Hi everyone,
Just wondered how many no shows you average when someone makes an appointment to do a cake tasting?
I have been doing tastings about 4 years and until this year they always show or call to reschedule; this year however I have had 3 no shows who did not even make a courtesy call.
I had one for this evening I called her to confirm the appointment 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time and she said she just got home from work and wouldn't be able to make it ( she lives 45 minutes away), when I asked if she would like to reschedule she said "no that's OK" WHAT!? My tastings are no cost no obligation however they are not no manners, I make up a tray of product for them to taste and stand around waiting for them to show I think it is common decency to call.
Thanks for letting me vent

I used to have more no shows, but I've started emailing confirmations with a list of things to bring, and a request that they email back to confirm. That has cut down on it a lot, but you'll always get some rude people regardless of what you do.

This is one of the reasons I charge for my tastings. My time is too valuable to book people who aren't 100% serious about it. If they book with me, the cost of the tasting gets deducted from the price of the cake. If they don't book, then I have been paid for my time.

I dont' really have a problem with no-shows and I'm confident it has to do with how I set them up to start with. It's professional all the way (as I'm sure everyone on here is, also), but in my confirmation email that gets sent as soon as I hang up the phone with them, I include a list of things to expect and do, such as limited to 4 people, avoid bringing children, pre-printed directions to the shop, if they get delayed or need to reschedule, please call me (and I go on to explain that 15 minutes past the appt, with no phone call, and I consider it a no-show and go home).

The message is clear that I am serious about this appt and I expect them to be serious about it, too.

I can't remember the last no-show.