Hi Everyone, I just want to complain to someone who will understand. Anyway, I did a cake recently (baby hunting cake in my photos). My husband delivered it and the lady (who is involved with my mom's business) said that she didn't have the money on her and she would pay him later. So my husband gave her the cake anyway, since we know her. My husband brought be the money about a week and a half later and didn't say anything. Well some stuff happened that showed that she wasn't an honest person and I was really angry and so my husband said he needed to tell me something. Come to find out, she only paid him half of what the cake cost. She told him what she was offering was what it was worth and she could get that cake anywhere for that much. Some nerve! My husband said he didn't want me to be upset and that is why he didn't tell me, but I'm really hacked off! I really want to go give her a piece of my mind, but my mom says she wants to keep the peace! How do you guys get over it when people rip you off? SARAH

If she ever wants another cake, just nicely tell her to go "anywhere" to get her cake, and try paying half the quoted price for it...see how far she gets with that tactic!

Some people are just so awful!

Your cake was beautiful, and I don't see where she has the right to just pay what she thinks it was worth! Geez!

I don't understand your Mom's position. (Although, I can see that your DH didn't want you to become upset...but still.)

There's nothing wrong with your righteous indignation. Also, if you're not made aware of a problem; how can you correct it.

Keeping the peace by allowing someone to STEAL your time, talent and the cost of ingredients seems totally unfair to YOU.

Of course, in the future cakes should be pre-paid well in advance of the due date. Or, at the least paid at time of delivery WITH NO EXCEPTION.
(No Money = No Cake & NO, we don't take partial payment and leave part of the cake.)

If my cake was so undervalued, I would just as soon my DH bring it home.

I feel so badly for you.. Vent as much as you like.

Hi Sarah, so sorry that something like this happened to you. I saw the cake and its a really nice cake.

I totaly agree with JanH. You have to get the full payment before hand. You are doing a business and keep it that way even if its family and friends. Do not get it mixed up.

And really don't agree what your mother did. Why don't you ask your mother to pay you the rest, since that cutomer is your mother's business partner.

OMG the gall of some people. Since your Mom is in business. Ask her if she allows HER clients to pay what they feel they owe.

Mike

Really? The lady can go right down the street and get custom made fondant figures ????? WOWZERS.. cause here NOBODY does it... I mean NOBODY does it for 70 miles of me (that's a good thing for me WOO HOO)... The nerve of some people!!! I thought about it .. and what I think you should do (what I would do) is if she calls again... Say "Wow, I'm really busy.. but at 5.00 a serving I will do it" .. double your price or even triple it... Milk her for all she's worth ...

But anyways hun to tell you the truth they (people like her) are EVERYWHERE!!! Just don't let it get you down! Your cake was cute as can be!!!


((((hugs)))))

I'd be cheesed off too.

First: surprised your mum not more supportive - as previous poster asked, would your mother find this acceptable business practice?

Second: Understand why your husband did what he did -wanted to save you from being hurt - but what he has done is inadvertently reinforce that woman's belief that she only has to pay what she wants to pay.

If she ever asks you to make a cake for her again, I'd agree a price and then when she comes to collect it tell her the cost has doubled. If she can play 'ducks and drakes' with the price without discussion, so can you.

If she saw your finished cake and decided it wasn't worth the money, what is to stop youin the future from seeing the cake you've made her and deciding that it's underpriced!!

Lovely cake by the way, and you were robbed.

Best wishes
Housemouse

What a really sweet hubby for wanting to "help" and spare your feelings. But what a really horrible client! Wowzer. I do not make cakes for $$ (licensing reasons) but I can't believe anyone would be so dishonest (cause that is what she was)! So unless this cake was totally below your normal ability/level (which i can't believe it was) then she went back on an agreement and took advantage of your DH being the dropper-offer. I would not have her for a client again.

AHHHH! People like this drive me nuts!! I just don't understand why people think it's O.K. to order a cake and then not pay for it. This was hapening to me all the time, "Oh I'll pay you later, you can trust me" Do they order a pizza and then tell the delivery guy I'll pay you next week, of course they don't. I had to start getting 50% up front, even from friends (who actually are the worst about this ) I tell them it's to cover the cost of ingredients. I've had it happen with catering jobs also, having to hound the person for the $ after the evnt was over successfully, now I make them pay in full 3 days before "so they don't have to worry about it during the party" sorry this is so long but I feel you!!! Sorry this happened to you it was a beautiful cake and I agree with Christi, I'm sure they can't go "anywhere" and get hand made figures. Some people just aren't worth working with.

