Ordered Cupcakes Now Saying They Dont Want Them ...

Baking By janbabe Updated 19 Aug 2018 , 2:43pm by AAtKT

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janbabe Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 3:00pm
post #1 of 36

Well I had an order last week for 350 cupcakes. Short notice as it was for this week and I had a few cakes to do already. It was from a school who said they had been let down from the previous baker.

They explained what they wanted - 350 cupcakes (muffin size), iced and a simple sugar decoration on each batch (divided into 12 batches).
They said it was for charity and didnt want to pay much so I charged £1 each cake because it was a big muffin size cake. (I usually charge more).

well i didnt take a deposit - usually do but they said they would pay cash on collection. First batch to be picked up this morning rest tomorrow. It was for kids aged 4yrs to 9 yrs and meant to look like they had made them to give to thieir mums!

Well just had a call from teh head teacher saying how disappointed she was with my cakes!! When I asked why she said they weren't grand enough!!
I was gobsmacked! I told her what was agreed (It wasnt her that rang me with the order). She said she wanted larger muffin size cake with lots of swirled buttevream on and sugar decorations!! AND she thought a £1 a cake was too much!!

She said they have now had to go to this other bakery to get what she wanted and much cheaper!! ( I know this bakery is expensive)!

She said someone would possibly be coming to get the rest tomorrow but didint think she should pay twice!!

I have never let anyone take cakes before without paymetn but thought a school was ok and they are paying cash tomorow.

How much should I charge if they come ot pick up the rest. I havent completed all of them as she wanted me to stop. They have about 200 to pick up.

Hubby said why do they still want them if they have ordered other ones. I feel embarrased that someone has found my cakes disappointing and a bit upset as it has never happened before.

Just feel a failure though I have done the cakes as askd and they look lovely.

have to wait in tomorrow now and see if they turn up - I need payment for at least the ones they have taken and cost of ingredients.

Just not sure if they are trying it on - thought they would have bought payment this morning.

Feel quite weird with all this actually - very unsettling. icon_cry.gif

35 replies
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jewels710 Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 3:25pm
post #2 of 36

Dont feel bad.
I looked at your cakes, you do a great job.
Sounds like another case of someone wanting something for nothing.

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Davwattie Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 3:32pm
post #3 of 36

Well I say they should pay £1 per cake as agreed and collect the remaining cakes and pay £1 each for them too.

I cant understand why they would want them to look like the kids had made them, why not just get the kids to make them anyway icon_confused.gif

If they have asked you for 350 cupcakes they should pay for them, they are lucky you arent making them pay for the whole order!

I can only assume when she wanted muffin size cupcakes they expected them to look the size of chocolate muffins which are a completely different.

If it were me I would take the remaining cakes to the school myself if they dont turn up to collect with an invoice for the amount required and make them pay then and there.

Some people havent a clue but that is no excuse for treating you like this, hope u get it sorted

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JohnnyCakes1966 Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 3:33pm
post #4 of 36

So wait....They picked up some of the cupcakes and paid for them....then you got a call saying they didn't think they were grand enough (I thought they wanted them to look like the kids made them?? I wouldn't think of that as "grand!")...but they still want them but don't want to pay for them? Sounds to me like they just want the rest for free.

Call the person who actually placed the order with you - as it sounds like she didn't have the guts to pull this scam on you herself but someone else from the school did - and let her know about the call from the other person. Tell her if they don't intend to pay for the rest of the cupcakes as per your agreement, you will donate the remainder of the order to a local food shelter. No WAY would I give the school the rest of the cupcakes unless they paid for them!

Lesson 101: ALWAYS get a deposit that covers your expenses!!!!! I don't care WHO they are!

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cakesbycathy Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 3:40pm
post #5 of 36

When they come they need to pay you the rest of the balance due or they do not get their cupcakes.

You also need to contact the person who placed the original order and speak to her about this situation.

If you end up getting shafted I would send an invoice for what is due to whomever placed the original order and to the head of the school.

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imagenthatnj Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 4:00pm
post #6 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by janbabe

have to wait in tomorrow now and see if they turn up - I need payment for at least the ones they have taken and cost of ingredients.




They didn't even pay you for the first bunch that they took?

