not being licensed and inspected doesn't mean you can't make an agreement with someone else...it would be between you and the other person. not between abc cakes if abc cakes doesn't exist. is abc cakes a registered business name(just curious...I mean, I know abc cakes ain't the actual name of the business(at least, I think I know) )?

question.....for all of you who posted that she should have gotten a contract first, how does that work when you're not running a licensed bakery? How can you "enforce" the contract when it would say contract between client and abc cakes when abc cakes isn't a legal intity?

Ok, so I obviously do not know how to use the QUOTE button yet

Anyone CAN enforce a contract, as an individual, with another individual without being a legal business first. One can NOT enforce a contract as a business if the business doesn't legally exist. Therefore, the contract would be between Jane and Susie(whatever) and not between Jane's Cake Creations and Susie (whatever).

So, does anyone have a sample of the contract they use?

I don't know if contracts would fly with me since i'm not a thriving business and most of my 'clientele' are friends, family, or friends of friends. I can definately see myself asking for some assurance (contract or deposit) from people i don't know, but from people i do know? It's sort of offensive, i imagine.
I think that what i need to do at this point in my selling 'career' is to make sure customers know not only how much per cookie but the entire total as well so that they know what to prepare for.

I live in canada, in a large bookstore (Chapters) I've seen pre packaged cookies sell for $5-$7. And I only "sell" to friends for cost and $20 would only cover the cost of ingredients for a plain BC covered 9 X 13 (is that a 1/4 sheet?)

Get payment in advance, then it ceases to be an issue.