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"I know it's short notice but..." GAAAHH!!!! Vent

post #1 of 20
11/29/11 at 7:50pm
Thread Starter 
Cakes are a hobby for me...usually worked on late at night and into the wee hours of the morning long after my young children have gone to sleep. I work full time outside of the home during the day. Needless to say, I cannot do this too often and without reasonably careful planning.

This is the second time now, I have recieved a late Tuesday/Wednesday night message (on Facebook which I don't even check every day) starting with..."I know it's short notice but"...could you make me a cake for Saturday? and "I already have a design picked out." (Both times from the same not so close friend)

Really??


I know it happens all the time and that I am not the only one this happens to but come on! Sure, I could get it done but I don't know that I really want to (I turned her down last time). Since I do not regularly decorate, it's not like I even have a few rounds in the freezer that I could offer up.

Gaaaaaahhh! Ok. Vent over. I feel better now. Thank you so much. icon_smile.gif
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post #2 of 20
11/29/11 at 8:27pm
Lol...I completely understand! Very rarely do I do a short notice cake anymore. icon_surprised.gif
Kakes4Kidz
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Kakes4Kidz
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post #3 of 20
11/30/11 at 1:42am
It would appear that you don't have adequate information on your facebook page to advise potential customers of the correct way to schedule a cake order.

If you don't inform them of the way your system works, they don't know that it's not okay to ask for a cake the day before they need one.

If baking is a hobby, don't let it take away from your children or jeopardize your health. Just let everyone on facebook know that custom cakes take time, so they need to plan accordingly. A win-win outcome for everyone. icon_smile.gif

HTH
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post #4 of 20
11/30/11 at 2:59am
I would just write:

"Just got your message and sorry but I'm all booked up. icon_smile.gif"
icon_smile.gif
Susie
northern NY
http://susies1955.blogspot.com/
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northern NY
http://susies1955.blogspot.com/
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post #5 of 20
11/30/11 at 3:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by susies1955

I would just write:

"Just got your message and sorry but I'm all booked up. icon_smile.gif"
icon_smile.gif
Susie



Why lie?

It would be more professional and just as easy to advise that a two week advance notice is required. (Even if OP has to apologize for not including that info on her FB page. Since she states she's a hobby baker, I'm sure others will understand this necessary request for a custom made and decorated cake. After all, she's not a Walmart, with a fully staffed bakery and frozen stock on hand.)

And since the OP doesn't check her facebook page everyday, I'd recommend that she come up with a more timely method for potential customers to contact her (either by phone or email).

HTH
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post #6 of 20
11/30/11 at 3:32am
It is not a lie and she is not a professional. She says she does it for a hobby as I do.
"I" said what "I" would say and it would not be a lie.
When I say I'm booked ..... I am. I can be booked up with cake, kids or whatever.
icon_smile.gif
Susie
northern NY
http://susies1955.blogspot.com/
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northern NY
http://susies1955.blogspot.com/
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post #7 of 20
11/30/11 at 4:02am
This happened to me with a co-worker. I politely explained that for what she wanted, I would need to go out and buy a new pan and do a lot of hand sculpting, and this was with three days notice. So I said no.

The Dude abides.

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The Dude abides.

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post #8 of 20
11/30/11 at 4:04am
Oh how often does this happen to us. And with respect Jan, the people who constantly bombard me with late requests know full well how long in advance they should book so I don't in any way shape or form feel unprofeesional or indeed guilty when my response is a flat 'NO'.

CP x
Live each day as if it's your last because one day you'll be right!
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Live each day as if it's your last because one day you'll be right!
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post #9 of 20
11/30/11 at 5:50am
Just explain nicely that you would love to make her cake. But 3 days notice is not enough time for a custom cake. Tell her you need at least X weeks notice. I honestly think some people think cake decorators must have a "magic oven".
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post #10 of 20
11/30/11 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChilliPepper

Oh how often does this happen to us. And with respect Jan, the people who constantly bombard me with late requests know full well how long in advance they should book so I don't in any way shape or form feel unprofeesional or indeed guilty when my response is a flat 'NO'.