Next time, get a deposit and an agreement to the design, in writing.

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MikeRowesHunny Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 4:54pm
post #7 of 36

Since when was a school a charity?! Sorry, but show me your registered charity status! WOW, sorry Jan, but you've been taken for a mug. I would rather donate the rest of those cupcakes to a local nursing home or some such than let those scam artists get their hands on them. I'd be tempted to call your local paper too, how many times have they pulled this BS on someone else. The other baker clearly twigged as to what was going on and backed out!

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miss_sweetstory Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 5:13pm
post #8 of 36

I suggest you also send a letter to the head of the board of governors (include any email correspondence and all the names/dates). Explain the deal that you had, your discounted price and the treatment that you received from the head teacher. Respectfully request their assistance in the matter and request a written response. If they are operating the board of governors properly, this matter should have to be entered into their formal meeting minutes... making it public to the likes of Ofsted... poor business practices will reflect negatively on their overall score.

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KoryAK Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 5:21pm
post #9 of 36

Go to the principal or whatever of the school with an invoice for everything you made (even the ones baked but not iced or whatever the case may be). They will pay.

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cookiemama2 Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 5:27pm
post #10 of 36

"How much should I charge if they come to pick them up?" ...

Ok now they are double $ !
I agree, talk to the person you ordered them from and tell her what is happening. And if they now want them "grand" now that will cost them extra.
And now having to get them from another baker is a story to make you feel bad I'm sure...plus another bakery would charge her even more being it would be a rush order.

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EmmyNoah Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 5:41pm
post #11 of 36

What should you do??? Do not wait for anyone to come to your house. . pack up the remaining cupcakes with an invoice for them and the ones that were already taken and go straight to the principal's office and let that person know that some of their faculty members are trying to cheat you and that if you don't get paid for your work, you will then go to the head of the board of governors.

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Kitagrl Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 5:50pm
post #12 of 36

Wow...looking forward to seeing how this turns out. If they're supposed to look like the kids made them, then iced with a sugar decoration sounds "grand" enough!!!! Especially for a discount!!!!

I'm not sure what the sizes are in the UK....but if they meant jumbo muffin size, well that is VERY big (two servings of cake per cupcake)....surely they didn't mean that, and if they did, they didn't pay nearly enough.

I hate when organizations feel they deserve a break on something just because its for kids or whatever.

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pmarks0 Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 6:00pm
post #13 of 36

I agree with what everyone else is saying. You need to go to the person who originally placed the order with you. You should go to the Board of Governors as suggested. And they should be paying at the agreed upon price, if they expect to get the remaining cupcakes. If they aren't, then prepare an invoice for the cupcakes taken already plus your costs for the remaining items and donate them to a nursing home or shelter.

You also mentioned:

She said they have now had to go to this other bakery to get what she wanted and much cheaper!! ( I know this bakery is expensive)!


If you know this bakery, I would call and see if you can get confirmation that they placed an order and at what price. I would even let them in on the poor behaviour you've experienced, as a a colleague (if it helps you get the info you need).

Good luck with this all. And I'm looking forward to hearing how it turns out.

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Kitagrl Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 6:02pm
post #14 of 36

I actually disagree about calling the other bakery...if the bakery feels like being catty, they will not participate and may even knock the OP for trying to dig out information against the school.

I think she should just go straight to the person who ordered the original cupcakes and have a nice long talk.

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TexasSugar Posted 31 Mar 2011 , 6:40pm
post #15 of 36

I agree with those that say contact the original person. Idealy I'd tell them they can pick up the second batch and bring cash money to cover them all. If they do not want the other half, then they need to atleast pay for the first set of cupcakes.

I wouldn't call the other bakery, as it really doesn't matter what their agreement is or isn't, and that has nothing to do with your original agreement.

I'd say a big portion of the time, when someone tells you they can get something better for cheaper from somewhere else they are trying to get you to balk on your prices. Stay firm with your prices, go after the money they owe you, and then never do business with them again.

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Paperfishies Posted 1 Apr 2011 , 12:18am
post #16 of 36

Honestly, it sounds to me that they are trying to get as much free or close to free product as possible. The lady who contacted you saying she didn't like them and is going with another bakery used a tactic to scare you into giving her a cheaper price. She's creating competition. Stand firm, demand that she pay you...Contact the school board and whom ever else.

