Wedding and Groom Cake Disaster... - Page 2

Ali, yes on that honeymoon thing--but the bride said she shorted flowers and honeymoon--what bs.

This is buyer's remorse.

I mean for sure there was an issue or two but this bride is out of control.

Ok $800 for designer cakes. We know one cake had two sculptures with only the color issue. So the other was 'horrendous' because the topper was put on wrong and it was set up wrong.

So define set up wrong.
What was the problem with the topper.

Remove her emotions from this and distill this down to what were the exact issues with the cake.

If you think the bride's cake was fine--don't refund on it. It's perfectly alright to change your mind. Everybody else does it all the time. She's already got the story out on the air waves--she's not keeping this quiet. So you can recoup some of your loss.

Don't worry -- they say there's no such thing as bad publicity. I mean all this is gonna smart for a while anyway. Might as well let it sting and still retain some dignity and some of that money you worked hard to earn.

You don't have to buckle to bridelette's hysteria. You can respectfully disagree.

Grab hold of this!

I guess I'm a little confused. Did you see the cake before it was delivered? Was it delivered assembled or was it assembled on site? If you thought it looked like the sketch then I don't understand the problem. How was the cake not assembled correctly according to the bride? And no frosting? Fondant is icing...its seems to me this girl doesn't have a clue and thinks she's a cake expert. Did she order fondant or buttercream? If she ordered fondant, then she got what was contracted. There are too many unanswered questions here. I know you're emotional right now, but try to get all the facts straight before making a decision.

I agree that you need to get a picture of the cake and obtain additional information from the venue, photographer, whoever. From reading your post, it doesn't seem like this bride is entitled to a full refund. And I agree with K8, you cannot let this woman run your business. You cannot sacrifice paying your employees or your bills just because this bride says that's how it will be. Personally, I think you should retract the $200/month offer, and give her a partial refund only if you find out it is absolutely necessary. If this bride is cheating you out of money, that too will be spread by word of mouth, and other brides will expect a refund by complaining. If the cake was served, she gets nothing. If she doesn't want to accept a partial refund, then she gets nothing. It's not up to her to dictate your policies.

We all have to go through this with a new business. Be strong, and it will all work out in the end. Good Luck!

Sometimes when we are told we didn't live up to someones expectations we take it personally and in that wounded condition we make quick decisions designed to make the problem go away. But, you need to step back and take a deep breath, and think about it. Take the time to ask all the questions that the pp's have suggested, ask for the pictures, talk to the venue to see if the cake was served, and then decide what is fair. Learn from the experience, but don't decide to punish yourself more than you rightfully deserve. I am sorry this happened to you.
Cathy

No.

I agree with what everyone else is saying...step back and collect evidence and offer her a fair solution. (I wouldn't even giver her half back...maybe 100 dollars at most) If she doesnt like it, and she threatens to sue, tell her see you in court. Once she finds out how much a lawyer cost, how most of these cases the bride looses, she will go away and go after someone else. I would also talk to the photographer and see if they have any cake cutting photos, it will give you a good idea on how the cake looked.

Looking forward, I agree, dont let anyone else deliver your cakes. And take full photos. With this digital age, there is no reason to not have good photos. I would also never hire anyone to do actually decorate a cake unless I knew them well and had worked with them many times. Have your help do things like bake and mix and torte and fill...the simple stuff. You should be doing al lthe decorating yourself. That is what the bride is paying for.

Good luck, I am sorry this has happened to you!!

Have you already agreed to pay $200 for 4 months? I believe you must stand on what you have agreed. If you don't, you are now having remorse after sorting through the facts. A hasty decision will bite. You must show this bride and anyone else that she has bad-mouthed you to, that you have high character. Even though she does NOT deserve a full refund, because you agreed to it in a low moment, you will honor your word. Now you have a wonderful story to tell, how you did more than what was needed. That story will also be spread (with a little help from you) to the organizers and wedding coordinators. You may get even more referrals from them. You have gained a valuable lesson the hard way but turn it to your advantage. Thank you for sharing with us.

