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Giving up cake decorating?

post #1 of 48
11/12/08 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
It was bound to happen I got my first negitive feed back on a cake I made. But the feed back came 3 days after the event! I am debating to hang up my bowls and maybe say cake decorating is not for me.

I got the information via eamil and I am not sure if this was just a bad customer or what could it be? I have yet to reply I would like to offer her a make-up cake but I wanted to get some feed back for the pros out here.

As I said out of 100 cakes this is the first that when "bad" ...HELP
It is better to try and fail, then fail to try.
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It is better to try and fail, then fail to try.
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post #2 of 48
11/12/08 at 8:17pm
dont be so hard on yourself. sometimes people complain just to complain. i had a women one time, told me there was no filling in the cake. i was at the party and she pulled me aside to tell me this and that she wasnt going to pay me. ha! i went to the cake, cut it and showed her am inch thick of canoli filling. she gave me a check and i never took an order from her again.
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post #3 of 48
11/12/08 at 8:25pm
What was the feedback?

I wouldn't quit because of one person out of 100. Everyone has their own opinions, their right to them, but it doesn't mean they are always right.
My Weight Loss Support Group is The Chunky Monkeys!
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My Weight Loss Support Group is The Chunky Monkeys!
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post #4 of 48
11/12/08 at 9:29pm
What was her complaint?
Loving Life!!!
Aunt Laura
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Loving Life!!!
Aunt Laura
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post #5 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
claims the cake was not what up to "her standards" that it looked like a 5 year old could have done a better job.
It is better to try and fail, then fail to try.
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It is better to try and fail, then fail to try.
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post #6 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:30pm
Wow, that was harsh. I have a 4 yo, who will be 5 in april. All she can do is squeeze icing out of the bag and into her mouth! Really, that was just rude of the customer. If she'd just said, "Not up to her standards," then, I'd say it was an honest complaint. However, saying a 5 yo could do better is just mean. It sounds like she would be hard to please. Your pic are great. I think you should reread your signature line.
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post #7 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:33pm
Dolcebaci please don't give up. Everyone is different. I have a feeling they are one of those customers that complain in hope that they get some sort of freebie or discount.
If you have made up to 100 and no complaints then there is your answer your work is fine. Not everyone is going to like it all the time and to give it up for 1%- NO WAY!!!!
I would email her back and ask her exactly what her standard was and what she was expecting and then take it from there before offering anything. Also this way you have future reference if there was something wrong.
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post #8 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:36pm
I took a look at your photos, and your cakes look great! Don't sweat it!
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post #9 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:38pm
{{hugs}} sorry you have to deal with this, but I think we've all been there...several times! I know I have!

We all have cakes that don't come out as well as we had envisioned, or measure up to what the customer is expecting. Nonetheless, I'm sure the customer certainly got a better cake than what could be found at the local Wal-Mart....so just go ahead and have your pity party-only 1 hour allowed icon_wink.gif then just chalk it up and move on.
With 30 years as a cake artist under my belt, I'm just here to share my knowledge and experience to anyone willing to listen!
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With 30 years as a cake artist under my belt, I'm just here to share my knowledge and experience to anyone willing to listen!
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post #10 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:41pm
Excuse me but no 5 year old could even in their wildest dreams have made any cake look even close to what you can do. Persoanlly I don't think she wants to pay and this is how she thinks she will get around it. Stand your ground you do wonderful work. She's the one needing glasses.

Have a great day

Breila

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Have a great day

Breila

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post #11 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:41pm
Unless your customer was Colette Peters, Ron Ben-Israel, the Queen of England (I could go on icon_biggrin.gif ) than this person has unrealistic standards. Your cakes are beautiful! If she picked it up and had no complaints, I'm perplexed. Usually people that are always out for a discount, make a complaint almost right away, like you would have heard from her as soon as the party was over. I would respond something to the effect of, "I appreciate you bringing your concerns to my attention and apologize that the cake was not what you expected, I pride myself on the quality of my cakes. If you had a concern, I wish you would have brought it to my attention at pickup so I could have rectified the situation. However, after the fact, there is nothing I can do to make amends...blah blah blah" IF and a big if, you would like this person to order from you again, I would suggest a discount on a future cake otherwise, forget about her and keep making cakes! You do great work!
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post #12 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:42pm
Don't give up!
I think in this case it has absolutely nothing to do with you and everything to do with her! I know it's tough when someone criticizes our babies but try to Remember the 99% of satisfied customers and chalk it up to a learning experience!
Live well, love long, play hard and laugh... well, long and hard.
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Live well, love long, play hard and laugh... well, long and hard.
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post #13 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:42pm
Just looked at your photos. People who do your caliber of work would never turn out anything bad enough to deserve such criticism. It's very important that you not let her turn you away from what you do so very well. Her problems are not yours. Keep up the beautiful work!
Blessings,
Donna

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16..18
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Blessings,
Donna

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16..18
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post #14 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dolcebaci

claims the cake was not what up to "her standards" that it looked like a 5 year old could have done a better job.



I'd tell the ungrateful sweatbeast that if she knows a 5 year old who can make sugar flowers and do stringwork like you do then she should hire the 5 year old next time. Your work is terrific and the woman's a loon icon_eek.gif - don't let her get to you!

JR
"Mmmmmmmmm donuts." - Homer Simpson
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"Mmmmmmmmm donuts." - Homer Simpson
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post #15 of 48
11/13/08 at 12:49pm
I looked at some of your photos and they certainly don't look like a 5 year old did them. Keep on cakin'!
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