I looked at the pictures you have in your gallery. Your cakes are gorgeous, i can't imagine you turning out an ugly product.

Good luck.

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cookiemama2 Posted 1 Apr 2011 , 12:51am
post #17 of 36

Can't wait to hear how this turns out!
I'm usually pretty spineless...had a huge spineless moment today even, so I'm cheering for you.

Wouldn't it be nice to just have psycho moment and just tell it like it is. Oh sorry, thats my daydream!!! icon_smile.gif

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cakification Posted 1 Apr 2011 , 4:25pm
post #18 of 36

I just wanted to say, don't be discouraged.. your cakes are beautiful.. Just talk to the original person who placed the order and tell them exactly whats going on.

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JulieMN Posted 1 Apr 2011 , 11:28pm
post #19 of 36

I'll be interested in seeing how this all plays out.....

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janbabe Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 11:40am
post #20 of 36

Right! A couple of hours after the person who called me telling me the cakes they had collected that morning (without payment - I know my fault there)! icon_redface.gif rang me back saying she had a look at my cakes and yes they were the correct size (muffin size) but the decoration wasnt what they wanted.

I explained what I had been told they wanted but she said there must have been a mix up! she said she understands the time I must have spent doing these (darn right) and offered to pay no more than £100 for my time so far and the cakes they had already taken. Said they didnt want the rest of my cakes now they had ordered somewhere else!

This person (who is not a teacher but on the board of Parent teachers association) said someone would be around the next morning after the school run.

Well, no-one has come around and no-one has called! I have left 2 messages that day (phone goes to answer mode) and one this morning saying I need her to ring me by the end of the day as I think its disgusting that they think they can change their minds just like that and take cakes without payment!

I have this feeling she isnt going to ring me at all or pay for anything. Am feeling quite low at the mo that people could do this sort of thing.

I know overall it was my fault I never got a deposit and let cakes be taken just thought a school would be ok. I have learnt I can tell you!

I can write a letter to the school explaining this but feeling I am gonna have to write it all off to a bad experience. icon_cry.gif

Anyone want a cupcake stored and sealed!!! Family ate so many now rest have to go out for the birds!!- icon_eek.gif

Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words about my cakes. thumbs_up.gif

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Cupcations Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 4:12pm
post #21 of 36

That is so low I would of statred crying.... Everything happens for a reason, at least now you know that you HAVE to take deposits even from a priest icon_biggrin.gif
if I were you I would put a table infront of the school at rush hour & sell them outside, screw them! icon_mad.gif

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cookiemama2 Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 5:35pm
post #22 of 36

I can't believe for 1 second that they had ordered them from somewhere else. Who could agree to do them that fast. I think someone made a mistake and ordered too many or maybe they ordered from both of you by mistake.
Either way I believe they should be resonsible to pick up the extra and pay you for all of them.
Have a quicky bake sale or sell them to the teachers, they ordered them they pay for them.

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mysweetsugar75 Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 6:20pm
post #23 of 36

I own a business (not baking or decorating cakes) You wouldn't believe the things people try to pull.
People will try to pull the most elaborate scams, right down to tiny details!!

I know this may be a stupid question.....are you absolutely sure you were contacted by, and handed over cupcakes to a "REAL" school? When you called them, are you absolutely sure (phone book checked) the phone number was the real school and not someone answering their own personal phone as " Good afternoon, Dilly Dally School, how may I help you"? Because they knew YOU were calling.

Just a thought! I have been scammed and attempted to be scammed so many times, that I learned to double, triple check information. I use to feel like I had a sticker stuck on my forehead saying
"I'm Stupid, please Scam ME"

Sorry, to be such a downer......Just wanted to make sure before you wrote the School.

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mysweetsugar75 Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 6:30pm
post #24 of 36

That is so low I would of statred crying.... Everything happens for a reason, at least now you know that you HAVE to take deposits even from a priest BY CUPCATIONS


This is true.....I once caught a ministers wife switching price tags on several items in a grocery store.

