Have You Ever Had Just A 'no-Good-This-Isnt-My-Day' Kind Of Cake Day? Ruined A Wedding.... (Very Long)

Decorating By BAKEdeliciousbc Updated 24 Jul 2013 , 8:13am by vgcea

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cofeewoman Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:04am
post #61 of 76

So sorry that happened to you but we all have had those! Accidents happen, and you did what is right, offering money back & free cake.  Just remember all your successes and live & learn.

I refuse to make wedding cakes any longer. Back in the 90's, I got stomach flu on a Thursday that lasted well into Friday- completely down for the count, and the wedding was early Saturday. Luckily I had all the cakes baked and crumb coated.  So I had to frost & decorate all of them and deliver, set up by Sat morning. I was up all night. It was 3 tiered cakes with 2 stairwells connecting. I was so stressed I was going to ruin her wedding since I didn't have anyone to help me.  Just to scary for me if something happens, can't just run to a store and get them a cake.  ;)

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Annabakescakes Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:07am
post #62 of 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by BAKEdeliciousbc 

I did offer her a free cake/photosession as well, but haven't heard back from her. All this is making me want to just stop :/ and just do practice cakes.

I haven't seen your other cakes, but that may not be a bad idea. 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:25am
post #63 of 76

A

Original message sent by sixinarow

I'm so sorry for you, I don't really know what else you can do other than ride out the storm. Did you ever get a phone number from the bride or are you still communicating through fb?

We're still communicating via FB, but I have her husband's number so we can set up the refund. I just hope it doesn't get any worse.

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:47am
post #64 of 76

This one is my first ever fondant covered cake for my friend's baby shower. Kinda bulging, I know. Overall, I was pleased, it being my first. 

 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:48am
post #65 of 76

Camera cake for my sister's birthday. A 'for fun' cake. 

 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:49am
post #66 of 76

Little smash cake for a 1 y.o. cutie. (One of my very first)

 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 4:52am
post #67 of 76

The top one is the first wedding cake I've done. I had done one practice 4-tier prior to this one. The bottom is the 2nd wedding cake I had over this last weekend (with the disaster cake). Just a small 2-tier. Top tier is a dummy. They had a sheet cake for serving. 

 

 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 5:04am
post #68 of 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes 

I haven't seen your other cakes, but that may not be a bad idea. 

I'm planning on it...would be my smartest option I think

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thelittlecakery Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 5:19am
post #69 of 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by sixinarow 

I don't think I would say the bride was "lucky". This is a worse case scenario for a bride and baker, while we can feel the baker's pain, imagine the bride on her wedding day. Not knowing anything was wrong, walking into the reception and seeing an unfinished cake on what is supposed to be an awesome day. Continuing to blame the bride when the only thing she did was pay a baker (who as far as we know is legal and licensed) to bake and completely decorate a cake...of any size... isn't going to help the op's business. This isn't an instance of a bridezilla or someone complaining about taste, texture, size or decorating style. This was an unfinished wedding cake. OP can move on, bake another cake and hopefully restore her reputation, but unless she addresses the bride/family of this cake, it could really come back to bite her business, hard.  I think the key now is to try to help the OP salvage what is left of her reputation so she can move forward with her new business. Unfortunately, since a lot of new business depends on word of mouth and reviews from previous clients, op needs to go above and beyond the refund and apology to hopefully keep THIS client from telling other potential clients what happened to her (which is well within her right) and discouraging them from conducting business with the op. That's not defamation, that's unfortunately, factual. If the bride were to take the op to court, the court would side with the bride and possibly award punitive or nominal damages that would amount to more than re-baking a wedding cake and paying the photographer to re-take pictures.

 

I did not blame the bride, I believe I stated that the bride should ALSO  have an issue with the previous baker backing out at the last minute. I agree that she did not deliver what she was supposed to deliver, a finished cake, but I also do not think that she needs to keep being kicked while she is down. From her posts on here, she has clearly learned her lesson and I highly doubt it will ever happen again.  I disagree that a court would require her to bake a new cake and require new pictures be taken since she has already stated that she refunded the bride her money. Once the bride accepted the refund, she no longer has a case. People are so sue happy they think they can get a million dollars for a broken toe, its ridiculous and really, would a new cake and pictures of such change what has happened? No, because what is the bride and groom going to do with a four tier cake? I do not see where anyone spoke of defamation of character, because what is being said is (unfortunately) true.

 

My opinion is that BAKE - keep baking cakes, do practice cakes, do cakes for others as well, but when you do, make sure you price them correctly, you have a contract, a calendar and take it slowly. I'm not going to keep telling you that you messed up, clearly you know what you did wrong. I'm going to tell you that I am excited to see some of your work and learn from this, do not let it ruin something you clearly enjoy doing.

