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What do I do about client? Advice please!

post #1 of 8
4/9/12 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
To make a loooonnnnnnggg story short, I have a client who wants me to make her a cake for sometime in May. I have told her she will need to pay in advance in order to reserve her date, and she is fine with this. So, she was supposed to come last Friday, and did not show up, no call or email or anything. She emailed me later on that night, saying she had to take her son to the hospital b/c he was sick and that's why she didn't come. Whether I believe her is a completely different story, as I have baked for her before and she showed up 2 hours late, no call or email, and claimed she was at a funeral. Anyways, she sent me about 3 emails on the weekend, wanting to come and drop off payment. I told her she could just put it in my mail slot at my house b/c I was busy with Easter festivities all weekend, and she said fine. Sent me an email saying she would drop it off last night. I get home, no money. So she sends me an email this morning, saying she is on her way to drop off the money. I get home from work expecting the envelope to be there, and STILL no money!!!!!!! I am so frustrated with her beyond belief, and no longer feel like I should make her cake b/c this seems like it's some sort of game or something to her. I'm just asking for anyone else's thoughts or opinions on the matter, and how I should tell her that I am no longer willing to make her cake? Thank you in advance!
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post #2 of 8
4/9/12 at 4:03pm
Tell her she needs to deliver the cash within 24 hours or she should consider her order to be cancelled.
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The Bakery Business Perspective
An experimental blog with new content every Tuesday!

Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
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post #3 of 8
4/9/12 at 4:44pm
I agree with jason_kraft that is more than fair for her and especially your nerves& blood pressur....don't sweat it <333><
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post #4 of 8
4/9/12 at 5:09pm
I'm thinking that IF it were me, I'd be inclined to tell her that the date is no longer available,
so I will not be able to make a cake for her event.

She's been given plenty of opportunity to be a faithful client, and this on top of her lateness last time shows a lack of respect for your business.

Just because someone wants us to bake for them, if they are the kind of person that fails to hold up their end of the deal, then then they don't need to be your customer.

Who needs all that drama of half truths and broken promises.
Put the shoe on the other foot for a minute.
If I was supposed to deliver a cake and keep saying I was bringing it but never showed up...she's be pretty mad. icon_smile.gif


mommachris

(edited because for some reason I thought I should put my name twice... icon_rolleyes.gif )
wife to David for 23 years
mom to 13 blessings
Nine who are still living at home that range from 21 to 3 years old.
Holly, Amy, Aaron, Evelyn, Zebedee, Melody, William, Melissa and little Tobin
and four more sweet babies in heaven.
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wife to David for 23 years
mom to 13 blessings
Nine who are still living at home that range from 21 to 3 years old.
Holly, Amy, Aaron, Evelyn, Zebedee, Melody, William, Melissa and little Tobin
and four more sweet babies in heaven.
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post #5 of 8
4/9/12 at 5:13pm
I'd tell her that you're no longer available for that date, it sounds like she's just going to make you miserable. I'd also tell her that in the future, all orders are not considered orders until payment is received in full three weeks ahead. So she doesn't go on your calendar until she pays you in full at least three weeks ahead of time.
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #6 of 8
4/9/12 at 6:51pm
She has had her chance. I would be afraid she would be hard to deal for the rest of the order. You know she will be late for pick up again.
"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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"who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?"
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post #7 of 8
4/9/12 at 7:39pm
This sounds exactly like your post from Saturday, April 7:
"So frustrated with clients who are late!!!!"
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=7278306&highlight=#7278306

You wrote in the forum mentioned above:
"I definitely think I need to change my policies and get people to pay in advance for their cakes, and then if they are late, either tell them I can't guarantee they will get their cake, or charge a late fee."

You received some excellent advice on that thread, and I'm curious as to why you are still posting about the same problem. Tell her nothing. IF she contacts you again and asks about the cake, tell her politely that she was given multiple opportunities to abide by your payment rules. Unfortunately, you are no longer available to make her cake."

If telling her an absolute NO gives you the willies and makes you want to break out in hives, then perhaps making cakes for money in your community is not your calling. Members of this forum can offer advice, but sometimes it isn't easy to follow or enforce. Good luck with your decision.
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post #8 of 8
4/9/12 at 9:39pm
Everyone already gave great advice. I just want to add that you don't need to stress out over these customers. Come up with a plan and tell her that it will be considered a contract when she sends the money, however she gets it there. The date will be open until that time. The end.

If you chase the client, she knows you are available. So what if another client comes along and takes the date. She knows this could happen and is not as concerned as you are.

So when she contacts you, you will either have the date available, need total amount because it is close to the date, or the date is booked. If she still wants the date if it is open, tell her the deadline and don't contact again.

In sales, it's a old saying that it isn't a sale until the contract is signed and the money has been exchanged. Just look at everything as an inquiry until it changes to a sale. Or, don't spend the money until the sale is closed. (Another sales proverb.)
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