Arrrrgh! People Just Don't Get It!
Decorating By Idreamofcakes Updated 15 Feb 2007 , 12:54pm by GeminiRJ
I know this is my own fault, but I am so mad! My DH's step mother ordered a cake from me ...3 tiers (to serve 60-80), buttercream and tons of handmade fondant accents. This was for a NASCAR season kick off party with 4 businesses...all very shall we say "well to do" people. Her idea was to use the cake to drum up orders for me...she plans alot of the parties, weddings and etc for these people. So 3 weeks ago I get started, work on it everyday between my other job, my 3 kids and my DH. There is alot of little details involved.
So I get an email today telling me she needs to cancel the cake...2 days before she was to pick it up. AHHHHHHHH!!!! SO MAD! Does she think I just whip these cakes up in a day or 2?? So all them time I put into this cake was for absolutely nothing. She said she will pay me for the product I already bought...BIG deal! My time was biggest part. I just needed to vent this out. I could be a brat and push the issue, but it wouldn't be worth the tension it would cause in the family. I'll get over it, but I will not agree to anymore cakes for her, without payment up front, not only for materials but for the whole thing, as if she was a regular customer! (ok so I might give her a good deal, but not for FREE!!!) LOL
I feel better already, just typing this out helps!
Thanks for reading and letting me spew!
Teri
Ahhhhh (insert light bulb) It's stories like these that must sit in my subconscious causing me to procrastinate every cake I've ever been "asked" to make. Practice cakes just for fun, can't wait to jump in on it. Cakes for occasions requested by friends or family and I'm up all night the night before it's due.
Sorry for your loss. My DH truly is the only one who gets it and that's because he's here watching how much time it takes, the rest of the outside world just doesn't get it. Go ahead and cry or scream and yell - you've earned it.
Ouch! That's really frustrating. I would probably tell her that you're frustrated and tell her why. Not to be nasty or cause problems, but if she's truly that clueless, you need to give her a little education. So sorry she wasted your time.
Ok even though she canceled and you have put all your time into this cake. Still finish it. Take tons of pictures. Use it for your portfolio. And show them to her. And tell her you took the time to make all the little details and you didn't want them to go to waste. And if you are not into NASCAR and are not planning a get together. Donate it to a sports bar. Maybe drum up some business without her. I go to a convience store all the time to get my pop. There are college kids that work there that are sports freaks. And they enjoy anything free. So I give them sport related cakes all the time. I may not get alot of business from them but I get FREE pop 
and the practice So don't waste your effort is what I am saying. USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. Make her pay for the ingredients though 
Good Luck and hope to see the pictures of your cake WE LOVE NASCAR at my house 
I slightly feel your pain. I made a birthday cake for my little cousin, and her mother NEVER picked it up. This cake decorating thing has been a challenge for me, however I am slowly but surely improving. That being said, I spent 4 hours decorating the cake (only because the cake fell completely apart and had to be glued together with buttercream, and I made the chocolate tiara), so I was pretty hurt that no one got to enjoy it.
I can only imagine how I would feel if it were a 3 tiered, intricately decorated cake such as yours! I am truly sorry. If you've already made it, perhaps you can post it on craigslist or something and hope that someone is having a birthday or party soon and wants to buy it 
This is why it is not good to do business with family. I realize that she thought she was trying to help, but sometimes it's better to have no help, and do it all on your own.
First, you have to start getting a deposit, even from her. If she is doing this as a part of her business, then she is definitely getting a deposit.
Second, tell her that from now on, you meet directly with the client, and collect the deposit directly from them.
Third, contract, contract, contract! Step-mom or not!
Fourth, you have to decide on a convenient deadline for cancellation. Most bakers allow two weeks, but deduct any expenses incurred prior to the cancellation, for figures, etc, as you made. It usually covers a good part of the deposit, as then you charge by the hour for your workmanship, also.
Theresa 
IF she is a "party planner" I am sure she is aware of the work that goes into anything before one person steps foot into the door at an event.
I'm sorry that this happened to you. It is so frustrating, for sure! Did you finish it, or at least plan to, so you can have the practice and a photo of your work?
Hold her up to her offer to pay for your supplies. Send her the bill as quickly as possible and a nice note saying something about "hoping to do business with you in the future." She will not be the first aggravating customer, I guarantee! But, part of good business is gritting your teeth, being gracious up front, (and then venting to your CC friends!)
I am sorry this happened to you. I am with Paintedlady201 I would tell her in a very calm nice way that cakes take a LONG time when they are so detailed. This way she can't use the 'I didn't realize' in the future. She is your DH's step mother so she is not going away. Use this to educate her so she will be more respectful in the future becuase it does sound like she could refer you some business. I too would finish the cake and take photos for your book, it sounds like you've alraedy done most the work and spent the money on it. Hang in there, the frustration will go away!
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