What Would You Have Done? Or Charged?
Business By Annabakescakes Updated 9 May 2013 , 5:53am by PTDixieGal
AGreat job, considering what you had to work with.
I would have just told the venue that we were not available, for liability reasons since you have no idea what is in the cake, how it was stored, if food safety procedures were followed, etc, and if someone gets sick you are both on the hook (with the added bonus that your liability insurance probably won't cover you since you didn't make the cake and there are no contract disclaimers).
That said, it was a gutsy move to fix the cake anyway and you probably earned a customer for life.
SIDE NOTE: I invited the baker back to the shop to show her how it was done. She accepted, and was amazed by my turn tables, bench scraper and Viva paper towel, :-) She said she has done hundreds of cakes, and has never been so embarrassed. But after she saw what I did in so little time, after being up until 3 am trying to smooth, she said she may quit cakes, but probably won't. I am going to sell her supplies, since she gets everything at Micheal's. She said she is raising her grandchildren after her daughter passed away 6 years ago. She is about my mother's age, about 55-60. She hugged me twice before she left. If was nice to visit with her for a couple hours. lol
You make me proud to be a fellow Kentuckian! 
Wow. That is amazing. I would have done the same thing though. And I think the pricing was MORE than reasonable. You saved the wedding day!! And that was so great of you to invite the other decorator back to your shop, show her a few things. Great story!!
AYou guys are seriously embarrassing me :oops: seriously. Thanks for your heaps of praise, I don't know what to say. Thank you.
I have to say something I found ironic was that there were little golden bird cages on every table that the bride bought as decorations. They were "tweety sized" like for a pet finch or something. Why go to that level of expense for pointless center pieces and cheap out on the cake? I also happen to know the florist was top if the line, since I was a booth over from them at the bridal show in January. It was a high end hotel, too. The only part of the wedding that wasn't perfect was the cake.
Before you think too highly of me, I am so fickle, too. I didn't even think of cost before I did it, then thought $100, Then $150. But after I sat with the baker, I thought I was just going to do it as a freebie. But after I brought it, I was thinking that since it was 6:30, and I hadn't slept in 36 hours, and I was away from my kids, it was worth $150. But after I left, I kept thinking I could've charged whatever i wanted, even full price plus rush fee, and twice the normal delivery, lol!! That would've made it about $450, and I mourned the $300 I never had ;-) then today, when the manager called with the mobs credit info, she mentioned the mob thought the fee was cheap, so I kicked myself in the butt. But I am really happy I did it, and that I didn't gouge them, but I need an airbrush cabinet, too haha
A
Original message sent by costumeczar
I'm just so proud that you used my term "monkey-iced" in your description of the original cake. Bwuahahahaha! I'd have charged more than $150 for all that effort, too, so you're nicer than I am.
A
Original message sent by Annabakescakes
I have to say I LOVE the term, and find it so apt, lol. What would you have charged? The cakes were 6", 8" and 10" and the venue is about 7 miles away.
Oh gawd, who knows...to tell the truth I probably would have done the same thing you did if everyone was stqnding around gooey eyeing me. If I had time to think about it I would have probably charged 80% of the regular cost of the cake, since like you said it wasn't something on your agenda that day. But it's easy to sit here and say I would have done this or that. The whole situation was so bizarre, who can judge?
AWow! I'm so thoroughly impressed. This story just kept getting better. Great job!
What a wonderful story! It is so nice of you to save the bride's embarrassing cake as well as to show the original baker how to do things correctly. You will be blessed in many things to come as it is true, what goes around comes around. Bless you for all the help.
AGood for you and for her, where thr roses naturals? How you attached to the cake?
Add my name to the list of people patting you on the back!!! You did the right things, all the way! I believe your name really will be on top of that preferred vendors list and you'll get a verbal recommendation too from them.
You make us all proud!!
AYou did a wonderful, thing, for the bride, but especially for the baker. Her story breaks my heart - losing her daughter and taking care of her grandchildren. Really, you give me faith in humanity. Nancy
You did an Amazing Job and you should have a Statue Of You Errected in your Honor! You are a Saint! God Bless you Sweetheart! You made that Bride very Happy! I bet you get tons of referrals! 
I think the bit that impressed me the most was how nice you were to the other baker! Things like that make me stressy, and I probably would have gotten snarky, and then felt awful later.
