Hello!

I have had a cake business for about a year now and have had many orders.  The problem is that every time I make a cake, I get serious anxiety about the cake getting destroyed before I am able to deliver it or the customer absolutely hating it.  I have never had either of these situations happen and take many precautions to keep the cake safe prior to delivery.  However, I can't help but worry what would happen if the cake were to fall on the ground during delivery or something go terribly wrong.    Once the cake is delivered the worry goes away, until the next order.

     So I have two questions...

1)  Is it just me or does anyone else get this way just before a delivery?!

2)  Has anyone actually had this worst case scenario happen & if so are there any "plan-B" last minute tips that could help save the day or at least make it a little easier to deal with??

I definitely have this every time I deliver a cake. I have only had a problem once. I was delivering two cupcake bouquets and one toppled over. I live in an area with a LOT of hills. Thankfully I had baked some extra cupcakes and had brought a piping bag full of the leftover frosting. I explained the situation to the customer and asked her if she wanted a refund or if she wanted me to fix it. She said to fix it so I swapped out smushed cupcakes (thankfully it toppled over onto the board and not my car floor...gross!) and frosted them on the spokes. If you really worry about it that much you could always invest in a cake safe. It is on my wish list!

I feel the same way.  White knuckles on the steering wheel and practically holding my breath the whole way!  Last weekend I had to keep fighting the urge to pull over and make sure the cake hadn't toppled.  Thankfully (knock on wood) I haven't had a problem yet, but I do bring extra fondant/frosting and my tools in case there is a problem.  I've also started using the SPS system.  That helps me feel like I've done everything I can to ensure the cake is in good shape.  Still high anxiety though!

AI am SO glad to hear that it's not just me! I haven't heard of the cake safe before but will definitely look into it. SPS is also a good idea. It just drives me nuts that one trip or bump in the road and there goes several days of work. It seems so silly to get nervous about something that hasn't even happened. Wish there was a way to just not worry. On the bright side, i guess it means we really care a lot about our cakes lol

You should deliver everything after it's been refrigerated overnight, that way they'll be good and cold and won't shimmy around.

I've been doing this for 15 years and I still get nervous.

I have 3 cakesafes (my hubby insisted!) and they definitely help with anxiety. A LOT. I never cringe when we hit a pothole or when we have to stop quickly. 

But there is still a little bit that never goes away. Mostly that somehow a topper jumps off the cake at a wedding and I get a call (that has happened), or that I forgot something like a kitchen cake that they added at the last minute (also happened, but I was able to quick save that). Or maybe that a customer  drove too fast and their baby shower cake is smushed (never happened, knock, knock,knock). I think I truly don't relax until Sunday morning when all crazy phone calls demanding I come and fix something couldn't possibly happen. 

I've never had to offer a refund for anything, and most of my oopses have been something I catch before the cake ever leaves. I actually toppled down the stairs with a 2 tier cake in hand and it smashed against the wall-  can we say re-bake??

So, yes, comes with the job. 

AI Definitetly do! The Bigger the cake the worse it is.

I always freak out when I transport cakes, I have learned to put a piece of the nonslip rubber stuff under the cakeboard in the box. As I had a cake slide in the box (The box was a bit to big for the cake board as it was all I had), it was a cake decorated with just ganache, and the swirls on top smudged on the lid as it slid, luckily it wasn't too bad and the customer didn't even notice! 

Oh yes.  I fell on a doorstep and ruined my friend's cake that was for her parent's anniversary.  I felt so badly, but they invited me in for a drink and handed me $50 anyways.  I would say it's bound to happen, but that's not true.  Many have not had any problems in delivery, so you can't worry.

Definitely chill cakes to "set" the buttercream so it stays firm during delivery.

Also, today I was delivering cupcakes with sugar cookies on top and the main cupcake for the birthday girl fell over and the cookie broke in half.  I patched it together and made it look like it was supposed to be two pieces, but I think they noticed.  Now I have a new rule...always bring extra everything for patch-up jobs!

I remember feeling anxiety before I had my non-slip rubber mats - what a fantastic invention - it's always the little things that make life so much easier :)

I have 1 cake safe, but am getting ready to buy another one.  I do not have anxiety about delivery when I use it and I have driven over 2 hours with no issues. They are very expensive, but worth every penny IMO.

www.cakesafe.com