Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating Business › need advice on this customer (vent)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

need advice on this customer (vent)

post #1 of 7
3/11/12 at 11:52pm
Thread Starter 
So we did a wedding cake tasting for a couple who brought 3 friends with them. Normally this is not a problem but we spent most of the time with them talkin and making inside jokes....really detered from the point of the meeting. Not to mention they were just a very "uppity" couple-esp the
groom. AT one point he even made fun of how the bride to be was eating/holding her fork....really uncomfortable.
Well after the tasting we never hear from them to book their cake....which honestly, was fine with me icon_wink.gif today I get an email from the groom saying he's trying to decide if he wants to use us and wants me to send him references to contact first. So I'm not sure if that's a normal request...I mentioned n their consultation (cuz he brought refernces up then briefly) that if he googled us we have several customer reviews on google places & yelp...but I guess that's not good enuf? I don't feel comfortable giving out previous customers info just so he can call them. I'm sure I could refer him to our wedding vendors we've worked with but at this point I'm wondering if I shld just tell them we r booked and not take the order.....suggestions?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 7
3/12/12 at 1:02am
Due to the Privacy Laws, you are unable to give out customer details, but he is welcome to read the testimonials and reviews placed on the Internet by satisfied customers. It is not a matter of not feeling comfortable obout it, but rather you cannot by Law [unless you ask their permission, but don't tell him that fact].

Refer him to your wedding vendors if you want, but unless you need/want his custom .. I wouldn't ..
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 7
3/12/12 at 6:48am
Follow your instincts! If you don't want to have them as clients then I would simply tell him that you are no longer available to make their cake. If you do want to make the cake tell him that you do not give out clients' personal information but he can read reviews of your work on (insert website name here).
Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
Reply
Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
Reply
post #4 of 7
3/12/12 at 6:53am
It's not that asking for references is a bad thing, in fact I have several brides who have volunteered. However, your instincts were flashing warning bells before this request.
I would cut him loose. Even if they turn out to be wonderful, how much worrying will you do before the actual event? How many back forth emails will there be before everything is decided? How many more tastings and design meetings will they need.
If you take this order, you need to be prepared for high maintenance all the way.
Depending on how hard up for cash you are, I would pass just for peace of mind.
life is short, get a cakesafe.
Reply
life is short, get a cakesafe.
Reply
post #5 of 7
3/12/12 at 6:55am
The stuff on google and yelp should be enough. They also attended a tasting. If that's not enough for them I don't know what is. icon_confused.gif
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 7
3/12/12 at 9:24am
Regardless of the issue of references, if your psycho radar goes off during a tasting, you shouldn't book that client. Save yourself the trouble and tell him that you're unable to take any more clients for that day, then cross the date off and don't take any more clients.
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
Reply
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
Reply
post #7 of 7
3/12/12 at 10:09am
Thread Starter 
i think you are all right. sure any larger order is nice but i just know its gona be bad...and really i feel like 14 reviews online, plus a tasting, plus he also tasted and saw our work at the bridal show (i didnt mention tihs before), i feel like that should be enough. Like i said, i have plenty of vendor references, and probably even some friends who we've sold cakes to i could ask, but i just have a bad feeling on this one and im going to say no thanks and just let him know we are booked up.
Thanks for your input everyone! icon_smile.gif
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cake Decorating Business
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating Business › need advice on this customer (vent)