No Check, Wedding June 7Th...

Business By alicegop Updated 12 Jun 2008 , 9:25pm by alicegop

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BrandisBaked Posted 24 May 2008 , 6:10pm
post #31 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by chutzpah


I really, seriously want to slap you up. Man, you are one naïve chickadee.




I can't believe you would say something like this... Wow. Just wow.


As for non-payment, I have this on my website (and I'm even more firm in the contract):

"Payment. We have very strict payment guidelines which will be outlined in your contract. We are not debt collectors, and you are responsible for keeping track of any payments due. If you miss a payment deadline, your order will be considered canceled, and any monies beyond the 50% non-refundable deposit that have been paid to us will be returned to you."

I'm not chasing ANYONE down for a check.

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chutzpah Posted 24 May 2008 , 6:14pm
post #32 of 70

The truth hurts sometimes.

I guess I'm the only one who was brave enough to write what everyone else was thinking.

I am just so doggoned tired of reading about talented and good-hearted decorators who let themselves be used as doormats. The money was due on the 7 of may, it is now the 24th, and she is still futzing around with this order. Hoping to get paid. Not wanting to stir up trouble. etc.

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soygurl Posted 24 May 2008 , 6:24pm
post #33 of 70

Honestly I really don't understand why insisting on prompt payment and cake details would strain your relationship with BMIL... icon_confused.gif Shouldn't she UNDERSTAND that you can't do a cake without prior payment?!? Not to mention details of what KIND of CAKE and what it should LOOK LIKE!

Here's what I would do:
Call up BMIL. Tell her that you really want to do this cake because you understand that the bride is a co-worker and because you don't want her (MBIL) to have to scramble to find a different cake maker, BUT you CANNOT do the cake unless you have FULL payment in CASH (or money order) and FULL WRITTEN DETAILS for the cake by next Friday (the 30th). End of story. You really WANT to do this cake, but in order to do so you MUST be payed and know all the details by the end of the week. Done. Final. End of story.

You could even giver BMIL a printout of exactly what details you need to know (fill in the blank would make it EXTRA easy for this "Stressed out bride"), and a write up of the total cost of the cake. That way when BMIL sees bride at work she can easily hand her the sheet, ask her to fill it out (and sign it!), collect payment and give it all back to you!

If BMIL is ANY kind of friend OR even planner she will completely understand your position. PLEASE stand up for yourself!!! thumbs_up.gif

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 24 May 2008 , 7:23pm
post #34 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrandisBaked

Quote:
Originally Posted by chutzpah


I really, seriously want to slap you up. Man, you are one naïve chickadee.



I can't believe you would say something like this... Wow. Just wow.


As for non-payment, I have this on my website (and I'm even more firm in the contract):

"Payment. We have very strict payment guidelines which will be outlined in your contract. We are not debt collectors, and you are responsible for keeping track of any payments due. If you miss a payment deadline, your order will be considered canceled, and any monies beyond the 50% non-refundable deposit that have been paid to us will be returned to you."

I'm not chasing ANYONE down for a check.




i no longer respond to her post because they are usually mean and rude but ya i had the same reaction when i read it.

alice is a very nice person. ive only ever talked to her on the phone but she is always very nice and willing to help. i dont doubt that she will get paid for the cake and i think she just wants everyone to be happy without having to hurt a friendship or a potential repeat customer. also im sure people who see the cake will ask how made it.

i would try and get ahold of the bride one last time and hope that she answers because it doesnt really seem like the design details have even been set at this point

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CoutureCake Posted 24 May 2008 , 7:37pm
post #35 of 70

"No Money = No Cakey" icon_biggrin.gif

Seriously, don't fire up your oven until you have the cha-ching. Don't go purchase ingredients until you have the cha-ching. And most of all, don't stress yourself out because some moron doesn't pay you the necessary cha-ching unless you get the NSF check back AFTER the cake has been delivered.

