About 3 months ago I had an order from a lady for a lot of petit fours, it was for a republican campaign party and she wanted little tiny elephants on top of the petit fours. I made the elephants out of royal icing ahead of time. At the last minute she changed her order to have a different decoration on top. This was fine, I still charged her for the elephants and she was happy to pay for it and greatful that I could change them so last minute. Well, I told her that if she ever wanted to use them on a different occasion that I would deduct the cost of the elephants from her price.

Well she just emailed me and asked if she could have the elephants so she could have them placed on a dessert for her party coming up. I know she has already paid for them, but I don't feel comfortable having them placed on something that I didn't make? What would you guys tell her? Keep in mind that she is a good client and has ordered from me on several occasions with no problems.

I guess for me it would depend on what kind of dessert it was. If it was something that I do, I probably wouldn't give them to her, but on the other hand, if she's paid for them and they are hers, maybe I would give them to her. BUT you also told her you would deduct them from her next order if she ever wanted to use them. I guess I was no help was I? Here's a bump!

bumping, please help!

If they still look good, just go ahead and give them to her.

Get 'em off your hands, make HER happy---and she'll call you back in the future!

--Knox--

I agree with Knoxcop1...give her the elephants. Keep her happy if she is a good customer.

Basically, she's paid for them, so they are hers to do with as she pleases. I'd give them to her and not make any issue of it.

They are your creation so it will compliment the dessert she puts them on. And she paid for them, so if it were me I would let her take them. I certainly wouldn't want to jeopardize my relationship with a good client over this...especially if I know it could cost me more business from her in the future...not to mention how powerful word of mouth is from a disgruntled customer. As knoxcop1 stated, this also relieves you of having to store them indefinitely.

All the best to you. I bet things will work out fine and you both will be happy.

I would definately give them to her. She paid for them so its hers. Its better for you anyway IMO so when she orders her next cake you dont have to deduct anything and they fade anyway so its best to let them go now.

Even though this didn't work out like you wanted it to, I would give them to her since she has already paid for them.

yep, I agree, you are just storing her product. She has paid for them..they are hers.

Give them to her.

Let us know what you did and post pics of everything..lol

I think once a customer pays for something it becomes their property. She should be able to use the elephants for what she wants, and if you like to maintain control over what your product is placed on, she should not have been charged for them.

When you think about it, it's really no different than someone buying gumpaste or fondant flower sprays from us, just another bonus we can offer our clients. IMHO you should give her the elephants and keep a loyal, happy client coming back for more of your awesome service!

I agree - the elephants are hers. Ypu're lucky she paid for them without a fuss, now you need to hand them over in the same frame of mind. I see your point about the cake she's placing them on not being your work and normally you wouldn't decorate a cake you didn't make - but in this particular situation I think you're going to have to. Everyone will be impressed with them and ask her where she had them made so you might get more cake business out of them.

I say give her the elephants along with quite a few business cards too. Let her know if anyone inquires about the decoration, hand them your card.

Have a wonderful day!

i agree...you should give them to her...she did pay for them...

Well not that you need another "agree" opinion but I do agree.... it's just like if you had made them as sugar decorations like flowers or like those little things you can get from the grocery store or craft store - those little sugar decorations of different cartoon characters, etc..... and if you are a legal business and want to advertise, by all means ask her if she wouldn't mind putting out your business card..... although she may not want to do that.... I would still give them to her if she paid for them and just make it clear that your "contract" is completed and she won't be getting anything deducted off of any future orders - that she is getting the elephants she paid for and is free to do what she wishes with them. Hope that helps!

this is late but I just wanted to throw in my penny.. Its not really all that cut and dried in my opinion so I can understand why you had to think about it. I'm not saying that I wouldn't give them to her.. yes they are hers, but for instance what if whatever she puts them on is GODAWFUL.. do people really take the time out to say oh by the way one person made the elephants and somebody else did the cupcakes (or whatever)..

I do favors (like candy wrappers) and while I will sell wrappers only, I prefer to wrap the bars myself. mainly because the design just has my info on it. It doesn't say "wrapper designed by" soooo someone could see it and be like OMG I don't want her to wrap anything for me if these look like this. that is not good advertising.

Especially becasue she is a good customer I woud have tried to talk her out of it (nicely of course) then if she pressed the issue I would give them to her. She may have just been totally understanding or... maybe not

I'd let her have them and stay in good relations with her. After all, when might you get another order for a lot of little elephants? Hopefully she'll give you credit for the edible ornaments and you'll get some more business out of the good deed.