Help regarding an unhappy bride, TWO months later...(long)

The cake is stunning. It's really, really beautiful. Even if a few flowers broke, I can't imagine the cake looking horrible in her photos.

I think all of the wedding bills are catching up with her now and she's looking to find some way not to have spent everything that she did.

Do you have a photo of the cake set up at her reception? It's possible that after you set up and left, people were poking and prodding at the cake (they do that sometimes) and broke a few more flowers, which you certainly wouldn't be responsible for. If you've got a photo of the cake at the wedding and you've got her good review, I wouldn't offer her any kind of refund.

Does she have her wedding photos online? So many people do now, maybe you could see the cake in her photos and see what she was talking about, how it actually looks, etc...

Holy Cow!!!! You have got to be kidding me!!!! I actually remeber that cake when it was posted. I commented that It was and still is the prettiest version of a cherry blossom cake that I have ever seen.

Im afraid I will defer to more experienced decorators for advice on how to handle this but I wanted to tell you not to get down on yourself in any way.... this is absolutly NOT YOUR CAKE!!!!!!

That cake is gorgeous! I did notice some broken blooms--because I was looking for them! I would not have known otherwise. And don't real flowers sometimes have their petals missing, little ragged edges instead of perfectly smooth? You were just trying to copy mother nature in true form, right? OK seriously, your cake did not ruin her pictures. I think if she gave you a glowing review earlier, you can consider her satisfied. I say at this late date, no refund. If she was truly unhappy with the cake, she should have said so right away.

oh HEEEEEEELLLLZ no! She was totally satisfied at the beginning...now has buyers remorse and her keywords were " She went on about how expensive her photos where". trying to get something for nothin!

if you're feeling nice tell her because she ate the cake she cannot give her a refund but you'll give her pictures of the photos you took...cuz it looks lovely!

The bride is just being so unfair, I never sold any cake and have no idea how to interact with such unreasonable customer, but I just want to say: "As of now your cake is a favorite of 240 people. This means your cake is stunning."

LOL....this might be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Just tell her that you feel sorry that she feels that way, but that there is no way you will be able to refund her any money and leave it at that.

I'd be tempted to tell her if she has a problem with her photos to take it up with her photographer!

Seriously tho, you could ask to see her pictures so you can ascertain if any damage was done after you delivered the cake but that would open you up to further discussion - I would try and shut her down now with a simple, "it was good enough on the day, you are not going to refund her money after all this time".

WOW your cake is absoulately gorgeous. Is that bride insane? Sounds to me like she spend more then she can now afford and you probably aren't the only vedor she is trying to get money back from. I would tell her sorry, but NO WAY! 2mnths later she's talking about refund, I could tell you what she could refund but I'm not gonna use those kind of words YOU should be proud of that cake! Tell her if it's the photos she doesn't like.....she can as the photographer for a refund. They ate the cake.....NO REFUND!!!! sorry didn't mean to yell.

as a gesture of good will, as she was initially very happy with the cake, and now so much time has passed, you are glad to offer them an 8 inch round, to be collected/ ordered by the end of X month, dependant of availability. due to the length of time that has passed, you are unable to offer a monetary refund. (did you have someone sign for the cake on delivery? if so, use that as your reason for no refund! if not, try and do that next time)

true, you dont want to actually work with her again, and hopefully the use by date will come and go - if not, its only the one, simple cake (specify value too). it is a guesture of good will, makes you look better to anyone else, but doesnt actually cost too much to do.

with her being so happy at the time, and it taking so long to get back to you, i dont think you can justify giving her money. although if she is only just getting the photos, which will be better quality than the family ones, maybe the wait is justified. thats why these conflicts are so annoying!

although how many flowers did break? without a picture of when you set up the cake (or was that picture once it was set up?), you cant prove whether it was you/ transport or some other occurence that did it.

and, superglue is a must for sugar flower emergencies!
xx

I agree with "buyers remorse". Your cake was stunning. If she has a problem with the way it photographed, then she needs to take that up with the photographer. If she's that insistant on perfect flowers, she should ask the photog to edit the photo. I would not offer her a refund, a cake or anything else for that matter.

No No No No No No No do NOT refund ANY money! She has no right to demand a refund for something like this. You are not responsible for what happens to a cake after it's delivered NOR how she think it photographs! I suppose if she looked fat in her pictures she'd demand her money back on her dress?
Please don't get suckered into something like this. I'm assuming you have a contract...and in that contract it should state the very fact that once the cake is delivered and set up, you are not responsible for what happens to it.
Anyway, I would reply to her something like this (in an e-mail....always helps to have a paper trail):
Dear Bridezilla (well you edit that),
After receiving a rave review from you on your wedding cake several months ago, needless to say I was very surprised and saddened to hear that you are now unhappy and requesting a refund. I'm sorry you don't think the cake photographed well, but that is really not my responsibility. The cake was designed to your specifications, delivered, set up --AND I assume eaten. Any damage that occurs after delivery is out of my hands. The money you paid me has long ago been spent on bills--including the cost of making your cake. I regret that you are unhappy and while I will not be issuing a refund, because I appreciate your business I hope that you allow me to make your 1st anniversary top tier at no charge.
Sincerely...yada yada yada.

By offering something like her top tier, at least you're being gracious. Which is more than she is! Above all, do NOT cave! I wouldn't go back to a restaurant after several months and tell them my steak was tough and I want my money back! Please! That cake is GORGEOUS! And any photographer worth his salt can work wonders post production if there are any flaws. You might tell Bridezilla that too.
Good luck!

Tell her it's your policy not to refund after 30 days. I mean really is it the beauticians fault if she smudged her lipstick and the photographer took an unflattering photo??