I Messed The Cake Up Now What

Business By SweetBakeCakes Updated 18 Mar 2013 , 4:34am by kikiandkyle

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 4:56pm
post #1 of 45

So i messed this order up pretty bad! The client paid 105.00 for the cake.... The finish is horrid though i do like the plaques i made... Normally my cakes have a nice finish this one is a hot mess! 

If the client is upset do i refund her money? If so should i keep what i paid for ingredients... I'm a new user but have been decorating for 5 years this is the WORST cake i have ever created... icon_redface.gif 

44 replies
-K8memphis Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
-K8memphis Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:08pm
post #2 of 45

sorry i can't tell what's wrong

 

i get your upset

 

and i get that you don't like the finish

 

but it does not show for me in the picture

 

and my best guess is the client will be blown away by the awesome stuff their eyes do focus on--the incredible champ & wwe & monnite-y things so

 

typically in a case like this it's no worries

 

if you made this for kerry vincent's best friend be very afraid jk jk ;)

 

if it's for the average to above bear (yogi bear cartoon reference ;) then i think you'll be more than fine

 

a nice finish is the least concern to a cake buyer with artwork to be visually drawn to

 

besides i can't see anything wrong

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:14pm
post #3 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

sorry i can't tell what's wrong

 

i get your upset

 

and i get that you don't like the finish

 

but it does not show for me in the picture

 

and i my best guess is the client will be blown away by the awesome stuff their eyes focus on

 

the incredible champ & wwe & monnite-y things so

 

typically in a case like this it's no worries

 

if you made this for kerry vincent's best friend be very afraid

 

if it's for the average bear (yogi bear cartoon reference ;) then i think you'll be more than fine

 

a nice finish is the least concern to a cake buyer with artwork to be visually drawn to

 

besides i can't see anything wrong

 

 

Okay that helped a little, it looks like sh*t  to me I'm used to making my cakes look flawless.. We shall see what she says eh... In worse case scenario she hates it... Do i refund half? My contract does state all deposits are none refundable... Ugh it just looks so bad!!!

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:15pm
post #4 of 45

Why do my post need to be monitored? The heck

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:16pm
post #5 of 45

I cant post my lengthy post.

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-K8memphis Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:19pm
post #6 of 45

could you post it in several posts & "put to be continued..."

 

maybe?

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:21pm
post #7 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

could you post it in several posts & "put to be continued..."

 

maybe?

I was trying to say thank you it made me feel a little better... TBC

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:22pm
post #8 of 45

I was trying to say thank you that made me feel a little better TBC

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:24pm
post #9 of 45

In worse case she hates it do i just refund her half? My contract does sate all deposits are NONE refundable.

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:26pm
post #10 of 45

This what she is inspecting... I would be upset if where her...

 

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-K8memphis Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:28pm
post #11 of 45

no no no don't go in prepeared to refund anything

 

be prepared to watch the magic happen

 

be surprised at anything that goes amiss

 

if i was a champion weeweemonite i would be thrilled with your creation

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DebbyJG Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:48pm
post #12 of 45

ASorry,maybe it's the photo, but I don't see anything wrong with it. Other than being a carved cake for the way too low price of $105! ;) Maybe you can explain what's wrong with it that the photo isn't showing?

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 5:49pm
post #13 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

no no no don't go in prepeared to refund anything

 

be prepared to watch the magic happen

 

be surprised at anything that goes amiss

 

if i was a champion weeweemonite i would be thrilled with your creation

Okay ill chill out. :)

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jason_kraft Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 8:08pm
post #14 of 45

AIt looks fine in the picture, but if you think the cake is not good enough for a paying customer the right thing to do is offer a full refund.

When you make this decision be sure to look at it from the customer's point of view, as customers typically have lower standards than cake decorators. The customer will probably love it (especially for such a cheap price) unless there is something wrong that didn't show up in the picture.

