Okay, this is a continuation of a situation in the following post, although I don't think you need to read it to answer my question!
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=225911&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
This woman decided she didn't want my catering services, which was fine with me because I didn't really want to work with her, but then she calls to ask how much I would charge and how many servings for the cake we discussed. She asks me to email since her phone isn't working. So I send her an email answering her questions and letting her know the Rabbi was trying to reach her about the kitchen rules. I thought I was being nice! 
Then today at work (the preschool her daughter attends) I find out that she is telling people that I was charging her $2600.00 to put out bagels and lox, and that she just couldn't afford this! This is so totally not what I proposed, and really ticks me off. Plus, in her email, she says that she doesn't want to pay very much because they are also having a party at their "club". What follows below are the emails, first mine about the cake, then her reply, then my reply tonight. I could have been much nastier, but I wasn't, but I am still really mad! 
"Dear xxx,
The cake would serve approximately 100 people, and the charge would be $250.00. This is for a custom designed, sculpted cake in the shape of a feminine little girls dress (as we discussed). If you choose to order the cake you can let me know if you prefer a vanilla or chocolate cake. My design (which I was planning to coordinate to the plates, tablecloths, etc) is a mint green dress with pink flower accents and white lace; however I am open to other possible combinations.
Since your voice mail isnt working I thought I would let you know Rabbi Herman has been trying to reach you to go over the kitchen and Kiddush rules. There is a lot to know, so you might want to call him when you can. His cell number is xxxxxxxxx. I know you are very busy, but at this point your sister wont be able to use the kitchen before Sunday afternoon and she will only have from then until Friday afternoon to complete everything, so I wanted you to have as much time as possible.
We are leaving for Baltimore very early tomorrow morning, so if you want to reach me about the cake it will need to be tonight or after I return on Sunday night. I will need to have confirmation and payment by Monday evening if you would like to order the cake.
Thanks,
Kathi
Her reply: "Thanks Kathi. I spoke with Rabbi and I have it all under control. I am aware of the requirements - believe it or not I did go to Yeshiva in Brooklyn! I actually do not want to spend so much as we are also having a party at our club. While I certainly want to provide a nice Kiddish, I do not want to be over the top and I want to be consistent with others. Also, I was advised that 100 people is certainly much. There were about 40 people there for for Shabbat services this past weekend.
I'll manage to get it done following the rules of Rabbi Herman.
Thanks so much.
xxx"
My final email:
" Dear xxx,
Im glad you have it all under control and I was in no way insinuating that you did not know how to prepare kosher food. I have been asked by the (Shul's name) board to supervise the kitchen, and part of that is to make sure people know the rules and standards specific to this kitchen.
As for the cost, I was following your request for a classy, upscale Kiddush, since you specifically said that you did not like the standard, cheesy Kiddush you had experienced previously. My catering prices are well in line for the area, especially considering that I am providing kosher food, which runs higher than non-kosher food. I did ask what you were looking for and what type of budget you were on. You did not specify an amount, but made the above statements about having a very nice, classy Kiddush. Therefore, I would appreciate if you stop misrepresenting my proposal by telling people that I was charging you $2600.00 to put out some bagels and lox. This is grossly inaccurate, considering that 1- this is only part of the menu, and 2- the menu is only part of the total package I offered you, and 3- this isnt even the correct price quoted for the brunch menu.
As the number to expect, while there may have been only 40 people attending last week, the average runs closer to 75 and then I added for your family and friends. Additionally, this weekend the new Rabbi and (preschool name) Director (his wife) will be attending services and Rabbi has been advertising this and reminding everyone to come out to meet and greet them, so the number is likely to be considerably higher than normal.
Im sure you will do fine, and honestly, I am glad to have my evenings free this week and my Shabbos free to enjoy my family.
Sincerely,
Kathi xxx
I would be upset about losing the order....
I dont' want to sound rude but is that a real phone # in your letter? if so you might want to edit it out. 
Sounds like your better off with out this problem. I hope you have a nice quite week with the family.
What hutzpah! And you were only going to charge her $250 for a custom cake for 100 people?
Don't worry. She will call you again some time. And then, I hope you will remember to raise your prices.
Theresa
Oh, and I forgot, she asked another teacher to make the cake for her telling her she just couldn't afford my prices- and she described the dress cake as what she wanted her to make!!! Little thief!
Kathi
P.S. I will never be available for her. Who's line is it? No cake for her!!
This is the one that you were reluctant to do in the first place because she was such a pain, right?
Theresa
It's good to have some time off, who knows you might get a really nice order next week. With someone who wont be so rude.
Did I mention I really dislike rude people, especially the ones who do not tell the whole story.
Good for you.
I believe that in life you get what you put in it.
I know that is not the proper way to say this phrase, but I'm tired and I am starting to think in french!
Enjoy your time with your family!
Good Luck.
hmm....I don't mean to be the odd man out....but when I read her emailed response to you, I didn't read a negative tone into it. But I realize I do not know this woman. Also...how do you know for certain that she was misrepresenting your price quotes. I'd really want to make sure I had valid info on the before bringing it to her attention the way you did. I'm guessing you did have some validity to her false claims about you, right?
