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Blues on a shower cake

post #1 of 13
10/4/05 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
My sister in law asked me to make a bridal shower cake for her cousin and make heart shaped sugar cookies for favors. The cake should feed at least 50 guests and So I made a 8 inch round stacked on top of a 12 inch round. She requested 1/2 strawberry, 1/2 chocolate. (her orginal request was for pecan filling which is about 6.00 for two cups and she was trying to keep the cost down but ending up doing it any for the 8inch) I explained to her that me materials for this cake was very costly and after labor I told her I was charging $75.00 for the cake and $15.00 for the cookies. She sounded disappointed in the price but agreed to pay it. She allowed me to decorate how ever i pleased. I basketweaved (just so I could show off my talent) the cakes and added tiny sily rose boquet for the cake topper and small bunches through out. When I delivered the cake I got many compliments. When I confronted her about the money, she asked if she could pay me later in the week. I said "I guess". Am I a PUsh over or what? I am angry. I have learned my lesson 50% up front family or not? I do not how to approach for my hard earned money. Suggestions Please
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post #2 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:03am
Thread Starter 
I would be gratefull for any input.
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post #3 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:11am
well I don't know what to say except that by her sluffing off to pay you immediately is a sure sign she will try and avoid paying you for as long as she can.When someone orders a cake whether family or not I always state my price and say it is payable at time of pickup.I've never had a problem but I would certainly be annoyed if someone said that to me on delivery of a cake,even if I was attending the party!.I would insist that she pay you immediately and refrain from doing anymore cakes and cookies for her!!!
Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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post #4 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:12am
Wow sorry to hear this has happened. When did this happen? how long have you been waiting for your money?
Happy Baking,

Twin Dees

"Good cakes aren't cheap,
Cheap cakes aren't good" (TM)

I am a very proud Mom of Nia , Jada, & D.J.
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Happy Baking,

Twin Dees

"Good cakes aren't cheap,
Cheap cakes aren't good" (TM)

I am a very proud Mom of Nia , Jada, & D.J.
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post #5 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:14am
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear that you had trouble getting payment. My dad runs his own business and I work for him full time and we have a very hard time getting people to pay us sometimes. It's like we are inconviencing them when we expect to get paid. Sorry for the ramble but I know how you feel. I haven't been doing cakes for pay long so I still have trouble with that too. With wedding cakes I have no problem getting 1/2 upfront and the rest the Monday before the wedding. With party cakes though I never know if I should get money upfront. I have not had any problems getting paid but there is always the chance. I actually had someone pay me two months in advance for the cakes I have to do this weekend! In full! I know that won't happen very often.
I guess I would just learn from this and maybe if a cake is over a certain amount of money or will require a lot of labor and material I would get at least a deposit. Or you could always have a contract for them to sign that says payment is due when the get the cake and if you don't at least you would have something to back on them with.
HTH,
Heather
Love is what makes you smile when you are tired.
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Love is what makes you smile when you are tired.
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post #6 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:16am
Wow. I don't know what to say either. Your SIL??? That's nuts. I would just approach her as calmly as I could and explain how much $$ and time went into that cake and you really need the $ now to cover your expenses. This is a job for you and she wouldn't appreciate her boss telling her that they couldn't pay her for doing her job. If she cannot give it all to you at once, maybe pay you for 60%, then she can give you the balance later. Good luck with this.
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post #7 of 13
10/4/05 at 10:19am
I think this is just a little bit of a family issue, families take each other for granted sometimes. But I think you'll get it eventually, so don't get all worked up about it. If she doesn't pay up, I wouldn't do any more for her. But it's only Wednesday! Maybe she over-extended herself paying for the shower, which I agree isn't your problem, but sometimes we feel at liberty with family members. And that's not always a bad thing.
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post #8 of 13
10/4/05 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 
Thank You all for your supporting words and suggestions. I really do appreciate it.
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post #9 of 13
10/4/05 at 12:30pm
I'm suprised that she balked at the price...you're charging her about $2/serving. For a stacked cake that a ton better than she would pay a bakery!!!
I say just keep making comments to her. I would feel the same way as you but that's a lot of money to be out for the sake of keeping hapiness in the family. Is this your husbands sister? If so, I would mention it to him and see if he could suggest how to approach her.
Good luck and keep us posted
Jennz
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post #10 of 13
10/4/05 at 7:15pm
If she hasn't paid you by the next time you speak with her, just say....Oh, by the way...."If you could make a check out directly to Amex (or Visa..or whatever) that would be great! That would save me the trouble of depositing it and then writing a check myself."

You won't get cash, but you'll get paid!

I have done this a couple of times and it works like a charm.
WEBSITE:
www.sweetirene.com
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Sweet-Irene/1449116898#/pages/Brooklyn-NY/SWEET-IRENE-llc/254011761835?ref=ts
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WEBSITE:
www.sweetirene.com
FACEBOOK PAGE:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sweet-Irene/1449116898#/pages/Brooklyn-NY/SWEET-IRENE-llc/254011761835?ref=ts
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post #11 of 13
10/5/05 at 9:10am
Okay, apparently I am alone in my opinion, but if she was the one in charge of running the bridal shower, perhaps she was just absent minded in bringing the money/checkbook with her to the party. I personally do not carry my checkbook with me, as I rarely write checks for anything.

True, she should have had the money ready for you, but none of us is perfect. I say cut her some slack. Maybe give her a call a few days later and ask if you can stop by while you are running errands to pick up your money. You will do much better in the long run to not ruffle feathers in the family. Perhaps it really was just an honest mistake.
Time that you enjoyed wasting wasn't wasted.
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Time that you enjoyed wasting wasn't wasted.
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post #12 of 13
10/5/05 at 4:17pm
What about mentioning it to your brother?
Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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Tact is telling someone where to go so nicely they can't wait to take the trip!
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post #13 of 13
10/7/05 at 4:24pm
Sorry to hear this happened. Why were there complaints? Was that a ploy to not pay you? (I hope not.) I know its hard but give her a friendly call to remind her about the payment. Just say that you know she was busy that day coordinating the party and such but wanted to know when she will pay you and if not the full amount at least half.
http://sugarandpaper.blogspot.com
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http://sugarandpaper.blogspot.com
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