Hello CakeCentral friends,
I have a customer who is getting married in Nov. She has hired me to do her cakes before with no issues. She asked for a tasting and consultation for her wedding and I agreed (even though she has tasted plenty of my cakes). I got a sitter, I made her taster and got ready for her arrival... she did not show. No call, no nothing. RUDE!! A few days later, she apologized and said she was sick. What? Too sick to pick up the phone?!?!? She begged me to reschedule her appt. So, being the nice person that I am, I agreed. She was, after all, a paying customer. So, again, I got a sitter, made her tester cake, prepared for her arrival... and confirmed her appointment the day before. Guess what... NO SHOW. NO CALL. Nothing. AGAIN. She called and left me a message the next day... "I forgot" was her lame excuse. Now I need to call her back. Any advice??? Tell her to find another baker? Give her the Bridezilla surcharge? Tell her I will do her wedding cake with 100% pre-payment and no tasting?? What would you do?

Sorry for the double post. I don't know what happened there!

100% prepayment in ample time....and have her pay for the next tasting, if she wants it. That's a lot of cake to bake and money to spend for a no-show.

I wouldn't give her any reason to bad mouth you or your business....but I also wouldn't let her take advantage of you. There's always a balance.

Good luck!!!

Bridezilla surcharge (to cover your costs of babysitter, etc - times 2!). 80% down payment. And if she wants another tasting, a fee for that as well.

I think that I would charge her for your time and for making her 2 different tasters. If you do decide to make her wedding cake, definately get her to pre-pay. If I were you after the second no call no show and lame excuses she would be finding a new baker!!!!!!

I think that you agreed to do the tastings so you can't charge her now. Clearly I would not do another tasting.

I would do some straight to the point communicating by email or by phone--determine the approximate number of servings and the general design. I get a one third retainer to do the cake which I would calculate from that information and no more messing around. With the understanding that this is an approximate figure.

No money received no more of my time.

After that is in hand I would then and only then continue to get the rest of the information about the ordeal er I mean cake.

You could just tell her that you had another bride on hold for that date and that after the second no show you went ahead and booked the other bride, and leave it at that. This way you don't have to be rude to her. I think you've just gotten a taste (no pun intended) of what's to come with this one. good luck.

I would definitely have her pay for her cake "WELL" in advance and in cash. I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, the bride kept changing all the flavors of her cheesecakes and design. It was 2 days prior to the wedding before I got paid. I knew I would get my money however, it was nerve wracking trying to get it with all the changes. I would not schedule a tasting for her again, that is just me. After 2 times of No Show I'd say forget about it..
evelyn

I would definitely have her pay for her cake "WELL" in advance and in cash. I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, the bride kept changing all the flavors of her cheesecakes and design. It was 2 days prior to the wedding before I got paid. I knew I would get my money however, it was nerve wracking trying to get it with all the changes. I would not schedule a tasting for her again, that is just me. After 2 times of No Show I'd say forget about it..
evelyn

I would definitely have her pay for her cake "WELL" in advance and in cash. I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, the bride kept changing all the flavors of her cheesecakes and design. It was 2 days prior to the wedding before I got paid. I knew I would get my money however, it was nerve wracking trying to get it with all the changes. I would not schedule a tasting for her again, that is just me. After 2 times of No Show I'd say forget about it..
evelyn

Wow! And you generously let her do it again? Too kind. There are some relatively well-known places that do not do sit down tastings. They make a"box tasting" for their customers and then schedule a sit down. Get at least 50% down, non-refundable, and a date after which no changes can be made. Also get a final payment 3 weeks in advance and hold them her to it. Remember, if she is this scatter-brained now (putting the best spin on it), how bad will she be then? Get it in writing with no ambiguities.

You need to send her an email or call her and tell her that you understand that she was sick and that she forgot. That we are all human and that we make mistakes. But that you went to a lot of trouble to make those cakes and that you hired a baby sitter two times. And that unfortunately, you can't provide another tasting for her. Tell her that you are still willing to make her cake, but that you have another bride interested in the same date. Tell her that you are willing to give the day to her first since she was the first bride, but that you need her to get serious and come and sit down with you. Unfortunately, one more no show and you will be able to recommend some other bakers.

Duplicate post, please also see:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-642005-.html

HTH