OK, here's mine in a Reader's Digest version since I could use up the whole forum to tell this story. (Believe me, I'm leaving parts out.)
I was supposed to make a double layer sheet cake for a kid's birthday with a Bob the Builder theme. I never do these commercial types of characters because I pride myself on doing my own designs. Silly me, I agreed to do it out of greed. I waited until the last minute and started making it the night before the birthday party. By midnight I was frustrated and tired, so I put myself and the cake to bed.
Woke up at 5:30 a.m. the next morning thinking I had at least until noon to finish. The cake had fallen due to a heavy fondant covering; the designs for the top were nowhere complete; and I had a message on my cell saying the cake had to be delivered by 9:30 a.m!
After I almost fainted and got sick to my stomach, I ran to the local supermarket, bought the most plain sheet cake I could find (it had buttercream balloons on it!), scraped those off (gouged the cake in the process), and added my designs to the cake. This would have been fine, but it was 10 a.m., there was a rain storm going on outside, all the surrounding streets were flooded, and the wind had to be around 50 mph.
I eventually got the cake to the party (they were still decorating cookies at this point) and the father of the kid even offered to tip me (which I refused)! It took me a few hours to settle my stomach afterwards. Needless to say, I have not taken on a job since that I really do not want to do!

Amen!! Stick with what is best for you!!! You went against your gut instinct and more than paid for it in sweat-and-tears equity. Unfortunately, we've all done this.

I have never charged for my cake. I actually offer all of mine. When someone says " how much will you charge me for a cake like that?". I get nervous just thinking about it. Will I ever charge? I guess I am scared of all these scary stories!!

Cookieman,
Anytime I see a post with your name on it I know it is going to be extremely informative or extremely funny...guess which category THIS falls in?!

Cookieman you just stick to your guns & do the cakes you like to do!! I will have to remember that I can run to the grocery store if I ever have that happen! Thanks for the advice... see something good came out of it!! ha ha ha!!!