Requesting for picture of cake before delivery?

I personally wouldn't because most of the time I have to assemble and finish decorating on site.  But that's because I have a small car so I can't transport something big.

 

As busy as she is going to be on her wedding day, I don't see how she is going to be glued to her email waiting for a picture of the cake, then take the time to call you with any last minute changes.  That may stress you out at the last minute, so I personally wouldn't do that.
 

I personally would not do it. As long as you have confidence in your work, politely decline telling her that you are extremely busy finalizing her cake as well as others and your normal policy is to take pictures once the cake is delivered and set-up...not before. But guarantee her that she will love her cake.... 

While it is a unique request, can you really say no without making her angry? It is her cake. If she is paying for it, she is a first time customer, and you are proud of the work you are doing, then while it may be unique, it certainly isn't unheard of. 

 

I had a bride and groom insist on coming to see the wedding cake the day before the wedding. This was when I first began and I didn't like the request. Not at all. But they paid for the cake and they knew I was a newbie. So I let them come in. And I made dang sure that the cake was perfect. 

I wouldn't let it happen now that I'm fairly seasoned. They should not have hired me if they didn't trust me. But as a beginner I could understand it. And I grumbled the whole time. 

 

This customer is probly too picky to retain as a customer. I would take a pic of the cake, remind her that at this point nothing can be altered, and then NEVER TAKE AN ORDER FROM HER AGAIN if she gives you a problem when she sees the picture. 

 

And lastly, sometimes the most picky customers that give you great pains in the beginning turn into your biggest fans.

Did they pay in advance? If so, I'd have no problem at all sending a pic their way since I always photograph cakes before they leave anyway. If they haven't paid and you suspect they're looking for a way to get yet another discount, then you just "don't have enough time available to do that for them".
 

It's often the customers you make compromises for that cause the most trouble, next time stick to your prices.

If you do send a picture you should stress that the cake is final and no changes can be made at this point.

I agree 100% with Jason. Every time I make 'an exception' for someone it seems that it comes back to haunt me.

 I will send pictures before delivery when they are requested. I have yet to have anyone request changes at that point, usually they are just anxious to see what I designed for them.

I would let them know the cake is finished and being loaded for delivery if ever a design change was requested at that point.

Exactly right...Ironlcally, I just fiished writing a blog entry about why bakers have minimum charges, and I mentioned that smaller cakes will make us very little profit. It sounds like you need to dump this client and fix a minimum price for cakes to avoid this in the future. http://acaketoremember.com/blog1/2012/11/10/why-bakers-have-minimums/

No photo, no last minute changes.

 

I tell clients that all details must be finalized no later than 10 days before the cake is to be delivered.  I don't allow changes after that.  If I did, there would be a very hefty up-charge--paid in full and in cash before anything was order or started.

 

As for photos before delivery, I think it just gives clients the idea that they can provide "comments" (insert complaints or suggestions), if they deem it necessary,  that will result in some change(s).  Well, if it's too late for paid changes, it's too late for any changes.  I'm not going to re-make it, re-color it, re-stack it, add to it, or subtract from it, so what's the point.

 

I don't ask for a photo of my steak before it gets to my table, or one of my flower arrangement before it arrives at my in-laws............

 

Don't like it that I won't provide a pre-delivery pic?  Then I'm not your baker.

 

Rae

I couldn't agree more!

I a tuly learned this the hard way, though... I sent a pic and the lady text me back that it wasn't exactly what sha had in mind and was disappointed. I seriously considered taking some $$$ of the total, but I had already given a price break and didn't feel like I could afford it. I loved the cake, and thought it looked great, so then I questioned my judgement and started mentally picking it apart.

When she got there with her friend she was very polite, and the friend was gushing about it. I apologized that it wasn't what she had in mind, and I wished I could give her a discount, but I was already making minimum wage, haha.... The friends head snapped around and she looked at her like WTH??

Later that night I got a message on my Facebook page from the friend saying that the girl LOVED her cake and was squealing and showing it to everyone. And that after they left here, the lady who got the cake said she was hoping to get a bigger discount, and was pretending to hate it.

No more pictures!!!

She should be ashamed of herself. Put her on the no cake for you list!

I live in the dark agrs where I actually have to attach a cord from my camera to the computer, download a picture, attach it to an email and send it. No way I'd be fiddling about doing all that when you won't be changing anything anyway, and the customer will see it in a couple of hours anyway. Crazy!