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SarahJane
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 03, 2005
Posts: 621
Location: Big Island of Hawaii
Birthday: Aug 23
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 Posted:
Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:42 am |
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Hi Everyone, I just want to complain to someone who will understand. Anyway, I did a cake recently (baby hunting cake in my photos). My husband delivered it and the lady (who is involved with my mom's business) said that she didn't have the money on her and she would pay him later. So my husband gave her the cake anyway, since we know her. My husband brought be the money about a week and a half later and didn't say anything. Well some stuff happened that showed that she wasn't an honest person and I was really angry and so my husband said he needed to tell me something. Come to find out, she only paid him half of what the cake cost. She told him what she was offering was what it was worth and she could get that cake anywhere for that much. Some nerve! My husband said he didn't want me to be upset and that is why he didn't tell me, but I'm really hacked off! I really want to go give her a piece of my mind, but my mom says she wants to keep the peace! How do you guys get over it when people rip you off? SARAH |
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veejaytx
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 24, 2005
Posts: 13038
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Birthday: Aug 21
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:54 am |
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If she ever wants another cake, just nicely tell her to go "anywhere" to get her cake, and try paying half the quoted price for it...see how far she gets with that tactic!
Some people are just so awful!
Your cake was beautiful, and I don't see where she has the right to just pay what she thinks it was worth! Geez! |
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JanH
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 09, 2006
Posts: 9669
Location: Hebron, IN
Birthday: Feb 14
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:10 am |
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bashini
Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 851
Location: Surrey, uk
Birthday: Mar 31
Gallery Supporter Member
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:31 am |
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Hi Sarah, so sorry that something like this happened to you. I saw the cake and its a really nice cake.
I totaly agree with JanH. You have to get the full payment before hand. You are doing a business and keep it that way even if its family and friends. Do not get it mixed up.
And really don't agree what your mother did. Why don't you ask your mother to pay you the rest, since that cutomer is your mother's business partner. |
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Mike1394
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 1288
Location: Michigan
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:30 am |
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OMG the gall of some people. Since your Mom is in business. Ask her if she allows HER clients to pay what they feel they owe.
Mike |
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wgoat5
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 7553
Location: Kentucky
Birthday: Nov 21
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:42 am |
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Really? The lady can go right down the street and get custom made fondant figures ????? WOWZERS.. cause here NOBODY does it... I mean NOBODY does it for 70 miles of me (that's a good thing for me WOO HOO)... The nerve of some people!!! I thought about it .. and what I think you should do (what I would do) is if she calls again... Say "Wow, I'm really busy.. but at 5.00 a serving I will do it" .. double your price or even triple it... Milk her for all she's worth ...
But anyways hun to tell you the truth they (people like her) are EVERYWHERE!!! Just don't let it get you down! Your cake was cute as can be!!!
((((hugs)))))  |
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Housemouse
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 15, 2006
Posts: 335
Location: UK
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:09 am |
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I'd be cheesed off too.
First: surprised your mum not more supportive - as previous poster asked, would your mother find this acceptable business practice?
Second: Understand why your husband did what he did -wanted to save you from being hurt - but what he has done is inadvertently reinforce that woman's belief that she only has to pay what she wants to pay.
If she ever asks you to make a cake for her again, I'd agree a price and then when she comes to collect it tell her the cost has doubled. If she can play 'ducks and drakes' with the price without discussion, so can you.
If she saw your finished cake and decided it wasn't worth the money, what is to stop youin the future from seeing the cake you've made her and deciding that it's underpriced!!
Lovely cake by the way, and you were robbed.
Best wishes
Housemouse |
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alisoncooks
Regular Member
Joined: Jul 25, 2007
Posts: 138
Location: Pittsboro, NC
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:24 am |
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What a really sweet hubby for wanting to "help" and spare your feelings. But what a really horrible client! Wowzer. I do not make cakes for $$ (licensing reasons) but I can't believe anyone would be so dishonest (cause that is what she was)! So unless this cake was totally below your normal ability/level (which i can't believe it was) then she went back on an agreement and took advantage of your DH being the dropper-offer. I would not have her for a client again. |
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Kahuna
Frequent Member
Joined: Jun 22, 2006
Posts: 254
Location: Sunny FLA
Birthday: Jun 19
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:27 am |
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AHHHH! People like this drive me nuts!! I just don't understand why people think it's O.K. to order a cake and then not pay for it. This was hapening to me all the time, "Oh I'll pay you later, you can trust me" Do they order a pizza and then tell the delivery guy I'll pay you next week, of course they don't. I had to start getting 50% up front, even from friends (who actually are the worst about this  ) I tell them it's to cover the cost of ingredients. I've had it happen with catering jobs also, having to hound the person for the $ after the evnt was over successfully, now I make them pay in full 3 days before "so they don't have to worry about it during the party" sorry this is so long but I feel you!!! Sorry this happened to you it was a beautiful cake and I agree with Christi, I'm sure they can't go "anywhere" and get hand made figures. Some people just aren't worth working with.