This is why you NEED to get cash anytime closer than 28 days out from the wedding. Even though you're "doing this for fun" you still have to treat it like a business. If the bride didn't pay BMIL, SHE would not settle for that out of the bride and niether should you. Tough noogies if someone is super stressed out, as I picked up the phrase from people I know who work in collections... NMP!!! ... NOT MY PROBLEM... You're stressing yourself out too not knowing if you've got to bust your buns to make this cake, why is it o.k. for YOU to be stressed when some other deadbeat isn't doing her part of the contract. Simple as that, no money no cakey icon_biggrin.gifthumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gif

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chutzpah Posted 24 May 2008 , 7:40pm
post #36 of 70

I require payment five weeks before the wedding.

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wgoat5 Posted 24 May 2008 , 8:31pm
post #37 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by chutzpah

The truth hurts sometimes.

I guess I'm the only one who was brave enough to write what everyone else was thinking.

I am just so doggoned tired of reading about talented and good-hearted decorators who let themselves be used as doormats. The money was due on the 7 of may, it is now the 24th, and she is still futzing around with this order. Hoping to get paid. Not wanting to stir up trouble. etc.





I have no problems with being honest.. I am a very honest person.. but there is a way to do it without calling names and such..

I am a brave person.. but I am polite also

thank you for the posts though you make that are informative!! icon_smile.gif

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alicegop Posted 24 May 2008 , 10:53pm
post #38 of 70

I will need to buy the ingredients soon, so if I don't have the money, I won't buy them and I'm not making a special trip to the store with gas prices the way they are. I'm sure BMIL will talk to her this week and if I don't have the check after that..... no reasonable person can expect me to make a cake. So I'll wait to see what BMIL says after she sees her at work.

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 25 May 2008 , 12:00am
post #39 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by alicegop

I will need to buy the ingredients soon, so if I don't have the money, I won't buy them and I'm not making a special trip to the store with gas prices the way they are. I'm sure BMIL will talk to her this week and if I don't have the check after that..... no reasonable person can expect me to make a cake. So I'll wait to see what BMIL says after she sees her at work.




thats a good idea! i cant wait to see the cake if you do make it icon_biggrin.gif

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alicegop Posted 25 May 2008 , 1:36am
post #40 of 70

Luckily the cake is pretty easy. A ribbon and cornelli lace.

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alicegop Posted 25 May 2008 , 6:00pm
post #41 of 70

CHECK came in the mail yesterday apparently... doesn't include the $25 for the rental of the cake stand....

(oops, I said cake instead of check, I edited it now)

She also didn't include the directions to the venue like she said she would.... good thing BMIL emailed them to me.

Seriously, I'm annoyed at this whole situation. Even though I have the check, if it wasn't for BMIL I'd still like to tell her I won't do it. But I guess at this point I have some money, I will make some cake, and it will come out nice, I don't need to really deal with her anymore....

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wgoat5 Posted 25 May 2008 , 7:06pm
post #42 of 70

LOL Do you mean the check? icon_smile.gif

Bill them for the rental of the stand girlfriend icon_smile.gif

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chutzpah Posted 25 May 2008 , 7:07pm
post #43 of 70

LOl...

I was thinking, oh how nice to find a cake in the mailbox.

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Auryn Posted 25 May 2008 , 11:10pm
post #44 of 70

if the money isnt there for the stand
then do not deliver the stand with the cake- you won't get it back.

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CoutureCake Posted 26 May 2008 , 6:39pm
post #45 of 70

I agree with the others... IF the person has not paid you to rent the cake stand, then she gets NO cake stand... Her cake is to be put on a board that you don't need to worry about having returned to you.

Also, if the person has not paid for you to deliver the cake because that was part of the deal if they paid by a certain date you mentioned earlier, make it clear that THEY ARE TO PICK IT UP. You'll be surprised how fast the cash comes out...

Good luck!!

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alicegop Posted 26 May 2008 , 6:45pm
post #46 of 70

what kind of board do you put a 14 inch cake onto that doesn't need to be returned? I sell cake drums, so I can put it on one of those.... will that support hte weight of 5 tiers?

