I meet a fellow teacher at our school Friday afternoon. She had ordered 2 1/2 sheets for her parents 50th wedding anivers.
When she called to order, I told her I would deliver. She refused and said that she would pick them up. I told her, they are large and very heavy, you will need an SUV or a minivan.
She arrives at the school with her minivan. The back is completely full. I suggest moving everything from the back to the seats. She refuses. I hand her one cake, she goes to place it in the backset of her mini van.
I am getting the second cake out and turn around just in time to see her cake tip off the seat. She catches it, but the left side has been damaged. The right side has some damage to the boarder.
We get the other cake in the passenger set and come around to look at the cake.
I am so sad. I worked very hard on these cakes. I was so upset I did not know what to say. I suggested using the viva method to get it looking a bit better, but it would have needed to be re-iced completly to look very good.
How would you handle a sistuation like this?
I had dinner plans or I would have taken her back to my house to do some repairs and then a wedding this afternoon.
Oh, that really stinks! But it wasn't your fault! You did everything in your power to make sure that you got that cake to her intact, and if she wants to throw it in her car on top of a pile of crap, then that's her problem. You cannot help what the client does with the cake once you give it to her!
By the way, I have looked at your cakes and they are so pretty! Don't be sad! Remember, you can't control what people do, only what your reaction is to them. So, shake it off!
Well what can you do....I had a lady do the same thing but was standing on my doorstep holding a 1/4 sheet cake box with one hand and it flipped right out of her hand.I managed to fix it a bit but what else could I do.I have also had many people show up with cars/minivans etc packed full with junk and want to set the cake right in the middle of it.My thinking is..Once it has left my home it is no longer my responsibility!!! You drop it out of shear idiocy,then too bad!!!
I think this is sad when a customer refuses to take our advice. It is not your fault since you suggested that she put it in the back of the mini van. I ALWAYS tell people it is NOT a good idea to try to cram cakes on the floor board or seats. If the cake is bulky...it will get damaged.
Since you did not have time to do any major repairs...I think really all you could say is that you were sorry. I hope the other cake was still in good condition. Maybe they could have that one for show and keep the other in the box until ready to be served.
Sorry this happened to you.
That is true, there isn't much you can do....you tried to warn her how heavy they were, etc....
I have also had people pick up cakes, with a ton of junk in the car. I don't get it..did they think the cake was going to small when they order a full sheet? 
not your fault at all!
When people pick their cakes up from me, I let them know when they order that the cake will be in a box of _____ inches x ____ inches and to please have that space ready in your car. No trunks and no backseats. So far, everyone has listened in advance.
I've been there... almost! Had a customer take a shaped cake and shove it in her car very carelessly and it almost killed me. I worked VERY HARD on that cake and she just didn't get that to me it was a masterpiece!!! I put a lot of myself into my cakes.
I met her in a parking lot since we were to be in a similar part of town at the same time that night. Her car was completely trashed. I'd gone to the extra trouble of placing the cake in a plastic storage container so it would be extra secure and with her carelessness even the container itself was in jeopardy.
Sometimes people just don't appreciate that WE DO know what we're talking about. I always give careful instructions to people who are driving with cakes, but you know at least half the time they seem like they think I'm being overly cautious.
There really isn't anything you can do. Once they've paid you it's their cake. They can take it and do with it whatever they will, but one thing to be sure of is that if the cake is damaged as a result of their carelessness... it's still their cake! I think the worst part is that you want to make a statement with your work and now they're presenting a mess. I know it's very frustrating! Just try not to dwell on it too much. 
OH I feel your pain!
I have not yet had ONE client (even my own friends) who have collected a cake in a car that is not FULL of junk!..cricket bats-even in off season...balls, newspapers for goodness sake....and every time I think that they will destroy the cake with something rolling on it. (so far no one has)
I am going with antonia's idea and will from now on tell them to leave xx amount of space free in the car with no junk around it and if they don't listen.. it's their problem!
I stress over it so much, and my hubby always tells me it is up to them at that point.
You just want them to enjoy the cake as much as you do, so it is devastating when they show such a lack of thought.
I would be so upset too if I were you. But that's not your fault at all because she was the one who had to do things her way!
My perspective on cakes is I hope to get a good picture out of it. If the Client drops it or the whole things falls over due to some unforseen event the result is the same as if people had eaten it. So, so long as I get a good picture I am happy. Even if your client messed it up before it got there I am sure it still tasted awesome! And that is important too.
When customers come to pick their cake up, I usually have is on show to let them know what the finished product looks like. I then pack it in the box/boxes in front of them. I never allow them to touch the cake but I do all the carrying to the car. I use the exuse that my insurance will not cover me if anybody else handles the cakes on my premises. I also put on my order form instructions to clear the boot/trunk of the car before picking up.
I also tell them that I will not allow them to put the cake on seats as these slant and can ruin the cake as well as forbidding them to carry the cake on their lap. I inspect the car before I take the cake over and if I see any rubbish, I make them move it to the inside of the car on the seats. If they refuse, then I tell them of the consequences. They always listen. I then take the cake over to the car, make sure the cakes are secure and then they are on their way. I even secure the box lids on as these can come loose and ruin the covering. I also provided them with a bit of non slip mat to put at the bottom of the car. I put a bit on non slip mat in the box before putting the cake in as well so that the cake does not move. I do not think I ever had any problems with customers picking up cakes.
Personally I would feel bad. You are the only one who knows how much time and effort goes into a cake and I really don't think that the clients realise this. To them, it is 'just a cake' and nothing to get really excited about. If the side gets dented or breaks, it's no big deal to them since it will get eaten anyway.
I feel for you 'cause I too get customers who just don't care.
Thank fully as jet i have'nt had any miss haps with any cakes.
But i know how you feel, we put all our effort in and sometimes people really don't care.
I did have a person collect 2 cakes their was two of them so one each they were'nt the biggest of cakes or the most complicated but they had to walk a mile or so home carrying them.
Can i ask does any one call their customers after a party a few days latter to see how every thing went and weather they liked the cakes? i normally do but i missed one actually the ones that were walking. let me know
nicole
Nicole
I have to admit that my suv is full of clutter. I have have two small kids and it's full of toys, extra clothes, etc. But when I do deliver a cake my car is definetly cleaned up....lol. Hubby wants me to do more cakes so the vehicle and kitchen will stay cleaner.
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