How Would You Handle This... Loosing Faith In Customer

Decorating By CiNoRi Updated 26 Sep 2011 , 11:48pm by BizCoCos

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CiNoRi Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 6:15pm
post #1 of 68

Long story short, I have been really nice about not pestering a customer for payment & contract (cake is due this sunday). Monday I emailed them asked
(and also posed that i needed to know & have payment by wednesday) if they did still want the cake (it had been a couple weeks of no response from when i originally sent the contract).
Waited till Tuesday morning and called because still no word. At that point they said that they mailed it that day. I figured ok, would see it Wednesday, MAYBE today. Of course the mail comes today, still nothing.

So I called and i get a story about how they were going to mail it, blah blah blah. They asked to bring it, i said fine, or paypal by 6pm today. They opt for Paypal - and i told them id send an email with the information... I said in the email if i dont have payment by 6 I cant start the cake and if i dont start it by tomorrow morning, their cake would not be ready for Sunday....I also said that once payment has been made, to call or email me - just in case Paypal's notice is slow to get back to me....(that way i can start work tonight)

I have this feeling that they are again going let this slide.
What would you do... being that i have laid it out in the email...If i dont get payment by 6... do i bother calling? At this point i dont care about the cake....being that they have put me in this timeline... so no shirt off my back if i dont get the job. If i do call or email, what should i say?

Thanks guys!

67 replies
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Panel7124 Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 6:26pm
post #2 of 68

Don't call and don't e-mail. And don't make the cake. Relax, go out... and have a nice week-end!

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gb89 Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 6:34pm
post #3 of 68

Their loss. No contract, no cake. In the event you are still willing to work with them, I wouldn't accept any except cash in hand at this point

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dldbrou Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 6:44pm
post #4 of 68

I would send a final email stating that you are canceling the cake order since all deadlines for payment have been ignored and that you will not be sending them anymore reminders.

You have dodged a bullet. If they would have paid through paypal, they probably would have contested it after cake was delivered or requested a refund. They just wanted a free cake.

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brenda549 Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 7:31pm
post #5 of 68

In the event of no payment I might would send an email:

Dear so-and-so,

Due to non-payment I regret to inform you that your cake order has been canceled.

Regards,
***

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cakestyles Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 7:56pm
post #6 of 68

So they never signed the contract or gave you a deposit?

Than they have no cake ordered, correct?

I wouldn't give them another thought.

No contract, no money, no cake.

You have been more than patient with them. You've given them til 6pm this evening to send payment. If you don't get it, send an e-mail and make a phone call telling them that the order is canceled because of non-payment and end it right there.


Is this a wedding?

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cakesbycathy Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 9:06pm
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At 6:05 you send them an email AND call them and tell them that due to non-payment their order is now cancelled.

You have been more than clear on payment instructions and more than patient on trying to work with them. They are trying to take advantage of you. Do not let them. And do not agree to do the order if they give you a sob story or try and pay after your final deadline.

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ChilliPepper Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 9:26pm
post #8 of 68

Just forget about them, don't bother contacting them again and party your weekend away.

When they come to collect the cake (which I doubt they will do) just smile sweetly and say "Sorry but you didn't confirm your order, send me the signed contract or pay for it so there is no cake!"

CP xxxx

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victoria7310 Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 9:48pm
post #9 of 68

Forget about them, just walk away. Dont't even bother calling them again, you've gone way above and beyond.

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carmijok Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 10:04pm
post #10 of 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakesbycathy

At 6:05 you send them an email AND call them and tell them that due to non-payment their order is now cancelled.

You have been more than clear on payment instructions and more than patient on trying to work with them. They are trying to take advantage of you. Do not let them. And do not agree to do the order if they give you a sob story or try and pay after your final deadline.





Totally agree with this. CYA with a final e-mail. Then walk away and do not feel guilty. thumbs_up.gif

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JamAndButtercream Posted 15 Sep 2011 , 10:04pm
post #11 of 68

I agree with everyone else, they haven't paid you, so how can they expect a cake?
Just send them an email, saying the order is now void.

What were they expecting something for nothing?

