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Is this an oax?

post #1 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:44pm
Thread Starter 
This just came thru my wedding wire:
Message:
Hello, My name is Tracy Cole,i live in Miami garden,Florida (USA).I am presently in canada but probably will be moving back home soon and i'll be getting married shortly after my arrival in the states to my fiance Denise Smith. We will need a wedding Planner/wedding cake.We will like to find out what your plans are for Saturday,November 24th,2012. This is the date of our wedding so kindly let us know your availability for this day.We'll take responsibility for your expenses regarding our plans.we might not be able to meet you soon as planned,due to our unavailability in the states but,we are willing to retain the date, that's to make deposit for booking prior to our arrival to be sure we are interested in your service,if you are really interested. Please you can give me a text 3213287602 or email me Waiting to get your response


sounds Fishy to me...



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post #2 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:46pm
Chances are yes...it's a scam.
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post #3 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:49pm
It may or may not be a scam, but once you request a cash or certified check for a nonrefundable deposit to hold the date you should know for sure.
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post #4 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:52pm
Why do you think it sounds fishy? They are in Canada but planning to get married there in Florida in November and want you to make their cake, is what I am getting from the email. They want you to let them know, via text or email, if you are available for their date. They are willing to make a deposit to retain the date. If I was available, I would email back and see what they say. Since wedding cakes are normally paid in full in advance of the wedding, not sure how they could be trying to hoax you as long as you get the money first. But you never know.
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post #5 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:53pm
Probably a scam.

And if it isn't, it is so darn confusing, I would be worried about understanding this person!
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post #6 of 26
10/18/12 at 12:59pm
Yes, it's a scam. The names and dates and places may be different, but it's been sent out a thousand times before.
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post #7 of 26
10/18/12 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dani1081

Why do you think it sounds fishy? They are in Canada but planning to get married there in Florida in November and want you to make their cake, is what I am getting from the email. They want you to let them know, via text or email, if you are available for their date. They are willing to make a deposit to retain the date. If I was available, I would email back and see what they say. Since wedding cakes are normally paid in full in advance of the wedding, not sure how they could be trying to hoax you as long as you get the money first. But you never know.



I agree. As long as it's a straightforward deposit (exactly what you require--no more, no less) and it's supplied in the manner YOU require (credit card, Paypal, personal check drawn on a US bank that can be verified for sufficient funds), I don't see the problem.
As a matter of fact, since that's a holiday weekend ( 2 days after Thanksgiving) AND it's only 5 weeks away, I'd be requiring payment in full and I'd require ALL details to be settled by 10/24/12.

I can't see any harm to you for playing it out. You can walk away any time that you feel that the tide has turned toward a scam.

I have to say, that if it is a scam, it's one of the better ones because the scenario provided actually makes perfect sense. It's certainly not in the lowly "Happy Married Life" scam category.....

JMHO
Rae

I'd e-mail or text them
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I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
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post #8 of 26
10/18/12 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlakesCakes

I have to say, that if it is a scam, it's one of the better ones because the scenario provided actually makes perfect sense. It's certainly not in the lowly "Happy Married Life" scam category.....


Agreed, especially considering the area code is correct.
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Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
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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 #9 of 26
10/18/12 at 3:19pm
There are so many spelling and punctuation errors that I wouldn't assume that this is a legitimate order. Especially the "fiance Denise" bit because they would need to get married in Canada and not the USA...
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post #10 of 26
10/18/12 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene

Especially the "fiance Denise" bit because they would need to get married in Canada and not the USA...


Not if the fiance is Canadian and wants to be a US citizen.
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The Bakery Business Perspective
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Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
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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 #11 of 26
10/18/12 at 3:49pm
Hmmm, I would usually say it's a scam, since the city in FL is Miami Gardens, not Garden...the spelling and broken grammar could be a warning sign. And why on earth would you put (USA) after the state? Who does that? And if Tracy is a woman, I don't think same-sex marriage is legal in FL. However, if Tracy is a man, it's odd that the woman isn't handling some of the cake details. I don't want to sound sexist, but usually the woman has quite a bit of say in these matters. Just follow your gut and tread carefully.

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post #12 of 26
10/18/12 at 4:19pm
I vote scam. Too many red flags to be legit.
PSA: There are laws that regulate the sale of food items - these laws are different in each state/county. Please familiarize yourself with your local laws before selling your amazing baked goods.
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PSA: There are laws that regulate the sale of food items - these laws are different in each state/county. Please familiarize yourself with your local laws before selling your amazing baked goods.
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post #13 of 26
10/18/12 at 4:43pm
You can always email them back with a yes I'm available and due to the short notice I will require balance paid in full and add in a late booking fee. You'll find out if it's a scam quickly enough this way.
Christine

When my wires are frayed I think of shiny happy people holding hands!
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Christine

When my wires are frayed I think of shiny happy people holding hands!
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post #14 of 26
10/18/12 at 4:45pm
The only way to find out is to write back and ask for money to hold the date. If they balk or ask you to accept a check for more than your services or mention an independant carrier for delivery then yes... it's a scam.

It doesn't scream scam to me, but I would be curious.
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post #15 of 26
10/18/12 at 4:47pm
Not necessarily a scam. You could proceed by making some pointed queries via email (send them a form to fill out including names, addresses, phone numbers, venue for wedding, time of wedding reception, name of reception contact ets etc...stuff youc an check), then accept a nice sized deposit to hold the date. No money = no order. There is nothing for you to lose here, except that the hassle of dealing with a client with poor grammar and English (they could be in French-speaking Canada) might make your job a bit more difficult, and/or may prove to be a fruitless endeavour. Like any job.

If you think that's all a bit too hard, then just say no!
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Life's too short to make cake pops.
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