I hate when people waste your time, product. Someone calls an order a cake for a birthday. No call no nothing. I know it was only $40 but still.

How do you handle these situation? I see why people put a minimum and deposits but how can I trying to build. Any suggestion?

Get your money up front. That's the only way to avoid the situation.

Eat the cake

Bummer! Hopefully this will be a lesson learned, and thankfully is was only a small order!!

Take some pictures for your portfolio, and then maybe donate it somewhere to get your name out there. Turn a negative into a positive!

I in the last year instituted a 50% deposit on all cakes, No checks accepted at all and American money only(I live on the American/Canadian border). It stinks but I am tired of dealing with all of these issues. And I do not turn my oven on for less than $60.00.

I cut the cake up and sell slices of it for $1 out of our retail front. Its kind of an on going joke with our customers.

This happened to me once. ONLY once. I learned my lesson, and require 50% to reserve the date!

Thanks guys. I learned my lesson. I'm going to donate to my church but every time I think about it it just burns me up.

The only no-show I have ever had in 20 years and over 2000 cakes was when the birthday child got chicken pox and the mom called everyone except me when she cancelled the party. I called her when she was an hour late and she was so apologetic. She came to pick up the cake and they served it after dinner just for the family. So really, she wasn't a no-show, she was just late.

My clients have always paid when they pick up the cake, except for weddings, but that's a whole other situation. I never take orders from complete strangers out of the blue. Anyone who calls me needs to be able to tell me who referred them to me. And I never take orders by email, period.

I had this happen to me once. I'm a Wilton Instructor and though I don't bake for profit, sometimes I'll get the "out of the blue" call for a cake. Well, I made a cake for my friend who happens to be a chef. He had a client that needed a cake which is not his speciality. Some guest at the event called me up as a "referral from my friend" wanting a 3 tier peacock theamed, turquoise cake. I gave her a price quote, which she said was fine. I purchased all the supplies never to hear from this person again....Since then, I've learned my lesson!

I haven't had it happen yet, but think I may ask for 50% up front just to be on the safe side.

Sugarfrosted, I love Alton Brown!!

I guess I thought I could trust her. She said she tasted my cake at church because I do cakes for them and that she wanted a pink ribbon because she was a cancer survivor she was a new customer but it's okay I just know now deposit please or no cake. Thanks again for hearing me out.

I too had this happen to me just once and now require a deposit. Its funny when they have money involved...even if its just a deposit, they manage to show up.

I don't get why people even order cakes and not show up. Do they think we just sit around all day and make cakes? (wait a minute, I guess we do....)

I also love Alton Brown!

I only had this happen one time and that was enough for me.

Now deposit up front and cake is to be paid in full 2 weeks before delivery day. If delivery day is within a few days and I can squeeze them in I require the full payment up front.