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2508s42
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 07, 2007
Posts: 437
Location: Idaho
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:50 am |
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So I have a wedding cake due in one week. At the time of the consultation they told me that they invited 200 people to their wedding, so they needed a cake to feed 200. I told them that they would NOT get 200 to COME to their wedding. In this area you will get about half of who you've invited. They insisted that THEY will have 100% attendance, and so they need a cake that large.
WHATEVER, I still get paid right?
SO, they order a 5 tier cake simple decoration, all bc with little swirls around the edges, fresh flowers (supplied by the florist) each tier a different flavor all with filling, like bavarian creme, butter scotch etc.
Okay, so I charge them $445, which is $2.14 a serving. (the sizes and teirs they chose make it 208 servings) My wedding cakes START at $3 a serving, but I know this couples family and they are very kind but also pretty poor. They said it was NO PROBLEM (since I pointed out that they were given a discount of $179. I have a contract that they signed and read, EVEN POINTED OUT A TYPO IN THE TERMS. I told them that they needed to pay 50% down, which is non refundable, and one week before the date they needed to pay 50%. NO PROBLEM, they were gifted some $$ from some grandma or something. They paid in FULL in CASH on two days after they booked.
SO YESTERDAY the bride calls me and tells me that they no longer need the bottom teir because it is 78 servings, and they didn't get the response that they thought that they would. (No kidding) She wanted to take it off, and to have me give them back the money that they paid for that teir. So I told them that since it was so close to the wedding, I have already purchased a lot of the things that cake needs, and the contract states that this close to the wedding, they can't make any changes. So she starts crying and telling me that they just got into their apartment, and they paid the deposit and first month rent but they were surprised to find out that there were hook up fees for utilities (WHAT!!) and their budget is really tight. They also have to go to the florist change the florist becuase they wont reduce the flower order. Turns out the florist had already ordered the flowers and has started working on some of the arrangements. They have a contract too, and they wont refund any money, so the bride is just going to have to go to another florist and eat the cost of the deposit to the florist. They are just being unreasonable. (the florist)
I told her that I completely understood that expenses can get out of control when you are starting a new life together, and then I reminded her that I told her she didn't need that much cake, but that they insisted. I also told her that the reason bakers and florists and photographers have contracts is becuase they have to get things ahead of time, and they NEVER just throw something together. A lot of time goes into making sure that the couple get exactly what they want on their day. I told her that I was already giving her a huge discount, and that the best I could do for her this late in the game was give her $70. This was after much begging and tears on her part. So when I tell her that, the tears INSTANTLY STOPPED and she said, GREAT. Can you mail that to me?
I feel like I was played for a fool. It is really not my problem that they didn't budget accordingly. I should have told her tough cookies. Oh well. Live and learn. I have a new policy. ONLY DISCOUNTS FOR IMMEDIATE FAMILY. PERIOD.
What would you have done?? |
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southaustingirl
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 621
Location: Austin, Tx
Birthday: Feb 22
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:03 am |
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I haven't had to deal with a problem like this so I would be intrested in reading what others have done.
In my line of work, I have learnd to bypass all the tears and listen for what the problem really is and then provide a solution. I guess I will have to apply the same logic to my cake business. |
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dldbrou
Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 09, 2006
Posts: 686
Location: Louisiana
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:58 am |
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Wait, didn't the money come from the grandma? The grandma probably doesn't know that they are using her wedding money to pay debts for setting up their apartment. Who doesn't know that their are deposits to get an apartment or house set up? She is in big trouble if she can not budget in advance and stick to it. I think that if you are refunding money then you should simplify your design to cut your decorating time. |
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tnuty
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 404
Location: Rhode Island
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:06 am |
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I think that bride is in for one RUDE awakening.. |
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doc_farms
Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 21, 2005
Posts: 465
Location: Brighton, CO
Birthday: Aug 26
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:07 am |
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I am so sorry you had to go through that - what a headache! Live and learn...I agree. You are a good person for what you did, and you can live with just knowing that!!!! |
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grama_j
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 03, 2005
Posts: 1736
Location: Ohio
Birthday: Apr 07
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:10 am |
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These "brides"..... sighhhh.... she is no more ready to set up housekeeping than the man in the moon....... It was MORE than nice of you to give them a break, and DOUBLE that for giving them the second break on the $ 70.00..... We can only hope all 200 people show up, and they won't have enough cake.... It would serve her right !  |
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marthajo1
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 04, 2007
Posts: 2395
Location: Visalia, CA
Birthday: Feb 05
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:12 am |
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Well the good news is you will now be making $2.88 a serving! Hope the rest of the drama is kept at a minimum! |
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Ironbaker
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 2043
Location: Atlanta, GA
Birthday: Oct 02
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:16 am |
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Makes you wonder why in the world they invited 200 people if they are on such a tight budget. You were more than nice to her with that double discount.
