Hi again everyone.
I have someone who is interested in purchasing a cake from me (another baby shower cake), and in an effort to avoid what happened last time, should I receive the payment before I make it, or when she comes to pick it up? This is my first, real, bonafide, paid for cake that isn't from someone in the family. So, any advice would be great!
Thanks!
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I take 30% deposit at time of ordering and remainder either 1 week beofre (for big cakes) or upon delivery for smaller cakes. Hope this helps. 
If the person can pay for all of it upfront, by all means do that, if not a minimum of 50% deposit and the rest either before of at the time of pick up or delivery. NEVER after. Save yourself alot of agrivation and expence and MAKE SURE YOU ARE PAID BEFORE THAT CAKE LEAVES YOUR HANDS!!!!!
Amy
I once didn't follow my own advice because it was for a family member. I spent all day on Easter when everyone else was at Universal Studios having a great time making keoni cakes for a cancer survivor's banquet. 107 mini bundt cakes with choc. ganace w/ dipped strawberries on each. Takes alot of time when I can only make 12 at a time. Since it was for family who was hosting this banquet I said I would do it for cost and I charge $4.00 each to customes. Cost was only $45.00 and I'm still waiting for reimbursement of ingrediants. To top it off, I got a phone call from this family member and she proceeded to tell me that they went over so well that the people grabbed and ate those before the main coarse! She initiated me making these with an opening statement of I'll pay for all ingrediants if you will do this for me. Still a little bent by this but will never mention to her as I think the receipt that I saw on her table 2 weeks later would be reminder enough.
My 2 cents.
Amy
I take a 50% deposit to reserved the date and the balance when they pick it up.
Jacqui
fmcmulle: same for me. Weddings, $50 down payment, full payment 2 weeks before wedding. The rest is payment when goods are received. The only exception is for clients that order several items during the month, I bill them the first of the month. (financial planner using my desserts as thank you's to his clients.) So far, no problems.
I agree.. make sure you are paid BEFORE they get their cake. I am not in business yet, but I already have all of my contract stuff figured out. 50% down when you meet with me and decide to have me make your cake and the rest is due a week before you pick up your cake. Then there is no fumbling around when you pick up or drop off.. it's all taken care of.
I have another question. Do you guys accept checks? I'm not set up to take credit cards (but maybe I can do it through Paypal). But do you only accept cash? Checks from someone I don't know make me a little nervous.
If you make sure you are paid a week in advance you can be sure that the check will clear. I wouldn't accept a check less than a week before hand. So if it doesn't clear you have time to make other arrangements.. or you don't make the cake.
Yes, I take cash, checks, and offer PayPal. Using PayPal you'll pay about 4% for their fees so you may want to up your prices a bit to cover that and then offer a discount if they pay with cash. So for I haven't had anyone use PayPal and I get a combination of cash and checks with no problem.
Jacqui
I've been wondering about pay pal. Do they just put the money into your bank account or does it stay in a paypal account?
It stays in a PayPal account until you transfer it to your bank account.
Jacqui
I require a 50% deposit on wedding cakes and also from first time customers, but I've been doing this for several years.
Checks from only people I know. I have just now started getting 50% up front. If it is a big order, it is alot of money to come out of your pocket for the ingredients. Then if they don't show up or they cancel, you only get 1/2 screwed. lol.
And, I only give refund if I haven't gotten the ingredients and I didn't loose another order because of their cake order. Does that make sense?
Lu
Yes, it makes sense. Thanks!
It is so intimidating going into this. For some reason, it seems a little scary to ask for it up front, but at the same time, scarier to make a cake you won't get paid for.
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