My pre-school son is invited a a friends birthday party tomorrow. I have done bday cakes for several kids in his class so I emailed the mom and asked if she would like for me to do the cake. She said yes and we got as far as her saying it should be a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and Power Rangers theme. I told her I would need to know by Friday morning what size cake she would need for Sunday. Friday comes and no call so I call her around 5. She says she'll call me back. Well I went out for the the evening and she leave a message saying she has a count of 18-20 but wasn't sure and to call her back. I leave her a voice mail at home and on her cell early Saturday morning giving her my suggestions for cake sizes and tell her to call me back so we can finalize everything so I can START his cake. Well its now 11 pm and no phone call.
I feel very awkward, we're going to this party tomorrow and I hope shes not expecting that I'll show up with a cake. What would you guys do?
She left a count of 18-20. Maybe she wanted the call back as she wouldn't know what size cake to tell you? I'd make the cake for 18 just to be safe.
I know it's late but I would agree with the others, make a cake for 18 to 20. Just simple with a power ranger head on it and that would be better than not showing up with a cake and everyone being sad or uncomfortable. I know if this was the case for me, I think my sone would be the most affected. He loves it when I bring cakes to places, especially if he knows I made the cake for the party.
If she had responded earlier, I am sure you would have planned something alot fancier, but with time constraints and lack of communications you get simple.
Good Luck.
Thanks everyone for your replies. You have no idea (well I'm sure you do) how much this is bothering me. On the one hand I'm annoyed that she hasn't called to finalize/confirm everything and we haven't even discussed price. But on the other hand, I'm so worried about this little boy being crushed if I don't show up with a cake.
I'm just going to take it as a matter of miscommunication, get up early tomorrow and make his cake. If she doesn't need it then I'll just share it with my neighbors but at least I'll know I've done the right thing. I just know better now in case this ever happens again.
Thanks again, maybe now I can get to sleep.
Hey Zoraya... I think that's the best idea!! I think she kind of figures you know what size to make for that many people, so she figured the point was conveyed. I believe if you showed up tomorrow with no cake, there would be some distraught children, and perhaps a totally shocked mom! I think you're smart to just go ahead and make it!!
Am i the only one that think you shoudn't make the cake......how long does it take to confirm a cake order???!!
Am i the only one that think you shoudn't make the cake......how long does it take to confirm a cake order???!!
I know what you mean!!!
But I'm more concerned about a little boy not having a cake on his 5th birthday and that will be his memory of ME. Not to mention it will be my son who has the mommy that messed up his birthday.
Actually I'm thinking it will be more fun to leave the cake in the car and tell her I didn't do it since she never called me back and watch the panic in her face before I tell her I'm kidding. Thats really mean I know but I'm still annoyed. And still awake making the cake!
Am i the only one that think you shoudn't make the cake......how long does it take to confirm a cake order???!!
I know what you mean!!!
But I'm more concerned about a little boy not having a cake on his 5th birthday and that will be his memory of ME. Not to mention it will be my son who has the mommy that messed up his birthday.
Actually I'm thinking it will be more fun to leave the cake in the car and tell her I didn't do it since she never called me back and watch the panic in her face before I tell her I'm kidding. Thats really mean I know but I'm still annoyed. And still awake making the cake!
Funny, I kind of wanted to write that ealier, but thought I was being mean after suggesting to make the cake.
But once you explain that you made a simple cake, because she did not get back to you she might get the point. At least they will have cake!
Good Luck.
I like the idea of leaving it in the car, let her be chocked for a moment. Far too many people think they can ask for a cake without confirming or giving details, especially when they are family and friends.
My friend at work asked for a cake the other day, last minute order of course. She said it was for a small party but never told me how many so all she is getting is a 9" round since she never confirmed the size.
Well to be honest I think you should make the cake. Did you tell her it was a cake that you do for a fee?
I know if I was the mom (and based on how you worded it in your post) I would think you called up to offer to make the cake for free.
I know I would never call up a mom and ASK her if she wants me to make the cake then expect to be paid. Now, if you discussed you were expecting to get paid then that is different as it would be a job for you.
Does she know your cost? You said you didn't discuss the fee. I think I would call in the morning to be sure she wanted the cake before you brought it over.
Maybe she couldn't afford the cake and that is why she didn't call back. Maybe she was embarrassed and didn't know how to tell you that she was getting the cake elsewhere?????
From your description of emailing her and asking if she would like you to make the cake, I also thought you meant for free. You probably were clear in your email to her, even if it was unclear in this forum.
If not, she may be very surprised and unhappy to find out tomorrow that she is expected to pay for the cake. (and would probably be expecting grocery store prices!)
I think it was rude of her to not return your messages in a more timely manner, but hopefully things will turn out well for both you and the birthday boy. (After all that is who the party is all about, not the mother.)
RedPanda
When I emailed her, I sent her my price list so I know she's not expecting it for free. She even mentioned she didn't have it with her in one of our conversations. So I'm not worried about that aspect of it.
I'm thinking shes either very busy (I know she is), thinks we finalized everything (even though she hasn't), or like you mentioned was getting the cake from elsewhere and too embarrassed to tell me. Which I don't have a problem with just let me know. I mean its her sons 5th birthday! Wouldn't you be more on top of the details? This is a big one for kids.
Oh well, the cake is baked, I'm decorating it this morning, and bringing it to the party but will go back to the car for it.
Thanks again for everyones input. I'll let you know how it turns out.
And its just a lesson learned for me for the next time around.
Until I read your last post, I too would have thought the cake was free. I have never called anyone and offered to bake a cake unless I was doing it for free. I figure they know I make cakes occassionally and if they wanted me to do it they would call.
Glad you are going ahead with the cake. I would hate to see a bunch of disappointed children when there was no cake.
Good luck. Hope all turns out well.
Diane
Sorry everyone, I wasn't clear in my original posting. Most of the parents are hearing by word of mouth that I do cakes but as the kids have been having parties, I've been contacting them and letting them know "I do cakes from home" and giving them my price list. I make sure to tell them that there is pressure at all, I'm just letting them know in case they were looking for another source since we don't have many. And I leave it at that and let them get in touch with me if they want me to do it. So thats how this all started and out of the 5 parties in the last 2 months, this is the first time I've had this problem. I'm just getting started so I haven't really advertised at all and am just telling people as I go along.
Well, after much worry, it all worked out. The mom called me at 11:30 am for the 2pm party apoligizing that she hadn't called me back and asked if I had made a decision for her 
I said yes, I made a single layer chocolate sheet cake with chocolate icing and Power Ranger theme. She was thankful and asked how much so I told her and brought it to the party.
It was funny becuase when I got there she apoligized again and I just told her I figured she didn't want me to do it but that I decided at midnight to make it anyway just in case and if she didn't need it I would just take it nome. She was quite surprised. But everyone loved the cake and there was none left by the end of the party. Funny thing too is that she only got one bite of the cake and thats becuase she took it from her husband - he didn't want to share! 
Heres the cake I did http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_460453.html
Thanks again for all your advice! I just love this place!!!! 
I am so glad to hear it all turned out well! Kudos to you for a great cake that was absolutely gobbled up by the group!!!
Thanks Melvira! Did you see how smooth is was? I used your method!
Yes! I was impressed! I didn't want to assume, but I thought, man, that is a smooth cake... I wonder...? 
The rich look of the chocolate almost drove me through the roof... it looks so decadent!!! *droooollll*
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