1 Week Notice! Should I?

Decorating By gdsloane Updated 10 Apr 2008 , 4:30pm by gdsloane

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gdsloane Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 4:49pm
post #1 of 19

I'd like your oppinions. I have a potential client that called me about a
week and a half ago, wanting a wedding cake. I set up a consultation. But
she was a "no show". No call or anything. She called me today and left a
message that she had an emergency and that she did call and leave a
message. Now mind you I'm a stay at home mom and I don't miss calls.
Anyhoo. Her wedding is April 5th and she'd still like for me to make her cake. That gives me at least a full week to deliver. I'm thinking it's not
enough time. I'm torn. Should I give her another chance ar pass.
She wants a cake for 100 guest. Help!!!!! icon_surprised.gif

18 replies
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ccr03 Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 5:07pm
post #2 of 19

That depends on you. If you think you can pull it off and have it come out good/fine, then I would go for it.

I would charge a late/rush fee, and would not allow ANY changes after you meet with her.

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dragonflydreams Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 5:10pm
post #3 of 19

. . . well, when you say you don't miss calls . . . and she said she "left a message"??? . . . I think I'd be a little leery of following though with this client . . . I'd probably be "booked" by now . . . good luck whatever you decide . . . thumbs_up.gif

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Shelly4481 Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 6:32pm
post #4 of 19

I would do it if I had the time but would get the full amount for the cake in advance. It is totally up to you. She may have to be limited on how she wants it. Good luck

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indydebi Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 6:56pm
post #5 of 19

If you can do it, do it. No rule says we have to have 6 months notice. I can actually pull off a cake with 2 days notice .... god help me if I'm dumb enough to do that all the time, but I CAN if I have to and if I need the money bad enough.

And this time of year, I usually need the money bad enough! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

Paid in full, up front, no changes, no monkey band climbing up the side of a chocolate volcano!

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tiggy2 Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:03pm
post #6 of 19

Paid in full = CASH! No checks at this late date

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bwonderful Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:05pm
post #7 of 19

lol indydeb.... I have always dreamed about a volcano cake with a monkey band climbing up.. what a dream crusher.

I would do it with a week's notice but I agree that with everyone else that it must be paid for upfront and that she can't make any changes later in the week! she sounds fishy but maybe she's just a stressed bride....

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anne4588 Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:10pm
post #8 of 19

Just like everyone else, Cash and Simple. I would do it.

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funbun Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:10pm
post #9 of 19

Give the bride a chance... But make sure you get the payment in full in cash and once you agree on a design no more changes. Sometimes brides are a little overwhelmed and stuff gets lost in the shuffle.
Good Luck

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iamlis Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:12pm
post #10 of 19

I would say if you are stay at home mom, it would be a good little extra cushion-BUT PROCEED WITH CAUTION! Mandate that she pay you in FULL after your meeting, and put that check in the bank ASAP! I tell my customers its first come, first pay, I speak green icon_smile.gif LOL! I am not that bad, but I do require payment at the time of ordering-weddings if under 2 months. I will be positive here though...2 weeks ago, I had a mom call me that her daughter was getting married FRIDAY! I have never had that happen to me before, and I could actually squeeze her in! I was very leary, they had stated that the caterer thought they could do it, then 1 week before the wedding said it was too hard, and that no one in our area does fondant (REALLY?!?!?). I just smiled and said they were mistaken! LOL, this is Kansas City-we have oh...Rebecca Sutterby, Rama Sola, Natasha's Mulberry & Mott. Some pretty great decorators...and ALOT of home bakers that DO fondant. I get along well with caterers in the area-I think it WAS a difficult cake that she wanted, and that they REALLY wanted her to go Butter Cream-what they are comfortable with. But she would not, so anyway they were in a bind. I did take the order, and 2 days ago, when they returned my cake plateau to our building, my husband was there. He just hands me a box to a spa on the plaza (MY HUSBAND GOT ME A GIFT?? I HAD TO EMAIL HIM WHEN IT WAS VALENTINES DAY TO REMIND HIM--WHAT WAS THIS??) The brides mother as a thank you got me a hefty spa package. I was so blown away! These last minute orders can be nice, I guess! PLUS, no 3 months of calls and questions from brides, just 2 weeks of pain and its OVER! Good luck, I say do it if you can, BUT MAKE HER PREPAY!

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chqtpi Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:14pm
post #11 of 19

I agree with everyone else...if you can pull it off go right ahead...but I would make sure that she isnt expecting something that has a motor or 40 lbs of gumpaste involved..if shes waiting until the last inning...shes going to get whatever you pitch icon_smile.gif Simple and elegant would be great for both you and her..and as always...money is money...especially the upfront kindicon_smile.gif

best of luck!

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kakeladi Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:16pm
post #12 of 19

If you are available and want the money - go for it as long as you follow everyone's concern that you get paid IN CASH - up front - now icon_smile.gif
Yes, tell her it depends on the cake design she chooses/wants. Then offer her only what you cake easily do. NO gp flowers that take forever to make; NO monkeys; NO whatever you don't want to make.
For 100 (+/- a few) servings a 14, 10, 6 should do the trick. That's 116 servings @ $3 or $4 a serving = a quick $375-$450 CASH in your pocket.

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janbabe Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 7:17pm
post #13 of 19

Like the others have said, if you think you can do it, do it.

Nothing fancy ( I assume she would be aware of that). She needs to meet with you asap and you need the full amount at that meeting.

Hope she is genuine, seems a bit strange that she didn't turn up for the first meeting, but once you have the money - fine!

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gdsloane Posted 26 Mar 2008 , 10:04pm
post #14 of 19

Thanks, everyone. And you all have good points. If she sticks with this appt. I will tell her over the phone my expectations. I know I can pull this
one off as long as she don't want any monkey's icon_lol.gif. And who doesn't
need the money Okaaaaaaay. It's alway's good to have a second, third,
fourth ya'll get the picture opinion. icon_rolleyes.gif

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DebBTX Posted 5 Apr 2008 , 1:00pm
post #15 of 19

I am checking back with you to see if your bride kept her appointment and you did her cake. Did everything go okay?

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gdsloane Posted 8 Apr 2008 , 1:24am
post #16 of 19

After she called and left the second message, and I called and left her a message that I would do it for her...She never called back. Strange huh?

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DebBTX Posted 8 Apr 2008 , 1:51am
post #17 of 19

Well, you tried. It may be a blessing that you didn't get to do this cake.

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dragonflydreams Posted 9 Apr 2008 , 7:13am
post #18 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by DebBTX

Well, you tried. It may be a blessing that you didn't get to do this cake.


. . . yes, I believe this is a blessing in disguise . . . atleast she didn't get the chance to waste anymore of your time . . .

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gdsloane Posted 10 Apr 2008 , 4:30pm
post #19 of 19

yeah, I know. God has a way of working things out. icon_wink.gif Thanks for asking guys.

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