Sorry This Is So Long, But I Feel Like Crap!
Decorating By kookycutter Updated 2 Dec 2010 , 12:30am by cakesdelight
Hmmm... I must agree though. We have had some trolls here.
And it's too obvious when the "Joined Date" happens to be today's date. Boo
Cake Central should come up with something as in members can not re-regsiter a new account from the same IP address. (If they haven't done so already).
I don't know what Cake central programming does, but I did not just join today. I updated my profile a maybe 30 minutes ago. And even if I joined today, I can't be a valid person?
I won't go into my recent issue that was similar to this but I have a fondant covered cake that the customer asked me to hold because his party date was changed to the following week. (he could have let me know before I made the cake, but....). So, I put this fully decorated fondant cake in a box, triple wrapped in the freeze for a week. This was a first but I wasn't remaking this cake. I took it out the following week, kept it wrapped while it came up to room temperature and it was perfect - no water drops, no smudges. I was shocked that it worked so well.
I keep undecorated cupcakes in the freezer and they taste fresh even after a month. I don't know about decorated though. You could always try it.
What to salvage - no money, no cake. I've been bit trying to help someone out. I have a big baby shower cake for this weekend, but they haven't paid a cent. I told them last week that without payment ahead of time, no cake. It it is fun cake that I'm excited to do but I'm not doing it for free.
You know, if everyone did the right thing, we wouldn't need laws. If everyone paid for their cakes, we wouldn't need contracts or payment ahead of time.
Maybe it was a blessing in disguise for agreeing to sell copyrighted Disney character images and logo.
You bring up a good point. I hadn't thought of that.
I won't go into my recent issue that was similar to this but I have a fondant covered cake that the customer asked me to hold because his party date was changed to the following week. (he could have let me know before I made the cake, but....). So, I put this fully decorated fondant cake in a box, triple wrapped in the freeze for a week. This was a first but I wasn't remaking this cake. I took it out the following week, kept it wrapped while it came up to room temperature and it was perfect - no water drops, no smudges. I was shocked that it worked so well.
I keep undecorated cupcakes in the freezer and they taste fresh even after a month. I don't know about decorated though. You could always try it.
What to salvage - no money, no cake. I've been bit trying to help someone out. I have a big baby shower cake for this weekend, but they haven't paid a cent. I told them last week that without payment ahead of time, no cake. It it is fun cake that I'm excited to do but I'm not doing it for free.
You know, if everyone did the right thing, we wouldn't need laws. If everyone paid for their cakes, we wouldn't need contracts or payment ahead of time.
Thank you for that info!
Thanks to all who have given some interesting and helpful input!
The product left the OP's possession. That cake, if not used as a display or pics, needs to go into the trash. One can't say what, if anything, the customer may have done to the product after it left the OP's possession. I wouldn't even donate that one.
I say donate the cake to a children's hospital or such! A good deed coming out of a bad situation!! I know that the kids would absolutely love it!!
That's actually the great idea! Thanks!
I didn't trash it but we removed the entire top and sides.
And if she did anything to the cake/cupcakes, she had had to do it in her car downstairs... which I guess you never know, but unlikely.
If it left your possession, it shouldn't go anywhere but into the trash (after picture session and possibly displayed for a bit if you have a storefront/gallery/shop). The second one, that didn't get picked up, can be sold or donated though.
Seriously, boohoo lady coulda been so distraught that she tainted it with somethin'....her leftover meds...somethin'...even if nothin', the thought of it is enough to head for the trash with it. I wouldn't store it next to other stuff without it being completely secured either.
I will heed the advice of one poster in that no good feeling, no deal.
Maybe the stress of all these projects and the holidays got to me, because I am normally able to say no, and again, I don't ever work without a contract and deposit. I guess I have guilt issues because I really felt guilted into making this.
Yeah, just remember that if your psycho radar goes off when you talk to a customer, you probably should be "booked" already for their date 
If a customer left our bakery area with a cake, we wrote it down then tossed it. There was potential for liability...a person can poison/contaminate/compromise a product right in front of you...the liability only multiplies once they're out of sight.
I still say trash it.
Yes, you got me thinking. I just discussed it my DH and I'm chucking it and moving on. The cupcakes can go to friends who want to eat them since they were baked anew.
Thanks everyone! This was helpful and I think I will come here in the future for advice.
Hmmm... I must agree though. We have had some trolls here.
And it's too obvious when the "Joined Date" happens to be today's date. Boo
Cake Central should come up with something as in members can not re-regsiter a new account from the same IP address. (If they haven't done so already).
I don't know what Cake central programming does, but I did not just join today. I updated my profile a maybe 30 minutes ago. And even if I joined today, I can't be a valid person?
Oh boy. I was not referring directly to you.
And there have been trolls on here.
Cake Central should come up with something as in members can not re-regsiter a new account from the same IP address. (If they haven't done so already).
I'm not suggesting the poster here is a troll, and in fact I looked at her site and her cakes are beautiful. I'd be very proud to have one of her cakes.
Having said that first, an IP address is so easy to change. Change your computer, new IP address. Change your modem, new IP address. There are so many different ways your IP changes. It's a pain too because all my saved passwords have to be resaved when it happens, and when you don't remember them, UGH.
