I just got an email back from a friend who we did a wedding cake tasting with a few weeks ago. She said they decided to keep shopping because her fiance didn't like the samples we gave them. She said "he said something about the texture." The email was very curt and short, no pleasantries whatsoever.
I really did not need this right now. Things have been really discouraging lately, so this feels like the last straw. And I am baffled because this is the first time someone has not RAVED about our cakes. For it to come from a friend just makes it worse. I wish she had a least been more specific about what they didn't like about it, instead of just saying it was "something about the texture". Oook, so too dry? Too light? Weird mouth feel? What?
I wouldn't expect a stranger to give me more details than that, but as a friend it would be nice if you could give us more so we could know if it's something we could improve on.
We did send an email back asking if she could expound on what it was about the texture (it was a nice and calmly worded email, we didn't get defensive or anything) I hope she responds, because I am genuinely curious.
Anyway, sorry for the vent. Just feeling really discouraged right now.
I'm sorry that you're friend responded as such. I agree that you would've thought that she would have explained in more detail about the texture (unless there's another reason and that was just the reason she choose to give).
I know it's easier said than done (and hard for me to fully understand totally as I'm not a business (though I know the feeling well of being discouraged)), but please try not to get discouraged. Everything I've seen in your gallery looks absolutely amazing.
I'm glad that you responded to your friend requesting more details. It's nice to have feedback whether positive or negative as it allows you to make changes if necessary. I really hope she is able to provide constructive feedback for you, and regardless of her feedback, please don't let it discourage you.
From a friend, I'd EXPECT them to ask for more. Like, "he thought it was a bit dry. is there anything you can do so that it isn't so dry?" or, "do you have something else that isn't so dry?" or "are you gonna through in some milk so we can choke down this dryass cake???"
not, we are going to keep shopping 'cause he said there was something about the texture. nah uh...it'd be returned with, welll....with what type of cake is he most familiar? I'd be able to recommend a particular cake type if I knew what it was you were wanting as far as texture is concerned.
some like pound, some like sponge, some like scratch, some like boxed...I wouldn't take it to heart.
I had a couple a few months ago to taste some samples of strawberry cake... He came right out and said, it was a bit dry. I found out from his mother that he loved her strawberry cake...Duncan Hines. I bake from scratch. I told the couple not to worry. They...total strangers...gave me the opportunity...without the need of additional tastings...to come through for them. One week after the reception, I received the most beautiful thank you letter inside a card I'd ever received. Inside, it EXCLAIMED how perfectly moist and delicious they and ALL their guests thought the cake was. I say this, not to brag but to make a point that I got that from total strangers...a friend should at least give the opportunity to get it right.
or, maybe she didn't want to trouble you or ask you to change something just for them. Like, "that's her cake. I'm not going to ask her to change how she makes it just for us. we'll keep looking."
Sorry this happened to you. Please try to stay positive. More than likely it had nothing to do with the taste of your cakes. Your friend may have expected a "freebie" or for you to make their wedding cake for cost. She may feel that you owed her something, didn't get it, and is now moving on. Keep in mind that friends are our worst critics, unfortunately. We found that out the hard way when starting our business. Because of this, we made a pact a long time ago never to do business with friends because it never turns out well. The old saying "don't do business with friends" is very, very true. Just chalk it up to a lesson learned, and let this one go. I know it is hard not to be discouraged, but try not to let it affect you as a business owner. From your picures, you do amazing work. Your friend will be the one missing out in the end, not you. 
or "are you gonna through in some milk so we can choke down this dryass cake???"
Thank you! I SO needed this laugh!
Yeah, we wondered if it had more to do with the price and she was afraid to tell us. But geez, if that's the case, as a friend I would much rather you tell me you can't afford our prices rather than cast doubt on the quality of my product! 
This is the email we sent her:
"If you don't mind expounding on which samples he did not like, we would like the feedback. We have honestly never had someone not like the texture of our cakes. How soon after the tasting did you try the samples? If you would like to try a different recipe of one of the flavors, we could do that as well. Please let us know, we try to pick the best recipes. If there is a possible issue with one, we would like to know so we can find a better one."
