Very First Unhappy Customer (Long Discription...)

Decorating By heatherLhorton Updated 10 Jul 2008 , 8:06am by margaretb

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becky27 Posted 17 Jun 2008 , 11:28pm
post #31 of 72

i am just sick about this...i am so upset you gave the check back.....those people totally took advantage of you....well lesson learned....good luck.....

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fondantgrl Posted 17 Jun 2008 , 11:35pm
post #32 of 72

I hate to say this, but you seem so naive about cake business ..
How are you gonna make a profit and stay in business if this is how you will handle these customers ? Sounds like you are giving away free Wedding Cakes. I'm sorry about what has happened to you, but I think they took advantage of you and you probably fell for it. I am on your side and we all are, but you have to stand up for yourself and do the right thing, otherwise you will be at loss. Why in God's name did you return the check ? after you gave her the cake ? If the cake was terrible, bad and disgusting, then I can understand why you would just let her step all over you. But they ATE it !! icon_eek.gif

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Babygirlx Posted 17 Jun 2008 , 11:37pm
post #33 of 72

I am really sick as well that you gave the check back. People are always trying to get over and honestly, I think if you plan on making any money ever in this business, you have to get mentally stronger. Dont be easily intimidated by peoples loud talking, complaining, etc. Investigate just like any other place would do before refunding, etc.
At that point, I would have waited an hour for the florist to add the flowers myself then took a pic and went home waiting a call from the bride.
Also, a contract detailing the order comes in handy at times like this. Before set up was even performed, you should of had the check in your hand. It could of also stated that the bride is aware that it would not be a duplicate because...

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grama_j Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:01am
post #34 of 72

Well, come on ladies...... let's YELL at her some more icon_evil.gif ....... she doesn't feel bad enough yet !
She made a mistake..... a BIG one, and she will learn from it....... she can still demand payment..... AND get it....... three pages of " advice " is probably enough.....

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lionladydi Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:06am
post #35 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by grama_j

Well, come on ladies...... let's YELL at her some more icon_evil.gif ....... she doesn't feel bad enough yet !
She made a mistake..... a BIG one, and she will learn from it....... she can still demand payment..... AND get it....... three pages of " advice " is probably enough.....




I hope I didn't sound like I was yelling at her. If so, I'm sorry. I agree with you. She doesn't need any more lectures.

Diane

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fondantgrl Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:07am
post #36 of 72

Yelling ?? thumbsdown.gif no one is yelling. Maybe next time, put a limit as to how many responses one wants.

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debster Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:26am
post #37 of 72

This is why I am a FIRM believer in getting a check no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date, so all things clear. Then I have someone sign off on the cake. I have a Bride now that is two weeks into paying for the second half of her cake and I told her cash only for the remainder of the cake BEFORE I start it, I've heard horror stories for far too long and anyway, the Bride has to pay for the Dress fully before the Wedding why not the cake. PEOPLE , they try anything to cheat you. Good luck with this one, let it be a learning experience. If you learn from it then it's worth it.

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__Martha__ Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:30am
post #38 of 72

I'm just sorry this happened to you. It sucks. icon_sad.gif

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step0nmi Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:36am
post #39 of 72

heather...you know my position...I am so sorry you are going through this...

maybe we can all give her advice on what she can NOW do? icon_smile.gif

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famousamous Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 3:33am
post #40 of 72

Take her butt to small claims court! You deserve to be paid!

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onebigdogmama Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:38am
post #41 of 72

"Give me back my cake if you are not happy with it as you have not paid for it", is what I would have said. And yes don't deal with the aunt deal with the bride. Get her side of the story instead of the aunts.

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adonisthegreek1 Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 12:54pm
post #42 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by heatherLhorton

... You must have missed the part where I said that I already gave the check back...




I think we all missed that part. I though you went back to the site and discussed a partial refund with the aunt.

Oh well, what's done is done. Nothing else to say.

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aswartzw Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 1:28pm
post #43 of 72

I bet if you threaten to take them to court over this matter you would get your $$ back very quickly. Even better (you did have a contract, right?), have your lawyer mail them a letter and let him handle it. I guarantee you they would rather pay the $$ than go to court.

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lionladydi Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 1:36pm
post #44 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by aswartzw

I bet if you threaten to take them to court over this matter you would get your $$ back very quickly. Even better (you did have a contract, right?), have your lawyer mail them a letter and let him handle it. I guarantee you they would rather pay the $$ than go to court.




