I had a woman call me today who purchased a gift certificate I donated to a school's silent auction in September. She left a message saying she wanted a Cozy Cone cake for Saturday May 5 for her son's birthday party. I already have two birthday cakes and a groom's cake for 150 people to do for that day. While I really don't feel like I could do all of that, I feel partially obligated to do this cake because she's purchased this gift certificate. What would you tell her? My gut says no -- I can't do quality work for all of the cakes if I take on such a large amount of work.
I would say no. If you cannot fit her in you cannot fit her in.
thats a sticky situation... hopefully you put on the gift certificate that you need atleast 2 weeks notice. I wouldn't do the work if you feel like you cant do quality work for all of them. Just tell her that she didnt give you enough notice. Im sure she will understand, and if not then i would tell her that with the short notice you dont feel as if you could take on any more orders.
Call and tell her that you apologize but are completely booked that day and would love to do her cake for another day. Explain how much notice you need but just don't make it seem like her fault that she isn't going to get her cake that day because of the lack of notice. I'm beginning to learn that most people don't understand how much time these cakes take and we can't just whip one out.
I over-committed myself last week and I seriously came close to total exhaustion and quitting. I did 8 cakes last week including my 1 year olds first birthday party. I will never do that many again in one week!! My fault for taking on too much but....whew!!! I was close to tears at one point.
Tell her no....politely, but no. She won't get a quality cake and you won't be happy with a rush job. You want the best cake you can put out with your name on it.
This is such a tough thing because you need the notice but you also donated this great thing for a good cause. You just need to explain how much notice you need and ask her if there is another time she could cash in her cake! Next time you donate make sure to specify when it can be redeemed and how much notice you need!
i had a good friend of my moms a couple weeks ago say i need a cake on this date and on this date and i accepted them both if i dont have them in atleast 2 weeks advance i wont take them inless i have nothing better to do
i dont think it is the right reason to say that there is not enough notice. i think the REAL reason is that you are already completely committed that day and a couple days prior with 3 other cakes. you have already taken on all that you can as one person ( i assume) and if you are booked, you are booked! i would honestly (dont give too many details- its unnecesary) and politely explain that that day is full and you will happily book another date for her. first come , first serve!
I had almost that exact situation yesterday. I had donated a coupon for a cake for a school fundraiser, and the winner of the raffle called yesterday wanting a cake for Mother's Day.
I appologized and told her I was completely booked up that week, and I immediately asked her what other occasion she had coming up. We decided instead on a cake for Father's Day. She was super nice and actually appologized herself for not contacting me sooner.
I didn't put anything on the coupon about how much notice I needed (my mistake), so I was very grateful she was so nice.
Maybe you'll be surprised at how understanding she'll be, as I was with mine! 
Thanks everyone! I called her back that night and told her that I was already booked for that weekend. She completely understood, was very nice about it, and said she'd use it for her other son's birthday. . . and that she'd give me more notice next time!!
i dont think it is the right reason to say that there is not enough notice. i think the REAL reason is that you are already completely committed that day and a couple days prior with 3 other cakes.
Melysa is right. If she ordered her cake a couple of weeks ago, you would have still had to do four cakes for the same day.
i dont think it is the right reason to say that there is not enough notice. i think the REAL reason is that you are already completely committed that day and a couple days prior with 3 other cakes.
Melysa is right. If she ordered her cake a couple of weeks ago, you would have still had to do four cakes for the same day.
Not necessarily. If she had more notice with this one, Lybby might not have taken one of the other jobs. 
Ahhh, but the other jobs were PAYING customers!
Anyhow, it's one's own choice what she feels comfortable handling. I never turn down a cake. I did eight this weekend ... a tie for my all-time high ... three first communions, one hockey banquet and four birthdays! I'm glad it's over though!
Linda, something tells me you're either a lil' powerhouse or a glutten for punishment. 
Of course there is one other option.........nope, don't see any men in white coats....yet.... 
Linda, something tells me you're either a lil' powerhouse or a glutten for punishment. Of course there is one other option.........nope, don't see any men in white coats....yet....
I think I'll take that as a compliment. I was a powerhouse AND a glutten for punishment. May and June are my busiest months ... firt communions and graduations on top of birthdays. Birthdays happen all year; but first communions are always in May and Graduations are always in June.
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