Three times within the last 2 weeks I had calls from 2 friends for cakes at the last minute, I mean less than 24 hours notice! My best friend in the whole world who knows how much of a planner I am called me yesterday to see if I could do a birthday cupcake cake with less than 2 hours notice!! She then sent me an email this AM asking if I could make cupcakes for her for tomorrow!! Then actually put in the email saying I get on her nerves with all of the "advance notice" that I need. Let me just say that I love her dearly and she loves my cake and is my biggest supporter, but give me a break. I know people have no idea what goes into making cakes, but come on! In addition to cake, I work full time, have a DH and 2 little boys! Anyway, I declined all three times, because I refuse to be pressured and rushed. And I know that if I do it once, I'll be expected to do it all the time.
Oh and another thing, don't birthdays come around the same time each year!? How can it be an emergency/surprise and all of a sudden you need a birthday cake??!!
I don't know anyone else who would understand where I'm coming from. Thanks for letting me vent!!
I'm a big planner myself, so I totally understand!!! Good for you for standing up for yourself and declining...I'm still working on my "yes!" illness...no matter how busy and stressed I am, I cannot seem to say no. Maybe they've learned their lessons now!
I have had the same thing happen. Some people just dont understand! I was at a wedding at 6pm one night, and someone said "i forgot to order a cake from you, can you have it ready tomorrow". It was 6pm and the wedding was just about to start. Do they think i will go home at 11 and whip something up and stay up til 4 am?? I mean, come on! lol..
Amen sister!!! And you get on her nerves with your need for advance notice? Niiiiice way to treat a friend, especially when you are asking for a favor in the same breath! Sheesh! Well, at least you can come here and let it out without hurting her feelings! 
If they ask ME with less than 2 weeks notice, I get the "pitiful...I'm SORRY and I'll NEVER do this again" look! LOL I LOVE it! I usually don't do orders with less than 2 weeks notice and you are EXACTLY RIGHT! Birthdays come around the same time every year...always have....always will! I DO, however, do it for the church, because well.....It's the CHURCH! LOL
Stick to yer guns lil lady or you'll be actin' like ya been chewing on that there "wacky tabaccy"! LOL
Beth in KY
I have had the same thing happen. Some people just dont understand! I was at a wedding at 6pm one night, and someone said "i forgot to order a cake from you, can you have it ready tomorrow". It was 6pm and the wedding was just about to start. Do they think i will go home at 11 and whip something up and stay up til 4 am?? I mean, come on! lol..
You say, "I'm sorry.... I'm not Walmart. I don't have a big supply of cakes sitting in a freezer ready to have some icing just slapped on 'em. You might give them a call if you need one tomorrow". 
Oh come on...less than 2 hours notice... even if you don't "decorate" cupcakes, you still need some time for those puppies. Shame on her for thinking you could just whip it together because she's your friend.
And WOOHOO to you for declining! Always be strong, because you are the one who will suffer the stress.
Good for you for saying no. Like all have said birthdays come around at the same time every year.
I left my previous job, partly because of the stress of having people ask for stuff last minute and us having to deliver.
I am a huge planner as well and I dont need the stress.
There is this "Service saying" sorry don't remember which section it's from, maybe some of you know it.
Is it the" 5 or 7 p's" of planning or something about, "Me not being responsible for your P1$$ poor Planning?
Anyways, we used to say that all the time, it's been 4 years and I have not had to use that sentence! Yeah!
So good for you vww104!
Good Luck.
I've had it happen two - and I didn't end up doing it. A co-worker asked me to do her son's b-day cake several months back - but she never picked a final design or theme.... we never discussed pickup, there was so much we didn't decide on and she didn't contact me until 2 days before - and after my third e-mail to her where I told her I couldn't do it.
Then, she asked me to make cupcakes for a baby shower for a friend the next week - I told her I had a design idea, I gave her a price, but she never told me how many she needed, what flavors she wanted, if and when she would pick them up - no details! I finally e-mailed her and said if she didn't contact me by the end of that day, I couldn't do it. I work full-time too and while I don't have kids, I do have other commitments. I e-mailed her that I understand if she's used to buying from the grocery store that they already have things put together, you just walk in, maybe have someone write your kid's name on it, and then pay for it - there's no discussion on colors, how many people it needs to feed, flavors, etc.... it's fairly easy in and out... and I told her that if that is what she prefers, that's fine - but I NEEDED to know whether or not she wanted me to do the cupcakes b/c I needed to start buying ingredients & start my preparations, etc. She never contacted me. I had even gone ahead to make icing just in case.... but I went and used it for some practice cupcakes that my mom will give to her bible study group. I don't think I'll be contacting this woman again or accepting any orders from her unless she contacts me within 24 hours with those major details like how many servings & flavors!
