I have a wedding consultant that I have gotten two cake referrals from and received both cake jobs. I received an e-mail from her about another upcoming wedding and asking about setting up a meeting with a tasting for the bride and groom. I conduct tastings at my home, at the shop or if convenient even at their homes.

Their home in this case is an hour away ~ which is not convenient. I ended up agreeing to meeting at their home with some time restrictions. The tasting was scheduled for this Saturday with flavors being emailed to me late Wednesday evening. I picked up the ingredients and began baking on Thursday evening (I have a full time day job as well). I just received another e-mail indicating that the time won't work now that i've baked and purchased everything and asking if I can come on Sunday or the following weekend instead.

I really didnt want to drive the hour as it was and now it's even more inconvenient. How do I nicely and tactfully tell them that they now need to come to me after agreeing to drive down there on Saturday? I don't want to lose the job but i'm already out samples due to the change and I do not want to have drive to them.

Thanks for any suggestions. . .

why can't you freeze the samples? i almost always freeze mine, saves time and effort and people never know the difference.

If you haven't frosted the samples, I'd freeze them.

As for what to say to the bride- I'd tell them that you were only available to drive to their home on Saturday, and your current schedule does not permit you the time needed to drive out either Sunday or the following week. Would it be possible to have them come to your home?

What about meeting at a coffee shop or something mid-way? I did that once for a bride living over an hour away.

I haven't frosted or filled them yet. I will more than likely just freeze them - if my son hasn't attacked them yet when I get home!


Thanks on what to say to them - I like the way you worded it better than the way it kept coming up from my keyboard when I went to reply!

I would ask what is the next Saturday is best for them. Not available on Sundays.

I like the meeting them halfway idea, but I wouldn't be available on Sanday, either.

This is something that I would reply with...just a suggestion

Hello _______,

I understand things come up therefore a need to reschedule. Also I see you are requesting to reschedule our meeting for Sunday [DATE]; However, I do not _______ [hold tasting, conduct business, or whichever way you would like to phrase it] on Sundays. Also, there was a rare opening in my schedule that was allowing me to [come to you or us meet with you at your home] the original date we scheduled. My schedule for the next _____ months is tight & the meeting will have to take place at [address] on ___________ or ________. The times that I have available are _________ , ________ or _________. Please let me know which of the times mentioned above will work for you.


[YOUR NAME]



so finished message would read

Hello Customer,

I understand things come up therefore a need to reschedule. Also I see you are requesting to reschedule our meeting for Sunday March 27th; However, I do not conduct business on Sundays. Also, there was a rare opening in my schedule that was allowing us to meet with you at your home on the original date we scheduled. However, my schedule for the next 6 months is tight & the meeting will have to take place at 123 Main on Saturday March 26th or Saturday April 2nd. The times that I have available are 11am , 2pm or 3pm. Please let me know which of the times mentioned above will work for you.

Thank you in Advance,
~Baker~

That way you still have control of your schedule and you are giving them options.

HTH

I agree that they missed their chance to have the tasting at their home....choose a spot closer to your home for the rescheduled one.

Dear Planner~

That is unfortunate that they can no longer meet. I understand that these things happen, but because of travel time to their location, I am unable to reschedule. I would love to be as helpful as possible, so if the couple is able to make it out here sometime in the next 2 weeks, I can try and squeeze them in given enough notice. Please let me know what works for them.

Thanks,
polite baker who will not drop everything because a planner says jump....