The friend/customer who made me quit (a long story) - Page 3

The nerve of some people.... they obviously cannot budget or just wanted to get a beautiful cake for free if they can afford a limo and hotel for a sweet 16... I'm so sorry

vpenkuhn your reply is rude, ugly and totally UNneeded!

wait, WHY? that person was complimenting her story telling, saying that the NEIGHBOR was crazy and that she should go after her dream...i'm confused

I totally agree with this. If your willing to allow a total stranger to take advantage of you on so many levels, maybe business is not for you. It's not for everyone. Maybe you would do better in a different business.

You and me both, cause I didn't see anything rude either.

Maybe she just saw the capital letters and thought they were saying her story was false? No idea....

that's totally possible

Wow, I didn't realize I was grinding my teeth unfil after I finished reading that! So sorry, that woman is awful, what she did and said and claiming your hard work. Awful.

Agreed

Don't beat yourself up over this. You do great work and if you enjoy it, keep doing it. I think this happens to a few hobby bakers.
I learned a lesson 2 weeks ago while I was delivering a cake to a friend of a friend. I had just finished setting up the cake and was on my way out the door when a guest at the party ambushed me rambling on about ordering a cake for this, and that, next thing I know she's in tears asking me to "donate" a cake to her uncles funeral. At this point I just wanted out of there and said "ok, but I can't do much on short notice, I'll do what I can" I don't know what he heck I was thinking, but I am always in need of practice ( and I have a hard time saying No) so I let it slide. I was hoping she'd forget about it, and never call. Ohh, she called alright, 27 times in 2 days and also started wanting to make flavor choices, and design choices. I kindly told her "this is not my full time job, I don't have much on hand, I'll do the best I can for you".
I put together what I feel was a nice "FREE" cake and delivered it to her neighbor as she requested because she would be at the funeral. 27 calls in 2 days, but couldn't make 1 call to say "Thank You".
Is it my own fault? Yes, I could have and SHOULD have said no. But I didn't. I was feeling angry , insulted and taken advantage of ,but now I've decided instead of giving up something I enjoy I am going to streamline my customers. If I get any indication that the customer is unreasonable, or just a nightmare from square one, I'm turning down the business no matter how much I like to practice. Some people are just not worth your time, save it for those who are.
Don't let 1 unreasonable person discourage you

Thank you so much for writing your story for us.

I also am a hobby baker, work fulltime and have been requested by a workmate to make her a wedding cake (my first one !). I told her that she would have to pay for all the costs associated with it but would donate my time so that I could get experience and put photos in my portfolio.

My husband thought I was mad when I spent an entire weekend detailing all the costs, drawing up three options for her to chose from and typing up three seperate "informal quotes" for her approval. I included details like - if she wanted to go ahead with the order she needed to sign an acceptance and pay a 50% deposit with the remainder due two weeks before the event.

I had no arguments from her - in fact her first words were she was so happy to see something like this as it had given her confidence that I would deliver by having a professional attitude to it - I had thought she might freak out about the cost and thought I might have to give a detailed breakdown but she was happy with it and chose the most expensive.

With part of the money upfront I have been able to start purchasing items for the cake so that there is no stress trying to run around last minute to get everything.

Texas Rose you are so incredibly talented, I never knew you werent in business! OMG I look at your cakes all the time, and you have given me tons of really good advice. Dont let these low lifes stop you from doing something that you are so awesome at, and could have a hugely succesful business doing! You know the truth about the situation and Karma will catch up with those people!

Texas_Rose, I hate that happened to you. If you like or love doing cakes don't let this idiot be the reason you give up. Because in all honesty you will have this type customer from time to time, we all do, you can choose whether or not you want to do a cake for them. I say this with love "grow a pair and tell a**holes like that to hit the road the minute they show their ignorance." If you roll over and let someone push you around, the word will get out that you are a pushover. And when that happens sure as 2 plus 2 is 4 other a**holes like your neighbor will be calling.

If you choose to stick to caking and you want to practice working with larger cakes, get some styrofoam dummies or make a larger cake than usual and throw yourself a party. Make a large cake and donate it to your kids school, a nursing home or local business you have some connection with (a relative's office, your bank, the salon that does your hair etc..). It's just a thought.