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Do I offer a refund? I hated the cake! - Page 2

post #16 of 53
4/10/10 at 7:46pm
#1 best advice ever given on this website is "THAT WE ARE WAY TO HARD ON OURSELVES". Like my husband is always telling me, are you making a cake, or are you on one of those cake challenges, lol. The customers never see all the flaws that we see in our cakes.
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and future."
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"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and future."
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post #17 of 53
4/10/10 at 8:11pm
I do this too sometimes. I deliver the order and every insecurity I have about it feels like it's just flashing across my forehead in neon lights. And, before the client gets to read my forehead, I feel like I just gotta point something out that I had trouble with or make an excuse about some aspect of the product. From my end, it's me being nit-picky and a perfectionist. From their end it may look like I am not capable and therefore lose confidence in my business.

I've learned to keep quiet. It's almost like we have a body image problem. You know those girls who look in the mirror and see fat. When really, they are just a skinny rod? It's sorta like that.

Anyway, I think the cake is lovely. I like the bright colors & it's clean. The only difference between that cake and yours is "more". You just needed more. BUTTTTT, she said she didn't want more because of the wording. And, your writing is great. I wouldn't fret.

If you feel real horrible about it, make her a little cake or cookie as a "thanks for being a client". No excuse attached. Just a nice gesture.

icon_smile.gif
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post #18 of 53
4/10/10 at 8:23pm
my two cents worth:
It is amazing. You did an awesome job! I would be terrified to do a piped cake like this- FONDANT is MY best friend. You did great. I think most people, even people that DON'T do cake, realize the talent in piping.

Great job! You should be PROUD
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post #19 of 53
4/10/10 at 10:24pm
I do cakes I hate all the time. I have good taste, and occasionally my customers don't. Why should I offer a discount because they chose a design I hate?
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post #20 of 53
4/11/10 at 7:23am
Okay I didn't even look at the cake and this my 2 cents:

If she doesn't ask for a refund you don't offer one. We are our own worst critics and as professionals see the flaws others miss or aren't even there.

There have many cakes where I have not been happy with how they turned out. But the client says they like it and that needs to be enough. You can drive yourself crazy thinking "Well, maybe they were just saying that to be nice." Let it go and move on to the next cake. icon_smile.gif
Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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post #21 of 53
4/11/10 at 7:53am
The cake looks great. She wanted the designs scaled back so the words popped more...she got what she asked for. Your borders are neat and straight. Let it go...I know that is hard - there are some cakes I have done that I thought looked like poopydoody and the clients were thrilled. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...lol just ask any mother!
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Sugar Artist in Progress
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post #22 of 53
4/11/10 at 7:53am
Your writing/piping is good. Looking at the original you do lose the word "of" with all the extra swirly parts around it. Nice clean buttercream work. The part that threw me was the color difference, but that must have been what she ordered - purple ( a whole lotta purple) instead of all the pink on the original - would you have been more satisfied if the color was more like original? If that's what she ordered, she was probably genuinely happy, no refund.
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post #23 of 53
4/11/10 at 7:56am
I think your cake looks great!! thumbs_up.gif Your handwriting is great too! I wouldn't issue a refund, especially since she did say she liked it! IMHO it looks better than the original, because like your client said, the words get lost in the design.
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post #24 of 53
4/11/10 at 8:11am
I make cakes I hate all the time, but then once I take a photo of it it looks fantastic, strange but true. I think the customer sees the cake from that view of the camera, it looks great to them cause they couldn't have done it. Don't be so critical of your work, the cake lookes beautiful- I know the camera did help, been there, but still the client loved it and w/ good reason. thumbs_up.gif
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post #25 of 53
4/11/10 at 8:22am
I think your cake looks great, better I think than the one she chose (maybe it is just me, but it is not my taste). icon_lol.gif
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post #26 of 53
4/11/10 at 12:22pm
I also think your version of the cake looked better than the one that she originally chose.

You are worrying too much! No refunds - unless they complain!
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post #27 of 53
4/11/10 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all for being so supportive! I will say that I tell myself the same things everyone has said all the time (as well as with this cake) - but I just didn't like it so I kept questioning myself! I do think that part of what I didn't like was having the entire cake iced in purple (and purple is my FAVORITE color!). She did say that she liked it, but her reaction wasn't nearly as "giddy" as the reaction of the first cake I did for her. I keep on checking my email, but nothing - I guess I am just being way too hard on myself.

I really do appreciate all of your kinds words. It means a lot to have a support network of people who know exactly what I am going through. {{{Hugs}}} to everyone for all of your support!
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post #28 of 53
4/11/10 at 3:55pm
I love the writing and the pattern matches beautifully.
I doubt you have a thing to worry about. icon_smile.gif

Sorry to take over here, but:
If someone hates the cake made...how soon will they tell us?
Is this the sort of thing that festers while they spread rumors, or do they call the next day demanding a refund or what? I realize "no news is good news" most of the time, but I made a kick A$$ cake over the weekend, only charged $140 for it and the man who picked it up barely flinched when he saw it. Seriously, when would they say something?
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post #29 of 53
4/11/10 at 4:03pm
Thread Starter 
kellertur - I know, right?! I guess if they don't call the only way we know they are really pleased is if they come back and order again??! icon_wink.gif

Does anyone send a follow-up email to customers to say "thank you"? I thought about doing that with a discount "coupon" for another order as a thank you for their business.
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post #30 of 53
4/11/10 at 4:15pm
ok having now seen the cake

1) speaking as a GUY -- eeewwwww! ick! -- PINK! and GREEEN!!!!!!! --- it's a GUY thing. (and even paisley....oh my I left the 70s behind a LOOOOOONNNNGGGG time ago!) (there - ya happy????? someone - albeit a guy -- said something was ugly. I know, I know - who cares what a guy thinks! icon_razz.gificon_wink.gif )

2) speaking as a fellow cake decorator -- shudupayoumouth! --- Girl, you rocked that cake. (Oh and the green eyed monster has reared it's head -- I'm so jealous of your excellent piping) thumbs_up.gificon_biggrin.gif
Keep on cakin'!
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Keep on cakin'!
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