OK, I finished a cake last night due for Sunday morning (I've done a cake 2 days ahead of time with no problems with freshness or what have you!), I had to change the design a bit (there was meant to be a river with a bridge, but then she wanted cake mountains and the Dora toys she sent me were far bigger than I thought they would be, so I had to lose something from the cake as there was no room for everything she wanted!).

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_507703.html

I thought I'd be nice and add explorer stars to make up for the brigde, BUT as she has been really difficult from the start, I thought I'd send her a photo to make sure it was ok, well this is what she replied:

Frankly, it doesn't look neat. I mean the icing . Can you at least neaten the rainbow (especially the red line) ? And can you change the wrapping paper base ? I would prefer a plain silver or one colour board . The print on this wrapping paper disturbs the whole theme. And will this cake taste fresh by tomorrow afternoon ?

So, she basically hates it! I have spent so much time on this cake (5 hours actually baking , decorating and making all the bits for it), not to mention the 29 emails that have gone back and forth! Apart from the river, it is the design we agreed on (and I even wrote on the desin that the grass would be piped!).

I think deep down I knew that whatever I did wouldn't be good enough. So what do I do? I have a full schedule today and I'm out tonight, I don't have time to change it. The board thing - everyone has always loved my co-ordinated boards!

I'm crying over this, I have my first wedding tasting this afternoon and I'm already stressed as it is. Advice please!

I think it is very cute, I don't know what her problem is. Personally I like the wrap on the board, I think it just adds to it. I would just tell her that this is what you all had talked about and there isn't time for you to make changes, especially with the board, you would mess up the cake trying to change that around. She is nuts - it looks great.

Bonjovibabe - Unfortunately, I think you are just dealing with a difficult person that is likely never happy. Your cake is adorable and the grass IS neat. Maybe she did not realize that it was supposed to look like grass? The fact that she pointed out the rainbow shows how nitpicky she is being - I would not have noticed that that one line was not perfectly straight. Your stars and name are perfect. I think the coordinated cake covering is very cool too, especially since you matched the icing so well with it.

I suppose to TRY to appease her you could make a new rainbow (chocolate transfer I assume) and tell her that there is no way to change the cake base without damaging the cake.

You did a great job on the cake. She is the problem, not your cake!

she must never watch dora with her child or she'd know that the rainbows, mountains , roads are not always drawn perfectly. The wrapping paper is great, her daughter will love it. The cake is beautiful and my littlest girl would
have twirled around the room with joy for that cake.....The birthday child will love it.Maybe the mom's trying to get you to feel bad (even though you shouldn't) to try to get a % off? Don't be so hard on yourself, sounds like she has the problem.
wendy

I am very sorry, but i do see what she means. The rainbow is a bit.... Well, I would have made another on from the start. And the base, do disturb a little bit..

The rest of Your cake (including the grass) is very very adorable, and the girl will love it, and thats what matters.

I guess we just learned, not to mail pictures, but to call instead

UM....I think someone's overly picky. I think it's precious. The toys are definitely NOT you're fault, you didn't make them, and with them being that big, I don't think you could have made that sized cake with everything to fit them. As for the rainbow....it's a bit...well PRECIOUS! SOME people can pick apart anything and you can NEVER make them happy. I've dealt with this before too. Had a lady giving a princess themed bridal shower for a 40 yo woman and didn't like the bows because the bows made it too juvenile!!! Uh, the BOWS made the princess theme juvenile??? Don't cry, you done good honey!

The cake is beautiful to start. This person is picky and perfectionist for sure as she is asking for straighter line in the rainbow. If the price she is paying match the perfection she wants, then ok. Else, I'll forget about it.

As for the icing, come on, I don't see what is wrong with it, it is grass and is not meant to be smooth. The different levels and colors tone gives a realistic feel. Maybe she wanted a very leveled grass. Still it is nothing to be that unhappy about.

About the board, it is a matter of taste. Looking at the cake as an adult, one might prefer a unified wrapping paper, but looking at it in the eyes of a child, it is fantasy land and I would love it.
Beautiful cake with beautiful palette.