....There is this "Service saying" sorry don't remember which section it's from, maybe some of you know it.
Is it the" 5 or 7 p's" of planning or something about, "Me not being responsible for your P1$$ poor Planning?....
I heard one similar when I spent 15 years as a secretary and I used it all the time to the managers who had rush jobs:
"Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!"
With this phrase behind me, I would not rush my rush job that I was rushing when they rushed their rush job into me! I would never tell them "no" .... I just gave them my schedule already so they could see what was in front of them. They learned to prioritize and to debate among themselves which job they wanted me to work on first. I had the BIG boss one day need something and I told him, "Well, I'm working on Sally Sue's project.... do you want me to stop that and work on yours?" He said, "Oh no! I need that one too!" I said, "Well, I can't do both at the same time. which one do you need first?" He found another secretary to help with the project. Hmmmmm!
Don't these supporters know that if they want a fresh cake that we need time to make the ingredients? I guess they all (I have the same problem) keep the cakes etc., in the fridge just for them, even in the -ugh- freezer. Support us by being able to let us know sooner.
God, I feel your pain. I work full time and do cakes as a hobby and make this clear to everyone I come in contact with. But still, people call on a Wednesday wanting a cake for Saturday. It so gets on my nerves, too.
What you could do is charge extra for last minute service. I require at least 1 weeks notice and 50 percent down to hold the date. If they put money down chances are they will show up for their cake and then you're not out supplies and if you charge extra for last minute order that helps cover your time for having to run out and get supplies and drop everything to make their cake.
Jacqui
Don't these supporters know that if they want a fresh cake that we need time to make the ingredients? I guess they all (I have the same problem) keep the cakes etc., in the fridge just for them, even in the -ugh- freezer. Support us by being able to let us know sooner.
I love it, reminds me of the Fresh - Frozen or not post a few weeks ago.
Should I change my vote 
... We should start a new wave, let's all keep a couple of cakes in the freezer just for them. 
With frozen icing and all then they can pick a cake , we have a 9" round or square just like they would out of the case at the grocery store 
I love those little emoticons!
Good Luck.
The last minute charge would also get the point across that they need to give you more notice.
Jacqui
Good for you! It is so hard to say no to a friend. A friend of mine awhile back called me at 10am and asked if I would make her son's bd cake. I said sure what does he want? She tells me that he wants a pirate ship and that she needs it at 6pm that night. After laughing at her I tried to explain that was not going to happen. It is not enough time. Then she replies well it can't take that long to make a cake. So, I was a little insulted to say the least. She ended up going to the grocery store to get a cake.
It is hard to say no to a friend or a good customer. A good friend of mine always waits until the day before, she knows I won't bake her a cake. So she asks "don't you have something in the freezer ?". My answer is always no, I don't keep cakes in the freezer for your emergency.
I totally agree with your decision not to make the cakes or cupcakes!!! When you stand up for yourself you're standing up for all the rest of us decorators!! 
And yes, birthdays do come at the same time every year!!! It just CHAPS me that people procrastinate and call at the last minute wanting a bigger and better cake than they can go get at the grocery store!!
SO..... WAY TO GO SISTER!!! Stand firm and we'll have your back!!
Carrie
.... She tells me that he wants a pirate ship and that she needs it at 6pm that night. After laughing at her I tried to explain that was not going to happen. It is not enough time. Then she replies well it can't take that long to make a cake. .....
Try turning the tables on them. Instead of YOU explaining it, try asking THEM to explain it:
"Oh really? Tell me.... how many cakes do YOU think I need to bake? (Pause like you're really expecting an answer). How long does it take to bake that many? How long does it take you to stack them? How long do you have to freeze them before you can carve the ship? How long does it take YOU to make and color all of that fondant? Do you know the drying time of all of that fondant?" etc. etc. etc. You never provide the answers .... you just ask the questions and wait.
Trust me .... do that a couple of times and they shut up.
.... She tells me that he wants a pirate ship and that she needs it at 6pm that night. .....
Try turning the tables on them. Instead of YOU explaining it, try asking THEM to explain it:
"Oh really? Tell me.... how many cakes do YOU think I need to bake? (Pause like you're really expecting an answer). How long does it take to bake that many? How long does it take you to stack them? How long do you have to freeze them before you can carve the ship? How long does it take YOU to make and color all of that fondant? Do you know the drying time of all of that fondant?" etc. etc. etc. You never provide the answers .... you just ask the questions and wait.
Trust me .... do that a couple of times and they shut up.
indydebi you crack me up!... I love it!
Good Luck Everyone and stand up for your cakes!
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