CP x



It's great that your customers know what the requirements are for ordering one of your custom baked and decorated creations. icon_smile.gif

And if they don't get with the program, they should expect nothing less than a flat 'NO'. thumbs_up.gif

However, I only know what the OP stated her situation was.... And she didn't provide any info so that we would know how she states her ordering requirements (or if she has any) - only that she was frustrated with late orders.

Educating your customers so that they know in advance what the requirements are will go a long way. And then sticking to your own
policies will guarantee you're not aggravated by these late requests.

As I previously stated, it's possible to have a win-win outcome if everyone is aware of and playing by the same "rules".
(But if you do receive unreasonable demands for short order cakes - the requestor should be totally prepared to be rebuffed.)

HTH
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post #11 of 20
11/30/11 at 6:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChilliPepper

Oh how often does this happen to us. And with respect Jan, the people who constantly bombard me with late requests know full well how long in advance they should book so I don't in any way shape or form feel unprofeesional or indeed guilty when my response is a flat 'NO'.

CP x



I was going to say the same thing! Not to say it's not a good idea to have that info out there for people in hopes that they would give you more notice, but we have the at least two weeks notice thing on our website, and we still get a lot of last minute requests. We take a lot of them, but only if it's not going to cause us major headaches. You just have to decide if that particular job is worth it to you. Especially since it's a hobby for you, you have no obligation to say yes!
Before you ask- I'm licensed, inspected, insured, and all that jazz.
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Before you ask- I'm licensed, inspected, insured, and all that jazz.
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post #12 of 20
11/30/11 at 7:55am
It doesn't bother me a bit to say "I'm sorry, I'm booked." That doesn't necessarily mean I've lied, nor does it mean I'm doing another cake. It means "I'm booked." As in "I have a life and your emergency isn't my crisis." I can't even begin to tell you how many Christmas Eve calls I get saying "oh my gosh, I'm sorry this is last minute but I need a 3 tiered fabulous, highly intricate cake for TOMORROW because I have 300 people showing up for Christmas." ha ha ha ha ha!!! Like, you're kidding, right? icon_rolleyes.gif I very politely tell them "as stated on my website, we DO NOT take last minute orders. If you wanted me to do the cake, you should have made the arrangements much earlier. As it is we cannot accommodate you, nor can other bakeries at this stage of the game. I would suggest you try WalMart to see what they have available." Very nice, not insulting, but geez!!! Last year the girl STILL didn't get it and said to me "but you don't understand, I'm kissing @$$ here." ha ha ha!! And I told her "but you don't understand, as I stated, I DO NOT take last minute orders. Good luck to you." Click. Sheesh! icon_rolleyes.gif
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To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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post #13 of 20
11/30/11 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 
My apologies...I should clarify. This was just through my personal FB profile as I do not even have a FB page specifically for cakes. Most people know that I make them and that's why they ask but it truly is a hobby...most of my cakes go to good friends and family. Thus there are no guidelines posted anywhere for anyone to follow with regard to placing orders. As with most of my "clients", she is just an old friend who knows I make cakes...but clearly has no idea how long it takes or how much work it is.

It's just frustrating for me because I WANT to make the cake simply because I enjoy it so much but I know I can't.

I feel bad about it but I will be turning her down again. And gently letting her know...again...that I need more notice.

Thanks again...is nice to be able to complain to someone who really understands. icon_smile.gif
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post #14 of 20
11/30/11 at 8:43am
For the times when you just can't say "no" to a last minute order, consider charging a rush fee to compensate for the long and late hours you will have to work.

I love decorating too and never want to turn down a cake, I can relate to your frustration.
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post #15 of 20
11/30/11 at 8:54am
I understand where you are coming from! I too am a hobby baker and just yesterday was contacted by a friend of a friend... I too got the "I'm sorry its so short notice but I need the cake on Saturday" Here is a picture... then when I give her a quote on what that cake will cost...two tier butter cream with fondant accents, now she wants to haggle. REALLY?? Then she says, what would one tier of cake cost? I'm this close to telling her to go to the nearest grocery store for her cake. Everyone is right, we don't need the hassle or stress of these last minute requests. My time is more valuable to me then a few bucks. icon_smile.gif
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