If I was you, maybe I would change the rainbow but next time, she would have an exact picture of what she wants and I would charge her accordingly. For now, I would say, she needs to see this cake in the eyes of a child and no you can't change the wrapping paper.

Please don't be too upset about it, don't mess up your bridal opportunity for a difficult customer. You will be meeting more like that and need to be prepared.

Good luck!

Creole

What kind of nutcase is this woman, to think a 4 year old would actually say ...'well mum I WOULD love the cake if it wasn't for that slightly uneven rainbow line, and the grass looks a little too grassy'... good grief - your cake is gorgeous. I've saved it to my favourites! And I love the co-ordinated boards (I always co-ordinate my boards too so could be biased!!) I repeat the woman is a nut job. And you will never please her so don't even try. Just remember to be booked already next time she wants a cake.

Your cake is beautiful and the rainbow is just right. Any little wobbles do not look out of place - we are talking about a cartoon cake here, aren't we? I like it very much indeed. This will be a dream cake for the little girl and absolutely perfect!

Oh dear, you did NOT need something like this on your busy busy week.

I think it's a perfect cake for a 4 year old. For what it's worth, my 3 1/2 year old boy saw my monitor and started screaming "Dora, Dora! Coooool!" And then later, he said "it's a beeeeyooootiful cake!" And, well, he should know.

I showed it to DH and explained the situation. He said, "huh?"

It's a great kid's cake. Explain to this woman that the things she asked for can't be done (redoing the grass, moving to a different cake board). If you can do another rainbow, that might (or might not) pacify her. But I truly don't feel it's necessary. The birthday girl will love it.

this is why client's shouldnt see anything behind the scenes...do they think we make cakes over night and deliver in the morning!?? of course it will taste fresh!! it's not a week early!!

and as for the design...i think if she would have seen it in person first, she wouldn't have any of the problems she has...sometimes the picture just doesn't do justice to the cake

i think your cake is great. sorry you have to deal with a difficult person who does not appreciate your talent. keep up the good work!

Your cake is beautiful.

I wouldn't change a thing! The little girl will love it. If the mother doesn't like it then she will be the one looking for a better cake with such short notice......which is highly unlikely. Personally, I hate it when people want to use toys....I have one to do like that next month with carebears and I really am dreading using toys on it. I think that mother is just looking for something to get some money back. I wouldn't do it though........you don't need that kind of business!!!

Your cake is gorgeous. I would tell her to take it or leave it....and then she can run to Wal-Mart and look at the lovely selection of cakes available for her daughter's birthday.

People like this are NEVER happy. It's a precious cake and you should NOT second-guess your work.

Don't change a thing, and don't compromise. You did awesome. Concentrate on your bridal consultation and don't let this woman bother you!

Hugs!!
~ Sherri

I would just tell her that if she hates the cake, then she doesn't have to buy it. Then scratch her off your list of customers. You don't need to be wasting time with these people. If anything, the toys make it look overwhelming, not your design.

I also think that the quality of your photo does not put the cake in its best light (it is very dark). When she sees it in daylight, she may really like it. From now on, never never never send out pics ahead of time....let them see the cake and then determine if they like it or not, and for sure don't say that you did it the night before!!! We all know that the cake will be fresh...but enough wasting your time.

I would tell her (in a sugary voice, of course), "Frankly, I did what you asked, I feel the cake is neat and fresh. What time are you picking it up?" See what happens. Good luck!

I love your cake.
She is just being difficult, she can either take it as is or try to find someone else last minute to do exactly what she wants and see how far she gets.

I think you cake is wonderful, and I wouldn't change a thing. Coustomer needs to take a Midol!

Oh heck!!! Just pretend you never read her reply because you're busy and you got caught up in other things So I suggest not changing anything and not to stress yourself. It's not worth ruining the cake by replacing her boring silver board.

The cake is perfect. Onelli will love it and that's all that matters anyway. Walk away from this cake and take care of your cake tasting etc. If she wants a discount because it's not perfect, let her have it. Honestly, do you think this stress that you're going through right now is worth the money she is paying you for this cake?

