Wedding and Groom Cake Disaster... - Page 4

In order for the bride to get her full refund, the whole cake should have been returned to you, either the day of or the day after the wedding. Since it was consumed and nothing returned, they would not be entitled to a refund and although no contracts were drawn, the use and consumption of the cake is like you are in agreement to what the cake looked like or tasted like. This is just my opinion.

This is why you have a contract. Stick to your contract. It sounds like she is just trying to get a free cake. You are running a business here. If word gets out that all you have to do is yell about the cake after the fact and then the customer will get their money back, you'll be out of business in a month. Call the catering hall. Find out if they served it, and if there were any complaints to the maitre 'd. Get pictures of the cake from her to see what she was talking about. And learn a lesson that next time you need to have better control over your employees. Unless she can prove the cake looked like crap, she does not deserve a refund.

I think above all you are running a business. Even if emotionally you think you should give the money back, you should still thoroughly investigate what happened with the cake. Document any refund with statements and pictures and keep a record for yourself against future complaints. I think all the advice mentioned to guard against this in the future is helpful. You are a true businesswoman now- stand up for your work!

I think regardless of what you do this bride is going to bad mouth you anyway. I forsee gloating over the hissy fit she threw and the refund she got. This story will be told over and over. The best you can do is take a deep breath and get on with your business.

I agree with the others who suggested that now that the emotional outburst is over, calmly gather your facts from the venue sources, document them, and determine if they cut and ate the cake. Contact the photographer and get copies of the pics.

At the very least, cover your costs and give only a partial refund if you feel you must.

I'm so sorry this happened to you!!! My heart goes out to you.

Wow! I feel for you. I know that when your cake is rejected it's like you are being rejected and that's hard to deal with. That said, I agree with addietx-I think a person is only as good as their word. I know that most would consider me a dinosaur for having that perspective, but I don't care.

I also agree with aligotmatt. I think she gives you a gracious way of working through this without sacrificing your integrity.
You have been given a lot of great business advice. I've gotten a couple of great ideas here as well. Here's a few more.

1. Don't ever, ever, ever agree to anything or make decisions about money when you are experiencing strong feelings of any kind...ie fear, joy, grief, REJECTION, anger etc...No matter how someone goads you, stand your ground on this one. Wait till you calm down--completely, and can sort out the facts from the hysteria.

2. About delivery: If the reception is at the church and you or your delivery person can find the MOB, have her sign for the cake. I usually find the MOB in the reception hall before the wedding checking on things (even though she has a caterer). I have even gone looking for her on occasion.

I say, "excuse me m'am but would you mind checking the cake over and signing for it? I would have the catering staff do it, but they usually just sign without even looking at it and I would prefer someone in the family look at it and sign for it"

I know this sounds wordy, but it gets me over. She will either do it or assign someone in the family to do it. Usually it's the MOB and FOB that are paying for the cake anyway, so if they approve--you're good.

This also puts part of the responsibility for the cake's condition on the bride's family which makes the bride a little less likely to squawk.

3. There are many spoiled, prissy young brides who want to play "princess" and think that part of that role is to complain about everything. Sometimes this is obvious in the first stages and that's when you just say:
" I would love to do your cake but I don't know that I can produce what you want. I would feel more comfortable if you checked out a few more designers before settling on me."
Chances are good she won't come back and you'll be better off.

I know that you are concerned with your rep. Just know that for every bad word this girl spreads, there are probably multitudes of good words being spread about you. If this girl is "high drama", people will consider the source when she badmouths you. I live in a small town and I know that badmouthing falls flat when the person being badmouthed is known and respected/loved by others in town.

Anyway, this too shall pass and in a couple of months you will have had enough successes under your belt to enable you to put this in proper perspective.

Good L.U.C.K.
Laboring Under Correct Knowledge

So you too think I should kill my brother. Hmm...

I 100% agree with Karema.

I'd love to see the picture and original sketch.

Yes, K8
I think that if you are a hired killer and you said you would kill him and someone paid you to kill him, then you should kill him. You have my blessing. Be sure to take pictures in case you are asked for a refund. LOL

Me too. I'd like to hear from the op.

I mean really though. Think about it. The decorator was enveloped in this bride's drama where the bride stompled her work n gut punched her. Both of these chicklettes were riding high on emotion. Neither should have been on the phone. And there is nothing in the world wrong with changing your mind. It does not mean that all of a sudden you are a worthless person and your word/life is now unrespectble and not 'your bond' etc.

God changed his mind about creating man--He wished he hadn't a done it. I ain't no better that that. Genesis 6

Karema was right.

What if she has someone else kill him, even though she was paid to kill him and he didnt kill him, but instead just put him in a comma. Would he be intitled to a refund?

Sorry to drift offsubject!!!

back to the OP....we would all love to see photos!!

I have to get my son to hockey practice so I could not finish reading so if someone stated this then I am sorry.

Can I suggest that you put the onus on her first? If she is unhappy then make her prove it.
Make her prove it to you with the photos that she should have. She had a full time photographer there correct?
Make her show you that she did not serve the cake.
Make her get testimonials from the caterer to prove she had a fit when she saw it etc...Not the guests since she can get anyone she wants to give a fake report about how bad things were

She wants money back she has to do a little more work then turn on the tears to make you feel bad.


good luck

LOL. LOL, LOL

i too would like to see the two cakes