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jules5000 Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:06am
post #12 of 68

If I were you: 6:00 comes and no payment. I make a phone call and inform them that there will be no cake as they did not meet the agreement and you are not going to make a cake at this late hour for someone who can't even get you their payment when it was originally due.

If that cake was that important to them they would have had the money at your doorstep in person. You have a life too and probably more orders to do w/o worrying about them. I know that it doesn't sound compassionate, but you have already stated that you have given them numerous chances to come forth with the money and numerous ways to do it. You are a business woman how can you make a living if you have to chase after your customers to get their money? If they want a cake for a special occasion and it is important to them to do so then they will make a way to get the money to you, but if they don't you have not only other customers to please you have a life to enjoy. and not only are these facts so is the one that no one else is going to chase them down for the money either. They just won't do the cake either. You are not going to be the only one who doesn't chase their customers down for payment.

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kakeladi Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:24am
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jules said: ..........If I were you: 6:00 comes and no payment. I make a phone call and inform them that there will be no cake as they did not meet the agreement.......

I would stop at this point. Do NOT go into any further details/words/explinations.

Do let us know how it turns out, please.

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jules5000 Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:47am
post #14 of 68

Yes, I agree kakelady: You really do not need to say anything else. That would be my way of telling them that the reason I have these time limits on balances due is because I want to do the best job I can on your cake and If I don't have all the money then I have no guarantee that you are going to come for the cake once I have it done. Then what am I going to do with a cake that was special ordered?

I would only make the offering of explanation once they started stammering around about things like the order being cancelled. I would not change my mind on it and do it.

I had a customer like that early this summer. But the situation was that she had already bought the pan she wanted used, but I could never get her to meet me to get the pan from her. I had to tell her that I couldn't do it any more because the time was just too short to do a great job on it. She was nice, but she came back and said, but I am the customer and the one that you need to please. I told her that the reason I was cutting the timetable off was that I wanted to do a great job for her and that with that short a time I couldn't. I think that she finally understood. Well I had thought she had and then she came back one more time and ask again. I just told her that there was no way. I think that because I explained why I had wanted the time was for her benefit and that there were no hard feelings because of that. If she should ever call again or email again. I will just be telling her that I need to have the pan or the money or whatever by a certain date. If she can't meet me by that date it is a no go. I have never had to do deposits, but in that case I would. And it would be non-refundable.

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cownsj Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 2:30am
post #15 of 68

There are two things that come to mind for me here.

1. They changed their mind and are too embarrased to say anything. (maybe they can't afford it)

2. They hope they can give you a check at the last minute, have their cake, then stop payment on it first thing Mon. morning.

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CiNoRi Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 3:34am
post #16 of 68

Well guess what.... they never got back to me... and im rather glad! It's once less headache here! I emailed and left a voicemail... Very polite and just basicly said what you all advised. Thanks so much

Yeah its really odd, i know they can afford it... and to top it off they were getting a deal! oooooh well their loss! no cake is worth this stress lol.

I do non refundable deposits and signed contracts, then 2 weeks prior the rest is due... well this one drug it out.. then we had a holiday weekend, i let timing slide a little. I wasn't worried because it was an easy cake, my schedule had time, it was a no worries job.

But when the whole thing started on monday it just made me irritated that they were being so irregardless, and well it was rude. Then Tuesday to tell me one story and proving to me today it was a lie... well my niceness only goes so far icon_wink.gif

Then of course you all mentioned them stoping payment or some craziness... lol I DON'T even wanna go there! lol

Thanks again for your input, I hate being "the bad guy" and always feel guilty when i have to be tough...its nice to hear your opinions! Ya got my back! lol

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jules5000 Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:42pm
post #17 of 68

cownsj: Those are two good possibilities for sure.

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CiNoRi Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:52pm
post #18 of 68

Ok...sooooooooo get this...they paypal-ed me the money at 1 am! Pay pal is instant so I have the cash.... Lord!

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cownsj Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 1:57pm
post #19 of 68

You had BETTER get good photos of the completed cake and have them sign off that the cake was perfect when they picked it up.

