I'll start by saying I have a website for my cake business (mostly wedding cakes). Since I rent a bakery and work there at night, I do consults at my home and the occasional cake pick-up (of non wedding cakes) at my home. I have never had a problem with this.
But this person is really starting to bother me. Something seems fishy and a little scarry. After the e-mail I received this morning, I'm thinking of just telling him I'm no longer willing to do the cake. I'm in no way willing to give this nut my info and would deliver the cake to a public place if I did the cake, but it's getting too weird and he's getting too pushy.
He had left an internet phone message while I was out of town and so when I returned I replied via e-mail saying:
Quote:
Hi, Sorry for the delay in returning your message, but I was out of town. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas you have for your November 15th cake such as flavor, design, how many people it needs to serve, etc. With this info, I will know how to proceed with your order. Thanks,
The first email from him:
Quote:
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE ABOUT MAKING MY BIRTHDAY A SUCCESSFULL ONE. I WILL PREFER THE FRESH FLORAL DESIGN FOR ABOUT 30 PEOPLE IN NUMBER.TRY AND GET TO ME BACK VERY FAST COS YOU KNOW THE DATE IS FAST APPROACHING.TRY AND GET TO ME BACK WITH THE CHARGES FOR THAT DESIGN AND ALSO WITH YOUR ADDRESS TO MAKE THE PAYMENT FAST. REGARD
My response:
Quote:
Hi, What cake flavor did you want? I don't do cakes with fresh flowers, but you could easily contact a florist and pick up the flowers and put them on the cake. I can make gumpaste flowers, but they are more expensive than real ones.
A cake that serves 30 is a double layer 10". The base cost of this without the flowers and if it is just standard flavors for the cake and icing is about $47. Additional costs may apply depending on the design and flavors. Once the order has been finalized, then we can discuss payment. Thanks,
His resoonse:
Quote:
FOR THE CAKE.I WANT THE CAKE TO BE A CHOCOLATE FLAVOURED,AS FOR THE PEOPLE IT WILL SERVE ITS MEANT TO SERVE 30PEOPLE, THE DESIGN I WANT IS THE LATEST EDIBLE 3D SCULPTURE YOU HAVE,AND THE SUGAR FLOWER SHOULD BE HAND MADE SUGAR FLOWER THAT COULD MOULD IN FORM OF GLASS.THE SIZE OF THE CAKE SHOULD BE 15INCHES.MISTY TRY AND GET TO ME WITH THE CHARGES FOR THIS ORDER.ALSO TRY AND GET BACK TO ME WITH YOUR FULL NAME, ADDRESS,TELEPHONE NUMBER. MAYBE I COULD SEE YOU IN PERSON COS I WILL SOON BE LIVING TOWN.AND I WONT WANT ANY DELAY TO OCCUR. REGARDS
My response:
Quote:
A 10" cake will serve 30 people. Do you want that or the larger 15" you stated, that will serve 80? I'm not sure what is meant by "THE DESIGN I WANT IS THE LATEST EDIBLE 3D SCULPTURE YOU HAVE". Do you mean a tiered cake? You also stated, "THE SUGAR FLOWER SHOULD BE HAND MADE SUGAR FLOWER THAT COULD MOULD IN FORM OF GLASS", are you meaning gumpaste flowers? And what kind do you want? Roses? I'm still not sure how you want this decorated, could you send a picture of one similar that you have seen? Do you want it iced in white or chocolate buttercream? Are you looking for a fall theme? Is there a theme to your party? Thanks
His response:
Quote:
HELLO THIS IS TO TELL YOU THAT I WANT THE 15INCHES HAS MENTIONED.YES AS FOR THE DESIGNS I MEAN A TIERD CAKE.FOR THE SUGAR FLOWER IMEAN THE GUMPASTE IN ROSES.I NEED A CAKE TOP THAT SUIT A BIRTHDAY CAKE. I WANT ITS ICED IN CHOCOLATE BUTTERECREAMED.THIS ORDER IS TAKING TO LONG MISTY,I WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING FAST COS MY BIRTHDAY AS YOU KNOW IS FAST APPROACHING.GET BACK TO ME WITH THE CHARGES AND YOUR OTHER INFORMATIONS LIKE YOUR FULL NAME,ADDRESS,TELEPHONE NUMBER AND OTHER NECCESSARY INFO FOR THE PAYMENT TO COMMENCE. REGARDS
I've never had to tell someone they give me the creeps and I want nothing to do with them (obvisiously I wouldn't put it like that), but I'm no longer comfortable with this situation. I can't lie to him, but I need to make him go away, and I don't want to say anything that may "set him off". Maybe I'm being a little silly, but I'm still bothered by this.
Tuggy Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 369
Location: Hamburg/Germany
Birthday: May 14 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:24 am
I really can understand your feelings. It sounds really strange.
Maybe you can just tell him the truth, that you feel uncomfortable with this order and wonīt do it. So you donīt have to lie.
I agree with you - it does sound a little weird, starting with his exacting requirements for a much larger cake than he needs and then it gets really weird with his insistence that it all be done "fast" and his request for all of your personal information. I know you don't want to be untruthful with him but I think maybe you should gracefully decline, mention that something has come up and you are very sorry but unable to fill his order, just say thanks, and that's it.
It is weird enough that I would feel uncomfortable filling the order for this person and there is no need to put yourself in that situation.
thecakemaker Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jan 11, 2005
Posts: 2242
Location: Maryland
Birthday: Jan 12
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:25 am
Sounds creepy to me! Maybe you could tell him that while he was trying to decide what he wanted you accepted another order for that day and can't accomodate him.