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LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 16 Mar 2013 , 8:19pm
post #15 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

no no no don't go in prepeared to refund anything

 

     Agree. We are always on our own worst critic. I can't tell you how many times we have sent a cake out the door and I'm stewing about some detail that didn't look exactly perfectly like I saw it in my head, but the customer is blown away by the cake (in a good way!). As cake decorators, we see every little flaw. Sometimes too, we are way too close (literally) to our work and need to step back and look at the whole picture. Maybe to you it's not your best work, but don't go into it assuming the customer will hate it. 

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:02am
post #16 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by remnant3333 

So what was the customer's reaction when you gave them the cake?

 

 

This is what she sent: thank you for the cake only thing i would have changed was have it more smooth and connected. And the middle piece wider. But cannot wait to taste it!...

this is with out me telling her i think i messed it up... She is a model and very high "class" so i knew off the bat she would not like it and i totally understand as i would be upset as well!! 

 

Anywho i have decided to take a brake.... my last few projects have not been up to par! I'm falling out of love with caking :( its a sad thing.. But i am going to make this my hobby again possibly... i don't know haven't decided... Caking used to be my stress reliever but now its a huge STRESSER!! 

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:03am
post #17 of 45

Btw the husband loved it! :)

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:04am
post #18 of 45

I posted something before that it has to be reviewed 

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denetteb Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:23am
post #19 of 45

Glad the customer loved it.  Take a deep breath of relief, all your worries were for nothing.  Ya done good.

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fearlessbaker Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:43am
post #20 of 45

The only thing wrong is you are giving this beautiful cake away. You simply didn't charge enough!

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:48am
post #21 of 45

she didnt love it for some reason i cant post long topics?>!

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jason_kraft Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:49am
post #22 of 45

A

Original message sent by SweetBakeCakes

Btw the husband loved it! :)

Glad to hear it! One of the most difficult things about selling cakes is sending a finished product out the door that meets the standards of your market when it doesn't necessarily meet your standards as a decorator...unless you can command a very high price that extra effort will usually go unnoticed.

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:50am
post #23 of 45

I charged enough, 3.50 per serving 30 guest.

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jason_kraft Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 3:54am
post #24 of 45

A

Original message sent by SweetBakeCakes

she didnt love it for some reason i cant post long topics?>!

What specifically didn't she love about it?

BTW the comments about underpricing are because when you have a relatively labor-intensive design and/or a sculpted cake that doesn't have too many servings, it's a good practice to add an additional premium to the cake to cover the design, otherwise you are doing extra work for free. In most markets that cake would probably be at least in the $250-300 range.

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LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 4:17am
post #25 of 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft 

BTW the comments about underpricing are because when you have a relatively labor-intensive design and/or a sculpted cake that doesn't have too many servings, it's a good practice to add an additional premium to the cake to cover the design, otherwise you are doing extra work for free. In most markets that cake would probably be at least in the $250-300 range.

Exactly. Our shaped cakes start at $250. That's the most basic. 

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 4:17am
post #26 of 45

Ive tried to post and CC will not let me.. the heck!

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SweetBakeCakes Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 4:18am
post #27 of 45

I know Jason, thanks... Its just a good price for me 

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PennieK Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 5:30am
post #28 of 45

I'm from Iowa also and I probably would have charged $4.00/serving for this cake. Yes it's a shaped cake but to me it looks like it is just a round cake in the middle with a small sheet cake trimmed to fit on each side. I do think you undercharged due to your serving size though. That cake looks like it would serve a lot more than 30.

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denetteb Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 1:20pm
post #29 of 45

She sent a nitpick email even before tasting it?  Guess you did know your customer and how nitpicky she would be.  No suggestion for any followup offers for her, if any since I don't sell.  But I think your idea of taking a break from orders is a good one.  Sit back, re-assess why you have not been up to par lately.  Look at the business side of things and see if there is something to change there, think if going back to caking as a hobby would make it fun again, etc.  Good luck with it.

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denetteb Posted 17 Mar 2013 , 1:20pm
post #30 of 45

And remember that the husband loved it!

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