Hi all! I made a huge mistake today... made 190 buckeye candy favors for a wedding about 90 minutes from me. We were late getting to the venue (two accidents, 1 long construction delay, exit we needed was closed, downtown streets were blocked off for an event), but not too late to get the favors set out before the guests arrived. After we set the favors out, I realized we were about 30 favors short. I then realized that I left those favors at home in my freezer... duh! If there was time to get back home, get them, and get them back to the venue (3 hours round trip without traffic delays), I would have done it. I let the manager at the venue know what had happened with the shortage so that he could let the bride know if she asked. I sent her an email (which I know she won't see, probably, because of her honeymoon) apologizing profusely and offering a refund.
My question is this... should I refund her for the shortage doubled or the whole amount? I have no problem doing the whole amount as I really screwed up... just wanted to know the standard policy for this type of thing.

Thanks!

Next time this happens, swear that you delivered the entire amount and if there are any missing, the kitchen staff must have eaten them. LOL

When I worked at a country club, this actually happened to us when the baker didn't deliver enough decorated cookies.

I would offer a partial refund. If she's the kind of person who realizes that with enough complaining, she'll get a full refund, I guess that's what you'll have to do. Chances are no one at the wedding noticed anyway.

This must have been very frustrating for you.

Short 30 out of 190? Full refund? No, I'd refund about 20% of the total paid.
I don't encourage lying on top of having made a mistake I'm sure those 30 people might not even notice - there might even be 25 people who won't use/eat their favor & pass it on to someone who didn't get one, but you contracted to do all of them so some kind of a refund is in order.

thanks!
I talked to the team leader in charge of the reception the day after, and she said that she moved some of the favors so that every table had some, and that the bride never asked about them.
I emailed her anyway and have sent her a partial refund just for my own peace of mind, and it's the right thing to do anyway.
thanks again for your advice!

I was so glad to read your last post. Just because the bride did not notice is no reason to not take ownership of your mistake and make it right with the bride. I think you absolutely did the right thing both for you and the bride. Sorry you had such an ordeal.

Wow! I'm impressed. Most people wouldn't do that. Good business at it's best!

Your bride should be very emressed that you were honest about the mistake and this will translate into very good word of mouth referals for you. And honesty does pay in the long run.

It is true what they said halls do eat things. I have seen servers eat favors or take favors, and florist or other helpers take or eat things. And I am sure no one said anything unless the favor was cash.

We delivered 3 kitchen cakes for a wedding because the bride wanted a small delecaate cake and the mother of the bride called and said that they ran out of cake. When I told her about the kitchen cakes (she was aware previously) and the flavors in the kitchen she said they were never served. They did check with the kitchen and finaly someone fessed up that someone took the cakes.

I am glad that they did fess up, but I did have photos of the cakes in the kitchen with someone. When I deliver a cake I take pictures of everything..

thanks again everyone!

[quote="mombabytiger"]Next time this happens, swear that you delivered the entire amount and if there are any missing, the kitchen staff must have eaten them. LOL=quote]

Love this!