Do You Have A Contract For Every Order

Business By Krista512 Updated 13 Mar 2012 , 1:04am by mistresslucille

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Krista512 Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 2:39am
post #1 of 8

do you get a signed contract for every order even if it is just a dozen cupcakes?

does anyone mind sharing what their contract looks like?

what are the things that a contract needs to consist of?

7 replies
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ajwonka Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 3:37am
post #2 of 8

Yes, every order! In addition to contact info, design info, flavor, etc I have standard "fine print "... Bounced check fee, not responsible once picked up, etc. Always covering my backside!

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ajwonka Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 3:51am
post #3 of 8

Yes, every order! In addition to contact info, design info, flavor, etc I have standard "fine print "... Bounced check fee, not responsible once picked up, etc. Always covering my backside!

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cakelady2266 Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 4:37am
post #4 of 8

For every wedding or anniversary cake. For new customers that give me that weird cancel at the last minute vibe. Loyal and repeat customers aren't subject to contract.

My contract terms goes a little like this:

Deposit is non refundable.

Details must be finalized 3 weeks before event. Changes after that date incur additional charges.

Balance due 2 weeks before event. Acceptable methods of payments are (whatever method you accept) No exceptions.

Cake stand, plates, forks, cake knife and server provided by customer.

Seasonal items, such as fresh fruit for cake decor priced at market value at time of event.

Not responsible for damage after set up. Customers responsible for providing secure table, location and environment for the cake.

Outdoor events, cake delivered close to event time. Customer is responsible for secure location out of direct sunlight, stable level table. Weather conditions (rain, heat, wind, humidity) can effect cake stability. Please remember this in your planning. Cakes set up inside and move outside is the sole responsibility of the customer.

Fresh flowers must be provided by outside source (customer or florist). Flowers will be placed on cake by baker (your name).

Picking up cake you assume all liability and responsibility for the condition of the cake once it leaves bakers (your name).

Allergy clause, releasing baker of responsibility.

Baker reserves the right to photograph cake for use for display or promotion.

Make sure you get address, phone numbers, email address. Make sure they sign it. I also have a work order sheet and an estimate/quote page.

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Krista512 Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 7:05pm
post #5 of 8

thanks cake lady that is very helpful!!!!! you had a few things i didnt think of. I will post mine when im done. thanks

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cakelady2266 Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 7:22pm
post #6 of 8

You're welcome. There are some great contracts in the sketches, templates and pattern gallery. And you can search the forums as well.

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Krista512 Posted 12 Mar 2012 , 10:08pm
post #7 of 8

how does this look. im not a good speller so let me know if there are spelling errors



Details must be finalized 3 weeks before event. Changes after that date will require additional fee.

Deposit of 50% is required to secure any order. Deposit is non refundable.

Balance is due 2 weeks before the event. Failure to pay balance by due date will result in cancellation of order and loss of payments made.

Orders canceled before 2 weeks before the event will receive refund of payments made minus the non refundable deposit.

Orders canceled after 2 weeks before the event will have no refund.

Payments are currently by cash only at this time.

Equipment rental fee is due 2 weeks before event. Refundable portion of equipment rental fee will be refunded upon return of all equipment with all pieces in acceptable condition.

Customer is responsible for picking up order at the agreed time and date. Orders not picked up within 2 hours after scheduled pick up time will be considered abandoned resulting in donation of order to a local organization and no refund.

Cake stand, plates, forks, napkins, cake knife and server provided by customer unless notated in note section of contract.

Customer is responsible for providing person to cut cake.

Custom Cakes By Krista is not responsible for number of slices made with cakes cut by customers cake server. Cake servings are Industry standard size.

Custom Cakes by Krista is not responsible for damages to cake after delivery.

Customer accepts all liability and responsibility for the condition of the cake once it leaves Custom Cakes By Krista.

Customer is responsible for providing secure table, location and proper environment for the cake.
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Customer is responsible for providing a secure location out of direct sunlight for outdoor location and well air conditioned location in doors. Weather conditions (rain, heat, wind, humidity) can effect cake and decoration stability.
Cakes set up inside and moved outside are the sole responsibility of the customer.

Fresh Flowers must be provided by customer or florist. Customer accepts responsibility to ensure flowers are safe to place on cake and free of pesticides.

Custom Cakes By Krista accepts no liability for allergy reactions to any person consuming products.

Custom Cakes by Krista is a home based bakery operating legally under the Texas Cottage Food Law passed in 2011. Home is not and will not be inspected by the health department. With that said Krista has taken Food Safety and Sanitation Certification.

Custom Cakes By Krista Reserves the right to photograph cakes and other products for use for display or promotion.

In the case that Custom Cakes by Krista must cancel your order due to sickness or other personal reason. 100% refund will be given. Krista will attempt to locate a local baker who can make your order but can not guarantee a match will be found.

In the case that Custom Cakes by Krista must cancel your order due to negative actions or comments by customer no refund will be given.

Custom Cakes By Krista reserves the right to refuse any order request for any reason.

It is the customers choice to order a cake from Custom Cakes by Krista after given the above contract.

By signing below customer agrees to take no legal action of any kind against Custom Cakes by Krista.

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mistresslucille Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 1:04am
post #8 of 8

I'm also really new to the business game, but I require a signed contract for every order too. Actually very interesting seeing what others include - I'll be revising mine during my day off tomorrow!

I did a contract-less cake for my partner's cousin's wedding last summer, and though they paid up front (I usually require a 20% deposit up front and full payment upon delivery) I wished at the time I'd insisted on a contract. In this case, only because it took FOREVER to pin down the bride to what she actually wanted, so a contract would have sorted that out faster!

Only today I had a client cancel on me (see my post in the cake disaster forum!) which I was pretty gutted about... but it rang alarm bells when I got the cancellation because it only came AFTER I'd dropped off the contract and asked it to be signed and returned with the deposit asap. This from a client who had already agreed to the quoted price via email. Now I'm so glad that I insist on contracts because if I'd just taken the verbal (well, email) agreement as certain then I'd have ended up out of pocket (and my partner believes if I had made the cake they might have refused to pay... but that's another story.)

So contracts: yes, every time. It covers your back!

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