They could still go to paypal after the fact and claim they never received their cake or it was subpar and you would be charged back by paypal.

Good luck and ....... Congratulations?...... or Sorry? Not sure which one you want. lol

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CiNoRi Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 2:21pm
post #20 of 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by cownsj

You had BETTER get good photos of the completed cake and have them sign off that the cake was perfect when they picked it up.

They could still go to paypal after the fact and claim they never received their cake or it was subpar and you would be charged back by paypal.

Good luck and ....... Congratulations?...... or Sorry? Not sure which one you want. lol




Lol I hear ya!

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cakesbycathy Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 2:48pm
post #21 of 68

Honestly? I'd return the money and tell them they missed the deadline and they will have to get their cake from someone else.

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Cakewishes Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 2:48pm
post #22 of 68

I am sorry, but I still would not do it. I would find a way to return/credit the money back to them and just let them know that it was too late. You said you didn't care about doing the cake anymore. I get a feeling you will have problems with these folks later on. . .

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Karadactyl Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 3:03pm
post #23 of 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakewishes

I am sorry, but I still would not do it. I would find a way to return/credit the money back to them and just let them know that it was too late. You said you didn't care about doing the cake anymore. I get a feeling you will have problems with these folks later on. . .




THIS. Exactly. Refund the money and let them know that they missed their opportunity.

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jewels710 Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 3:24pm
post #24 of 68

Agreed. Refund the money, tell them you gave them multiple opportunities to make payment and the time line has expired.
Stay away from potential trouble, this situation has red flags written ALL over it!

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allaboutcakeuk Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 3:24pm
post #25 of 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cakewishes

I am sorry, but I still would not do it. I would find a way to return/credit the money back to them and just let them know that it was too late. You said you didn't care about doing the cake anymore. I get a feeling you will have problems with these folks later on. . .




I tend to agree, sending money at 1 am and expecting their cake after all the chasing you have done. I would have left it that the cake is cancelled . How much more chasing did they expect you to do. They after all wanted you to make them a cake not the other way round icon_sad.gif

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Herekittykitty Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 3:50pm
post #26 of 68

DOn't do it. Send the money back and reiterate that they missed the deadline. You have to train your customers. Give and inch and they will take a mile.

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Startip Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 4:43pm
post #27 of 68

I agree with most of the clear advice given here. I have two things to add. My mom used to say, "Don't stoop to their level." In this scenario, I would interpret that to mean "Be professional." Don't get caught up in an emotional judgment. In other words, don't frame this in terms of "being nice or mean." This business transaction is about neither. Be a business-woman with boundaries.

Your contract is your boundary. Respect it and yourself.

I find quotes helpful as they can be a mantra when you need to hold the line. This might help: "We teach others how to treat us."

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JamAndButtercream Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 4:45pm
post #28 of 68

I agree, its too late, give them the money back and say no, what do they expect now? that you'll bend over backwards for them and put yourself out??? Give the money back and say you don't have enough time to make the cake!

Pleaseeeeeee tell me you're not going to do it!

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mariacakestoo Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 5:57pm
post #29 of 68

Paypal isn't instant for me! It hits my bank account 2 to 3 days later, that's when I consider it paid. Be careful....

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BizCoCos Posted 16 Sep 2011 , 6:27pm
post #30 of 68

yes, they could try to get a refund from paypal, but paypal would side with the vendor if you gave proof (they sign off that they received the cake intact) and 2. It is an edible item which can not be returned. I belie e I would refund their money. also, as mariacakestoo said, it takes 2 to 3 days, to be deposited in your account. owever once it has cleared at the paypal site, it is because they had sufficient funds in their bank account in order to pay you, I believe, This is a lesson, I know that you are trying to be nice but it does not work in business, I learned the hard way: my sister's co-worker commissioned a painting, I spent over 90 hours painting, it was a large canvas, a seascape, when I told her the ridiculous price of $500, she said, oh i did not think it would not be that much, WHAT, Ilearned my lesson, 50% deposit on all paintings and no return of deposit if you change your mind. It's not like I can scrape the paint off the canvas and put it back in the tube, lol, good luck again

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