The fact that she gave the check back might affect the outcome of a lawsuit. Handing that check back might be construed as admitting the cake wasn't what it was suppose to be. JMO

Diane

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CakeWhizz Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 1:39pm
post #45 of 72

Sweetie, don't beat yourself up too much about this. If it helps, the same thing happened to me too and I used to work in one of the most cut thoat industries in the world before turning cake maker. I delivered a cake to a customer who wanted a spring themed birthday cake for her mother and also wanted a cake for her father's birthday later in the year. I described what I would do for her (white and yellow, blossoms, daffodils, roses etc) and AGREED on the design. She sounded very happy with it all and I told her to pay upon delivery (FIRST BIG MISTAKE). Everyone who saw the cake thought it was just beautiful. I delivered the cake and her initial reaction was WOW this is a lovely cake. However, within five minutes, she started complaining. She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes. she also claimed that the cake was too high and it wasn't green enough. I was very upset and taken aback apologized (yes would you believe it) and left. She ran after me shouting 'what about my father's cake, he is ill!!'
I got home, called my brother and he INSISTED I go back and get my money or get the cake. I called to let her know I would be coming to collect my money or the cake and she asks to speak to my manager!!!.

In the end I gave up as it was easier and I didn't have the confidence to pursue the payment. I am thankful in a way that this happened as it made me focus and tighten up on the money side of the business. As a wise CCer once said, 'I won't turn on my oven without receiving a deposit first'. So please take heart, we all live and learn.

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aswartzw Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 2:08pm
post #46 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by lionladydi

Quote:
Originally Posted by aswartzw

I bet if you threaten to take them to court over this matter you would get your $$ back very quickly. Even better (you did have a contract, right?), have your lawyer mail them a letter and let him handle it. I guarantee you they would rather pay the $$ than go to court.



The fact that she gave the check back might affect the outcome of a lawsuit. Handing that check back might be construed as admitting the cake wasn't what it was suppose to be. JMO

Diane




Maybe but she has a picture and that's all she'll need. In addition, I highly doubt the bride will allow this thing to go to court. I'm sure she'd rather pay the few hundred dollars to get rid of this than try and fight it in court. It's really more of a threat than an actuality.

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-K8memphis Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 2:16pm
post #47 of 72

I say small claims court. You were confronted and intimidated initially into giving back the money. They had every opportunity to return the cake and they did not. You didn't want to spoil her day and make a scene or barge into her house or something. It doesn't matter if they served it or not which they probably did. They received merchandise they did not pay for. You did not want to be confrontational and marr the day for them. Let the courts handle it.

I'm really sorry that they caught you off guard with that incredible sucker punch. What a huge smudge they put on their special day.

I totally hate that that happened and I hope you just put it squarely behind you and forge ahead, turntable flying at 60 mph, wielding a wicked spatula, piping bag held high!

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aswartzw Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 2:19pm
post #48 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by k8memphis

I totally hate that that happened and I hope you just put it squarely behind you and forge ahead, turntable flying at 60 mph, wielding a wicked spatula, piping bag held high!




icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif I love it! thumbs_up.gif

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fondantgrl Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 4:27pm
post #49 of 72

I wonder if this ever happened to DuffGoldman (Ace Of Cakes), Collete Peters and Sylvia Weinstock !!! HMMMMMMMMM icon_confused.gif

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MaisieBake Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:07pm
post #50 of 72

It's not about the picture. The customer paid. The vendor refunded. Now the vendor changed her mind?

If someone tried to sue me as the customer in that situation I'd be livid and I'd do whatever I could to trash her business. Also, as the customer who already paid once, I suspect that I'd win in small claims court.

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MeMo07 Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:13pm
post #51 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaisieBake

It's not about the picture. The customer paid. The vendor refunded. Now the vendor changed her mind?

If someone tried to sue me as the customer in that situation I'd be livid and I'd do whatever I could to trash her business. Also, as the customer who already paid once, I suspect that I'd win in small claims court.




I see what you're saying, but it wasn't like the vendor was like "Hmm, you're right, I'll refund it."

She was bullied into it. She was told the check would be worthless anyways if she kept it.

I see both sides. I think she needs to call the bride and discuss getting at least a partial last payment, if not all of it.

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-K8memphis Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:18pm
post #52 of 72

True Maisie, but they did not return the cake. They did not allow her inside. She was confronted outside. Do you think this makes any difference? The vendor was put on the spot and did something a la minute just on the spur of the moment but it doesn't have to be a permanent thing. That's what courts are for no?

I mean they paid her too! They should have refused to take the check back or give her back the cake. They got her hard work they need to give back the check. You KNOW the florist made a huge difference in the overal look of the cake--not that the cake wasn't just fine as is--I know it was.