Sue

P.S. one time DH offered to make up for the money owed by throwing a brick through their leaded glass doors and they only owed $20, just a thought (kidding of course)

I totally understand.I had a regular customer wiz in and pick up a cake and then gasp and say..."Oh..I forgot my chequebook"...and grabbed the cake and left.I was a bit put out but the kicker is I had to email her 3 times over 3 weeks and finally she sent the money,but I mean the nerve!!! You can't walk into Walmart or Kroegers and grab your cake and say"I'll pay yah later"..I was quite miffed!!! and who did she think she was determining your time and worth....I would call her and speak my peace...regardless of what your Mom says...Sorry..that's just the Virgo in me!!!

The only thing I can say is that you did this to yourself by not having the cake paid for in full BEFORE you started baking it. If you don't pay on time.. I don't turn on my oven. Sorry.. but I am not going to bake your cake if you haven't paid for it.

Your mom is being ridiculous and your husband (while is heart may have been in the general area of the right place) was a fool for giving her the cake without full payment. I would have walked out with my cake in my hands. Sorry but you can't just pay what you think is fair. I think $1/gallon is "fair" for gas, but I still have to pay almost $4/gallon.

Your cake is beautiful and well worth whatever you charged for it. But I know if that were my mother she definately wouldn't have kept peace. She woulda said if you can't pay the full price then u don't get the cake. But i'm sure my hubby would've done the same thing when it came to me getting upset but i'm sure he would've given her a piece of his mind too.

This is what I dread the most, a customer not willing to pay, so far my customers are either friends that I live on base with or work with. Luckily for me, I"m known for not holding my tongue. I asked my dh before he left for work what he would have done and he said no payment, no cake and would have left, (he's not one for holding his tongue either) bless your dh for not wanting to upset you, but I do think he has kinda made the situation worse by letting the women get away with it, as for your mom, I would sarcastically ask her to make up the difference then if she wants you to keep quite to keep the peace!

I believe though that you are not going to feel better about this situation until you have said something to this women, I would call and ask her for the other half of the money. Business is business, and if they are true friends of your mom's then they wouldnt do this. My true friends pay up no worries about the cost, it's my "aquaitences that have problems paying what I ask for!"

Rach

I totally agree with JanH and Mike! I would ask your mom if she wants to make up the difference since your 'keeping the peace for her' - the cost of doing business, nothing personal.

Gee, maybe you could go to your suppliers and tell them that you weren't paid in full for your cake so now you can't pay them in full for supplies. Yeah, that's go over well.

This lady is a wacko! That is like going to bloomingdales and saying I am paying walmart prices.
I take 50% up front and they pay the rest when they pick up. Ive never had a delivery but I will ask for 100% before delivering.
I agree with all the above.
Even if I delivered it and got that price the this ignorant lady, my hubby would go and make sure to get the rest. He does pull no punches. He knows how much I spend for product and how much time and gas I use to pick up and make the cakes.
As for your mom, she needs to put herself in your shoes.
Good luck in the future.

I think your mom should give you the rest of the $$ then.

This transaction was between you and the lady. My husband and son work together at the same business. Before my son took the job, my husband told him that what goes on between cutomers/other employees is his business. At work they are co-workers, at home they are father and son.

I would explain to your mom that this has nothing to do with her. Then call the women and get the rest of my money. Be very professional. Ask why she thinks the cake isn't worth what you think. Then take it from there.

Lu

Did your husband make up the rest of the money before giving it to you? I was trying to figure out how he successfully hid that she only paid half. That was sweet he tried to shield you from that. I'm sorry this happened to you!

I honestly think we may have lost sight on this...what the woman actually did was steal the cake. If you only paid part of a bill in a restaurant you would be arrested. This is not legal, not one person on the earth has a right to do that and I would send her a bill for the balance. Who care what anyone has said or if peace should be had, if she wants peace she will pay the balance. I would act like you never discussed it with your mother and just mail her a bill. Do you think she will ever tell your mother she said that to your honey?? Or did that to you??? And if so how could your mother even want dealings with someone that would treat you this way?? (I think you mom was just trying to be kind though)

But I would seriously mail her a bill and just write a note on it acting like you didn't know what she said to your DH. And of course you will always be way to busy to do another cake for her again because you are keeping your peace...

