This has been bothering me all day.
When a coworker requested a sheet cake for her daughter's graduation open house, I used a new - never used - masonite board. I charged her next to nothing for the cake and didn't charge a deposit for the board. I just asked that she return it after the event.
When I went into work today, I found the cake board in my office with a small note that said "Sorry. I forgot about bringing this back. I'm not sure what happened to it." It looks like it was dragged behind a car. Both sides are scratched, one side also has deep gouges. A corner is broken off, and there are "mystery stains" on the board. 
I'll never use this board for a cake again. It's a mess. I'll also charge everyone a deposit in the future.
I charge a deposit now for my boards too. I just wasn't getting them back.
Some friend....
Definetly charge for your boards.
If she is a good friend I'd be tempted to call her and ask her WHAT happened to the board.
My guess is that unless you talked to her about returning the cake board she assumed it was disposable. I like to use cardboard or foam board and include the cost of the board in the cost of the materials when I am asking for payment/donation. Mystery stains gouges and breaks sounds like it was dug out of the garbage can.
My guess is that unless you talked to her about returning the cake board she assumed it was disposable. I like to use cardboard or foam board and include the cost of the board in the cost of the materials when I am asking for payment/donation. Mystery stains gouges and breaks sounds like it was dug out of the garbage can.
Foam board and cardboard tend to "give" a little from the weight of the cake when the cake is so big. That's why I invested in the masonite. A previous sheet cake had a small crease in it when I delivered it. The customer didn't notice, but I did.
SS that happened. If I was her I would feel horrible and offer to pay for another. I usually buy several cake boards. Spray with glue and stack them like 3 hight. then I cover with tissue paper and contact paper. The board is heavy and it only cost me about $5 to make and I include it in th price of the cake. Good luck. I hope she offers to replace it.
I use foam core double thickness for a 12x18 and haven't had a problem with cracking. If its a very heavy cake i will spring for the 1/2 in thick foam core it cuts easily and i'm always amazed how many people try to return them cause they think they are real boards.
Where do you find foam core? Our local cake supply store sells cardboard, doubled cardboard, and masonite. I've tried the doubled cardboard and it's just not firm enough for a full sheet cake.
I'll see my "friend" at work today. I plan on saying nothing about the cake board unless she brings it up. I know that she was embarrassed about the condition of the board or she would have given it back to me face-to-face. She sees me throughout the day, but waited until after hours to put it in my office. I just can't understand why she didn't just say that it was destroyed or misplaced and offer to pay for a new one.
Oh well . . . it costs me nothing to be the bigger person and let this go.
Where do you find foam core? Our local cake supply store sells cardboard, doubled cardboard, and masonite. I've tried the doubled cardboard and it's just not firm enough for a full sheet cake.
Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Michaels all sell foam board. Dollar Tree has some too but it's not the same.
Often, Hobby Lobby will put foam core boards on sale half price or you can print off an internet coupon at their web site for 40% off for one item. If you do not want to buy it in bulk. I only use the foam core when necessary because of the price.
I'll have to check out Hobby Lobby or Walmart. The nearest Michaels is about 45 minutes away. With gas at $4.22 a gallon, I'm not in the mood for a road trip.
BTW - my friend approached me today and she insisted that she pay for a new board. She said she wanted to replace it weeks ago, but couldn't figure out where I bought it. She thought I might find another use for the board so she left it in my office. I had a check on my desk by the end of the day. 
In my beginning days, I made a three tier square cakeusing two separator plates in between each tier since roses were in the middle of each tier. When I called the bride after the wedding to arrange for a time for me to pick up my stuff, she said "We threw those away. We thought it was just cheap plastic"!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about learning the hardway. Never again. I charge a deposit enough to buy new ones if I don't get my stuff back. Cheap plastic my backside!
I'm glad you've been paid for the board! I love a happy ending! 
Her note said she didn't know what happened . . . and she has a couple small children at home . . . plus a husband . . . the possiblities are endless. lol
With my two kids in the house, there is no telling what they would do to something like that. My best guess it that it was a skateboard/sled/something they slid down the driveway ontop of.
How funny! Sorry this happened.
In my beginning days, I made a three tier square cakeusing two separator plates in between each tier since roses were in the middle of each tier. When I called the bride after the wedding to arrange for a time for me to pick up my stuff, she said "We threw those away. We thought it was just cheap plastic"!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about learning the hardway. Never again. I charge a deposit enough to buy new ones if I don't get my stuff back. Cheap plastic my backside!
Just proves that common sense isn't all that common.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%