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Need advice on how to handle a hateful bride... - Page 4

post #46 of 62
2/2/09 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkelly27

Thanks, summernoelle I appreciate that. It was 2 yrs ago this past Saturday that my Dad died and I still miss him so much.



I'm really sorry-I've always heard that anniversaries are tough. I haven't lost a parent, but my mom has a hard time every year with the anniversary of her dad's death, so we try to do something to keep her mind off it.

MasieBake-that seriously makes no sense. Even if it was a store front, she would have closed down for the day to take care of her son!

To the OP-Let us know how it goes this afternoon! And also, I am very glad he is feeling better.
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post #47 of 62
2/2/09 at 9:04pm
Businesses with more than one person cross-train. If Susie is out today for some personal emergency, Betsy can cover for her. One-man-bands, not so much.

It's cold, but then again it's business.
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post #48 of 62
2/2/09 at 9:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

Businesses with more than one person cross-train. If Susie is out today for some personal emergency, Betsy can cover for her. One-man-bands, not so much.

It's cold, but then again it's business.



Well, perhaps with some businesses that is true, but ask a teacher what happens in a class when you get a substitute. If the head of a corporation has to call in sick, ask what happens. When my DH is sicker than a dog he HAS to go in for at least 1 hour in the morning to get the day going, otherwise 150 employees are at a loss. And I'm actually serious. I was a day-care worker and my GF worked with me, and we were the only ones who were licensed to drive the kids to school. So I went into labour 4 days early and they actually asked my GF (who was my labour partner) if she would leave me and drive the kids to school. So although someone SHOULD be cross-trained, it doesn't necessarily mean that it acutally happens.

So perhaps you might want to not be so incredibly snide and self-righteous the next time, and consider that what SHOULD happen in real life "real businesses" doesn't necessarily happen at all. And I don't apologize for my lack of professionalism, since I am just an at-home, insignificant little mom and pop job.
Eat Smart... Eat Cake!!!
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Eat Smart... Eat Cake!!!
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post #49 of 62
2/2/09 at 10:41pm
health should always come before business....i got a "real" business with a storefront....

a few years ago i had surgery on my back....yeah, 3 weeks later i tried to suck it up and make a wedding cake (with 150 staples in me)

i almost fainted....it was a good thing i didn't...that would have really messed me up....and for what????? because the customer JUST HAD to have me do it????

NEVER AGAIN

my kids are grown ups....but if i had to choose between business and my kids, it would not be a hard choice.

things come up...if you are home based, or a "real" business....it's just a cake, not a matter of life and death.
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post #50 of 62
2/3/09 at 3:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

Businesses with more than one person cross-train. If Susie is out today for some personal emergency, Betsy can cover for her. One-man-bands, not so much.

It's cold, but then again it's business.



I resent your reasoning that "One-man-bands" aren't equal to a real business...

A small business is just as legitimate as those with several employees....you really are being completely ignorant here...I'm sorry - that's just how I see it and something tells me I'm not the only one!
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post #51 of 62
2/3/09 at 5:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

Businesses with more than one person cross-train. If Susie is out today for some personal emergency, Betsy can cover for her. One-man-bands, not so much.

It's cold, but then again it's business.



Actually they TRY to cover. In my REAL job, I've had to call and cancel an integration more than once at 10pm - 12am because one of my technicians had a family emergency or had been in an accident themselves. I TRY to get someone to cover for them but I'm not always successful. And this is for a telecommunications provider which is way more important than cake.
Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye and deny it.

I'll always love and miss you!
Taylor Lynn Wooten 4/11/08
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Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye and deny it.

I'll always love and miss you!
Taylor Lynn Wooten 4/11/08
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post #52 of 62
2/3/09 at 5:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

This sounds to me like a poor fit between decorator and client.

IMO? When home-based businesses portray themselves as businesses and charge as businesses they need to behave as businesses as well.



This is the kicker. "When home-based businesses PORTRAY"..........Many, many of us here have Legal, Licensed, tax paying home businesses, so for you to suggest that what we've all been doing for so many years is "pretending" to run a business is just ludicrous. We do get paid in real money not Monopoly money like you may think.

I agree with the others about your ignorance here. Maybe you feel threatened by the "home based business" in your area and that's the reason for your obvious contempt.

I also think it's funny how you changed your tune in your second post by bringing up the "someone" to cover for you thing. Nice try, but none of us are buying.
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post #53 of 62
2/3/09 at 5:58am
When I talk to my brides or other clients, talking up my pros, they generally ask me for a con.

I tell them right up front: I am a one woman operation. If I drop dead or my husband/child does, then you won't have a cake. I'll do my best to find a kind soul to help me and you out, but there is no guarantee. It's in my contract that the limit of my liability in these instances is a full refund of monies paid.

They tend to book with me anyway. I believe most people understand that businesses are run by people who, at some point, have had to call off work. Few people have gone through life without illness or tragedy.
Fall down 7 times....get up 8
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Fall down 7 times....get up 8
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post #54 of 62
2/3/09 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

Businesses with more than one person cross-train. If Susie is out today for some personal emergency, Betsy can cover for her. One-man-bands, not so much.

