So bride came to me with a pillow design. I did my quote and started working on the cake. It's a fruit cake and the wedding is in June. She told me her payment plan was as and when she got money since her husband is self employed. For the last two times she has brought hubby along with her. First time he was moody and was not saying much. Today they came and he started talking about how he does not want a sweet cake. We did not do any cake tastings before. I said I will provide a cake for their next visit if they tell me when they will be coming on time. They have already paid me $320 out of $410, so payments have gone smoothly. THEN, groom started talking about some other people's cakes and things that went wrong bla bla bla. He then said he wanted the cake as per picture supplied. He then showed me the picture. It did not look like what I had agreed with the bride. Apparently what he wants is exactly like the design that was done for his sister's wedding. The bride does not like the idea of copying her SIL's design. I mentioned that there will be price adjustment since the design requires more tiers and different topsy turvey stacking arrangement. The bride just humbly agreed because he mentioned something along the lines, 'Ít's not your money'. The way he was describing things comparing doing cakes with what he does in his job as a mechanic,argh! He went on to say he wants to come and see all the stages involved in making fruit cake just to be sure he does not get surprises on the day. I am so uncomfortable working with him now. I told them I was going to work out the price adjustments associated with the changes. A part of me wants me to give them back their money and run. I have already baked two tiers so not sure what to do. I can always use them for tastings, favors or even for someone who wants a square cake. Another part does not want to chicken out. I am also thinking of putting PITA fee for the topsy turvey design. Sigh!

 

Thank u for listening.

I would run, very fast!!!!!

Follow your instincts and run as fast as you can. Anyone who would say something like that to the woman he's going to marry in front of a stranger is not someone you want to deal with. If he has no respect for the fiance imagine how he's going to treat you.

I agree...Unless you really need the business I would bow out and give them a refund. 

I have had to do this before, I could smell unreasonable complaints , bashing and demands for refunds after the fact, a mile away.

I would refer them to another baker and save myself the headache.

oh man he sounds like a pill!  but i have one question, and maybe i just read it wrong or misunderstood, but did you say the wedding is in June and you already baked two tiers of the cake?

Yes its in June. Its a fruit cake, so no problem. It will be maturing.

Here's what you need to do: write a letter.

 

Word it along the lines of "The bride and I formed a written agreement for a specific cake design.  I do not feel that I can do justice to the new design that has been required.  Here therefore is your full deposit, I wish you luck".

 

Call the bride and find out who gets the deposit $$.  Make a photocopy of that cheque for your records. Send a copy of the letter separately to both bride and groom.

 

There is no reason to be part of what is so obviously going to continue to be heartache.   Money for a cake does not buy the right to abuse you.

I'm with Irene.  RUN! 

I do not have a busy but I have worked in the Wedding Industry with a Videography and DJ company... I have seen the owner return money because of just a "gut" feeling and have found out later that it was a great thing... so judging from your post I agree with everyone else... RUN!!!

In my experience a groomzila is worse than a bridezilla or even a momzilla.  Srsly, run, run like the wind.

When you send the letter to the bride, include a bar of soap and a sock. She's going to need it.

Too funny!!!

I agree..sometimes it's just not worth the hassle..

I'm a home baker..I once had a lady call me at noon on Friday, and told me she "had to have cake sample of EVERY kind of cake that I make by 6:30 the next day". I ran so fast the wind still hasn't died down!!
 

He wants to be there when you bake the cake? does he let clients come under the lift when he's changing the oil? gimme a break!

 

I also run a day care and I have never been wrong when i thought someone was going to blow me off or stiff me on a payment. Sometimes you just know. Trust your instinct on this one. 

hey save up a sink full of dishes to keep him busy while he's hovering

 

There's a sign I've seen in several repair shops - -

 

 

Labor Rate  -  $50 per hour

 

If you watch -  $100 per hour

 

If you help  -   $500 per hour

 

 

Make up your own and post it prominently.

RUN FOREST. RUN!!!!!!!lol!!! I,m serious!!!

Let us know what you end up doing? I'd love to hear their reaction. I feel sorry for the bride though, besides I thought the bride chose the cake design!!!

Nowadays weddings are quite often joint affairs as who pays what can vary immensely.  Most men don't really care that much about the cake.  As long as it looks nice and makes their bride happy.  She knows what she is getting into but rather than you running maybe it should be her.  Run Baby Run!!!
 

A

I couldn't agree more! He sounds like an abusive jerk. I wish ALL men didnt care about the cake because I had one recently that kept messing up the design. We had a "clean, modern" cake designed, bride loved it, and groom wanted to clutter it with piping. But I prefer that to what you are going through with this A-hole.

A

YES!!! Do it!

You guys are awesome! Thank u so much! I will meet them today. Will give u feedback later. Was talking to my daughter yesterday and I said, "This girl is going to spend the rest of her life with such a man, OMG!"