I'm not a big operation -- I don't have 10 other appointments in a day. When I schedule a single wedding cake tasting, my whole week revolves around it. My homeschool schedule gets shortened for the day. The kids have to play in certain areas of the house so that I can keep the kitchen and living room presentable. Not to mention the cost of the two mini cakes and 5 filling options that I made, and now have to throw away, as well as the sample of my homemade fondant as per the bride's request (since she was asking for a style that requires fondant to look good, but said "I really don't like fondant".)

Really? You can't call to say "I've changed my mind and won't be making my appointment for this week" ???

This is my first no show. And no, (since I know I'll probably get the question) I don't charge for wedding tastings, even though the thought has crossed my mind several times - especially today - because in my market, no bakers charge for wedding tastings, so if I did, I would have zero customers.

Thanks for listening. I really just needed to say this to someone.

Perhaps they're too embarrassed to cancel? I have a niece who is like this; she's sooooo afraid of confrontation that she'd rather just not say anything if she fears there will be any objection by anyone!

But most likely, they're just thoughtless....about this and probably everything else.

Don't throw it out, freeze it!
Maybe you don't feel you can charge for tastings, what about a charge taken off the balance of the cake? Or at least charge
if she gets in touch again!
xx

I feel bad for you. It's happened to all of us at one time or another.

Some decorators take a small deposit, so that if the bride is a no show you can cash her check to cover your loss. I guess this way you BOTH know how serious they are about the consultation. But, it I'm lazy and dealing with all of that is more of a pain for me than making the samples, ya know?

As you get busier and schedule more consulations on one day, it may not bother you as much.

Good luck with growing your business. Hopefully the next time you post you'll be saying "how do I deal with all of these brides and so many appointments"!!!

-Michelle

Don't you have HER phone number or e-mail ? I would send her exactly what you posted here....

I agree with a deposit rather than charging. Say something like there is a $XX.XX fee to hold the time for your tasting that will be a. refunded at the time of the consultation or b. taken off the the price of the cake.

It's not a polite, considerate world we live in anymore and at least this way they MAY think twice about just not bothering to show.

Unfortunatley it happens. I do tasings once a month and schedule up to 8 tastings (1 hour each). I do send a reminder email 2 days prior and I also advise that if they no show without 48 hours notice it's $40.00 to schedule another tasting with me.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I must not have checked the "watch this topic" because I didn't think anyone had replied to my post!

I am considering the deposit idea. Although, before Kid #3 came along I used to be a wedding coordinator in my area, so I know that deposits for tastings are just not done around here, so I worry that I would lose the few potential inquiries I get. A few months ago I was scheduling one or two wedding tastings a week, so group scheduling like Lady said above would work great. Except that this was my first appointment booked since about...May, I think. Everyone gets engaged in Winter or Spring around here, apparently.

I did have her phone number and email, and I confirmed with her ahead of time. An hour after she hadn't shown, I contacted her (left a message) to ask if something had come up or if she was just running late, and I hear nothing back. I even emailed her later and offered to let her come by and pick up the cakes I made along with the pricing sheet I had worked up for her, but I never heard anything back. I can't refreeze the cakes that I had already frosted and decorated (one with fondant, since she insisted she wanted to taste it before ordering a cake with it on it). So my family got some cake this week. They aren't complaining. :/

And my kids also got a good lesson in what is courteous and what is not!