Customer tossed my cake??! - Page 5  

Has there been a response from the customer yet??

2 points I'd like to comment on...

The customer(and this is my opinion here) did make the first move to attack when she sent the email 'informing' the OP of the hair. She was (again, my opinion here) implying that the hair came from the OP's side of the 'counter'.


The hair, even if the OP didn't have brown hair could've been a random hair from someone other than the OP...someone who may have ridden in the OP's vehicle...visited the OP's house/shop/whatever....a person driving down the highway with their window open , letting their hair blow in the breeze and one gets loose...(floating on the wind like the feather on Forrest Gump....waiting to land at the perfect place and time....). No one can say for sure where the hair came from. ..a hair can even make its' way into a closed box...stray hair lands on lid...works its' way to one side or the other...then, when the lid is opened, the hair that slid down that side falls nice and neat onto the cake...seriously, it could happen!

After giving it some thought, I think I would've emailed back asking when a convenient time would be to deliver the change from her order. Take a small cake along with the change. I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy it...
I wouldn't have offered her anything other than her change due. She didn't ask for anything. I wouldn't give the future opportunity to repeat with a discount.

If she was grossed out enough to toss an entire cake she paid $100+ for with out serving a single slice, she like most customers I have had would be asking for compensation be it a refund, partial refund, or future discount on next order.

I just have to chime in regarding some of the responses. We can all put in our two cents regarding how we would have responded, or even how we think the OP should have responded, but we really should keep our postings civil and polite. In particular, Janette, your reply was very juvenile, and un-called for. You can certainly state your opinion, but doing so ina manner thet belittles others is more than unprofessional, it is just plain rude. Let's try to maintain the happy, family atmosphere that makes this site so special!

I cant believe I'm posting a comment but...if I was the op I wouldnt update because she came here asking a group of her peers what she should do, after getting several similar responses she decides ok I'll do what others in my situation said to do...then AFTER she sends it all of the sudden there's a tidal wave of OMG you shouldnt have sent that. Berating her for her wording. Well she asked for "our" advice, "we" gave it, she follows it and "we" attack her. IMO telling her you shouldnt have after she already did it serves no purpose other than to make her feel bad. I hope it all works out.

I agree!!!
I

I do think it serves a purpose to tell her that one disagrees with her email to the customer, although I agree that it is a shame that it is after the fact, when chiming in before the fact would have served a greater purpose. You know, it is impossible to time responses on CC so that people suggesting one avenue can only get their post up in the same window as people who would have recommended a different avenue. Had I logged on earlier I would have been one of the ones screaming NO DON'T SEND THAT and might have tried to help reshape the wording to something more professional, out of the interest of helping a fellow caker. But I was too late, as were several others. Not that my input would have necessarily been chosen, but it would have hopefully been valuable as another option to consider.

I doubt most of us dissenters harbor any ill will or personal "criticism" against the OP for her email to the customer, but objectively speaking, the email was unprofessional. By voicing our opinion on the matter--even after the fact--we hope that we can help steer her from saying something like that again, and also it serves as a warning that she might anticipate a more hostile communication from the customer as a result.

Also, objecting to the wording can serve as a reminder to all of our fellow CCers that no matter how direct you might want to be and no matter how "right" you may KNOW you are, and no matter how many of your peers at CC may agree with you, diplomacy, tact and detachment will generally get you farther and demonstrate your professionalism far more than the approach used. Of course won't this all be a hoot if the email DID "work" and put the customer in her place?! I will admit that some customers themselves are impervious to professionally worded correspondence--I've surely read about enough of those around here. So who knows, maybe the attitude of the OP was just what the doctor ordered and perhaps worked after all. It still doesn't make it "professional" though.

You know sometimes we can whup each other on the side of the head when one of us does something dumb like undercharging for a cake or otherwise allowing a customer to walk all over them. It's not always meant to be nasty (I know it sometimes is, I've been here long enough to see THAT too ) but rather to be honest and direct. Again, some here even deliver honesty and directness with unnecessary cruelness, but I definitely don't think that ANYONE who simply said "That email was completely unprofessional" was being berating or mean.

But that is just MY 2¢!

Everyone has THEIR OPINION of what "professional" is. Some say it is "very unprofessional for any legit biz", well that is their own opinion as is the ones that said "send it".

Everyone will handle things differently with their business as with their life but there is no reason EVER to say hurtful things or be rude.

Just state your opinion in a civil and polite way and then move on. NO BASHING REQUIRED

I think all this is uncalled for, let's be more mature with one another.
OP, any response yet???

I think we'd all like to know what the customer thought of that email but I wouldn't be surprised if the author of this post didn't update us. She's probably still licking her wounds! It's not easy putting it all out there but she did ask for input and here it was. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Anyways, I think a short look-over at the cake upon delivery and a signed form that states cake was delivered as promised and in good condition might prevent the buyers trying to get refunds for no reason??? Anyone doing this? I am sure going do it when I'm open for business.

I don't get a signed form, there's usually nobody at the reception site who's willing to sign for something they had nothing to do with ordering. I take pictures of the cake after it's been set up, and in my contract I have noted that the pictures will show proof of delivery in good condition.

[quote="costumeczar"]


I agreee, the proof is in the pictures!

Oh yes, pictures are essential! Especially those expensive wedding cakes.

I was thinking the form might be good for birthday cakes or home party-type cakes or when customers come to pick up a cake. Just like getting a signature when you pick up or get an item that you've ordered in the mail. Do you think it would work as a small measure of protection for us?

This is great idea. You have sign when everything else is delivered saying it was received and in good condition. But in this instance that would not work. The customer is saying there was a problem within the cake, which you would not notice till it was cut.

There will always be those telling the truth (rare lately) and those trying to get something for nothing. With all the liars out there it can be so hard to tell who is telling the truth anymore.