What To Say To This Bride?

Business By Jenn123 Updated 26 Apr 2008 , 10:50pm by CarolAnn

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Jenn123 Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 7:00pm
post #31 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbh724

I think the content of your reply is correct but I would consider re-wording it. It sounds a little harsh.

The cake is absolutey beautiful.




OK, Just the beginning or all of it?

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ashea Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 10:22pm
post #32 of 66

I agree that you should re-word the beginning of the reply. I think that you should show confidence in your product and showing animosity towards her might show her you were in the wrong. Be confident in you product will show her you believe in yourself and what it is that you created for her. She knew what she was getting with the tasting of the cake before you made it. I agree that the mother has her hand in all of this and she just wants her mother happy so this is all coming up. I would maybe offer her the anniversary cake top but that is it and I certainly agree with you about knowing you did everything right. You can't please everyone all of the time you can only learn from your experiences right?? I wish you the best of luck but I also think that you shouldn't dwell on this because like the others said , she probably will never get anything else from you because her mother is the baker so don't stress yourself just move on. Good Luck

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littlecake Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 10:57pm
post #33 of 66

I'm sorry, but i wouldn't give them a dime...or a free cake or anything.

The cake was lovely...and they ate it.

taste like art is subjective.....this makes me so angry...people trying to get money back for nothing....you're a pro, so you already know...giving them a discount will open the floodgates of every tom dick and harry who want a discount...complain and get some money back.

I'm kind of a hard@$$...i don't give anyone anything back...they don't like it- tough, when i worked at other bakeries i saw it time and again...get a spineless bakery manager who discounts....they'll all have a complaint.

all your other cakes were moist...this came out of the same batch...it looks pretty clear to me, PLUS mom is a cakelady...not like you'll be losing any business from them.

don't mean to be ranting but...ya know....i'd just as soon not have a bunch of belly aching complainers for customers.

i'm so sorry this happened to you.

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indydebi Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 11:27pm
post #34 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoutureCake

I honestly think it's a case where the MOB makes DH mixes and isn't used to scratch cakes




This is EXACTLY what I was thinking..... what are they used to eating.

I grew up on cake mix cakes, so scratch cakes taste very dense and (clears throat - icon_rolleyes.gif ) "dry" to me. Fortunately, I understand it's the difference is the type of cake and what I'm used to.

Ask the caterers about how much cake was eaten and their impression of why or why not. Trust me....if it was because of a big meal or lots of alcohol, they'll know. But here's a story on why you should touch base with the caterer or the venue.....

I had a mother who tried to complain about one of the food dishes on my buffet, claiming it wasn't "good" and "no one ate it". Since I have my crew TRAINED to observe food coming back on the plates, I was able to tell her, "I believe you're mistaken ... there was only about 3 servings left at the end of the night in the chafer, and the plates were coming back clean, so the guests were eating it .... they were not leaving it." There was no refund on that one. icon_twisted.gif

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lu9129 Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 11:28pm
post #35 of 66

I have to agree, regarding your response. It sounds like you are ready to kick her butt.

I don't think I would do anything at this point. You talked to her, she voiced her complaint. If she didn't ask for any money or discount at that point I would let it ride.

You know and she knows that she will never get another cake from you. She doesn't want to have to listen to her mother over that!!!!!

Let her call you back! I personally think she is going to let this drop.

MHO

LU

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Jenn123 Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 11:37pm
post #36 of 66

HA HA HA I tend to come out as cold or angry in writing sometimes. I would like to kick her butt, but I don't want to sound that way. icon_smile.gif

Thankfully one of our members PM'd me a nicer version of this letter. I will say the same thing but more graciously. I hope.

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milissasmom Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 11:39pm
post #37 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenn123

I'm so sorry you were not completely happy with your cake but I am confident that the cake I gave you was a quality product. It was treated in exactly the same way as your sample. As I said before, I had 3 other weddings besides yours that day. The cakes were all mixed and baked at the same time. None was over-baked or I would have thrown them out and started over. Your layers were intermixed with one other cake of the same size, so it was a random distribution of layers between the 2. I called every one of my other brides to get their reactions. They all said the cake was moist and delicious.

I want to make you happy but I don't know how. I think I did everything possible to make a beautiful and delicious cake for you."




I think your response was right on target actually but if others are saying it is a bit harsh at the beginning, I would just take that part out. IF I EVEN RESPONDED AT ALL!! I really hope you do not give them anything back! Seriously, you did nothting wrong here!

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Jenn123 Posted 22 Apr 2008 , 11:46pm
post #38 of 66
Quote:
Quote:

I think your response was right on target actually but if others are saying it is a bit harsh at the beginning, I would just take that part out. IF I EVEN RESPONDED AT ALL!! I really hope you do not give them anything back! Seriously, you did nothting wrong here!




Thanks! I have no plans to give her anything because I didn't do anything wrong. At first I was concerned. After talking to the other clients, I am confident it was good.