 

Cake on!  

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cakefat Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:09am
post #70 of 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norasmom 

If someone who didn't order or pay for the cake submitted a complaint to the BBB, it won't hold water.  

 

Maybe it's the person who did actually pay for the cake..or gave money to the bride to buy the cake, like her mother. Or maybe it's the bride herself and just does not want to confront the baker directly.

 

I think it will 'hold water' and honestly it is a valid complaint..that cake is all sorts of jacked up.  

 

OP- maybe you can offer them a free (small) cake to smooth things over? They may not accept it..but you can at least offer it. That may help with your BBB response?

 

Are all your cakes that are pictured here, on your FB page? So assuming the bride saw your work before, right? She must have, because who orders a wedding cake w/o seeing the style/skill of the cake maker beforehand?

 

As we all know, being amazing or even just really good at cake decorating takes a lot of skill which takes a lot of practice, time, etc..not to mention artistic talent etc etc...so I think you could continue to practice a bit more before you start targeting the wedding market (but who knows, clearly there are lots of people who want $180 4 tier wedding cakes). But I do think you should continue to decorate..but just keep practicing and practicing- like everyone has to in this medium. 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:36am
post #71 of 76

A.

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:38am
post #72 of 76

AP.S...dumb question: what does OP stand for? I always see all these abbreviations throughout the forums, and most of the time have no clue what they stand for haha. Thanks!

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cakefat Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:43am
post #73 of 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by BAKEdeliciousbc 

P.S...dumb question: what does OP stand for? I always see all these abbreviations throughout the forums, and most of the time have no clue what they stand for haha. Thanks!

 

OP=original poster (person who started the thread)

 

Well...hindsight is 20/20 and lesson learned etc etc- and I think you realize all things things, especially after 5 pages of talking about it.

 

I wonder though, if the BBB report will get you in trouble if you're not licensed? 

 

ps- it's probably a good idea to start looking into that for your area. Is there a cottage food law (or whatever it's called) in your area?

 

edited to add: pls do not offer her a $200 refund when it was only $180. You already offered a free cake which she accepted and she might report you to the health dept, so if she does that..you need to keep that extra $20 for a fine or whatever. Don't give it to her. Okay..the cake was not ideal..but just refund the actual amount paid..not over. 

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BAKEdeliciousbc Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:52am
post #74 of 76

A

Original message sent by cakefat

OP=original poster (person who started the thread)

Well...hindsight is 20/20 and lesson learned etc etc- and I think you realize all things things, especially after 5 pages of talking about it.

I wonder though, if the BBB report will get you in trouble if you're not licensed? 

ps- it's probably a good idea to start looking into that for your area. Is there a cottage food law (or whatever it's called) in your area?

edited to add: pls do not offer her a $200 refund when it was only $180. You already offered a free cake which she accepted and she might report you to the health dept, so if she does that..you need to keep that extra $20 for a fine or whatever. Don't give it to her. Okay..the cake was not ideal..but just refund the actual amount paid..not over. 

Thank you. Yeah, I'm not sure what could happen. But I'm done, freaked out. I saw something like that cottage food law, but I'll have to look more into it. Thanks for the advice.

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 7:57am
post #75 of 76

I was totally with the bride before, but you have done everything you can to make it right, they are getting a bit silly imo.

They are actually making money on the cake now, getting a free one in the future, received a full apology, and now reporting you to the health dept and BBB?

I'm assuming from what you said you told her she knows you aren't legal and won't be baking anymore?

 

While I agree with a refund and 100% about not baking in an unlicensed kitchen, it's obvious you are pretty upset about all this and want to learn from it.

I would stop the back and forth, give her the refund, tell her you stand by your offer of a free cake and say good day. She is going to do what she is going to do, simple as that.

 

I'm not sure where you are from, or what the rules are, in my county, all the health dept will do is send a cease and desist letter, telling you to stop baking illegally, at least for a first complaint. (Where I lived before in Canada it was a $10K fine, so I would just call yours up and ask, you don't have to give any personal info or say you are calling about yourself.)

To the best of my understanding, BBB will tell you to resolve the issue with the client, then contact the client asking if it has been resolved. If the client says no, they will look into it. You have given more than a full refund and apologized, as far as the BBB is concerned, I am pretty sure they will consider it resolved.

I have never dealt with them, but from what I have read online, that is how I *think* it works.

 

I would walk away from the drama now, the longer it gets dragged out, the worse it's bound to get.

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vgcea Posted 24 Jul 2013 , 8:13am
post #76 of 76

AMy goodness, what a nightmare. I hope this passes soon OP and you can put this in your past. So many lessons to be learned here.

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