Truth be told that when an artist (no matter what they do) gets busy or carried away we forget the tedious parts of Business Management. That's why I "CMA" with emails or simple addendums to the contract. And if by any chance the person phones in a change I chute them an email saying: As per ou conversation today or As per our conversation on January 3th your cake order for January 10th for 40 people will have the following changes.... [i]After including all the details I place a disclaimer in the bottom of the page in a square text box with the following: The information above is for sole use of Ms. Complain A Lot, if for any reason you have received this email in error please accept our apologies and delete this email. However, if the email has been received by our client (Ms. Complain A Lot) changes as per your request have been received. If you have not requested such changes you must communicate with us within the next 24 hours otherwise you are accepting the changes to be true and final.
Good look to you I'm sure you will be fine.
Indydebi is right it's from this how to article http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingcakesfoodmenus/ss/decoweddingcake_10.htm . I would never take a picture from this site. Heck I'd probably have to pick a early one of mine. LOL Plus I would never intentionally hurt someones feelings like that. That article is crazy which is why I chose it. I have never heard of anyone final coating a cake after it's assembled among other things. The poster was something I just threw together - cuz I love to play on the computer and loved the concept.
Judi
Oh, my. I didn't realize that cake came from an article advising people how to make their own cakes. She must have been an intern for Sandra Lee. 
I just sent that in to Jen at Cakewrecks. Surely that qualifies!
That's why I "CMA" with emails or simple addendums to the contract. ..... After including all the details I place a disclaimer in the bottom of the page in a square text box with the following: .......
Fabulous post!! 
I was one that hated contracts more than one page long, but as I've come to find out, the dumber the public, the longer the contract has to be. I had one FOB complain because I didnt' fold up and put away tables. First, I am LONG GONE by the time the event is over. Second, I am not a cleaning service or a maintenance crew. They did not pay me to provide a maintenance crew. But because of this incident, I had to add a clause to my Terms document stating that "I am not a cleaning service......" 
I do buffet catering. That means you walk down the buffet table and fill your plate with whatever you want. I've had people be surprised and upset that they weren't being served "cafeteria style" .... my staff standing behind the table, filling the plate and handing it to them. So because some people don't understand "buffet catering", I had to add a clause to the contract explaining exactly HOW they will get their food on their plate.
Luv your email footnote, too!!
See, I'd be a total bitch about it and use a picture of MY wedding cake, that I got stuck with, as a result of the nasty kickback deals courtesy of the Local Cake Mafia.
Tuf boards showing and all. As a reminder, see attached photo.
Too bad pictures can't convey freezer burn taste.
Is it just me, but are customers watching too much Duff and cake challenges, wanting high end cakes for "walmart prices". Food Network should start posting general prices of each cake shown, "And this cake would cost you!!" at the end of each episode
. Then maybe once the cheapies see what the cake cost, they will leave us alone and be happy with walmart.God, this is SO true!!! I get photos all the time from women who want to have a birthday cake for thier kid and they want to pay 20 dollars for it. I asked them "do you know how much time it takes to make all those gum paste cars and trucks or bows and animals??"
AGREE! I describe it as "Their eyes have seen the glory (on Ace of Cakes) but their brains haven't caught up (still thinking walmart price)."
mpaucher---I totally agree with you! Some ppl will always have the frame of mind....cake=flour, eggs sugar, water/milk=$6.00 So the cost of cake should me around $10 including your labor. LOL
Hubby has a GREAT idea to battle this! We're going to put it together, I swear we are, and I'm hanging it in the shop!!
Picture of a rock .... picture of the statue of David. Sub heading? "Both made from the same ingredients."
Picture of a paint by number .... picture of a Picasso. Sub heading? "Both made from the same ingredients."
Picture of the ugliest cake in the world (butter knife iced, grocery store candy letters) .... picture of a Sylvia Weinstock cake. Sub heading? "both made from the same ingredients."
Headline at the top of the page? "YES .... THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!"
OMG, I was cracking up at this image!! Oh yes, please do post the results of this. I think the cake you should use for the "bad cake" should be the one written out wrong from the grocery store. You know, that email that went around a while back with the "quote" on it?? 
Seriously, we should all pitch in and pay indydebi weekly for the fabulous advice she doles out regularly...
The widsom of Indydebi (and others on here), you can't put a price on! Worth more than gold they are! I, for one, am very grateful to all of them.
As far as the cake, I agree with the others. A nicely worded letter outlining your correspondence with the bride should do the trick.
Have a great day!
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