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DaisyLisa17 Posted 23 Apr 2008 , 2:58am
post #39 of 66

I agree with jkalman.... you should deal with the bride if she paid for it. Its her money, her business!

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MikeRowesHunny Posted 23 Apr 2008 , 7:02am
post #40 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlecake


I'm kind of a hard@$$...i don't give anyone anything back...they don't like it- tough




LOL! Littlecake - you're my kinda woman thumbs_up.gif !

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 23 Apr 2008 , 4:10pm
post #41 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenn123

I want to make you happy but I don't know how. I think I did everything possible to make a beautiful and delicious cake for you."




The only part I don't like is where you said "I want to make you happy but I don't know how." I would say something like, "I really wanted you to be amongst my happy and satisfied clients and am sorry to hear that this isn't the case, but since there were no other complaints (even from the same cake), there is not much I can do except say that I'm sorry you were unhappy with it." JMO.

If you want to offer nothing, since there was nothing you did wrong, that is all well and good. Like others have said, it's not as if you'd be losing any future business from her (except maybe when the bride is buying her mom a cake (birthday, anniversary, etc.). icon_smile.gif You know the MOB would never be happy with it anyway, and who knows, with her attitude she probably bakes her own!

Also, when I responded earlier, I didn't realize that the bride had offered to cut you a slice from the top tier. Sounds as if she isn't planning on saving it for her anniversary (mom probably offered to rebake for her). Had I known I wouldn't have suggested you baking her a new one. Also, didn't realize you were a 'seasoned' baker (pun inteded icon_biggrin.gif ). Were you not established I would say to offer the discount, but seeing that you've been in business for so long........you must have a great product. S*#@w them and don't offer any compensation.

Just out of curiosity though, I would contact the venue and ask them (or specifically whomever cut/served the cake) how much of the cake went and was eaten. Would be nice if you could come back to the bride the way Indydebbie did with her client who complained that no one ate one of the appetizers!

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AKA_cupcakeshoppe Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 4:59pm
post #42 of 66

any updates on this?

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Jenn123 Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:21pm
post #43 of 66

She freaked out and wrote a very irrational and snotty letter back. Here is the chain so far:


FROM ME TO BRIDE:
I'm so sorry you were not completely happy with your cake. The wedding
day of all my clients is very important to me. I have done some follow-
up research to find out what might have caused the situation in which
the cake might have seemed dry.
As I mentioned to you, I had 3 other weddings besides yours that day.
The cakes were all mixed in one batch, timed, and baked properly. Your
layers were intermixed with one other wedding cake of the same size,
so it was a random distribution of layers between the two. Because of
your concerns, I called every one of my other brides to get their
reactions. They all said the cake was moist and delicious.
I do appreciate your idea to test the top tier, but since it has been
over 2 weeks since it was baked, I donât think that would be a
reliable test.
I want to assure you that I did everything possible to make your cake
special. I'm very sorry I didn't meet your expectations.


FROM BRIDE (OR SOMEONE ON HER ACCOUNT)
If It Was A Good As U Say The Others Were It Still Should Be Delicious Now! My Mom And I Bake Cakes And When We Freeze Ours, They Are Just As Good As The Day We Baked Them Whether It Be Two Weeks Or A Month. Are U Afraid To Taste Test Your Own Product? You Are Supposed To Please Your Clients And I Wasnt. Thats Bad Business And Then U Tried To Shift Blame By Asking Was There Any Alcohol And No It Wasnt. You Say U Called The Brides But Not Me. Why? Thats Bad Business And You Know It. As Far As Im Concerned U False Advertised Because The Samples Were Delicious, But That Cake Was Horrible!

FROM ME TO BRIDE
I called all of the other brides because of your complaint. I wasn't excluding you. I was investigating how the others felt since it was all the same cake and was treated in exactly the same way.
I asked if there was alcohol because many people do not like sweets when they are drinking. I was not shifting blame, just asking for details. I'm sorry if I made it seem otherwise.

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


I think I'm done. Her other emails were nothing like this in style or punctuation. I think someone else- husband or mother wrote this.
Thanks everyone for your support!!

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indydebi Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:27pm
post #44 of 66

yeah, I'd be done, too. I"m sorry to sound old, but someone who can't write properly and uses text-message-format for a "real" letter/correspondence just isn't mature enough to deal with an issue on a rational basis. I can actually see her stomping her little foot when you didn't call her.

"You are suppose to please your clients" ..... "that's bad business" ..... cliche phrases used by someone who has no idea how to run a business. It's code for "I should get whatever I want just because I throw a big enough hissy fit".

Yeah ..... I'd be done, too.

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indydebi Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:27pm
post #45 of 66

delete dupl

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michellenj Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:40pm
post #46 of 66

Good grief. The person who wrote that email sounds like a mental patient. How are you supposed to take that email seriously? It sounds very immature and childlike to me.

