How Do You Politely Tell Someone They're Driving You Nuts?
Decorating By cdent Updated 13 Jul 2007 , 7:18pm by cdent
I accepted an order this week to do a small cake, however, this man calls me 3-6 times a day to add crazy things to this cake...things that don't make sense (and honestly, I think things that no one else at the party would understand)! The cake is a white flyer (trap shooting disk) sitting upon a black fondant covered cake board (exactly what he wanted). He then wanted all kings of writing on it...Rainbow bridge built in 1917 (because the party is in Folsom), a pizza drawing (because they are having pizza at the party), a rainbow (for the rainbow bridge in Folsom), wine glasses (because he likes to drink wine), the word Scarlett (thats where they are having the party) along with the typical Happy Birthday & from so and so. I hate to bring this cake to the party and the birthday boy has no idea as to why I put all this random stuff on itit might reflect poorly on me. My main problem is how many times he calls me just to say hi and leaves messages on my phone (because I dont answer most of the time) saying that he told one of his friends I would do a cake for him for a certain price (which he was WAY too low in his pretend quote!). He is an older gentleman (Im sure very lonely) and I am in my 20s and marriedhe is driving me and my husband CRAZY! How can I politely tell him youre crazy, please stop calling me, I dont really want to do any more business with you in the future, and quit telling people how much you think I would charge them for a cake?
Help, Im in a pickle!!
I would maybe just state to him that all these additions will cost him X amount of extra dollars, so maybe he will just stop adding to it. Maybe remind him that you will contact him if you have any questions, otherwise you will "see him on " what ever day the cake gets picked up/ delivered. Also remind him that your cakes are custom, and unless his friends are ordering an exact duplicate, the price may not be certain until they consult with YOU directly. I am guessing since he may be a bit lonely, he is just trying to help, or feels the need to help.......he probably looks at you as a person he can chat with, even though you may not have time.......of course you don't want to be rude, but be frank with him, and maybe he will not bother you when you are really busy.
Excuse me sir, due to the excessive phone calls I have been receiving from you I am now forced to tack on a small fee for each call I have been forced to take...
JOKING!!!!!!!!
Ok next time he calls just tell him that you are worried about making the cake look tacky with all the addition design elements he has been requesting. Let him know that you do not wish the final design to reflect poorly on your talents. However, you would be willing to meet with him again to do a final design that would incorporate some of the new ideas he came up with.
As for him telling other's about your prices, thank him for the word of mouth advertising but simply let him know that each cake carries a different price based on complexity of the design and type of cake ordered.
Like you said, he's probably just a lonely old man that thinks he's trying to help you out with getting more business.
Well, what *I* would do is ......
Oh wait ..... you asked for a "polite" method! 
Seriously, I would have my husband take his calls. He may indeed just be a lonely guy .... he doesn't want to talk to a husband. You're probably being (properly) nice and polite .... men (husbands) tend to be more blunt and more business. A husband will take the info ... period. A husband can casually mention "We'll get back to you with what the add'l cost will be for these changes."
I am NOT advocating "let a MAN handle it" (come on..... y'all know me better than that! 
). This guy just sounds like the type who likes to chit-chat with women, and wouldn't do that with a man.
Cut him off by delegating him to your "office manager".
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