I think you have done a great job and should be proud of your work. I agree with ellepal. Tell her very nicely that you are proud of what you have created and when would she like to come pick it up. And don't you DARE give her a price break unless you completely feel that it's deserved. If she's not happy, she can purchase a grocery cake or, better yet, make one herself!

Good luck on your tasting tomorrow!

Just as an aside.....I don't know if you read the post I had this past September when I dealt with a bridezilla who absolutely hated, hated, hated her wedding cake. I thought it was a great cake, but she was picky and nasty about it.
Well, the same cake ended up receiving an honorable mention in the wilton contest. I of course called the bride up straight away to tell her the good news. Some people are never happy...you could line the cake with gold, have it descend from the heavens on a cloud, and she would still find something wrong. I agree with the other comment that advises to just walk away from it now.

What??!!! Are you kidding me? I think the cake looks great!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it in my honest opinion.



Great job on the Dora cake... besides the fact that your cake looks great, it's for a 4 year old!!!! I know this kid will L-O-V-E it!


(sigh).... you just cannot please everyone. I find that true in any profession and I know it can be discouraging but don't let it.

You did well!

I think you did a great job! The only thing I see wrong with the cake is that it is too small for all that's on it. I'm sure that's the ladies fault not yours. This lady is too picky. She's taking advantage of your kindness. Don't change the cake & don't add to it. Either she takes it like it is or goes to Walmart like someone has already said. I would never send a pic to a customer again. If they don't like it when you send them a pic they aren't going to like it when they pick it up.. they are just too picky! Call her & tell her to hurry & come pick it up so you can say "Water under the Bridge" & concentrate on your next cake! Good Luck~

I AGREE WITH CAKEPRO....YOUR CAKE IS WONDERFUL. TELL HER IT GO TO WALMART OR SAMS AND PICK UP A FRESH FROZEN CAKE AND NEVER DO A CAKE FOR HER AGAIN. PITCH DORA AND MAKE A MOTHERS DAY CAKE OUT OF IT.

I think the problem is that you sent her a photo of the cake to see if its ok. This gave her a chance to inspect it and complain. At this point I'm not sure what you should do...you did ask and she gave you an answer.
I would leave the wrapping paper the way it is, but maybe make a new rainbow and be done with it.
I actually think its a pretty cute cake.

I agree with previous posts. If you haven't replied to her yet, pretend you didn't see her message. If she asks you about it, simply say you were so busy you didn't have a chance to check your messages yet. Then I would tell her if she is really unhappy then she shouldn't buy the cake from you, she should go to Walmart or the grocery store instead. I bet when she realizes she is not going to have cake she will change her tune.

First I want to say I took a look at your cake and expected to see a mess. Low and behold it was darling!

Does she really think rainbows are perfectly straight lines of color? What a nut.

Do you want to keep this lady as a possible customer to deal with again? If so, then redo the rainbow. But personally I wouldn't want to ever make her another cake again. She sounds really rude and to picky for my liking. I wouldn't redo anything.

Some people can be so hurtful and nasty and not think a thing about it.

I'm so sorry she hurt you. WITCH that she is.

Oh good grief! I think your cake is adorable. This is a cake for heavens sake. It's not like something she needs to live with for the rest of her life like a new nose or something! LOL!

I would tell her that you are sorry she doesnt seem satisfied, but you have worked very hard on her cake and she can take it or leave it.

Never do a cake for her again!

lesson 1: thou shall not mail photos seeking customer critique in advance of delivery.

lesson 2: once design is set at consultation -- that's it. Cast in iron encased in concrete! no additions (like the toys) no changes like mountains for bridge) UNLESS ---
signed statement regarding changes -- and of course -- a large $$$ change order fee (just like in the construction industry -- we're constructing cakes here so follow their precedent)


----------------

agree w/ others --- it's walmart for her.

and take this cake and make it into a Mom's day cake (tho' I'd keep dora -- she can be sending the mom's day wishes)
"Dora the explorer has found the perfect mom -- YOU!"