She emailed this back:
"I understand completely. Would you mind if i have him call you? What's a good time to reach you?"
Ok, this seems a little weird to me. Why can't you just ask him and tell us yourself?? I guess she doesn't really care about the cake and he does?? Usually brides care about the overall quality of the cake, but she's making it sound like it is all his problem, and not hers. Or would she rather him be the heavy??
Keep in mind that friends are our worst critics, unfortunately. We found that out the hard way when starting our business. Because of this, we made a pact a long time ago never to do business with friends because it never turns out well. The old saying "don't do business with friends" is very, very true.
After I read her initial email today, I totally stormed into the room where my DH was and declared that we will be "booked" from now on when a friend asks if we can do a cake for them. (This is not the first issue we've had with "friends". I'm fed up.)
That is a weird response. It sounds like she's making him the fall guy.
Have they had your cakes in the past?
You know, judging by the content of her e-mails, you may be better off not getting this order.
Yeah sounds like maybe he's being picky and she doesn't want to get in the middle of it....
uh huh. and "he said something about the texture" sounds more like she didn't want to say what he actually said.
oh oh...she wanted to get the cake from you. HE didn't like the price and said SOMETHING about the texture.
So, you hear his critique of the samples. Then, they'll shop around to see if taste and budget can come together to suit them. I wouldn't be bummed about it too long...even if it is a taste issue for him...we ain't gonna please everyone.
I had one b-t-b want me to make cupcakes for her wedding to taste, "just like Grammy's". Grammy's recipe? Duncan Hines white cake mix and cream cheese icing...no lie. I don't want to mimic a cake mix! Don't get me wrong, I love cake of any kind, cake mix included. I just don't want to make scratch cakes that taste like mixes. I told her if that's what she REALLY wanted, I'd use a mix but, they'd cost the same. They made them 
Hmmm...I can't help but think this has nothing to do with taste. I'm betting she was quietly hoping you'd offer a free cake - then when she realised she'd actually have to pay for it she decided they didn't want it that badly.
That's what I was thinking.....
Sorry she has you doubting yourself.
I was also thinking what Coral said, as it sounds like she's playing for time in giving you more details. Friends like those you can do without!
You can't please everyone as is true with everything in life...if the majority of your customers are happy then don't go changin' anything on the count of one person who can't even cough up what the heck the problem is!
That is a weird response. It sounds like she's making him the fall guy.
Have they had your cakes in the past?
You know, judging by the content of her e-mails, you may be better off not getting this order.
I'm trying to remember if they have had our stuff or not. I think they have had a cheesecake we made at our Christmas party, but I can't remember if they have had our regular cake.
I'm beginning to think the same thing, not sure I want to even deal with this. I'm trying to decide how to respond to her email about him calling us, because I'm not sure I want to talk to him! I was hoping she would just email us back with something like, "Oh, he said the (insert cake flavor here) was too dry." or something like that. Although if he thought our cakes were too dry, he must like some soggy cake. 
Ok, so she called us today and told us he said he preferred a denser cake like pound cake. I told them we could make another sample cake for them to try, only pound cake this time. (Normally we would charge for a second tasting, but since they are friends, we're just going to give it to them) They want to try almond pound cake, and he's apparently used to super dense, tight crumb, super moist pound cake. Does anyone have a really good almond pound cake recipe? TIA!
YES YES YES!!!! LOL I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. It's almost identical to the one I've used for years except I add either almond extract or lemon extract depending on what flavor I want.
It's so moist and tender but with a very tight crumb. Also sometimes I add blueberries or chocolate chips to it and it's so forgiving, you can do just about anything to it and it still comes out wonderful.
I think the big old picky groom will love it, if not blame me. lol
I guess it would help if I posted the link, huh? hehehe
http://cakecentral.com/recipes/15856/cream-cheese-pound-cakethis
I think the big old picky groom will love it, if not blame me. lol
You are AWESOME! Thank you so much! Can't wait to try it out!
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