Sue
P.S. one time DH offered to make up for the money owed by throwing a brick through their leaded glass doors and they only owed $20, just a thought (kidding of course) |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15085
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:47 am |
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| Mike1394 wrote: | OMG the gall of some people. Since your Mom is in business. Ask her if she allows HER clients to pay what they feel they owe.
Mike |
EXACTLY what *I* was thinking! 
She sounds like the type of woman I'm always complaining about ..... "we have to be NICE and not hurt anyone's feeeeeeeelinnnnnnnnngs" (no matter how screwed in the backside we get in the process!)  |
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Kiddiekakes
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2004
Posts: 3619
Location: Calgary,Alberta,Canada
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:21 am |
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I totally understand.I had a regular customer wiz in and pick up a cake and then gasp and say..."Oh..I forgot my chequebook"...and grabbed the cake and left.I was a bit put out but the kicker is I had to email her 3 times over 3 weeks and finally she sent the money,but I mean the nerve!!! You can't walk into Walmart or Kroegers and grab your cake and say"I'll pay yah later"..I was quite miffed!!! and who did she think she was determining your time and worth....I would call her and speak my peace...regardless of what your Mom says...Sorry..that's just the Virgo in me!!!  |
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jkalman
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 4226
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Birthday: Oct 28
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:47 am |
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The only thing I can say is that you did this to yourself by not having the cake paid for in full BEFORE you started baking it. If you don't pay on time.. I don't turn on my oven. Sorry.. but I am not going to bake your cake if you haven't paid for it.
Your mom is being ridiculous and your husband (while is heart may have been in the general area of the right place) was a fool for giving her the cake without full payment. I would have walked out with my cake in my hands. Sorry but you can't just pay what you think is fair. I think $1/gallon is "fair" for gas, but I still have to pay almost $4/gallon. |
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TheButterWench
Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 12, 2007
Posts: 687
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Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:53 pm |
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| jkalman wrote: | The only thing I can say is that you did this to yourself by not having the cake paid for in full BEFORE you started baking it. If you don't pay on time.. I don't turn on my oven. Sorry.. but I am not going to bake your cake if you haven't paid for it.
Your mom is being ridiculous and your husband (while is heart may have been in the general area of the right place) was a fool for giving her the cake without full payment. I would have walked out with my cake in my hands. Sorry but you can't just pay what you think is fair. I think $1/gallon is "fair" for gas, but I still have to pay almost $4/gallon. |
2 snaps up and in a circle, Uhum Girl. Exactly right. I'm sorry if I'm not feeling sorry for ANYONE that gets ripped off for their work because people only do to you what you allow them to do.
I have NOTHING in my shop for people to come and see or taste, everything is on my website.
They pick a cake, they call me, we discuss it and I send them a pay pal bill with this:
" Congratulations and thank you for chosing me to make the cake for your happy event, but no order is final until paid in full"
I also explain to them that they have 72 hours before their cake is due to pay the bill, as some components of the cake may take up to 3 days or more to dry and be usable. If the cake is not paid by then, they will not have a cake.
I'm sorry if I"m coming across as too blunt, but I run a business, not a charity and if I don't get paid up front, I will not turn on my ovens and they will not have a cake. |
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annieliz
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 334
Location: Indiana
Birthday: Aug 15
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Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:16 pm |
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Your cake is beautiful and well worth whatever you charged for it. But I know if that were my mother she definately wouldn't have kept peace. She woulda said if you can't pay the full price then u don't get the cake. But i'm sure my hubby would've done the same thing when it came to me getting upset but i'm sure he would've given her a piece of his mind too. |
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titch
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007
Posts: 79
Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, UK
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Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:45 pm |
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This is what I dread the most, a customer not willing to pay, so far my customers are either friends that I live on base with or work with. Luckily for me, I"m known for not holding my tongue. I asked my dh before he left for work what he would have done and he said no payment, no cake and would have left, (he's not one for holding his tongue either) bless your dh for not wanting to upset you, but I do think he has kinda made the situation worse by letting the women get away with it, as for your mom, I would sarcastically ask her to make up the difference then if she wants you to keep quite to keep the peace!
I believe though that you are not going to feel better about this situation until you have said something to this women, I would call and ask her for the other half of the money. Business is business, and if they are true friends of your mom's then they wouldnt do this. My true friends pay up no worries about the cost, it's my "aquaitences that have problems paying what I ask for!"
Rach |
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Vent as much as you like. 
