Yesterday I was called about making a cake for a party tonight. I asked what I thought were all the right questions. I found out she wanted a 9x13 carrot cake with cream cheese icing, and wanted it cut into 24 squares. The trouble started when I asked if she wanted a decoration on top. I asked if there was a theme to the party and she told me it was some executives, so based on what she was saying I took it to be a business function more than a party. I mentioned Christmas trees and rosebuds, and she specifically said "no" to the trees, then she said "small flowers" after I said the rosebuds. Then she said, "You're the decorator, I'll leave it up to you." She also requested that I deliver it, and she would pay me extra for it. Well, I chose pink and yellow rosebuds, because she did seem to like the flower idea. (I attached a pic.)
WRONG CHOICE!!!
When I showed up tonight, at this house with the front doors and they were open wide enough for me to fit my car through and two huge stone lions one either side, I did get a little bit nervous. I walk in with the cake on a pan, because I knew she was going to transfer it, and she frowned!!! Based on her look, I said I could take off the flowers, and the lady who owned the house said yes because they wouldn't work with the gold tablecloth. However, right in the middle of the room was a buffet set up and decorated with Mexican blankets and bright pink and orange flowers.
Anyway, after I used a toothpick and took all of the buds off and tried to salvage the tops of the pieces, I got in my car and started bawling, which I have never done before!!! I am still knew to this, but something about this delivery just sadened me!
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent!

They are so cute! My advice is when someone says something like that and you're feeling really lost, at least make them tell you a color or SOMETHING more. You did everything you could though! Don't beat yourself up!

I know I would have had to point out the colors on the buffet!

She should have told you more if she was going to be so fussy. They look great! I love carrot cake I just don't have a great recipe for it. (wink wink).

i'm so sorry, that's really sad to be sooo upset, i kinda understand you, i feel like i'm not getting enough info & then i feel like i'm asking waaaayyy to many questions, hmmmm, i guess i'll get better at it one day

i hope you end up having a better week!!

Don't let this get to you. They look great! If she wanted something else, she should have told you EXACTLY what she wanted. She is more in the wrong here. Also, I was wondering if she just meant she wanted to get 24 squares out of the cake. In that case, I would have probably just put a little crease in the cake where they would be cut and put a rosebud on each uncut square. Anyway, people just need to understand that if they want perfection, they need to speak up and tell you EXACTLY what they want. Don't worry about it.

better to ask too many questions that not enough...and if they wont give you a guide so you can do a good job decorating a cake..always ask about the table decor.

I think you got a little overwhelmed with the opulence of the place...lol

don't worry about it. I f your cake was yummy, you will get other orders.

and I think you cried more out of relief to get rid of the cake..than anything else!! lol

take care

Unless you're mind reader, there was no way you could know the customer was having a Mexcan themed party.

You offered some suggestions, and she basically gave you carte blanche by saying, "you're the decorator". She doesn't then get to play a game of "yeah, but..."

I think you went above and beyond by offering and then removing the decorations.

Your cake was lovely, the decorations were pretty; you did everything you said you would do.

This woman got a quality cake, decorated and delivered just as she ordered.

You did great! Be happy with yourself and know there are customers out there who will appreciate you

Yes, you are the decorator, but you don't read minds! She could have been a bit more specific on the color and theme. Especially if she knew there would be a colorful Mexican blanket, etc. on her buffet table.

Your cake looks d-lish and I wish I had some now. Just enjoy your holiday

Oh I'm so sorry you got sad over this. Don't worry about it. You asked her what she wanted and she didn't tell you. How in the world were you to know?

I too wonder if she was thinking she was getting a whole cake but scored into pieces like Costco does?

Maybe that's what she was taken back about????? Who knows. I still think it's her fault for not telling you what she wanted. Why wouldn't she have told you the colors or that it was a Mexican table setting?

Personally I think the cakes look devine and would love to have one right now myself.

You did nothing wrong- it was her. All her.

i just want to sink my teeth into a piece of that cake! it looks so delicious.

i find that some people just can't visualize or explain what they are visualizing in their own minds. this can definitely cause a problem for us decorators.
it isn't necessarily a problem unless the person is a picky perfectionist.

remember: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! (cheesy but true
so just take it as a learning experience to apply to the next picky perfectionist.

happy holidays

[quote="FaithP"] The trouble started when I asked if she wanted a decoration on top. I asked if there was a theme to the party and she told me it was some executives, so based on what she was saying I took it to be a business function more than a party. I mentioned Christmas trees and rosebuds, and she specifically said "no" to the trees, then she said "small flowers" after I said the rosebuds. Then she said, "You're the decorator, I'll leave it up to you." However, right in the middle of the room was a buffet set up and decorated with Mexican blankets and bright pink and orange flowers.


OMG what a piece of work this lady is. She gives you no concrete direction to go in other than it is for execs... yet she had to know that the party was going to have a mexican type theme. On top of all of that she is the one that said you are the decorator ,I'll leave it up to you. Right there she lost her right to complain about any of it, esp since you showed up with a nice product. Some people! LOL By the way, I hope she paid you???

hahaha..no one will notice if I pick each and every piece of carrot cake and LICK THE FLOWER OFF>.would they?


Ok, ok..I'm beyond tired now...am totally loopy!