I wanna say one more thing at this point.

The bride has embarrased you. You need to address that in your mind and heart, set it aside and rise above it.

Think money right now.

Go back later and resolve your own feelings.

This is business.

We as mothers would not give in to a kid throwing a tantrum. Same same.

I've seen other decorators cave in just to relieve the humiliation. Me? hell I've been embarassed by better than that. Screw her!

I mean you gotta determine the extent of the cake hemorrhage if indeed there was one but get well past the feelings first. Forget about your image in the community too right now.

I firmly and respectfully disagree.

It is ok to change your mind. The chickie was crying and emotional on the phone, you spoke rashly to calm her down. You were blindsided by her outburst.

You do NOT have to "keep your word" You can change your mind. Ever get your car fixed and it cost more than they thought it would? This is not like Abe Lincoln walking five miles uphill both ways in the snow to return the nickle or something.

Say, "I've given this more thought" Say, "I have the facts now" Say, "You're a dirty stinking liar with buyer's remorse thought you could get one over on me with your hysteria and no you cannot!"

I mean this in the most righteous way possible but screw being thought of with high character. Eight hundred of your dearest hard earned friends are about the be burned at the stake here--not to mention your dignity. Stand up for yourself!!!!! No one else will.

~~~Change your mind the sky will not fall~~~

I agree with the others she shouldn't get a refund she has no real issues to justify a refund. You stated she consulted with your friend but chose you, not to take anything from you but she chose you because she knows you just opened your shop and you don't want and/or can't afford bad publicity. I wouldn't fall for that. Your friend that has a shop did you ask her what she would do? I bet she wouldn't refund her anything. She targeted you for a reason, she was trying to get something for nothing and again because your shop is new she is playing on just that, it has nothing to do with your work. I know people that go to restaurants to eat and after they eat they complain about the food or service so they won't have to pay. Do your self a favor check to see if she served the cake and then call her on it. even if she served it and some didn't eat it, that doesn't matter we have all been to plenty of weddings and only tasted the cake, ( I have but when I got home I wished I had that piece of cake I wasted).

Congrats on opening your shop and good luck don't allow that type of person to bring you down.

Addie, I once said I was gonna kill my brother...I can assure you he deserved it!!!



(Rest easy they are unfortunately both alive and breathing )

I agree with Kate. "I'm sorry, I spoke before having all of the facts, since speaking with site, caterer, photographer... I have found that you are not due a full refund. Once again, I'm sorry the cake did not meet your full expectations, and I would like to offer you $100 for that. Final Answer"

I have gone back on email quotes too, not often, but sometimes when a bride says they want a "simple" cake, it turns out to not be so simple, and the price goes up. That's not my integrity, that was quoting without facts.

I really think this cake was served. If she were to know the thickness of the fondant compared to the cake, it was cut and plated for the guests. You would do better to make nice with the venue than the bride.

I have two points here. I agree with k8memphis (always a straight shooter..love that!); on the flip side if you have already agreed to pay her back, then you are stuck. A wedding cake is the easiest thing to try and complain and get a refund on when the bills start flowing in from the wedding. Lick your wounds, train your employees to YOUR standard or kick their butts to the curb. Take pictures when complete the cake and at the venue.
Remember you can use this as a learning experience and grow from it. You cant make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time. She may be the fist unhappy bride for you, and I am sure she will not be the last (that's even if you do your part perfectly). It will be ok!

A good name in the community and the business world can not be measured. A bad name is far reaching.

I'll take my eight hunnerd bux thank you just the same.

Well, she wanted Ace of Cakes quality so obviously she has watched the show and you can see there is not alot of frosting under their fondant. I think you had a contract with her, it was a mistake not being there for the setup to make sure it was done correctly, and they obviously cut the thing and served it because she stated they did, so I would only offer her a refund for everything but the ingredients etc if you feel the need to refund anything. I wouldnt send her any such signed agreement. Just send a check with Payment in full for ingredients written on it.