Serious Disaster - What Should I Tell The Bride?

Decorating By Cakeandcupcakes Updated 26 Jul 2009 , 8:11pm by FullHouse

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:25pm
post #1 of 17

I was delivering a cake tonight and I had a major disaster. The bottom tier collapsed! Like half the cake fell off so the top two were hanging on by the dowels. I managed to fix the cake enough that it was standing as three tiers but it had a lean to it. Before I delivered it the cake it was perfect and stable. The design was just what the bride wanted and I know she would have loved it. I think the cake on the bottom mixed with the filling was just way too soft. What should I do? I told one of the bridesmaid that was setting up to have the bride call me tomorrow. I'm just sick to my stomach over it! It's my first disaster.

16 replies
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bakery_chick Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:33pm
post #2 of 17

I am so sorry. That is the worst feeling.
I think the only thing you can do is apologize. I also think you need to decide how much you are going to refund the bride--depends on how much of a disaster the cake was.

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:34pm
post #3 of 17

I should also tell you that I am licensed and insured.

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SharonK1973 Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:36pm
post #4 of 17

So sorry this happened to you!
If I were you, I would just tell the bride the truth and offer a discount and maybe a discount on a future order. Keeping good customer relations is more than worth it!

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poohthebear Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:43pm
post #5 of 17

Wow so sorry here hear this. I would just guess that most of us here have had a disaster like this aleast once. Mine was the buttercream icing pealed off the side of the bottom tier on a four tiered cake, yes on the ride to deliver. I always carry a "first-aid" kit but there wasn't much I could do to fix it. I didn't charge the bride and offered her a coupon for a free cake of her choice. She is still a good customer!

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queenfa Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:44pm
post #6 of 17

I agree with Sharonk.Offer the discount before she request so she will know how sorry you are and you mean to keep the relationship.

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mkolmar Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:45pm
post #7 of 17

Oh you poor thing. (((BIG HUG))
I'm imaging it happening more from the dowels than from the filling. Usually when it's a filling issue the cake starts to slide where it was filled at. How many dowels were in the bottom tier and how big was the teirs you used?
I had a cake do the same thing for my brothers birthday this year, after that horrid event I swore off dowels and only use SPS when I can.

Was the bottom teir still able to be served? If not more money will need to be given back. I would think some kind of refund would be in order for sure depending on the extent of the damage.

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:45pm
post #8 of 17

I was planning on offering a partial refund but first I'll hear how she feels about it. I think that if you didn't know you'd just think the cake was leaning and the icing was messy in the back. Ugh. They should still have plenty of cake for everyone. That's the only good part I guess.

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:52pm
post #9 of 17

The bottom tier was a 14 inch with 6 dowels. I think I might have to try SPS. I guess I can only wait to hear from her now. Do people ever sue over cake? It wasn't so bad that I think that could be possible but I just wonder...

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queenfa Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:58pm
post #10 of 17

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queenfa Posted 17 Jul 2009 , 11:59pm
post #11 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakeandcupcakes

The bottom tier was a 14 inch with 6 dowels. I think I might have to try SPS. I guess I can only wait to hear from her now. Do people ever sue over cake? It wasn't so bad that I think that could be possible but I just wonder...


pple sue over cakes all the time.I saw a case on "fallen"topsy turvy on tv lastweek ,tha's why you may want to consider poohthebear's suggestion if you think it may get to that.

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 18 Jul 2009 , 12:35am
post #12 of 17

I do plan to go with almost any suggestion the bride has within reason.

Thanks everyone for the support and suggestions.

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The_Sugar_Fairy Posted 18 Jul 2009 , 12:45am
post #13 of 17

I feel so badly for you. Lately I've been having disasters too, but luckily only for family and friends. But... I am making a co-worker a baby shower cake, three tiers, so nervous. Anyway, what is SPS??

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Cakeandcupcakes Posted 18 Jul 2009 , 1:32am
post #14 of 17

It's a support system fir the cakes that a lot of people on CC use. I think it comes from Indy Debbie. I believe there might even be a sticky in the forum posts about it. Clearly I need to check it out too.

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__Jamie__ Posted 18 Jul 2009 , 1:42am
post #15 of 17

It's a sticky from Leahs, top of the How Do I forum. I highly suggest it.

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Magda_MI Posted 19 Jul 2009 , 6:15am
post #16 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakeandcupcakes

Do people ever sue over cake? It wasn't so bad that I think that could be possible but I just wonder...




The woman I took my first decorating classes from was sued once by a bride--when there was absolutely nothing wrong with the cake!

She brought in photos she'd taken of the cake after delivery, photos of the cake it was based on (from a Wilton book) and made a copy of the top tier (same flavor and filling) and brought it with her to court. The bride admitted that the cake looked like the photos, and tasted like the sample cake (which the judge also got to taste) but said she just didn't like it and wanted her money back.

The judge not only ruled in my teacher's favor, he also asked for her card, and she ended up making the cake for his daughter's wedding!

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FullHouse Posted 26 Jul 2009 , 8:11pm
post #17 of 17

Have you spoken to the bride? I hope things worked out ok for you.

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