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summernoelle
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1214
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 Posted:
Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:42 pm |
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I am sure everyone is sick of these questions but...
I am making a cake for a family member's anniversary this weekend. It is a surprise party, so a very distant family member (my second cousin's second wife) hired me to make the cake. I don't know her well, but I know she is scatter brained. I also know that she has a bad habit of ripping off people by saying she will pay, and then not doing it. (Going in for Christmas presents, etc). She has also complained about the cost of this party to me, and that she has had NO finacial help with it.
She was given 3 different discounts for the cake: Free delivery, no extra charge for premium flavors, and my base price instead of an upcharge for a difficult design. She was very happy with the price.
She paid me 50% when we booked the date. I told her I would need the rest by the Friday before the party (which is today). No money. An invoice was sent on the 16th, and again yesterday. Today I contacted her and asked for the remainder. Have gotten no response. So, in this case, even though it is family, does no money equal no cake? Or do I suck it up and take the cake, since the couple is important to me, and just eat the cost of this person not paying me? |
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Texas_Rose
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 26, 2008
Posts: 872
Location: San Antonio, TX
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:50 pm |
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If you're going to be a guest at the party, I think it would be very awkward if you showed up with no cake. Your relative would just say that she had forgotten to pay and then figured she'd do it when she saw you at the party, and that she didn't realize you didn't even trust family to pay. Then you'd be stuck looking bad and there would be no cake.
If the 50% that she already paid you will cover your materials, you might consider your time as a gift to the couple, since you said they were important to you. |
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summernoelle
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1214
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:53 pm |
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Yeah, I'm kind of assuming that I'm going to have to take it either way. I don't want to be a jerk! But, an agreement was still made. It's an awkward situation. |
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costumeczar
Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 18, 2007
Posts: 574
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:54 pm |
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I'd take the cake since you say that the couple is important to you, and if the "purchaser" doesn't pay you in cash at the party, I'd be sure to tell them that the cake was a gift from her AND you! |
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osorio
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 21, 2006
Posts: 33
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:07 pm |
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If the couple is important to you, take the cake and ask that lady to pay you at the party. If she doesn´t want to, then consider that 50 % better than nothing and I also agree to the tell the couple that the cake is a gift from you and thatt lady. And of course never work with her agin. |
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Sugar_Plum_Fairy
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 30, 2006
Posts: 2360
Location: Somerset County, NJ
Birthday: Jun 03
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:09 pm |
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I agree - take the cake to the party. Bring the bill for this woman and give it to her (in an envelope with a pre-addressed return envelope). Give her as few as possible reasons to forget to pay.
Even telling her husband to remind her might be a good idea, or better yet, give him the envelope with the bill and return evelope and ask him to pass it on to her and nicely say that you haven't heard back from her and ask if he could remind his wife. |
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summernoelle
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1214
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:18 pm |
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Oooh, your right. I could just discreetly take a bill and give it to her later. I might just do that.
50% is better than nothing!
Thanks everyone for your help with a weird problem. |
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CarolynGwen
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 495
Location: Oregon
Birthday: Dec 21
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:57 pm |
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I would explain you didn't want to show up with out a cake and make it good and clear that any future orders from her will be 100% at the time of order from here on out since she did not pay you in full for this one.
If you accidentally said it a little bit to loud and people around you heard *snickers* and embarrassed her well then so be it.  |
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wgoat5
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 7553
Location: Kentucky
Birthday: Nov 21
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:03 pm |
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Bring me the cake  |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 13637
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:05 pm |
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You could always leave it in the car until she gives you a check!  |
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wgoat5
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 7553
Location: Kentucky
Birthday: Nov 21
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:09 pm |
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hmmm cake in TExas left in car = cake puddle LMAO
ohhhh 1/2 payment ma'am... OOPS left cake in car.. brb  |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 13637
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:42 pm |
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 Oh I spaced that it was texas!!!  But that would sure teach her to pay on time, huh? |
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lovely
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Posts: 433
Location: Brisbane
Birthday: Dec 14
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:54 pm |
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What if you bought the cake to the cost of the 50%. No premium flavours etc.. |
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imagine76
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 01, 2007
Posts: 442
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:56 pm |
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i think it's about time to start bustin' some thumbs.
(i hope you all get that i am totally kidding) |
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PattyT
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 30, 2007
Posts: 208
Location: South Jersey / Philadelphia
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Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:05 pm |
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| indydebi wrote: | | You could always leave it in the car until she gives you a check! |
THANKS for the best laugh I've had in a while.
CC can always count on you to bring a perfect combination of common sense and humor to the table. |
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