I'm Getting Madder By The Minute...longish Rant.
Decorating By oohlalacakes Updated 2 Jul 2006 , 7:16pm by MariaLovesCakes
This is the third time this has happened so it makes it even worse.
I just work out of my house, so most of the time, I get a phone call with an order. Usually, I'll find out when (if) they want it delivered and I tell them I'll call them when I'm ready to bring it over, that way I know they're there and I can get directions at that time. (If I take the order in person, I always get directions at the time of the order.)
So here I am at almost 2:00 on a Saturday, I was supposed to deliver the cake at 1:00 for a 2:00 party and I'm calling and calling and no answer. Not only are they not going to have their cake for the party, but I'm sitting here wasting my day away waiting for them to call me back. I know I have the right phone number because I get their answering machine each time.
The first time, they were supposed to come to my house and get it, but didn't "get around to it" until the next day. The second time, I had directions, but they weren't answering their phone, so instead of risking taking a cake to a house with no people, I ran over there first to see if they were home. They said they couldn't find their cell phone, so they never heard me calling. grrrr!
Is it me, or is this just incredibly rude?!? I mean, if I did have a "real" business, I couldn't just close up shop whenever they feel like answering their phone, I'd have to have set delivery times. Why do people do this to us? Has anyone else experienced this? I'm getting so mad as the seconds/minutes go by. 
Not to mention, I'm a single mom, so the fact that my entire Saturday has to revolve around delivery of this cake is infuriating. I finally told my boyfriend to take her and go out to lunch, because I have no idea how long I'll be.
Thanks for listening!
Samantha
i don't understand... they never gave you their address?
if you have the address and just no directions you could use www.maps.google.com and enter your address then click on your house and enter their address to get directions there.
how rude of them not to answer.
Please tell me you already got paid for the cake?
I would get the cake to them as soon as possible if they've paid. If they haven't. I'd chalk it up to a lesson learned and if they call again, tell them you are already booked.
Some people are not worth the frustration.
That really stinks!!! I am sorry that your customer is such a ding-a-ling! I wouldn't take any more orders from them...it doesn't sound like it's worth the aggravation. I hope you here from them soon so you can start enjoying your weekend!!!
Next time they want a cake. Tell them they need to pick it up. Give them a time range 8-10 or 10-12. And thell them you will be leaving at the end time and if they are not able to pick up the cake themselves then they need to make other arrangements. It isn't any different than a bakery closing down at the end of they day. If a cake isn't picked up they aren't going to wait around for someone to come (or call in this instance) to pick the cake up.
So sorry this happened, hopefully it has a good ending for you.
Leily
This is the third time this particular person pulled this on you? I hope you got your payment up front because this person sounds like this person is flakier than my mothers pie crust! Perhaps you should consider requiring a deposit from this person when she orders. After all, cash would be involved then!
Also, you don't JUST work out of your home. Why put yourself down like that? Seems to me that anyone who decorates for anyone doesn't JUST do anything.
So sorry this has happened (is happening) to you! IF I took any future orders from this customer I would require payment UP FRONT and require them to p/u the cake at a specific time. If they don't p/u, that's their problem. And of course, make sure you get it all in writing (contract). The more I think about it, 3 strikes and you're out. I wouldn't take ANY future orders from this customer. You have better things (and other customers) to assist w/ your time!
Cammie
Thank you all for your support! For one thing, the three times was not with the same customer...I'm nice, but not that nice!!! I do need to be more 'strict' with my expectations for the customer. I know that, but I try to be as accomodating as possible...too accomodating, I guess.
The lady finally called me at around 1:55 and I could tell she was irritated (she said later that they were all mad when it was almost 2:00 and there was still no cake). I told her I had been calling for the last hour and that she never gave me directions (I guess she thought she did) to her house and I think after she realized it was actually her fault, her tune changed quite a bit. They said their phone was on the fritz and they never got my calls. So anyway, the story ended happy, they got their cake, I got my money and they all raved about it. Alls well that ends well. 
I'm still going to TRY to be more careful in the future. 
Samantha
I'm happy your tale of woe turned out happy.
I always get the money up front. Half at time of order or all if cake is wanted within a week. The other half, if not paid in full up front, a week before cake is due. Some people really drag their heels at paying!!!
Good luck with all your future orders!!!
#1 You need to charge for delivery if you don't already.
#2 You need to get all the information in writing at the time of the order (i.e. directions, time to deliver, etc., phone numbers...I ask for home and cell if they have one. After you get the information, doesn't hurt to repeat it to them so you know that you are both on the same page and you wrote things down correctly. Do you have a cake order form? I find that if I have a form to fill out I am less likely to forget to ask an important question and if I repeat back the order there is less chance for miscommunication. With friends I am sometimes less business-like and I find that those are the times I have problems with communication! So be business-like.
#3 For pick ups, I agree that you should tell the customer he/she can pick up a cake within a certain time frame (10-12 for example). Let them know that they need to let you know if something comes up and they can't pick up at this time; as you may be gone from the house later for one reason or another. I find that for the most part customers are prompt in picking up cakes or at least let me know if they can't get here at scheduled time.
I am glad things worked out!!.
I do have one thing to say though i always come to a agreement with my customers for them to pick it up at 1 pm or 3 pm never 1-3pm.
Because i don't want to wait for them and guess when they're gonna be here. My time is just as important as theirs.
Ashiana
I just delivered my first "paid" cake order. Wanted to do it myself to see how it would transport, and to be sure that if anything fell off or fell apart, that it would be my fault and not the customer's.
Well ... the cake was perfectly fine but I was a nervous wreck getting it over there. The stress level surprised me.
Personally, I'm going to insist in the future that all customers come here to pick up their cakes. If they HAVE to have it delivered, then I definitely will charge for my time and expense in doing so. If I'm gonna get 18 more gray hairs getting the cake over there, then I'm darn well gonna have enough money to buy the hair dye to cover 'em up!
I'm with LisaMS - at the time of the order I would make sure you have every bit of information you need to complete it and deliver it. People in this day& age are flaky in general and you should never be in a position to chase anybody around for something they ordered in the first place. I'd also make sure you get at least a deposit up front. Ask them what time their event starts. Tell them you will be there one hour beforehand, and will expect full payment at that time. Get directions. Read them back. Then google it later so you have a map also.
If you make sure you get all the info ahead of time, then any snafus that happen will most likely be on the part of the customer!
I am glad this had a happy ending but what a frustrating situation!!!
I agree that maybe you should say that you don't deliver anymore...
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