Debbie
mbasic Junior Member
Joined: Feb 20, 2006
Posts: 78
Location: Western Suburbs of Chicago
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:28 am
I would be concerned also. This cake order may be worth cancelling.
If you want to salvage the order, I would try to get this person on the phone to nail down what he/she is after. I would then email them back with the details that you glean from the phone conversastion with a request that they immediately respond with a yes or a no to your email by XX/XX/XXXX (whatever date you are comfortable with). Any changes beyond that date will be an additional $20.00 (or whatever amount you are comfortable with.) The return email then becomes the contract.
I don't think you're being silly. He does sound a little "odd". He's not being specific on what he's looking for and where is his terminology of the design coming form????? What does he mean by "mould in a form of glass"
Ask him if he could send you a picture so that you're both on the same page. I think you should maybe e-mail him one last time and if he's still not giving you something to work with...Apologize and tell him that you don't think you'll be able to make his birthday "dream" cake.
What an odd bird. Good Luck...please keep us (at least me) posted on the results of this creepy cake man
Jen
bakedandiced Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 29, 2006
Posts: 209
Location: OK
Birthday: Oct 09
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:31 am
Reading it gives me the creeps too. I am a little leary that he is so set on getting your full name and address to get you payment, but then he's not exactly telling you what design he wants. A tiered cake with flowers for a males birthday in chocolate buttercream........Sounds a little fishy to me Perhaps you could format an email to read I have to have these questions answered before I can proceed with making any sort of determination on your cake.
Name:
Flavor of cake:
How many people to feed:
etc.
Then once you get his name I would try and check it against a local phone directory to see if there is such a person listed.
Or better yet, send an apology email saying that since this has not proceeded fast enough regretfully you are booked for that day.
Best of luck - let us know how it turns out.
Gail
monizcel Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 28, 2006
Posts: 370
Birthday: Mar 31
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:32 am
sweetart,
I think this is an internet scam to get your mailing address and information. I read about this at cakescanada.com recently and once they have your information they can use it for identity theft etc.
I believe what they really want to do is send you a cheque (overpay you) and then ask for you to refund the 'extra' portion. Don't do this this!!! it is similar to money laundering and is illegal.
debsuewoo Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 07, 2005
Posts: 1312
Location: Torrance, CA
Birthday: May 09
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:34 am
Sounds to me that potential customer is playing you. Look at his spelling.... more of a European spelling of English than local. Tell homeboy to take a flying leap and go on with your life unless he can prove locality.
mocakes Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 06, 2006
Posts: 509
Location: St. Louis, MO
Birthday: May 19
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:39 am
My dad who is a policeman would always say to us kids, "When in doubt...DON'T"
It kept me out of trouble then, and I still use it as an adult. You have to trust what your instincts tell you!
Let us know what happens!!
lu9129 Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 544
Birthday: Dec 22
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:46 am
This guy sounds like a nutcase!! My personal opinion is dump him. He does not need all of your information to order a cake. All he needs to do is give you his order. You already told him how much. DUMP HIM!!!!
Your safety along with your families is worth alot more than $47.00!!!!!
lapazlady Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jul 08, 2005
Posts: 1549
Location: La Paz, Baja Ca. Sur, Mexico
Dump him! And save all the e-mails. He may just be a jerk playing with you, but there is no reason not to be careful. A cake is not worth trouble. He is clearly a bit odd. There are plenty of real customers out there that won't give you any problems. See if you can find a simple, direct way to make him go away.
Tiffysma Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 20, 2005
Posts: 916
Location: TN
Birthday: Aug 27
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:48 am
This guy sounds just like one that contacted me about massage through AMTA web site, where only my email address was listed. (Literally, the sound of the emails are way too similar). I started to get nervous about it. He kept stating that he was going to be in my town and wanted a massage for himself and his boss. I quoted him a high price, thinking he would be discouraged. I told him I wan't availabe for his dates, and he changed the date. I also gave him the contact for another massage business, that was a professional business with many massage therapists employed. I work for myself. He kept insisting on my address, etc to have a check cut from his work. (I don't know any business that would pay for massage for a travelling employee, do you?)
I finally just had to tell him I could not do it and not to contact me again. He was freaking me out, becoming very insistant.
I think he was trying to get my personal information, perhaps for identity theft or something not right. I'd say if you are feeling suspicioius, don't have any more contact with him. When I told him no, he kept saying to please not cancel, that he really wanted to do this. It was too scarey to me too!
Last edited by Tiffysma on Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:05 am; edited 2 times in total
My initial reaction from the e-mails was he is being WAY TOO PUSHY. He doesn't even know what he wants for a cake (he is trying to pull information out of YOU for ideas, which is fine....) BUT he sure is wanting that personal information of yours. In this day and age, how do you even know someone is REAL if you don't talk to him in person. I would personally insist that he give you a phone number where YOU CAN CALL HIM to finalize details. I bet you never hear from him again (or you will hear excuses why you can't call).
I believe that God gave us intuition for a reason (seriously). Your conscience is telling you this is just not right. And if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, well, it's probably a duck (or a scammer in this case). If it were me, I would tell him that you're so sorry but you had something come up and you are just not able to do the cake (ok, so you had to wash the dog, or do your nails, or the laundry). You have the right to bow out gracefully if you can't do it, in my opinion.
Good luck and let us know how this comes out for you. It sounds creepy to me.
socake Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 575
Location: Sydney, Australia
Birthday: Nov 29
Posted:
Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:10 am
a simple return email saying that you appologise for the inconvenience but you will no longer be able to make the cake for him due to personal reasons. Then maybe refer him to a bakery somewhere in your area (but not your local bakery) Appologise once again then leave it at that. Do not respond to any further emails from him and if they keep comming then report him to the police if you still feel uncomfortable.
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