I have a lady that ordered 2 cakes for this weekend. She was supposed to come by on Friday to leave the deposit but I haven't heard from her. The last time she dropped off a deposit, she was 3 hours late, and she was more than 4 hours late picking up her cake.

Should I call and find out when she's coming, or leave it to her to take care of it? I don't want to be pushy, but I'd hate to lose an order by not following up.

Ali

I would give her a call and just say that you were worried about her since she hadn't stopped by and you are just checking to make sure that she is okay and still wants the order.

I think that she would appreciate the concern, even if there is a hidden agenda.

Ditto that.
I'd call and tell her you were concerned when she didn't show. Then ask her if she had changed her mind or if she still wanted the cake...

Good Luck...

I agree with Fishercakes and pooker give her a call, after all you would hate to make all that cake and then maybe her not show up, good luck

I Agree also. It doesn't take much to make the phonecall and she'll be really impressed by it. And maybe if she was thinking about going back on her order, she might reconsider!!



Daniela

I called her once yesterday, left a voicemail, called again today, after ringing 3 times it went to voicemail, so I think she's avoiding me. I don't understand why. All she has to do is say she doesn't want me to make her stupid cakes.

I'm bummed.

Ali

Don't worry about it. You have called her and now the ball is in her court. If she wants you to make the cake, she'll call if not, then you won't have to worry about waitinb around for her. In the future, do cakes for the people that show and pay their money.

The cakes are for this weekend? If you don't hear from her today then I wouldn't make the cakes and then if she contacts you about them just let her know that you needed the deposit/payment to purchase supplies and without payment you were not able to do so. If you choose to do business from her again I would let her know that you will give 24 hours to recieve deposit/payment or no order.

That's just me. I would hate for you to lose the business for this weekend but no sense in you stressing about it for a customer you can't obviously count on.


Amy

that is totally unfair of her...you dont' need her business anyway if she is being like that!

Isay call her 1 more time if you haven't already left a message telling her that you need to hear back from her today, or you are going to assume she is not interested, and you are going to book other cakes. That way, when she calls you on Friday, asking what time she is to pick up her cakes, she can't say that you never told her you're not doing them.

That's true. You have to tell her if she does not return your call you will assume that she is not interested.

I'm with GinaJuarez on this one.

Debbie

I'm with them. Call her- leave the message - and move on to the next order of business.

I'm with them-call her-say it's to confirm her order and if you don't hear from her within 24 hours you will assume the order has been cancelled. I would make notes of the calls etc that way there if she says the famous 'I DIDN'T GET THE MESSAGE" you can always provide dates/etc-enough is enough and sometimes enough is toooo much! You have too much other stuff to do than sit around waiting on her to decide at the last minute and put you in a pinch-then if she does call at the last minute and you decide to do it I would charge her an extra fee for a "rush job".

Alimonkey, as far as I am concerned, you have gone way above and beyond the call of duty! If it were me, if she was supposed to bring the deposit Friday, I would have called Saturday to see if she was okay and to let her know that I needed the deposit no later than Monday afternoon/evening, otherwise I would assume that the order is cancelled. You're running a buisness, you can't afford to waste your time chasing her down for a deposit!

At this point, however, should she call, I would ask for full payment to ensure that she will pick the cakes up.

Debbi

I agreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thanks for all your support, everybody. She called back tonight apologizing profusely for not calling sooner. Apparently when I heard "I'll come by after work [on Friday]" I must have missed the "try to" part. Oh well. It's done now.

She actually works at the library a couple miles from my home, so for her convenience, but mostly for my peace of mind, I'll be picking up the payment & dropping off the cakes at no extra charge. I figure that way, her co-workers can see the cakes too & maybe I'll get some more orders!

Ali

Glad she called!! And great thinking on the delivering of the cake!!! Not to mention anyone that might also be in there checking out the books!! lol Make sure you have some cards ready to hand out!

Alimonkey, you are too good. If someone had put me through all that, I don't think I would have had the presence of mind to offer to drop it at her work in order to attract more business. I'm glad it all worked out for you.

I don't think most people realize that cake decorating is just as much a job as any other. I think they kind of take our talents for granted. Just because we enjoy it doesn't mean it's not work or a serious business.

Ali, I'm really happy for you. It's nice to hear you happy again especially since you were so patient and didn't loose your cool. I think we all learned a little something from this



Daniela

I just got to this post. I was going to agree with everyhting! I think that you were doing the right thing from the start. And the girls gave you great advice. I think that you are doing a good thing by dropping off yourself-it also insures that you will get paid! People really don't have any idea what cake decorating is. They think it it is 45 minutes of back and Flash-Bam 5 minutes of decorating. If they only knew. Sometimes I think about making them the cake that they think can be done so easily and quick. I bet that would get a response!!!
Tanya

Tanya,
I think your 100% right. People think that decorating a cake is nothing but it really takes a lot of work. I haven't even begun to go through all the stress that most of our CC friends have gone through and I already feel it. I know it could also be that I'm nervous about it but some people don't make it easier at all!!



Daniela

Alot of people think it only takes a few minutes because if they go to the bakery counter at their favorite store or take it out of the freezer section and take it to the counter to write a name on it DOES only take 5 minutes-but what a difference the time makes!!! TLC does not come in 5 minute intervals!!! If only they really knew and understood-most appreciate it, some don't. Unfortunately sometimes we get the "some don't"s.