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costumeczar Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:40pm
post #47 of 66

Oh boy...I suggested this before, but I'd definitely get in touch with the reception site to see what their take on it was. If it was as bad as the lovely bride and her mother are claiming, they'll remember, but if it wasn't anything unusual they'll let you know. I wouldn't respond to this heinous wench anymore, either. You did your research, and she's mad that it didn't fall in her favor, but her snit fit doesn't make her right. Oh, wait, you could always email her back with this message: "MayB U thnk u r rite but ur not, so im done w/u."

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playingwithsugar Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:46pm
post #48 of 66

It sounds like a text message from a 16 year old kid. And it sounds to me like she is trying to get free cake or a discount.

You're done with her.

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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ccr03 Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:48pm
post #49 of 66

Dude, I was about to say the same thing on her grammar! If she can't even write a proper letter, screw her!

And dude, no one is going to tell me what I need to do or how to run my business!

If she emails/contacts you again, I would just say, "I apologize for you not being satisified. As I said I try to make wedding days specials for all my brides. I think it is unfornate it that you did feel you did not get that same treat. I hope the rest of the day was a beautiful event and you will think of reconsidering my services in the future." And then add in fine print - GET OVER IT! YOUR MARRIED - BE HAPPY! icon_wink.gif

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Sweettooth1120 Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:51pm
post #50 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccr03

GET OVER IT! YOUR MARRIED - BE HAPPY! icon_wink.gif




Thats funny ccr03.

I bet if you called her florist and the person in charge of music that she also complained about their services. Sounds like the person that wants something for nothing. I would just let it lie.

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darandon Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 6:52pm
post #51 of 66

Actually my 14 year old daughter has better texting grammer that this woman who just got married. Just tell her that Life is too short to get your panties in a bunch over something like that.

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 7:13pm
post #52 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Oh boy...I suggested this before, but I'd definitely get in touch with the reception site to see what their take on it was. If it was as bad as the lovely bride and her mother are claiming, they'll remember, but if it wasn't anything unusual they'll let you know. I wouldn't respond to this heinous wench anymore, either. You did your research, and she's mad that it didn't fall in her favor, but her snit fit doesn't make her right. Oh, wait, you could always email her back with this message: "MayB U thnk u r rite but ur not, so im done w/u."




Quote:
Originally Posted by KSabatano

I bet if you called her florist and the person in charge of music that she also complained about their services. Sounds like the person that wants something for nothing. I would just let it lie.




I totally agree with all of the above.

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 7:37pm
post #53 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar

Oh boy...I suggested this before, but I'd definitely get in touch with the reception site to see what their take on it was. If it was as bad as the lovely bride and her mother are claiming, they'll remember, but if it wasn't anything unusual they'll let you know. I wouldn't respond to this heinous wench anymore, either. You did your research, and she's mad that it didn't fall in her favor, but her snit fit doesn't make her right. Oh, wait, you could always email her back with this message: "MayB U thnk u r rite but ur not, so im done w/u."




Quote:
Originally Posted by KSabatano

I bet if you called her florist and the person in charge of music that she also complained about their services. Sounds like the person that wants something for nothing. I would just let it lie.




I totally agree with all of the above.

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Auryn Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 8:55pm
post #54 of 66

I say you cease communication with her.
Don't give her any money back either.

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aswartzw Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 9:12pm
post #55 of 66

I just found this thread but I thoroughly agree with the others: Do not reply to any more of her emails and save whatever you have. You don't want business like this or from any of her friends so let her or her mom say what they will. Just walk away from it.

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4Gifts4Lisa Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 10:50pm
post #56 of 66

Wow. So sorry you are going through this. She is a piece of work...or more likely, her mother or new husband. How sad.

Side note...I love to see people's suggestions of wording. I learn so much from these suggestions!

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Jenn123 Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 11:27pm
post #57 of 66

I called the reception site. They had a "monitor" there to keep an eye on things. I'm going to call Monday and see what they remember.

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summernoelle Posted 25 Apr 2008 , 11:28pm
post #58 of 66

((((((hugs)))))) to you! I don't understand this irrational anger thing two weeks after the fact. Whatever!

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peacockplace Posted 26 Apr 2008 , 2:03am
post #59 of 66

Wow... all the drama. I have to say that this is crazy! You ate the cake. It wasn't bad enough to call right away, it took over two weeks. thumbsdown.gifthumbsdown.gif I don't believe it! If it was THAT bad, I would have called from the reception and said, "no one is eating this, it's terrible. Please come down here and see what's wrong."

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It really does sound like someone who overspent on the wedding and now wants some money back. Oh, and my 7 year old can punctuate better than that!

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indydebi Posted 26 Apr 2008 , 2:30am
post #60 of 66

She implies that her mom bakes cakes, freezes them and they taste fine. Did she put this cake in the freezer for 2 weeks? If so, you 've no way of knowing if it was wrapped properly. .... freezer burn? .... not wrapped properly so it dried out? I just noticed these comments from her that seem to be a little conflicting.

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