AAfter having bad headaches I took my 13 year old daughter to the doctor Monday & after a scheule ct scan Thursday, they found a tumor on her brain & they performed the surgery yesterday. We will be in the hospital only a week or two but she can't go back to school this year & she has a longhorn road of recovery. I will need to be her full time caregiver for a while. I posted on my business Facebook page that due to a family emergency, I won't be able to take any new orders for a while. Within minutes, I got a message from a customer that I've been having trouble with already. She got a quote on a cake in early January. It clearly says on my info that quotes are only valid for 30 days. She contacted me about 2 weeks ago (so much over 30 days later) & I apologized but told her that cake price had now changed. (After making it for someone else I realized it needed to be about double the price) And even though technically it says quotes are only good 30 days, she pressured me & made me feel bad so I have her a huge discount. Now after posting about my family emergency, she messages me and says, are you still making my cake & was just really rude about it. I told her yes. Then she dropped the price down to the original quote & said, still for that price right? So I said no we agreed on the new price. But she's still trying to argue with me. With everything going on right now & her being so rude I really just want to tell her that with what is going on & her having issues with my pricing, I think it would be best to cancel the order. And then I'd like to not even respond to anything else from her. I feel bad but I just can't handle that stress right now & she's being so inconsiderate, even after I told her exactly what is going on. Help me please!

AAre you serious? Who cares about this woman? You have other priorities right now.

First, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. You need to be there for her with all of your energy and time to help her recover - do NOT feel bad about that. Second, dump this client. You will be relieved to not have to deal with her, it sounds like she will be a thorn in your side for months to come, just say NO. If you want to tell her what is going on, that is up to you. But you are not obligated to this person at all. A simple, "I'm sorry, a family emergency has come up and I am unable to take any orders until next fall" is all you need to say. If she bugs you again, you don't even have to reply. You need to be mama right now and anyone with half a heart would understand. Don't let this person suck one more minute of your time away from your little girl, I can't imagine what you are going through, I'm so sorry. Hugs to you and your daughter. <3

AThank you so much. I know that's what I need to do but I'm one of those people that always feels bad & has a hard time saying no to people & with all the stress I have right now I just needed at least one person to reassure me that it's ok to do this. Thank you for your kind words.

AS sorry you are going through this. Will say a few extra prayers for ya'll, I agree with above. Just tell her you can't do the cake and if possible block her. Focus only on your daughter and what you need to do. And do not worry about what this lady thinks or says.

Oh gosh, I know - I'm right there with you trying to burn the candle at both ends to meet everyone's needs! Sometimes I need someone to tell me it's ok to say "no" and not feel bad about it. This is definitely one of those times!!!

AYou're exact right. And I truly do appt dictate you being that person for me. I've sent her the message politely and professional & if she doesn't understand, that will just have to be how it is & I won't respond to any negative messages.

AThank you that's very sweet. Prayers is what has kept me so strong!

Maybe this will be a good time for you to toughen up and set a good example for your daughter so she won't have a hard time saying no like you. I'm speaking as someone whose mother never spoke up for herself and let people run over her and then over me by default. I grew up as someone who couldn't stand up for herself and had to struggle hard to learn and it's still not easy. Not being able to say no when it's appropriate and needed is not grown up behavior.

ALots of prayers on your way! May your little girl get well soon! Stay strong and don't forget to take care of yourself as well!

APrayers for you and your baby girl!!!!!! Forget that lady, seriously. I'm so appalled at the callousness of people. Honestly she's not worth anymore time. I'd curse her out, but I'm working on that lol. You've been more than accomidating this far. Time to cut that loose.

A

I agree!!! Cut her loose! Cut her loose! She sounds like a PITA.. One my friends and i would call "client from hell"..

Best wishes to you all, don't spend any more wasted time on that client. Your daughter needs you more which you know. Hugs.

Cubascakes, sending prayers for your daughter.

Don't feel bad about cancelling that nasty customer's order. She sounds like she'll be a nightmare from beginning to end. 

ADid I read right? Did you tell her what's going on with your daughter? I cannot believe she didn't send you a grovelling apology as soon as she found out! Block her if you can, ignore her if you can't, don't waste a single second more of your energy on her! Love, best wishes and prayers for you and your daughter from Wales. X

AIf she writes a snotty letter back give me her email address and I'll take care of her for you...

Oh my gosh - I am sending you big hugs right now.  Take Maisie's advice and block her.  Do NOT make this person a cake or feel bad in any way for not doing so - this person is so not worthy of your care and attention but your child is.  Wishing you all the best - take care of yourselves.

AYou could put up a message saying "Sadly due to a family emergency all existing orders have been cancelled...", I say 'sadly' as I know, like me, you will probably feel like you are letting people down, but that is absolutely the right thing to do.

I would speak to a couple of trusted local bakers, they might offer your existing customers a discount - I've done this for a friend who had to miss an order whilst in hospital; I'm more expensive than she is but I was helping her not fret about her 'poor' customer - I didn't do it for the customer lol! You can then post their numbers but don't gurantee that they will take up your orders...

You can then go into the settings of your facebook and deactivate personal messaging.

My thoughts are with you,

Take care, Gray

AThere's no help needed. Due to circumstances far beyond your control you are unable to fulfil the order. Cake is not important now. You and your little girl are. You have enough of a battle on your hands without having to battle a selfish customer.

I wish your young lady (I'm sure at 13 she wouldn't appreciate little girl :) a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

AThank you everyone. I cancelled the order very professionally and politely & she still keeps sending me mean messages. I'm just ignoring it because I don't need anymore stress. Everyone else has told me they'll pray for me & they're sorry. The cake was for her 3 sons. I can't believe a mother would act like that knowing what I'm going through. It's very sad. Thanks again everyone for helping me feel better about this. And prayers are very appreciated :) ❤️

ACubes cake, first really sorry to hear about your daughter and I am wishing and praying that she recovers soon. I am agreeing with everyone else here. You don't need that right now. Your daughter has to come first. And please make sure you take care of your self too. Lots of (((((((hugs))))))) sending your way!!! Take care!! Xxxx

I hope your daughter recovers quickly, I will also keep her in my prayers.  I cannot believe someone would keep sending you nasty emails, she sounds like she has issues…don't bother reading anymore of her emails, just delete them, she will tire of bothering you.  

ACubascakes, I am really sorry to hear about your daughter, as a mum of a daughter I can only imagine what your going though.

She needs your undivided attention right now, nothing else should matter, not cake, not very nice customers, nothing, just think about your daughters recovery. Special xxx sent wherever you are!!!

I am so sorry to hear this, my prayers go to your daughter and your family for a speedy uncomplicated recovery.

- on a business note, I would not bother soliciting another baker for this cruel person, I might instead issue a warning to the other bakers that this creature will be out there, scrounging for another cake. I always say it's business, not personal... but sometimes they make it personal.

A

Forward her emails to Kara as she offered, she will tactfully diffuse this terrible woman for you.... and Kara please post your replies... I mean 'reply' - you will only need one :-)

Tact?  Nah.  Send me her email and I'll take care of it with two very short words.

A

UNBELIEVABLE!!! She's still sending mean messages! :x

I'm glad you cancelled for your wellbeing.

So sorry about your daughter and sending prayers for a full and speedy recovery.  You are always a Mom first and cancelling is exactly the right thing to do, even though it can be hard.    I do think you should take costumezar up on her offer.  It will end all those nasty messages you are still getting. 
The very best to you and your family.

Jeanne