Very First Unhappy Customer (long discription...) - Page 3

i am just sick about this...i am so upset you gave the check back.....those people totally took advantage of you....well lesson learned....good luck.....

I hate to say this, but you seem so naive about cake business ..
How are you gonna make a profit and stay in business if this is how you will handle these customers ? Sounds like you are giving away free Wedding Cakes. I'm sorry about what has happened to you, but I think they took advantage of you and you probably fell for it. I am on your side and we all are, but you have to stand up for yourself and do the right thing, otherwise you will be at loss. Why in God's name did you return the check ? after you gave her the cake ? If the cake was terrible, bad and disgusting, then I can understand why you would just let her step all over you. But they ATE it !!

I am really sick as well that you gave the check back. People are always trying to get over and honestly, I think if you plan on making any money ever in this business, you have to get mentally stronger. Dont be easily intimidated by peoples loud talking, complaining, etc. Investigate just like any other place would do before refunding, etc.
At that point, I would have waited an hour for the florist to add the flowers myself then took a pic and went home waiting a call from the bride.
Also, a contract detailing the order comes in handy at times like this. Before set up was even performed, you should of had the check in your hand. It could of also stated that the bride is aware that it would not be a duplicate because...

Well, come on ladies...... let's YELL at her some more ....... she doesn't feel bad enough yet !
She made a mistake..... a BIG one, and she will learn from it....... she can still demand payment..... AND get it....... three pages of " advice " is probably enough.....

I hope I didn't sound like I was yelling at her. If so, I'm sorry. I agree with you. She doesn't need any more lectures.

Diane

Yelling ?? no one is yelling. Maybe next time, put a limit as to how many responses one wants.

This is why I am a FIRM believer in getting a check no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date, so all things clear. Then I have someone sign off on the cake. I have a Bride now that is two weeks into paying for the second half of her cake and I told her cash only for the remainder of the cake BEFORE I start it, I've heard horror stories for far too long and anyway, the Bride has to pay for the Dress fully before the Wedding why not the cake. PEOPLE , they try anything to cheat you. Good luck with this one, let it be a learning experience. If you learn from it then it's worth it.

I'm just sorry this happened to you. It sucks.

heather...you know my position...I am so sorry you are going through this...

maybe we can all give her advice on what she can NOW do?

Take her butt to small claims court! You deserve to be paid!

"Give me back my cake if you are not happy with it as you have not paid for it", is what I would have said. And yes don't deal with the aunt deal with the bride. Get her side of the story instead of the aunts.

I think we all missed that part. I though you went back to the site and discussed a partial refund with the aunt.

Oh well, what's done is done. Nothing else to say.

I bet if you threaten to take them to court over this matter you would get your $$ back very quickly. Even better (you did have a contract, right?), have your lawyer mail them a letter and let him handle it. I guarantee you they would rather pay the $$ than go to court.

The fact that she gave the check back might affect the outcome of a lawsuit. Handing that check back might be construed as admitting the cake wasn't what it was suppose to be. JMO

Diane

Sweetie, don't beat yourself up too much about this. If it helps, the same thing happened to me too and I used to work in one of the most cut thoat industries in the world before turning cake maker. I delivered a cake to a customer who wanted a spring themed birthday cake for her mother and also wanted a cake for her father's birthday later in the year. I described what I would do for her (white and yellow, blossoms, daffodils, roses etc) and AGREED on the design. She sounded very happy with it all and I told her to pay upon delivery (FIRST BIG MISTAKE). Everyone who saw the cake thought it was just beautiful. I delivered the cake and her initial reaction was WOW this is a lovely cake. However, within five minutes, she started complaining. She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes. she also claimed that the cake was too high and it wasn't green enough. I was very upset and taken aback apologized (yes would you believe it) and left. She ran after me shouting 'what about my father's cake, he is ill!!'
I got home, called my brother and he INSISTED I go back and get my money or get the cake. I called to let her know I would be coming to collect my money or the cake and she asks to speak to my manager!!!.

In the end I gave up as it was easier and I didn't have the confidence to pursue the payment. I am thankful in a way that this happened as it made me focus and tighten up on the money side of the business. As a wise CCer once said, 'I won't turn on my oven without receiving a deposit first'. So please take heart, we all live and learn.