I think that people like this continue to behave badly until someone teaches them that they cannot behave like an idiot.

I think there is a difference between accidently damaging a tool and participating in vandalism.

IMHO.

Hello - I'm back, just finished reading replies. I did in my conversation with the dad tell him that the bride could keep the stand as the deposit covered the expense. (I have a section in my contract that states if the deposit covers the cost of the equipment that the bride can choose to keep it< knowinly forfeiting their deposit). I have NOW removed this statement and will NEVER again offer this. After much debate over this - I agree with many. I expect my equipment returned, in tack. I have added a NEW statement in my contract that clearly spells out for Brides that if the equipment is returned late - they lose the deposit and the equipment MUST BE RETURNED! If not returned not only do they lose the deposit - they will be responisble for the full retail cost including gas or shipment, etc for replacement.

Thank you all for your kind words of support and advice. I appreciate it. I hope I never have to deal with someone like this again!

I just went through a very similar situation with a freakin' cupcake tree...the lady didn't call to bring it back until I charged the deposit to her credit card on file which in my contract states is exactly what I will do if my merchandise is not returned. I make my deposits so high that they will most certainly return the merchandise on time. This is the first time I've had any problems.

"The equipment of:____________ is being rented to you at a cost of: ______ and with a deposit of: _______. All said equipement MUST be returned to my shop at 417 Gentry St in the same condition as rented by: ____________. If such equipment is not returned by specified date your deposit check will be cashed or your credit card will be billed the deposit fee. No exceptions. Signature: ___________________

Hopes this helps someone keep their stuff or get the money to replace it!

Daggum! This angry man now knows where you live! oof. I would be considering a drop-off box put in at work after this one.

Tracy, please let us know if and when the bride replise.......would be curious to see what she says. Who knows, maybe the father is one of those angry control freaks that intimidated her all her life! Still, for heavens sake act like and adult and comply with the contract without breaking things. Sometimes mankind really disappoints me

I just wonder what other kind of examples this guy has set for his daughter while she was growing up. If his behavior in this situation is any indication of the up bringing she had, I hope she married a psychiatrist.

My husband has a phrase that seems to fit this family perfectly:
"Poor-a$$ people have poor-a$$ ways"

All I can say is thank god you WEREN'T home! I mean, if he is willing to smash property belonging to someone else because his daughter didn' tell him when to return it, imagine what he might have done if you had answered the door! Some people are beyond the realm of comprehension. Unbelievable! I'm sorry you suffered needlessly!

Doesn't the deposit cover the cost of the plate and stand? When you told him he's not getting the deposit back, the plate and stand were essentially his (or his daughter's) property. It was childish and immature of him to smash it, especially because if it was returned intact you might have refunded his deposit anyway. But I'd forget about it now, back away, and not try to contact his family.

Cheers, from
SwampWitch

This guy was nuts. It's a shame that people can't read what they sign. He shouldn't have been angry at you, he should have been angry at his daughter (but that never happens, lol.) I think you're right to take the part out of your contract about the parts belonging to someone who forfeits their deposit. Hopefully you never have a situation like that again.

I am so angry for you right now!!!

That is just mean and cruel behaviour!!

I haven't even gotton to the stage to think about contracts and probably would never have thought of putting one together for selling cakes but I am definately going to put one together after this horrendous story.

Let us know if the bride contacts you!!

Well it has been a FULL Week!!! And the Bride has not replied to either of my emails.

I am ticked because of what happen - but even more so that she won't even answer my email. I didn't even mention anything about this sitiuation in my second email. I just simply asked for the phone number to the photographery. I wanted to purchase a photo of the cake.

UGH!!!!

Tracy...I don't think the bride is ever going to get back to you and I think you should just let this one go. I have a feeling that she is not going to want to deal with this situation anymore. I'm not trying to be mean, just looking at it from her point of view......she just got married and this is probably the last thing on her mind.

Most people would have the attitude, if they are not going to get their deposit back just keep it and sell on E-Bay. They may have returned it if they got partial deposit. Deduct a % for late return.

If you charged a deposit to cover the cost of replacement maybe a charge should be added for your trouble. Then you could just say it can't be returned after the date in the contract. If you don't get it back by the date stated I would use the deposit and buy a new one.

The Bride won't call you back. She will agree with what her Dad did or be too embarrassed to call.

What happens if she stops the deposit check?

Instead of getting upset you should have laughed because the Dad acted like a child and he looks like the fool. Getting upset, he wins.

The cake 8 min. late I agree I would have said "ok, you are going to hurt my business with your remarks, you figure out what to do without a cake" I would pick up my cake and left. Your out the cost of making the cake but to me it's worth it.

I got the deposit - I am over the stand. I was mad at how the father acted. What I was ticked at the Bride about - was I didn't blame her or say anything to her - what I did request from her was the contact info for her photographer. I want a photo of the cake. My digital camera was broken and so I had to use my camera phone to take a photo. The photo looks like crap - in my photos - so you can see for yourself. Not something I can post in the portfolio.
I am over what happen - just ticked now because I have been the NICE and civil one. All I want is a PHOTO!!! LOL!!!!

Maybe the place where she had the wedding has the photographers info, it could be they referred the bride to them...you never know.

Revise your contract to state that they MUST return your stands the same way they get them and if they are broken, replacement costs are in order.

I pretty much agree that you're SOL on this situation and it calls for a contract revision.. Also don't pick up the phone when you're busy delivering a cake. I know it's hard to do because we're all taught "when the phone rings, you answer it", but this is why you have caller ID so if it is someone important you can answer it. Not that your business contacts aren't important, but there is a reason you're not at the cake shop at that moment. It's a chance for you to set a boundary.

To be honest, if he had delivered the cake stand and all of its parts in the same condition as it was originally delivered, I'd probably charge a % from the deposit for each day late after the agreed upon date or I would offer a portion of the deposit back, but not nearly the whole thing. Yes, contracts are contracts, and you have them to cover your buns. But, this gives YOU the discretion for the situation and it does give a penalty, but you got the items back in good condition in that case.