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Very First Unhappy Customer (long discription...) - Page 4

post #46 of 69
6/18/08 at 7:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lionladydi

Quote:
Originally Posted by aswartzw

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



Maybe but she has a picture and that's all she'll need. In addition, I highly doubt the bride will allow this thing to go to court. I'm sure she'd rather pay the few hundred dollars to get rid of this than try and fight it in court. It's really more of a threat than an actuality.
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post #47 of 69
6/18/08 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k8memphis

I totally hate that that happened and I hope you just put it squarely behind you and forge ahead, turntable flying at 60 mph, wielding a wicked spatula, piping bag held high!



icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif I love it! thumbs_up.gif
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post #48 of 69
6/18/08 at 9:27am
I wonder if this ever happened to DuffGoldman (Ace Of Cakes), Collete Peters and Sylvia Weinstock !!! HMMMMMMMMM icon_confused.gif
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post #49 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:07am
It's not about the picture. The customer paid. The vendor refunded. Now the vendor changed her mind?

If someone tried to sue me as the customer in that situation I'd be livid and I'd do whatever I could to trash her business. Also, as the customer who already paid once, I suspect that I'd win in small claims court.
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post #50 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

It's not about the picture. The customer paid. The vendor refunded. Now the vendor changed her mind?

If someone tried to sue me as the customer in that situation I'd be livid and I'd do whatever I could to trash her business. Also, as the customer who already paid once, I suspect that I'd win in small claims court.



I see what you're saying, but it wasn't like the vendor was like "Hmm, you're right, I'll refund it."

She was bullied into it. She was told the check would be worthless anyways if she kept it.

I see both sides. I think she needs to call the bride and discuss getting at least a partial last payment, if not all of it.
I`m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best. - Marilyn Monroe
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I`m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best. - Marilyn Monroe
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post #51 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks again for all the support. I know now what I should have done and what I plan to do. I am thankful that you are all out there (even the ones who seem unfriendly, I know you are just telling it like it is).

There will be NO small claims court. I'm certainly not ready for that. If I do not get my payment, I will chaulk this one up to a learning experience and move on. I will be making adjustments to my contract (adding a sig. page for delivery, etc.) and having them pay in full before I deliver. Starting next month, I promise!

Feel free to post all you want on this thread. Maybe it will be here if someone else comes searching for similar answers in the future.

If I have to learn from a stupid experience on my part, then maybe someone else can read this BEFORE they make the same mistake.

Thanks again!
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post #52 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:31am
aww Heather! I am sure you feel a little better knowing that we are all here for you! I am so sorry you had to go through this...I wish you the best of luck in the future and I know you won't make the same mistake twice...

luv ya girl! icon_biggrin.gif
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #53 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by debster

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 am sorry too this happened to you, but I agree completely. I make sure I have full payment two weeks before the wedding, as well when the cake is setup, I take a photo (even if you were waiting for the flowers) . If I got that call, I would have gone back and gone into the room and asked what I could fix to make the cake "right". I would also get in writing at the time of signing of the contract that the cake will not look like the cake in the photo becuase it is buttercream. (that sometimes has them thinking maybe i should go with a different design).

As far as the flowers, another lesson learned is work with the florist on what time they plan on delivery, and I sometimes even work with them on the design of the cake! You work as a team on cakes with real flowers. You want to CYA with them as wel, as sometimes the florist can put the wrong flowers on the cake and YOU get blamed!

Anyway, good luck with future weddings...and again, sorry this happened to you!
Gotta have more cowbell!
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Gotta have more cowbell!
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post #54 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:37am
Don't beat yourself up, Heather. Hopefully, this will be your only whackjob bride. Did they ever tell you exactly why they didn't like the cake?
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post #55 of 69
6/18/08 at 10:51am
(((((HUGS!)))))))

I'm sooooo sorry this happened to you. If I were you, I'd chalk it up to newbie experience and move on. I'd rather walk away from the whole thing than drag it into court. However, I don't know how much $ you had invested in the cake and how much it's really worth to you.

This will at least teach you a couple things. 1) have a contract drawn up with a place for the bride (or purchaser) to sign stating that the cake is acceptable and that she is obligated to pay in full. 2) Don't take anyone else's word on what your cake looks like, other than the one who pays for it, and 3) never give the check back. Cash it right away and then if you want to refund some, let that be done separately.

Chin up...there are more cakes down the road! And some brides (and their families) are actually nice.
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www.bennysbakerycakes.com
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Check out my new website!

www.bennysbakerycakes.com
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post #56 of 69
6/18/08 at 2:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeWhizz

She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes.



icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif This just cracked me up! I can see the marketing slogan now:

"Our cakes are so gorgeous, they're SCARY!!"
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Cake Cutting Guide: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/cake%20comb
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/
www.cateritsimple.blogspot.com
http://debiswritingcollection.blogspot.com/
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post #57 of 69
6/18/08 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeWhizz

She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes.



icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif This just cracked me up! I can see the marketing slogan now:

"Our cakes are so gorgeous, they're SCARY!!"

LOL!!! Indydebi you really kill me!!
Be the change you want to see
View my cakes on www.elizabethscakeemporium.com or at http://thecakequeensadventures.blogspot.com/
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Be the change you want to see
View my cakes on www.elizabethscakeemporium.com or at http://thecakequeensadventures.blogspot.com/
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post #58 of 69
6/19/08 at 4:30am
I have changed my payment policy from 2 weeks to 4 weeks prior to the wedding date as of 1-1-08. No one has complained about having to pay a month ahead instead of 2 weeks prior to their date. I did this because as others have said, a bounced check will come back 10-14 days after you deposit it. Now YOU are trying to track down a bride 1 or 2 days prior to the wedding, on the wedding day or even worse, you get the check back from the bank a couple days after the wedding. I would rather deal with a problem like this with 2 weeks to play with instead of 2 days.

Bev
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post #59 of 69
6/19/08 at 5:10am
why do people (brides ect)have to be so piddly over a few hundred dollars?!?! okay, so i would totally have to budget for any wedding cake (i made my own and as my worst critic didn't like how it turned out) and expect that i would have to pay in full upon delivery-did she get to pay for part of her gown, wear it to the wedding and then go back and say this was the wrong dress it's nothing like the pic it totally ruined my day, my pics ect?!? no!! it's infuriating how people nitpic!! i'm glad to have read this post as i am usually very trusting of people and not very assertive. so i will make sure on future orders as well that larger orders require a deposite and payment in full at a set date before the event. we can all learn together here icon_smile.gif
wisdom is knowledge put into action
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wisdom is knowledge put into action
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post #60 of 69
6/26/08 at 6:36am
I had an experience myself, with the MOB trying to get me to lower my price, and I wouldn't. She ended up cancelling a month before the wedding, after I received 60% down from the grooms mother. Long story short, I do not trust anyone anymore, becasue she lied to me and said another woman who makes cakescould do it alot cheaper, there was no other woman. People will try to do anything to get a deal.
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