Need Immediate Advice On Cancelations Plz
Decorating By naz1905 Updated 31 May 2007 , 5:01pm by naz1905
Hi, i had an order due for pick up 3rd june at 12. The lady called me today and left a msg on answer phone that she no longer require the cake. She also emailded me this morning. I only got her msges now as i was at work. The thing is i have already bought the ingrediends, boards and boxes and i had to take an extra day off from work, so the question is what do i do now?
this is what is said in my terms and conditions which is sent with a confirmation email after the order is taken and she has to tick a box to say she has read and agreed to these terms.
Cancellations
If you have to cancel your order for any reason, you will be liable to pay for any special order items, and for any work that has been started. In addition, if a wedding cake is cancelled within 4 weeks of the wedding date, the full outstanding balance will be payable.
Thank you lots!!
forgot to say it would have been a cake for lil girls b'day, a cinderella flat cake in the wilton pan double layer.
Well if she read her contract she'd know that she'd not be getting all of her deposit back. Do you have them pay a deposit? If not you might have a fight on your hands because she is not going to want to pay you for anything if she'd not getting a cake. Not that she right, just saying this is what you're most likely going to run into. My policy is this.. 50% deposit at time of contract signing.. cancel within 2 weeks of a celebration cake you get 50% of that back.. after the 2 week deadline your deposit is non-refundable.. period. I hope that you don't run into a headache with this.. it's never fun.
Personally I like to meet someone in person before I take an order, but if I were to do it by e-mail I would still require a deposit. A money order recieved by mail would be a way to do it.. or a personal check if there is time to assure it clears. Tell them that if they send the money by mail by a date you agree upon they will have their date reserved. If they don't send the money their date will be reopened. I would talk to them and explain that you have already started preparing for their cake and they will be responsibe for your costs incurred per their signed contract. Be prepared for a fight though.. you might end up having to take this as a lesson learned. ((hugs)) it stinks.
Thanks so much for quick responses, i called her back, no answer and left this message in most business like voive
"hi, this is nauseen from anzz cakes, could you call me back on 0000000000 regarding your order thank you"
I think you're right about the lesson learnt, from now on, a cheque or postal order in the post if it's not enough time to clear the cheque then they'll have to bring cash!
I was actually looking forward to doing this cake, i'm so disapointed and very sad... need a shoulder to cry! 
Ty
I too do not take deposits on anything except wedding cakes (I really have to change this policy!!!). I have had this happen several times and unfortunately just had to accept it and take it as a life lesson!
If a job is going to require you to take a day off work, I would ask for a deposit. If the order is via email, maybe send a message - The nonrefundable deposit of $____ should be mailed to _________ address no later than ________ date. If you accept credit cards, you could also have them call with you with a credit card # to pay their deposit or set up a PayPal account where you can send them an invoice.
I'm so sorry this has happened to you -- I feel your pain!
I think that you will definately have a fight on your hands if you try to pursue this. The way I read your terms, she shouldn't be responsible to pay anything. Yes you have bought the ingredients, boards and boxes but are those "special order" items? I try to have those on hand at all times so I could easily use the boards and boxes for another order. Ingredients, maybe not.
Did she send the contract back to you agreeing to the terms?
Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't want you to not get compensated for this, I'm just not sure if it will turn out the way you want it to.
As for the day you took off, two options. Cancel and go to work or (my choice) still have the day off and relax and do something FUN!!
Good luck!
i think my choice too!!
Anyway i'v swapped my shift now, it was for tomoroow and it's too late to cancel now, it just means i owe my friend a day oh well!
I was reading theterms again and you might be right there so i think i'll change it to something more restrictive.
Thanks guys for lifting up my spirits, i might just call her and ask why she'd cancel and explain to her that i'vmade a loss in this matter and hopefully next year she'll come back to me but this time i'll be getting a deposit 
I still think getting a deposit and having a deadline for cancellations is the way to go. You could be more restrictive in your wording, but you could still be in for a battle then as well. If you have a deadline for cancellations and they have already given you money for the cake they are less likely to cancel.. especially if they won't get all of thier money back.
This is what is in my contract:
CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT
If you should require a postponement or cancellation we will try to accommodate you. If you need to postpone your date your new date may not be available. If you need to cancel your order entirely our refund policy is as follows:
Celebration Cakes (and cakes up to $200.00):
If you cancel your order up to two (2) weeks prior to your event date we will refund 50% of your deposit. After the two (2) weeks prior to your event date cancellations will not be accepted and no refund will be provided.
Wedding Cakes (and cakes $200.00 and over):
If you cancel your order up to four (4) weeks in advance we will refund your deposit minus $50.00. If you cancel your order up to two (2) weeks in advance we will refund 50% of your deposit. After the two (2) weeks prior to your event date cancellations will not be accepted and no refund will be provided.
Does this makes sense:
Deposits and Final Payment
Celebration Cakes (and cakes up to £200.00):
We require a deposit of 50% to secure the order. The final balance has to be settled at least 3 weeks before the order. Where we have accepted an order on short notice, the whole amount shall be payable as soon as the order is confirmed.
Wedding cake:
We require a deposit of 50% of the balance on wedding cake to secure your order, or a non refundable £50.00 fee will also be accepted to secure the date if enquiring more than 12 months in advance. We require the final payment to be made at least one month before delivery or collection.
Payments can be made by a guaranteed cheque, cash or PAYPAL.
A receipt will be issued once our Banker's have confirmed payment has cleared.
Cancellations
If you should require a postponement or cancellation we will try to accommodate you. If you need to postpone your date your new date may not be available, we would urge you to contact us as soon as possible to check availability. If you need to cancel your order entirely our refund policy is as follows:
Celebration Cakes (and cakes up to £200.00):
If you cancel your order up to four (4) weeks prior to your event date we will refund any fees paid minus the deposit.
After the two (2) weeks prior to your event date cancellations will not be accepted and no refund will be provided.
Wedding Cakes (and cakes £200.00 and over):
If you cancel your order up to eight (.8.) weeks in advance we will refund your deposit minus £50.00. If you cancel your order up to four (4) weeks in advance we will refund 30% of your final balance. Cancellations will not be accepted and no refund will be provided, if you cancel your order up to four (4) weeks prior to your event date
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