Wow, that customer has some nerve to set the price according to what she feels it's worth! I can't believe someone would even do that..how ignorant. It's especially rude since it sounds like they know you on a personal level. I'm sure your DH had good intentions when he gave her the cake anyway..he probably was just trying "to keep the peace' too. If it were me, i would just let it go. I know you feel ripped off, i would too. But i'd be sure to be 'busy' the next time she asked to make her a cake or i would demand full payment upfront. Sorry you had to go thru this.. Some people geesh.

I hate it that this happened to you. I agree with the other posters. Either ask for money up front or give her a taste of her own medicine and bump the price a little.

OK, do you have a signed contract for the cake listing the price? If not since your husband accepted the money as payment for the cake, I don't know that you have much legal grounds to stand on at this point. Have you been defrauded? of course, but exactly how much does your mother have to put up with in regards to this woman.

Obviously, the woman doesn't care what your mother thinks because if she did she wouldn't have ripped you off. You just had to deal with her on one cake; and even if you were to make another cake for her, you can always say 100% prepaid. It sounds like your mom doesn't have that option.

I totally agree with Christian...... send her a bill for the remaing balance.... tell her if it would be easier, to just give it to your Mom, and she can get it to you...... Good luck !

Various family members make deliveries for me on occasion. There was a situation similar to your's...the customer wanted a discount (not unfounded) because it was late(DD got turned around...it happens to everyone)...BUT... the woman got pissy with my DD and proceeded to call her an idiot for getting lost(easy for someone who lives in a big city to say to someone traveling 40+ miles into crazytown).

After apologizing to my DD, I decided then and there, there would be no crossovers in deliveries and under no circumstances will a driver have to handle a money situation.

I have thought to have a note prepped for deliveries (when someone other than myself is delivering)stating they should inspect the order and initial. If there are any problems, inform me at once so that it can be remedied as soon as possible. Do NOT inform the driver as they have no control over the order.

Christian Donovan has some great advice:

"But I would seriously mail her a bill and just write a note on it acting like you didn't know what she said to your DH. And of course you will always be way to busy to do another cake for her again because you are keeping your peace... "

And if she complains about the price tell her it is what she agreed to pay from the beginning and she needs to honor the agreement. It isn't up for debate. For Pete's Sake! I thought I've heard of everything!

I disagree w/ previous posts about it being your fault for not getting payment up front. This client is WAY off base. You know her and trusted her and did her a favor by giving her the cake prior to payment... lesson learned, I'm sure. Confrontation sometimes comes w/ business. There is a diplomatic way to approach the situation. Maybe say on the bill " 1/2 paid on pick up of the cake; 2nd 1/2 of payment due. Thank you for your business." Try not to gag as you write "thank you for your business" then I'd be conveniently "booked" for every cake she EVER tried to order from me again.

I'm so sorry you have had such a nasty experience. I hope she pays up. If she tried that crap at a restaurant they'd have her arrested and people would stare at her like she had bugs coming out of her head.

Wow, I've never had this happen before but I have worried that it might.
I collect 50% at the time of ordering and the remaining balance at delivery, so at least the ingredients are covered. But I have discussed with my husband (who is basically my business partner/delivery driver) that no money=no cake!
I've sent him on a couple of iffy deliveries where the customer was being flaky with the strict instructions to either leave with the payment or the cake.
And nothing against your mother but I know if someone screwed my kids over, business or not I would not let it happen.
I know your mom wants to keep the peace but you also have to pay your bills and you can't do that by letting people steal cake from you.
Honestly what I would do is if you have a lawyer friend (or brother in law in my caes) have them write her a letter ( letter head of course) requesting the remaining balance be paid immediately!
People tend to pay attention when the letter comes from a law office.

This really makes me mad that people think that the cakes we pour are heart and soul into can just be picked up at the corner super market! Where does she shop that she has seen custom made cakes with fondant figures on them?
She's crazy and I would ride her until you get ALL of your money!

Sorry this ended uo sp long, and sorry it has happened to you, good luck with resolveing it!

I tend to agree with the others. I would send her a bill with the total minus what she paid and the balance owed.

I doubt you will get your other half of the money but at least you will have some satisfication of letting her know that she did not pay you correctly and I would also put a clause on the bill that said something like 'effective 5/1/08 all cake orders will be done on a prepaid basis. She'll get the hint and maybe guilt will make her pay the rest of the bill. I really wouldn't look to get the rest of the money because she has already placed a value on your work. And she doesn't appreciate what you did for her.

LOL if it were me I would slip a note in with the bill and ask her where else in town can she get that sort of work because you would like to check out your competition.