Either way....it sounds like you're a busy woman! Good luck to the teacher who's gonne try to do what you would have done with the little girl dress cake!
rlsaxe, I know she was misrepresenting my prices because I have not discussed my proposal with anyone else, and the teacher she approached to help her is quite reliable. I feel sorry for her that she has been pulled into this situation. Also, this individual has a reputation for pulling these kinds of stunts. Also, if you had heard the interactions I have had with her, I believe it would be obvious that she is being nasty.
As for the second baker.....she is doing the cake (and other food) as a favor, because the parent said she couldn't afford it. 
Of course she can't afford it, she'd rather spend it at her club!
Yes, Theresa, this is the one I was reluctant to work with. Now you see why. I might just stay home on Saturday morning.
Kathi
hmm....I don't mean to be the odd man out....but when I read her emailed response to you, I didn't read a negative tone into it. But I realize I do not know this woman. Also...how do you know for certain that she was misrepresenting your price quotes.
These were my thoughts as well
I suppose I don't know for sure, since I can't read her mind, but based on how nasty she has been in person, her reputation, and based on what the other teacher (who is the one who has been duped into doing this for free) has said, I believe she is misrepresenting me and is being nasty.
She wouldn't let me even finish a sentence last week when I tried to explain to her a few of the rules of the kitchen, saying in a snotty way that she knew how to work in a kosher kitchen. So when she wrote "I am aware of the requirements - believe it or not I did go to Yeshiva in Brooklyn!" I believe that was nasty. She doesn't keep kosher and even if she did, it doesn't mean she follows the same strict rules as the shul requires. We go over the rules with everyone. Perhaps I am judging her unfairly, but I do not think so.
Kathi
She sounded snotty to me! That's what I would have thought too if it were me. You are right not to deal with her anymore. People like that are just not worth the headache!!! 
If she is the way you say she is, I'm sure others have caught on to her. Do you think everyone will truely believe you quoted her $2600?
I would be upset, but I wouldn't have called her out on it. Call me passive-aggressive, but I would have just killed her with kindness. I wouldn't charge her more on future cakes because that only proves her point that she thinks you're too expensive. I would just be "booked" whenver she needs a cake.
Everyone has an opinion and not everyone is going to love you or love your cakes or be able to afford your cakes no matter what the price or even want to pay the price even if they can afford it. That's life.
Others should see that you are a professional and always conduct yourself in a professional manner.
sugarhill, I guess I just think there comes a time when you need to call a person on their behavior. She is used to playing these games and getting away with it. I wanted her to know that she was going to play them on me. As for being busy in the future, that is not a problem. I will never provide her with a proposal or cake quote again, because I will never work with her.
As for being professional, maybe I wasn't professional, I don't know. Personally, I think part of being a professional is working to protect my reputation. This woman is used to getting her way, fine...but when getting her way is by lying about me and my services and stealing my design for her cake, then I think she needs to be called on her infantile behavior.
Kathi
sugarhill, I guess I just think there comes a time when you need to call a person on their behavior......Kathi
Absolutely!! Unfortunately she is not the only one like this and yes, unless you call them on it, they believe they can do and say anything, true or not. These people need reeled in and they need to be shown that they have been "caught" in their lies. No issue is too big or too small for them.
Trust me .... I have 30 years experience dealing with this kind of person. It almost affected custody of my son during my divorce. I will NOT allow these kinds of people to continue thinking they can get away with out and out LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's more than one way to handle a situation and I am in no way saying that the way you handled this woman was wrong. What I'm saying is, is that if she IS a lying thief then others will definitely see her as she is and won't listen to her bad-mouthing or take it to heart.
If you always present yourself in a professional manner, then others will also see YOU that way and again, won't believe what she has to say.
You can protect your reputation by always doing your best to treat your customers fairly, providing a good quality product and great customer service.
Your response to her didn't seem snotty.....just harsh. And it seems from what you say that this woman will only pay attention if you speak sternly.
I'm also one that holds to the thought of letting others do themselves in with their nasty behavior. I refuse to join them and choose to take the higher ground instead, relying that people will see me as a person of integrity.
Well, I'm feeling better today. I guess I really just needed to vent last night.
The other teacher told the mother that she won't attempt the dress cake, because she has never done anything like this, so they are just having cookies. I feel better knowing that she wasn't able to manipulate anyone into making that for free!
I guess I need to learn how to let this stuff roll off my back, but it's hard when it seems so personal! Especially when I was just trying to help them in the first place.
Oh well, it's soon over. And, I don't see the need to ever deal with her again!
Kathi
Good for you and good for the teacher that said no to the cake. She was put in an awful position by this lady.
Sorry you guys had to deal with that.
All I can say is that these demanding, pushy people sometimes have to be told that they cannot get everything they want!
Good Luck. enjoy your quiet week.
Hi Kathik,
After reading the first posts on this client, I had really hoped that you wouldn't have to deal with her.
After your email back to her...you are my new hero!!! Some days I wish I had it in me to dish it back to people. Often I think I just try to be nice and not rock the boat! I think being professional doesn't mean getting walked on. Her email was definitely snotty and I thought your reply was superb!!
Good luck in dealing with her at the preschool!
Southerncake
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