They totally changed their minds too. They loved it the first five minutes while she was there and could have fixed something or something --again not that it needed any fixing but she didn't even get to try. I mean if it was getting fresh flowers, fresh flowers cover a multitude. I looked at her photos -- we all know that cake was fine to great.


Let's play Law and Order and I'll be the prosecuting attorney against the folks who didn't pay.

Hope I'm not upsetting op : )

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heatherLhorton Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:21pm
post #53 of 72

Thanks again for all the support. I know now what I should have done and what I plan to do. I am thankful that you are all out there (even the ones who seem unfriendly, I know you are just telling it like it is).

There will be NO small claims court. I'm certainly not ready for that. If I do not get my payment, I will chaulk this one up to a learning experience and move on. I will be making adjustments to my contract (adding a sig. page for delivery, etc.) and having them pay in full before I deliver. Starting next month, I promise!

Feel free to post all you want on this thread. Maybe it will be here if someone else comes searching for similar answers in the future.

If I have to learn from a stupid experience on my part, then maybe someone else can read this BEFORE they make the same mistake.

Thanks again!

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step0nmi Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:31pm
post #54 of 72

aww Heather! I am sure you feel a little better knowing that we are all here for you! I am so sorry you had to go through this...I wish you the best of luck in the future and I know you won't make the same mistake twice...

luv ya girl! icon_biggrin.gif

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loriemoms Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:37pm
post #55 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by debster

This is why I am a FIRM believer in getting a check no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date, so all things clear. Then I have someone sign off on the cake. I have a Bride now that is two weeks into paying for the second half of her cake and I told her cash only for the remainder of the cake BEFORE I start it, I've heard horror stories for far too long and anyway, the Bride has to pay for the Dress fully before the Wedding why not the cake. PEOPLE , they try anything to cheat you. Good luck with this one, let it be a learning experience. If you learn from it then it's worth it.




I am sorry too this happened to you, but I agree completely. I make sure I have full payment two weeks before the wedding, as well when the cake is setup, I take a photo (even if you were waiting for the flowers) . If I got that call, I would have gone back and gone into the room and asked what I could fix to make the cake "right". I would also get in writing at the time of signing of the contract that the cake will not look like the cake in the photo becuase it is buttercream. (that sometimes has them thinking maybe i should go with a different design).

As far as the flowers, another lesson learned is work with the florist on what time they plan on delivery, and I sometimes even work with them on the design of the cake! You work as a team on cakes with real flowers. You want to CYA with them as wel, as sometimes the florist can put the wrong flowers on the cake and YOU get blamed!

Anyway, good luck with future weddings...and again, sorry this happened to you!

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michellenj Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:37pm
post #56 of 72

Don't beat yourself up, Heather. Hopefully, this will be your only whackjob bride. Did they ever tell you exactly why they didn't like the cake?

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robinscakes Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 5:51pm
post #57 of 72

(((((HUGS!)))))))

I'm sooooo sorry this happened to you. If I were you, I'd chalk it up to newbie experience and move on. I'd rather walk away from the whole thing than drag it into court. However, I don't know how much $ you had invested in the cake and how much it's really worth to you.

This will at least teach you a couple things. 1) have a contract drawn up with a place for the bride (or purchaser) to sign stating that the cake is acceptable and that she is obligated to pay in full. 2) Don't take anyone else's word on what your cake looks like, other than the one who pays for it, and 3) never give the check back. Cash it right away and then if you want to refund some, let that be done separately.

Chin up...there are more cakes down the road! And some brides (and their families) are actually nice.

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indydebi Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 9:37pm
post #58 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeWhizz

She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes.




icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif This just cracked me up! I can see the marketing slogan now:

"Our cakes are so gorgeous, they're SCARY!!"

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CakeWhizz Posted 18 Jun 2008 , 10:17pm
post #59 of 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi

Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeWhizz

She claimed that the cake was so beautiful it might frighten her mother as she is used to getting plain cakes.



icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif This just cracked me up! I can see the marketing slogan now:

"Our cakes are so gorgeous, they're SCARY!!"


LOL!!! Indydebi you really kill me!!

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cfao Posted 19 Jun 2008 , 11:30am
post #60 of 72

I have changed my payment policy from 2 weeks to 4 weeks prior to the wedding date as of 1-1-08. No one has complained about having to pay a month ahead instead of 2 weeks prior to their date. I did this because as others have said, a bounced check will come back 10-14 days after you deposit it. Now YOU are trying to track down a bride 1 or 2 days prior to the wedding, on the wedding day or even worse, you get the check back from the bank a couple days after the wedding. I would rather deal with a problem like this with 2 weeks to play with instead of 2 days.

Bev

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