Once upon a time there was a mother who came to my bakery to order a cake. She originally talked about a two tier topsy turvey cake but talked herself out of it and aordered a sheet cake.
Then the mother began to regret her choice and called the day before the cake was due and wanted to change the cake. Oh to her woo it was too late because her cake had just been baked. Then several hours later the mother calls out of desperation. Begging the baker to work her magic and turn that sheet cake into a topsy turvey cake.

My question is how should this fairy tale end?

PS true story!!!!

Ah man! I would love to see a desperation/last minute story have a wonderful ending.

Unless the baker has alot of free time and can put everything aside and rush to make this mothers cake, the mother would be receiving a sheet cake. if you can't do the topsy turvey, just tell her your magic wand is in the shop!!

Ma'am I will have to charge you extra $$$$

If the decorating/bake schedule allowed, I would work the magic, and charge for the added time & materials, requiring a cash payment for the additional charges, of course.

since it was made i would tell her that i could make the topsy turvey cake but she had to buy both cakes

Hmmm.That's a tough one.If you do it there is no garantee that she won't do it again next time...Some people are so undecicive that it totally inconveniences others.I would do it but make her aware that next time she can't change her mind at the last minute!!

I'd charge her for the topsy turvy, then next time she wants to place an order have her pay in full up front letting her know that the order is final, no changes allowed. If she balks then you explian how you cannot work with the constant changes. You'll be doing her a favor.

IF you have time (and really, who does?) say you will do it, but for a 20% rush fee, and that she is still required to purchase the sheet cake.

Ditto ditto. I agree it depends on the time you have. And there would be a 20% surcahrge

I agree 100% with CakesbyLJ. I would also make it clear to her that this is a one-time exception, in an attempt to defer her from doing it again (or anyone else she might end up referring to you!)

Well all there is a happy ending to this fairy tale story. I took the 12x18 sheet cake and cut it into triangles and made a 2 tier topsy turvy cake.

I am currently withing for her to come back and pick it up. She came 3 hours early than scheduled pick up today and wanted to get it. Boy I was starting to regret going above and beyond at that second.

But it is done and I will post a pic when I get out of the bakery later.

I am a sucker for a happy ending.

You are creative! Give yourself a pat on the back and count that as your good deed for the day! And it doesn't hurt that she might tell everyone what a nice baker she has (good for the rep). It's nice to see a happy ending(:

heavenlys.....

what peace of mind you must have that you are a nice person.
We don't want to let people walk all over us but it is a really nice feeling to know you went above and beyond to make someone happy.
You must also feel good about the fact that you had the creativity and decorating abilities to pull that job off.
You are an inspiration to me and a credit to CC.
I also loved the way you presented the problem to everyone. Very creative.

3 hours early!
Well done, I honestly dont think I would have thought to cut it up and make a topsy cake, you are very creative

3 hours early!
Well done, I honestly dont think I would have thought to cut it up and make a topsy cake, you are very creative