Hello all,
Last weekend I did my first 3D cake for a paying customer. It was a dump truck cake, and did not turn out well at all. It was so bad I didn't even take a picture. I told her in the beginning I hadn't done a 3D cake before and asked if she would rather have a sheet cake with it drawn on there, but she said she wanted the 3D.
When I delivered it, she said it was cute, but I'm not sure that she was really happy with it. I considered telling her it was not my best work, and that I was unhappy with it, but I didn't.
When you are not happy with a cake, even though you did your best, do you tell the customer or discount it? Just wondering b/c I am still new at this. I have another cake, (luckily a sheet cake), due this weekend, and I am discouraged and doubting myself now.
Thanks for listening. I knew you guys would understand.
Nearly every cake I've made, I've considered dumping it in the trash and starting over. It's been said over and over, but you ARE your worst critic. Consider the fact that the customer must have little to no experience with cakes, otherwise they'd be making them for themselves! No customer looks at the cake like you do. When you look at it, all you see are flaws. When they look at it, not only are they thankful they didn't have to do it themselves, or worse, buy it from a store, but they're usually amazed at what can be done with cake and they're happy that they got something you can't get just anywhere.
If this was your first 3D cake, and you were upfront with the customer , then you're off the hook if it was a little less than perfect. I really wish you would have taken a picture...even if it was just to compare your other cakes to once you get a little more experience. I'm sure everyone on here will agree with me, this stuff takes practice. Don't be too hard on yourself, you'll get better, you just have to stick with it. I hope this helps a little. Good luck.
Samantha
I wouldn't say anything b/c we are always harder on ourselves than others!! Even though you may think it was your best.....the bday boy may have LOVED it and thought it was the greatest cake ever!! If you told her from the start you've never done that type of cake...then I'm sure she understands!!
If you are worried about it, maybe give the customer a follow up call and find out if they enjoyed the cake!! She may be straight with you and tell whether or not she was completely happy with it! If she's not straight up and you can't really tell from her reaction.....maybe just offer her a discount on a next purchase and say it's b/c you're trying to build up your customer base and would like to reward your repeat customers or something like that. I actually throw in a free doz. cake balls for some of my repeat customers and they LOVE IT!!
One of the cakes I have been the unhappiest with was my sons 2nd bday cake...a car/truck theme present bow cake....has been one of the cakes I get the most positive comments on from people when they look through my cakes. But I honestly hated the cake..and everything that went wrong did!!
So just breath, relax, it may not be as bad you think!!! I looked at the cakes in your gallery and they are all wonderful!! You should be proud of each of them!! 
If you were up front with her about never doing a 3D cake, I wouldn't worry about it. You are your own worst critic. From the looks of your other cakes in your gallery, I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you thought it was. Fill this next order with confidence because you are a talented decorator.
As long as you tried your best thats all you can do. I always say to myself and now I have my husband saying it "Trial and Error". If your customer liked it then so be it. No, you should not give a discount for your hard work. In that case we all should, because we ALWAYS so the mistakes we make. No one else can tell but us.Keep your chin up and keep on decorating! Remember.......... trial and error.
Best of luck
Take Care
Michelle
You could follow up with the customer, but you were totally honest with her and she insisted on the 3D cake, so don't worry. I'm rarely ever happy with my creations. My hubby is always so wonderful and tries to help me see the positive side of things. It's better too, when the customer is pleased. My first 3D cake was ordered by a girl for her fiance. His mother actually picked up the cake and didn't say hardly anything, so i was really worried. Then the girl emailed me and told me how happy they all were with the cake and that helped me to feel better.
I had somone ask me to do a 3D barney cake and I too have never done one. Luckily I was out of town when she needed it and was able to avoid making it.
I agree with the follow-up, call and if she does mention she was not completely happy, offer a discount and re-iterate that this was your first and it takes practice.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I know I am way too hard on myself, and this was definitely a learning experience.
Still considering the follow-up call... 
Thanks again! 
panther, don't be so hard on yourself - all your cakes are great and I'm sure you'll do fine on all your upcoming orders - GOOD LUCK!
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