It's cold, but then again it's business.



icon_confused.gif Right and I have seen plenty of "store front" business who close down if something happens to the owner/supervisor so once again your argument fails to make any sense to me. Stop the hating & ignorance and use some common sense & compassion in this issue. Sheesh. icon_mad.gif
If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail!!
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If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail!!
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post #55 of 62
2/3/09 at 6:17am
My brother and I use to work for the same chain drug store, just different locations. We both ran the liquor departments. When people came in obnoxious and drunk we would tell them
"It is a priviledge to buy from us, and we are not extending that priviledge to you." Maybe you could tell her that.
No, our bosses never knew we said it, but who cares.
Mary
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post #56 of 62
2/3/09 at 6:26am
After reading to the 2nd page I had to stop and start writing.......I know some ppl come off as being rude when they arent, but there is one thing that you never tell/ask a person which is "Your son/daughter is more importnant than me/or what ever". My answer will always be "You damn right my kid is more important"!

I agree with previous posters that you should think real hard about doing her wedding cake. If it turns out you do it and it's not to her liking she will probably say it was because your son got sick and you put him before her stupid 'ole cake!

With that being said...I would have to decline her order. I like to please my customers and do extra for their cakes to make sure it's perfect and they love it. But this is just crazy! If she is willing to make stupid comments now she will be making them for the next 8 months and on top of that she will probably call you every week at least 3x's a week and ask "How's my cake coming along"?! And she will be serious when she asks you!
I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
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I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
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post #57 of 62
2/3/09 at 7:32am
I hope your little boy is doing OK, pnnllj!

icon_mad.gif The whole business-before-anything-else-in-the-world mindset is one that really burns me.

DH lost his job a few years ago. (Turns out the big boss hired one of his golf buddies to fill it a week later.) But one of the reasons given to him? He DARED to take a week of vacation time (planned months in advance) when (one) his first child was born and (two) when his 5-month-old son was having open heart surgery! It "didn't show a commitment to the company."

icon_mad.gificon_evil.gificon_mad.gificon_evil.gificon_mad.gificon_evil.gif

The thing is, in this situation ... it wasn't even the cake itself that was delayed! (She might have had a slight leg to stand on if that had happened.) It was a consultation! Which the client had already delayed once!

Oy.
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." -- Helen Keller
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"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." -- Helen Keller
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post #58 of 62
2/3/09 at 8:26am
I am like a lot of you, home based yes, but Fully Licensed, Pay Taxes, Board of Health inspected, Servsafe Certified, yes everything that makes me "a REAL business"! The big difference I see with customers in general is that if you are a store front busines, there are set business hours that most people recognize, BUT if you are home based, they have the attitude that you're home anyway, they just do not respect your business hours. I have set times for cake pick ups, especially on the weekends, On Sunday, pick-ups are from 8:00-12:00, I even call each one to remind them of my hours. They still wander in up to an hour late. We do wedding consultations by appointment only, but so many just show up, again because they figure I'm home anyway. So the idea that a storefront location is the only way to have a "real" business and home businesses should try to act more professional, we have to deal with people just showing up because they think it's ok. Most people will give you the respect you deserve, but some just look at you like you are doing a hobby.
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post #59 of 62
2/3/09 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
First of all, my son is doing much better today and thank you all for your concern.
The consultation went better than I expected. First thing she did was apologize for her comment and ask after his health. I told her a little history, that he was born with a heart defect, had open heart surgery at 5 1/2 months old so that any and every little issue with his health is priority. I also told her that I would never and have never missed a cake deadline, that I have people who would step in and help out, but that when it comes to a consulation I feel that I have to do that myself so that we have a complete understanding. She left with a smile on her face and I got paid in cash, so I am hoping this is the end of the problems (cross my fingers).
As for being professional or not, I may work from home, but I do work. Just because I don't lease a building down town doesn't mean I am not serious about what I do. I also am fully licensed and pay my taxes too. Looking back at my original post MaisieBake, you will see that I did not comment to her as my gut wanted me to, but did try to remain calm and accomodating. I don't see how postponing a consult by a few hours to take my child to the doctor can be considered unprofessional. I feel I did suck it up by not telling to stick her cake where the sun don't shine.
I am going to be adding to my contract a clause about emergencies for BOTH parties. Thank you for that wonderful idea.
I would also like to thank everyone again for all the advice and well wishes, you guys are great!
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post #60 of 62
2/3/09 at 11:28am
I'm so glad your client realized what an uncaring brat she was and apologized..........there is hope!

I think you handled yourself perfectly and a lot better than a lot of us here admitted we would have. You kept your cool and acted in a professional manner.


So happy your son is feeling better......and never let a client or another baker let you feel guilty for putting your family's needs first. Clients will be long gone, but we'll always have our family. As you can tell, I agree with you 100% and so do 99% of the others. icon_wink.gif
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