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Rosiepan Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 6:59pm
post #25 of 36

I would check with the school to see if it is not a scam and then if it isn't threaten them with writing to the Chair of Governors or going to the press.
That is tacking the mick. On normal business dealings they have to get at least 3 quotes and they usually go for the cheapest. I suspect this wasn't done and they have struck a better deal with someone else and are trying to get out of it. Also if it was meant to be as if the children have made them then they should have done. That is apalling treatment.

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DDiva Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 7:04pm
post #26 of 36

While I agree that this is an unfortunate situation, it also presents a 'teaching' moment. I teach a business class for folks who want to sell desserts.

We train our customers how to treat us. Please remember this...it's really important. This would have never happened had certain things been in place"
1. a contract (an order of that size demanded something in writing that spelled out your terms and their request).
2. payment in advance....not a deposit, but full payment in advance.
3. by charging such a low price for their last minute order, they too put no real value on your services. Folks rarely value what they get too cheaply.

Had you been paid in full in advance, none of the drama that you've gone through would have occurred. It happened because they had a way out...an unfortunately, you provided it.

I absolutely agree with the CC'er that said that this is another case of someone attempting to get something for nothing....but you did help make it possible.

I use this analogy a lot in my class: if you order a computer from Dell, you pay for it an advance...in full. You just gave some unknown person your credit info for hundreds of dollars and have nothing th show for it. If it works for Dell, it'll work for you. Folks tend to take their transactions more seroiusly when the have to pay for something in advance.

There should never be a deposit taken on orders placed at the last minute...and three hundred plus cupcakes placed within 2-3 weeks of the order date is last minute. No refund if cancelled within 3 weeks of the order date. These rules will serve you well, and make your customers take you seriously. Don't be discouraged by this, but learn from it.

My intent is not to make you feel bad, but I've been at this for 13 years now, and I swear I think I've seen it all. I hope you receive this in the spirit I intended....just to help.

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mysweetsugar75 Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 7:17pm
post #27 of 36

DDiva - I am printing out your advice, that is perfect. Thank you for sharing.

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Davwattie Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 7:24pm
post #28 of 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by janbabe

I explained what I had been told they wanted but she said there must have been a mix up! she said she understands the time I must have spent doing these (darn right) and offered to pay no more than £100 for my time so far and the cakes they had already taken. Said they didnt want the rest of my cakes now they had ordered somewhere else!

This person (who is not a teacher but on the board of Parent teachers association) said someone would be around the next morning after the school run.

Well, no-one has come around and no-one has called! I have left 2 messages that day (phone goes to answer mode) and one this morning saying I need her to ring me by the end of the day as I think its disgusting that they think they can change their minds just like that and take cakes without payment!

I have this feeling she isnt going to ring me at all or pay for anything. Am feeling quite low at the mo that people could do this sort of thing.

I know overall it was my fault I never got a deposit and let cakes be taken just thought a school would be ok. I have learnt I can tell you!

I can write a letter to the school explaining this but feeling I am gonna have to write it all off to a bad experience. icon_cry.gif

Anyone want a cupcake stored and sealed!!! Family ate so many now rest have to go out for the birds!!- icon_eek.gif

Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words about my cakes. thumbs_up.gif




I can understand you wanting this nightmare over with but you really should get what your owed end of story

PTA or school they still ordered these cakes from you and agreed a price, the mix up as she called it was all there fault not yours
You should demand they pay the agreed price and threaten to contact the school goveners and or the local press to explain how you have been ripped off.

They dont get to tell you what they will pay for your time the cheeky so an so's icon_mad.gif

Do an invoice for all the work you did and put the name (school name)PTA then drop it off at the school

You did what you were asked and deserve to be paid

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LisaPeps Posted 4 Apr 2011 , 10:22pm
post #29 of 36

The salvation army accepts donations. I did a charity bake sale at work and had over 100 cupcakes unsold (Safe to say I won't be doing another bake sale at work...cheapos... ) so I took them down to my local salvation army branch and they were very appreciative icon_smile.gif

Hope this is resolved.

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KoryAK Posted 5 Apr 2011 , 5:35pm
post #30 of 36

AND if you donate the rest, you can write it off on your taxes. Well, you can in the US... I have no idea what the rules are over there icon_smile.gif

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