! Not fancy!!!!!
Amy
OK, let me just say that this woman sounds like an absolute nightmare. I thought you said that you decided you weren't going to make the cake for her after she stood you up again and again?? I just think that if you continue with this order, she's going to make life really hard for you for the next two weeks. Is it worth it? Especially since you only have a couple precious weeks with DH before he leaves again?? I say - not worth it. She stood you up again tonight by not calling even though she said she would. I think that when she calls you again, you should just tell her that it isn't going to work out. Tell her you've booked other cakes, or whatever else. But I don't think it's worth the stress for you. She's a nightmare. I've had customers like her, and they are bad news all around. Just my opinion, so please don't be offended. Just trying to save you some heartache.
This woman needs to get her act together. Her wording of "not fancy" may be code for "not expensive". We have all experienced or at least heard the horror stories of those "I make and decorate cakes too people" who act like it's nothing to whip up a cake. They tend to think that they should get your cakes for dirt cheap. I would be VERY leery of this woman. If you're really determined to do this cake I would make it clear to her that you must have all the final details by such and such date and time or you will assume that she has made other arrangements.
You see, that's my problem. I have a tough time turning people down. I feel guilty and bad for doing it knowing full well I can. I hate to turn down a chance to make a few extra $$ and broaden my experience. This woman though really gets in my craw!! If she doesn't call me today by 1:00 I'm calling her and I PROMISE YOU ALL am going to let her know that I need a final design am image by Tuesday or I'm going to have to decline the order. She's making time to do everything else and keeping me hanging. I can't do this if she waits until the day before!!!!
My husband doesn't have a problem with my making the cake just as long I don't make another one while he's home because he usually ends up helping me with my edible image. He too has been telling me what ya'll have been saying about this woman. He's actually very irritated that she is treating my skills as a decorator as if I ran some fly by night joint!!
So all in all, I have a tough time confronting people! I have been known to say the right thing the wrong way! 
Amy
I completely understand what you're saying. I'm not so good at practicing what I preach. 
I also avoid confrontation like the plague, and have an awful time turning down any business. I just know from experience that people like this woman (especially the ones who "do cakes too") are bad news. I hope it all works out for you!!
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