Cake crashed in the middle of the party - Page 3

Oh my bdrider, this is an excellent, excellent point. If she wanted you to come back and "fix" it it implies that the cake was salvageable, that the entire cake had not been upended onto the floor. She can't possibly have meant that she wanted you to show up with a mop and bucket. I think you owe it to yourself to get this important detail.

I just got online after being out all day, only to go through five pages of no word from you!! Perhaps you already resolved this today but oh I am just so hoping that you got the appropriate evidence you need before you settle for any amount.

I'll bet she is really busy with her kids, I thought she mentioned that she as a toddler and a baby, correct?

Hang in there, Brenda. You know you have our support.

WOW.

I stayed away from my computer for ONE day and geez... I still have 3 more pages of posts to read... And I feel bad that where I'm at on the posts there seems to be some controversey...

( I had to stay away as we got a bunch of snow here yesterday and hubby was home.. We needed family time instead of Cake Drama time!)

First... I am not going to pay her in pennies. Its hard to express sarcasm on the computer. I would REALLY REALLY like to.. but I wont.
It will be a certified check or money order.

There is no question the cake did indeed fall.
I dont believe that anyone ate any of it.
I am insisting on getting pictures of the cake from her before I pay her anything. ( I will still pay her regardless of what the pictures show.).

She never asked for 1/2 back from the beginning... She never specified any amount until she (not her non-existant lawyer) spoke to my lawyer.
I had offered her 50% her next cake order WAY BACK WHEN. ( she laughed at it).

I am not pleased with the fact that I am giving her anything after she was SO DAMN NASTY to me and just beligerant and ignorant.
But I am going to cut my loses and just do it.
No, I cant control if she bad mouths me anymore... But the fact that she only asked for 1/2 back, not the full amount, makes me at least HOPE she will be somewhat satisfied and at least maybe not head for the editorials.
I will offer her $150. ( no pictures, no money but I'm pretty sure she has the pictures).

The cake was NOT being served when it fell.

If I were Duff or Toba or Nicolas I would go to court.
If it were a $1500 cake I would go to court.

I absolutely love the fact that so many of you are asking for my paypal info, but I just can't let you guys do that.

You have all been so wonderful through all this... giving me your solicited opinions and advice.. I appreciate so much!!

You will (maybe?) be proud of me.. I got a call last night for a last minute cake that they need for the beginning of this coming week. Its just a purse cake and its local ( 2 minutes away). Up until last week I would have made the cake ( time permitting) and just delivered it.
I am still going to START it without a contract but I will insist she signs it before I deliver it.

I am distancing myself from the restaurant where this happened.
No more nicey-nice for them.

I am still in the process of developing a very thorough contract ( I will hopefully finish it tonight..).

I'm still super annoyed at what, exactly, she expected me to do after the cake fell. I really think she thought I was coming back to pick it off the floor????? Insane.

I am not sure if I'm going to the ICES convention in MD in April... But if I do and any of my new CrashingCakeFriends are planning on going, I'd really love to meet you and return the hugs!!!

( back to catching up with all the posts now...)

I would bet that besides her children she has been baking, decorating and delivering cakes. She does run a business after all. She has put this in the hands of her attorney and moved on, as she should.
Brenda, best wishes for only appreciative and easy to work with customers. at least in the near future, so that your spirit has a chance to renew. I know you will look at this experience as a chance to learn and grow. We have all taken a lesson from your unfortunate week.

I just wanted to say that regardless of the nasty lady, the involvement of lawyers, the embarassment - my heart goes out to you - it's an awful feeling when you've so damn hard on a cake (and you all know that we put everything we can into them) and something happens - it's happened to me a couple of times (once somebody moved my stacked cake around so many times that one of the top cakes fell off). This situation is extreme and it must have caused you some sleepless nights and lots of worry - for that I'm sorry! What I want to know though is if the restaurant will accept any responsibility - don't they have any insurance?

Oh! Brenda! So glad to hear that everything is okay!

I agree with you...50% was offered before and she didn't take it so now there is a bargaining chip to lower the price! I am glad to hear that you are going to ask for proof first...before you offer anything right?? You don't want to make it sound like you are eager to settle.

Still doing cakes without a contract is okay. That is what you have to do! I have made a contract for the new year and I find it kind of deters my clients...because I work out of my home (I know I am not suppose to! ) they think "Why does she need that?!" But, they are starting to understand why I would need a deposit for some cakes! Hey! These things cost money! So at least they are getting me the money first and then I have no worries about whether they are going to stiff me. I know this may not be the best story/advice but this is where I am coming from.
OH! and how great it is that you took a purse cake order!! that will get you back into the swing of things!
I wish you all the best of luck! You are truly a classy lady for not accepting money from your CC family. I am sure everything will be fine on your end and karma will get that b#$%h!!!

Well of course we are proud of you. You are handling a tough situation maturely and with grace. Unlike the nasty old cow.

I still feel like she was being nasty and is trying to get things out of you, but you always have to do what you have to do so you can sleep at night

We wouldn't have offered paypal if we didn't absolutely mean it !

So glad to hear that nothing was wrong. You are handling this very professionally. I don't think I could have been this professional. I would have flown off the handle and threatened her with everything short of death, probably. Then I would have calmed down and wished I had handled it like you are.

Glad you were able to have a family day. Good luck on your contract you're working on (might not hurt to have your lawyer friend look at it). Enjoy your weekend.

As for all the CC people. We need to stay vigil in our quest for Karma to get this crazy cow.

Diane

Brenda, you are one classy lady.

I am so glad the forums gave you a place to vent and get some good suggestions and feedback, and feel the love (so to speak), so that you could approach this nasty situation with decorum and class.

Good luck!

Brenda: I just wanted you to know that you are a class act and North Carolina has been behind you all along. You are an example to us all about being professional when we want to strangle people. I want to be just like you when I grow up LOL
Kathy
(snowynight)

DITTO!

I'm also wondering if anyone is willing to share their contract versions? I've been using a generic version at present, I've never had any problems but I'm reviewing and adjusting my contract now. I'm curious what others have in their's. For example, I'm changing the part that states 'In the event of cancellation the down payment will be refunded within 90 days.______Initial to adding a time frame of allowable notice given for said refund (Ie: cancellations must be prior to 14 calendar days of reservered date, otherwise only 75% of remaining balance will be allowable on refund) My date reservation fee and the 50% deposit fee both state they are non-refundable.

My thinking with this is I get really annoyed when someone cancels a week ahead of time and I'm counting on the balance owed - or maybe even spent a portion on materials allready. I had that happen once and I'm still feeling annoyed at it.

Hope I haven't confused you all - anyone up for sharing their versions and help us all protect ourselves better?

Yeah, what she said!

I hate when I double post!

Brenda, I've read all 41 pages and really couldn't say anything in addition that my fellow CCers hadn't already said. I've prayed for you and even checked my penny jar Your story was the talk of the workers at our fish fry last night so a whole bunch of people from southern Illinois are thinking about you too. Peace to you! Paula

I'm so sorry this happened to you. What an awful situation.

I am curious to know if the woman ever sent pictures of the fallen cake? I think we're all anxious to see the pics.


K-