Great job on keeping it professional and positive!
I really have no idea what I would have done, or charged, but I sure hope I would react like you did, well done :)
Great job!!! It makes me very happy to know there are people in our industry willing to help another baker in their area. I'm not sure what I would have done if a veteran in my area had a cake like that. I'm the youngin in town so I would probably be more embarrassed asking if they wanted help. But lots of good karma coming your way!!
Okay, please stop! I already had to turn in my meanie badge, next vgca is going to hand me a weenie badge, for being moved to tears about all the nice things being written here, haha.
The son of the baker who arranged for his mother to make the cake contacted me today, and I don't know how to respond! He is offering payment, but the MOB paid me, after I talked to his mother. Honestly, the money part of being in business makes me uncomfortable!! I wish so much that I could hire a business manager (who isn't a toad!) to help me with that part.
Hello Anna,
My name is ********. I was in a wedding Saturday where there was a problem with a cake. You came and meet with Mother, *******. First I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for EVERYTHING that you did. You took a really bad situation and made everything amazing. I can not thank you enough for your professionalism, time, and personality. My mom could not say enough about you. The entire situation could have been avoided. It could have also turned a lot worse, had you not come in!!!
I heard numerous comments (including the bride) that thought the cake turned out absolutely beautiful. As I'm sure you know, My mom has been doing cakes since I was a little boy. Her cakes are ALWAYS amazing. I am not really sure what happened, but you can imagine when I got a call from wife, ******, telling me the situation. Especially since we had both told her from the beginning that we would handle the cake and not to worry.
Well, I know you told my mom that you didn't want anything, but I would still like to send you something for your time and effort. Can you give me an address to send a check to??? Or I can arrange to pay you by some other means!! Again, I cant thank you enough!!
Sincerely,
*******
I did refuse payment from the mother/baker, because she didn't get paid to make the cake. I accepted it from the MOB because it was her daughter getting married, and her daughter upset by the cake. I am plain spoken, and I don't want to just respond, "No problem! The MOB took care of payment, it's all good."
AJust tell him that you were already paid but thank you for the nice note. I have no doubt that the original baker is dealing with not-so-nice feedback from the MOB right now, so no reason to add insult to injury.
AConsidering you provided services in a risky emergency situation, I think it would be appropriate to tell the baker's son that while you have already been paid by the MOB and further payment is not necessary, if he wishes to send you an additional payment he is welcome to do so, with the amount at his discretion.
I agree with Jason. Let it be up to him, if he wants to at this point and how much if he so chooses.
Okay, please stop! I already had to turn in my meanie badge, next vgca is going to hand me a weenie badge, for being moved to tears about all the nice things being written here, haha.
Wha...?! Anna my friend, you've grown soft! *In my latina accent* Wha happin?
Anna,
How wonderful of you! You did so much more than fix a cake. $150 or $500 - this is Priceless. You've touched so many people with your kindness, I have no doubt it will be returned 10 times over :) Let the son of the baker show his appreciation - it's not about the money.
Jeanne
Wha...?! Anna my friend, you've grown soft! *In my latina accent* Wha happin?
You're right, there is something wrong with me, must be PMS, lol. I get all emotional. (These last 33 years, lol) The day before yesterday, I was on the phone with the sanitation district guy, and he told me the letter he sent me was correct, my YEARLY permit has yet again, gone up. $250, to $288, to $331, to have a grease trap, and I was so mad I cried.
You should've seen me watching Fried Green Tomatoes the other week. Even though I have seen it, and I knew what's her name didn't die (it was her friend) I start bawling like a baby when Kathy Bates is all upset.
Actually, Folgers's commercials can make me cry, lol!! So could Kodak, way back when they used film. I can make myself cry talking about how wonderful my kids are, too. I am a softie, I just don't have a lot of patience for abject stupidity, is why I seem harsh at times. I expect a lot out of myself, and those around me, and I guess there are times I expect too much... I have never had it easy, and it has made me who I am, and maybe I think that some whiners could use a bit of character, so I tell them how it is. But I really have a good heart, and those who know me in person see that, even when it doesn't translate well over the internet.
Everyone's kind words have really touched me, and I am not afraid to admit it, haha.
I still cry every time I watch that movie, lol
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