Sorry your holiday weekend was a little marred by this, but its great that you shared your story. So many lessons in this one for all!
I'll bet you've learned .....
- No contract .... no order on the books.
- No money in advance .... no turning the oven on.
- No contact from client ..... no chasing them down to see if they will "let you" make their cake at the last minute.
- No contact from client .... send an email stating "Since I haven't heard from you to confirm your order, I am assuming you have made other arrangements. let me know if I can be of help in the future."
- No "feel good" feeling about the order .... no taking the order.
Btw, just want to say So Helpful! I'm glad you broke it down. Thanks!
Thanks so much. It also reminds me to think of all the successful orders and the many grateful clients I have had and those who want to work with me even now instead of dwelling on this fiasco.
One of my cakes even collapsed with a client and she still ordered another cake from me!
Oh my. What a drama- my toes curled just reading it, and not in a good way.
We've all been there, against our better judgement. I can think of so many times I went above and beyond only to be burned. Truth is, you train your customers. If they are rude, inconsiderate and flaky, you need to look at yourself.
I think you've recognized that this is mostly your fault. For all the reasons already posted, and for not setting boundaries- "I know you would like to speak on the phone, but I need everything in writing, so email is the best way to make contact, plus I have several orders I am completing. If you are uncomfortable with this, I understand, and best wishes in your search."
"I understand you are upset that things are not up to your expectations, but with the rush order and no signed contract until the last minute, this is what I can produce for you. You may enjoy the cake, or drop the cake off and receive a refund, those are your options. Which would you prefer?"
If someone is being petty, you can acknowledge their needs while still setting appropriate boundaries.
Another thought (one I am currently instating)- no orders under a certain amount of money for cakes around the holidays!!! If you take orders for a day or two after a holiday, you will be working on that holiday! Not worth it.
All easier said than done, I'm afraid, and my heart goes out to you and your now worn-out, upset and drained self.
Another thought (one I am currently instating)- no orders under a certain amount of money for cakes around the holidays!!! If you take orders for a day or two after a holiday, you will be working on that holiday! Not worth it.
I know a caterer who put right on his website "No weddings under 200 guests during May - August."
This is your first post, you joined Saturday and no pictures or website or anything? Are you for real? Ok now I'm judging. We often have this type of post that can turn out to be untrue--just giving you an opportunity to fully identify yourself.
When I got on the cake boards, my friend Kelley made me get my stuff online to anchor me as a for real person. How's about it, Kooky? You state you have a website--where is it?
Please pardon my candor and forgive my skepticism, we've been down this path so many times--just wanting to give Kooky a fair chance.
Wow, what a way to make a person feel welcome and like they can vent. I know I would NEVER post my business site on here or anything else that can identify me, cause I may want to come here to vent about a customer, but would not want that to some how come back and haunt me. I thought this was a palce of support, but I guess you have to prove yourself to others first. How nice of you all.
Fasten your seatbelts--Kooky is buoyed by another anchorless poster.
So I'm fake too, cause I thought the attacks were kind of unneccssary and gave the OP some support. What a beeyotch of an attitude. 
And like someone else said venting on here has caused them problems in their local area. God forbid protecting our businesses is more important then trying to prove ourselves to K8 and the other doubters.
Part of me wonders, kookiecutter, if you aren't equally upset with yourself as you are the customer because you know you should have stopped the madness at so many different places along the way? Your heart was in the right place, and I have no doubt you did learn a lesson here.
Part of me wonders, kookiecutter, if you aren't equally upset with yourself as you are the customer because you know you should have stopped the madness at so many different places along the way? Your heart was in the right place, and I have no doubt you did learn a lesson here.
This is very true. I do blame myself. Occasionally, I go out of my way to be nice, but I have to always remember that I need to protect my interests first. I know there will be other missteps along the way. I do see this as a learning experience (including not working for a project that's 2 days after a holiday. Just turned down a project for the 26th of December.
This is your first post, you joined Saturday and no pictures or website or anything? Are you for real? Ok now I'm judging. We often have this type of post that can turn out to be untrue--just giving you an opportunity to fully identify yourself.
When I got on the cake boards, my friend Kelley made me get my stuff online to anchor me as a for real person. How's about it, Kooky? You state you have a website--where is it?
Please pardon my candor and forgive my skepticism, we've been down this path so many times--just wanting to give Kooky a fair chance.
Who are you, to speak to someone like that? There are many people without photos (myself included) for various reasons. One being rude *demands* for tutorials or just innappropriate comments in general. Why would you antangonize the OP? 
Perhaps to turn the focus to yourself? This reminds me of school yard bullying, shoving people into corners. 
oh gosh, I am looking at the cake and the cupcakes and they look really good. What a waste! The cupcakes also taste really good. oh well.
oh gosh, I am looking at the cake and the cupcakes and they look really good. What a waste! The cupcakes also taste really good. oh well.
Live and learn...we've all done it, it happens. Don't beat yourself up too much.
Wait...so when you left her house to go remake the order, did you take the money you had just returned to her back?
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