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No Deposit NO Cake order - Page 2

post #16 of 27
6/27/12 at 7:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApelilaRains

I'm sure everyone had one of these experiences one time or another. But I had two.....I received 2 inquiries for cake orders and I explained to the potential customers that the phone consultation does NOT confirm your cake order and deposit is needed OR full payment.

In some cases I would follow up if I had some time on my calendar. However I recently received emails asking where their order was the DAY of or the day after their requested date.

My policy does state that orders are not confirmed or reserved without some type of payment or deposit....One customer called me (literally) 50 times on the day she wanted the cake because she spoke to me about the decorations and blamed me for messing up her sons birthday party.

There were no communication for several weeks and then the day of, she was expecting 60 cupcakes with special hand made fondant toppers.

Oh, and they both wanted some type of credit too..... icon_confused.gif

Does anyone have any advise to avoid any further "miscommunication"?



Sounds like they were freeloaders looking for a discount. I would have asked them when they paid for the deposit. When they say they didn't I would ask them why they think someone would bake a cake without a deposit, contract and full payment.
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post #17 of 27
6/27/12 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApelilaRains

This is what I have written:

"Geelicious Confections makes specialty cakes and cupcakes for all occasion. If you are interested in our services, please fill out the form below for a no-obligation quote, or feel free to call us to discuss your options.

Please note that this request does not guarantee availability. Orders are not reserved until a deposit is received. "



Although I understand what you mean here, I think the wording would be easy to skip over when a client is skim reading your page, especially because it is written in the passive voice.

Maybe something like, 'Your cake order is not considered finalised until you have paid a deposit.'
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post #18 of 27
6/28/12 at 3:24am
What about "if you haven't paid a deposit, your order will not be on my calendar. And if you haven't paid in full your cake will be a wish cake."
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #19 of 27
6/29/12 at 12:24pm
My email signature has my name and then says,
"An inquiry about a cake does not guarantee that the date will always be available.
I MUST receive a deposit to secure a booking for a cake."
And also, to avoid any confusion....any time anyone inquires about a cake, I write their name on a post it and stick it on that day in my book. If I see they haven't replied, I always send a final email.....
"I have not heard back from you regarding the cake you wanted for 6.29.12. I have since received deposits from other people and no longer have availability. Hopefully I can do the next one for you!"
That way my ass is covered with proof that I tried to get in touch with them.
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post #20 of 27
10/8/12 at 1:53pm
This happened to me one time, they ordered the cake but didn't confirm the price i quoted them. They didnt get call back till the day the cake was due wanting to know when they could come pick it up. I had to let them know since they didn't confirm the price the cake wasn't made...thankfully they understood and didnt go crazy on me!

SimplyDelicious.

Add a little sweet to your day!

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SimplyDelicious.

Add a little sweet to your day!

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post #21 of 27
10/8/12 at 2:16pm
Emails. I insist that all larger orders be done via email. I want written proof of what I say, including- once you confirm this, this and this, then your order will be placed on my calendar.

Sometimes you just can't cure stupid.
life is short, get a cakesafe.
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life is short, get a cakesafe.
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post #22 of 27
10/8/12 at 3:00pm
When I speak with a customer on the phone, or communicate via email, I do say that I take all their details to send out an order form which I ask them to check, sign and return to me with their deposit so that I can then confirm their order.
Inside this fat body, there's a thin woman screaming to get out...... but I can usually shut her up with chocolate!
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Inside this fat body, there's a thin woman screaming to get out...... but I can usually shut her up with chocolate!
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post #23 of 27
10/8/12 at 3:21pm
So here's proof that people don't pay attention. I had a client schedule and reschedule tastings three or four times, then finally came to my house on an off day to do the tasting, took home the contract and I never heard from her again. No big deal, until she called on Tuesday to confirm the cake for the following Sunday. I told her she wasn't on my schedule, and she insisted that she'd paid a deposit. I had no record of it, and she looked through and couldn't find it either. Plus, six days before a wedding she should have paid in full, not just the deposit.

Anyway, I had time to do the cake because it was teeny, 4-6-8", no big deal, but seriously, people DO NOT necessarily pay attention even for their wedding cake. If she had called on Saturday she wouldn't have had a cake, and I wouldn't have felt bad about it in the long run. It's not our job to track down people and make sure they do everything they're supposed to keep track of.
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
Reply
post #24 of 27
10/8/12 at 3:23pm
Oh, she also couldn't find the contract, I forgot about that part. I had to redo the whole thing for her.
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
Reply
post #25 of 27
10/8/12 at 4:07pm
When it's a phone or in-person order I tell them that their slip will be on the "pending board" until they come back to finalize and pay. If it is email, I ALWAYS end with "please let me know if you have any additional questions or would like to place an order"
www.superstarpastrydesign.com
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www.superstarpastrydesign.com
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post #26 of 27
11/10/12 at 11:51am

I agree with the contract saying:

                                                 If you are interested in our services, please fill out the form below for a no-obligation quote, or feel free to call us to discuss your options.

                                                 Please note that this request does not guarantee availability. Orders are not reserved until a deposit is received. "

 

With that ALSO...because people tend to get excited or have alot to do for an occassion, I WOULD HIGH LIGHT IN YELLOW.... Orders Require a Dep. and Must be paid in Full for a completed Order by such and such date:

Dede Wilson (cake decorator) I dont want people to look at my cakes and say: It's to pretty to eat. I want them to look at them as dessert and want to eat them. .
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Dede Wilson (cake decorator) I dont want people to look at my cakes and say: It's to pretty to eat. I want them to look at them as dessert and want to eat them. .
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post #27 of 27
11/10/12 at 11:55am

I agree with the contract saying:

                                                 If you are interested in our services, please fill out the form below for a no-obligation quote, or feel free to call us to discuss your options.

                                                 Please note that this request does not guarantee availability. Orders are not reserved until a deposit is received. "

 

With that ALSO...because people tend to get excited or have alot to do for an occassion, I WOULD HIGH LIGHT IN YELLOW.... Orders Require a Dep. and Must be paid in Full for a completed Order by such and such date:  and then state, if NOT PAID PER THE CONTRACT, NO ORDER CAN BE PRODUCED

Dede Wilson (cake decorator) I dont want people to look at my cakes and say: It's to pretty to eat. I want them to look at them as dessert and want to eat them. .
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Dede Wilson (cake decorator) I dont want people to look at my cakes and say: It's to pretty to eat. I want them to look at them as dessert and want to eat them. .
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