There needs to be a "Go Kick Rocks" Club for these ridiculous brides. |
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Irish245
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 06, 2006
Posts: 123
Location: Butler, PA (just north of Pittsburgh)
Birthday: Aug 02
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:19 am |
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In my world, that would be a "tough noogies!!!".
You already gave them a discount and told them not to order that much cake.
This is why we have contracts!!!!
I'm sorry but she played you. It happened to me....ONCE! Live and learn for the next time.
If you undersell yourself or give money back because she raised a fuss, don't you think she's going to tell all of her friends to come see you for their wedding cake because you can be manipulated???
I've had problems a couple times....one didn't want to pay the balance by the due date two weeks before the wedding. Her mother said...."I don't see why our final payment can't be a few days late." I told her in a nice way, "well I have to get supplies and if your daughter doesn't mind her cake being a few days late, it's ok with me if you pay me a few days late." The woman drove 1 hour and 20 minutes to make sure I had her payment. I now have a stip. in my contract that says if it's not paid in full 2 weeks before the wedding, I have the option of either canceling the order and keeping the deposit (half the cost of the cake) or doing the cake but the balance plus 15% of total cost of cake added on.
The only thing I've had lately was a guy that contacted me to do a cake. He needed more servings that a quarter sheet cake and less than a half sheet. He didn't want leftovers so he wanted me to bake a half sheet cake and cut it down so there were less servings, and decorate that. WHAT???????? I told him that I could certainly do that for him but the cost would be the same as a half sheet, since I had to make the same amount of cake as a half sheet and take the time to cut it down and then still decorate it. I told him that was my only solution since he definitely only wanted a sheet type cake. Never heard from him again. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall when he went to Walmart or Costco and ask them to do that. hehehe |
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tyty
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 25, 2006
Posts: 1907
Location: Chicago
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:32 am |
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We live and we learn, the hard way. I too had a bride who broke our contract and paid 3 weeks late for the cake. Cake was to be paid for 1 month in advance. Then she tried to pay me only 2/3 of the amt due. I told her I needed all the money before I start on the cake. She did come back the same day and pay the rest. She thought I was going to take part of the $ and call it a day. When that cake was not paid for on June 30, I should have told her I couldn't do her cake because she broke the contract. |
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TexasSugar
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 01, 2005
Posts: 4393
Location: East Texas
Birthday: Dec 08
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:44 am |
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| 2508s42 wrote: | | They said it was NO PROBLEM (since I pointed out that they were given a discount of $179. |
Even if you point out a discount people really don't get it. Some here will suggest that you put that discount in writing so they will see it and maybe it will make it more clear to them. Most people just think about the amount they pay, not what they could have had to pay.
Also in your future contracts I would highlight in front of them and have them intial the really big parts. Such as the non refundable 50% down and 50% the week before the wedding. Have a set date that changes can not be made after. So say if they are having a June 1st wedding and you do not allow changes the month before, then have that date written there. No changes in size or design made after May 1st. Again highlight that and have them intial it. You can also put a fee for any changes they want to make, that works out in you benifit. 
Legally since you had it in writing and she signed the paper you really could have just stood your ground and said no. If she threatened court or such, you have the important infromation in writing that they signed. So legally she couldn't expect anything in return.
Do I think you did wrong but giving her money back, nah not really, unless this is an unusual flavor or you had to buy things that you couldn't use with future cake orders. It does save you time from baking that large teir and having to wait for it to cool and icing it and decorating it.
That means you cut down your time in the kitchen. And if I am doing the math correctly it actually comes out to a better price for you. If you give back $70 that means you are still making $375 for the 130 servings left. Which makes your price per slice $2.88 now. By her cutting out the bottom teir and the small amount you are giving her back she had actually reduced the amount of her discount, she is only getting a $15 discount.
So you are getting paid more price per serving to do them a smaller cake that will take you less time and work on it. Now just hold your ground and only give her the $70 no matter how many tears she cries.  |
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HollyPJ
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jul 21, 2005
Posts: 1174
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:53 am |
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Promise us you will not give this couple more than the $70 back! That was more than generous of you. You couldn't have made it more clear that they were going to have too much cake when you wrote out the contract. Who in the world thinks they're going to have 100% attendance at their wedding? |
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twooten173
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 520
Location: Steeler Country
Birthday: May 06
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:56 am |
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majormichel
Regular Member
Joined: Apr 22, 2005
Posts: 188
Location: Nova Scotia but from the Bahamas
Birthday: Apr 23
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:59 am |
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I think this bride is crazy. Here it is she wants this big elobrate wedding and have no money to afford. Shame on her. You should have called grandma and tell her what grand daughter is doing with the money. Of course we know, when moving in an apartment we need deposit for all utilities.
You get swing (like the Bahamian people does say) |
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OhMyGoodies
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2167
Location: Easton, MD
Birthday: Jan 22
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:07 pm |
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