Okay need some thoughts/ideas/feedback.

Back at the end of July (yes that long ago) I was asked to make a bridal shower cake (it's in my pics -double heart cake) and the issue of payment came up...well obviously being new to the cake decorating scene I was a bit uncomfortable saying "the charge is $__" so I told the hostess (who goes to my church) to pray about it, and then pay me what she felt was fair.
August and September were extremely busy months for the hostess (being involved in the wedding, and then her daughter had a baby). Well now it is October and I know that the hostess has had family issues (her brother was extremely ill).

I'm an extremely understanding person...yet at the same time, it's been almost 3 months that have gone by.
I do believe I should be paid, but at the same time I don't know how to approach the issue...the whole issue has me at a point where I want to say "I'm not making another cake until I'm paid for the cake I made back in July"...I hope it doesn't make me sound greedy...but I want to be able to enjoy cake decorating, but this issue needs to be resolved.

Suggestions?

Can you email her? If not then call her, but either way you can say something like"I have to apologize to you...I totally forgot to send you the invoice for the cake back in July. I just found it here in my kitchen...I'm so so sorry!!! I'll get it right to ya! and, thanks for letting me make the cake for you!!!"

If she didn't remember to pay you, then she won't remember that you told her to pray about it.

She will probably just apologize herself and send you the money....but do be ready with a fair price.

Dude, you need to get paid!!

I've let my close friend pay me late a few times but the first time I had to remind her because she had forgotten - and it was only a week late.

I would go up to next time you see her and tell her that you were reviewing your books and noticed that she still had paid you for the shower cake - give her a price/invoice.

You told her to "pray about it & pay what she thinks is fair " ?
She obviously thinks a free cake is fair...

no offense, but you kind of set yourself up for failure right there.


I think adven6's idea is perfect

It's is neither greedy nor rude to ask for payment for a product you provided. I'll bet it totally slipped her mind (though why didn't she pay you when she picked it up or you delivered it?). It's not your fault that she's had a lot going on, and though it's kind of you to be so understanding,I think you're being overly sensitive to it. Would you be offended if you were in her place and someone tried, nicely, to settle up with you? No! You'd probably be horrified you'd forgotten to pay and be more than happy to make things right.

You have to learn to be firm about pricing your cakes. People who don't make cakes have no idea what they cost, and if you tell them to pay you what they think is fair, they will undoubtedly pay you something that is not fair. Not because they're trying to screw you over, but because they have NO idea. They think paying you $5 more than they would have paid at Wal-Mart is generous. If you don't feel comfortable just saying, "That'll be $100." You could say something like, "Well, the ingredients alone would be $50, and I think it will take me about 5 hours, so does $100 sound fair?"

*LMAO*

You are KIDDING, right? You actually told a customer this? Pray on it and pay what they think is fair??

Well, G-d obviously spoke loud and clear and told her that you really didn't want to get paid. Free is fair.

*chuckle*