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wgoat5 Posted 26 May 2008 , 6:51pm
post #47 of 70

I would actually do it on a covered piece of plywood.. they have no give... and can be covered easily and they are pretty doggone cheap icon_smile.gif

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alicegop Posted 26 May 2008 , 6:55pm
post #48 of 70

Not the gas to drive to the store to get a piece of plywood. Do you just have a stash of these at your house? What do you cover the plywood with? Is it round or square?

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CoutureCake Posted 26 May 2008 , 6:55pm
post #49 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by alicegop

what kind of board do you put a 14 inch cake onto that doesn't need to be returned? I sell cake drums, so I can put it on one of those.... will that support hte weight of 5 tiers?




Go to the Home Depot and get a 2x4 sheet of 3/4" MDO plyboard. They'll do two cuts for you free, but if the cake is round, then you'll need to use a skil saw to cut it into the circle (they sell a compas tool by the screwdrivers for drawing large circles).. Then, you cover it with some foil and be done with it. The 2x4 will get you at least 2 if not 3 circles and it ends up being cheaper than purchasing cardboard rounds and far sturdier. I put some table pegs (those things to keep the legs from scratching when they're on a surface) so I can get my fingers under the thing and move it without worry.

Hope that helps!

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wgoat5 Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:07pm
post #50 of 70

The way I cover mine is...

with shelf liner... then I cover with decorative food grade paper icon_smile.gif

also the bottom cake is on it's own board (cake round) and I "glue" it to the board icon_biggrin.gif

Yes I have a stash now.. I get my boards back or they lose 10.00 icon_smile.gif most people have NO problem returning them and some have NO problem paying the 10.00 icon_smile.gif

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Doug Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:21pm
post #51 of 70

for round boards....

those inexpensive three legged tables! -- just take off the metal brackets on the bottoms. (or leave on for a bit of finger room to lift and place more easily)

---

and check in the custom cut lumber areas at both Lowes and Home Depot -- they often have round precut table tops

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indydebi Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:24pm
post #52 of 70

And it's ok to put a round cake on a square board. I do it all the time.

Here's an example: http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=155353

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wgoat5 Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:26pm
post #53 of 70

yeah icon_smile.gif I am sooo glad I am not the only one that does that!!! ( wiping brow) LOL

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jen9936 Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:29pm
post #54 of 70

I live in a small town with a locally owned lumber store. I've gone in there & asked to buy a small piece of plywood to make a round board before. They went out & found a piece approximately 20inch square. Gave it to me no charge because it was scrap. Can't get much cheaper than that!

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vixterfsu Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:50pm
post #55 of 70

A FIVE TIER WEDDING CAKE?
How many people?
I can't believe a bride or anyone for that matter
hasn't contacted you until now.
Cornelli lace on five tiers?
This cake wouldn't happen.
You are an angel if you do this.

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grama_j Posted 26 May 2008 , 7:59pm
post #56 of 70

Hey! As long as you are giving away FREE wedding cakes, I have a friend whos daughter is getting married in Sept...... can she have one too, please ? If I make it, I'll have to charge her, so I'll just tell her about you, okay ? icon_wink.gif

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alicegop Posted 26 May 2008 , 8:32pm
post #57 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by grama_j

Hey! As long as you are giving away FREE wedding cakes, I have a friend whos daughter is getting married in Sept...... can she have one too, please ? If I make it, I'll have to charge her, so I'll just tell her about you, okay ? icon_wink.gif


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hamie Posted 27 May 2008 , 3:37am
post #58 of 70

I put all my cakes on a ceramic tile.
They are plenty strong, no flex at all. They come in many sizes and are cheap. They cover easily with contact paper.

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alicegop Posted 27 May 2008 , 3:52am
post #59 of 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamie

I put all my cakes on a ceramic tile.
They are plenty strong, no flex at all. They come in many sizes and are cheap. They cover easily with contact paper.



Now that is a good idea!!!! I often times see them for $1 a square foot or less! I'll check that out!

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maryjsgirl Posted 27 May 2008 , 1:51pm
post #60 of 70

If she isn't even responsible enough to return calls or emails for her wedding cake she will NEVER return your cake stand.

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