Hey all,
Im very peeved at the moment, after renting a cake pan and preparing samples for her to taste, this person not only didnt show up at the arranged time, I called her and she CANCELLED HER ORDER!!!! 
For those with cake businesses, what is your cancellation and deposit policy?
What kind of order was it? Was she supposed to show up for a tasting? Why did you have to rent a pan for a tasting? More information please! 
I require 50% to reserve the date, and it is non-refundable. I only do tastings for large cakes (I would say weddings, but I once did a baby shower cake for 80 at $3/serving, and I gave her a tasting).
Hi, thanks for your replies.
It was for a baptism cake and she wanted to see what it would like: she wanted a cross cake over a slab but wasnt sure what size slab. And then she insisted on having a tasting and said and I quote, "We can discuss it over coffee," like every cake place lets you sit down and have afternoon tea over samples.
The order was for tomorrow morning: first she was supposed to come Weds, then Thurs, then Fri.
Ideas/Advice?
Im thinking of doing a type of contract: opinions please?
The only way they get samples from me is if they are ordering a cake that is over 100 servings.
If they don't place the order then they have to pay for the sampling.
As for the sampling, they only get to taste samples of the cakes, not the whole thing. I have pictures of cakes I have done for them to see examples of my work, but I wouldn't make a sample cake for them. Just a few cupcakes or small 3" cake.
As for a contract. Any large order has a full written out contract. Anything fairly small I send a Quote. One copy is for them to sign and the second is for their records. Similiar to a contract but without a lot of the added wording. It still holds up.
50% is due at the time they return the quote copy and the remaining balance is due at time of delivery and if no money then no cake.
This is as it stands right now. I may get burned somewhere down the line and change things (or if I keep reading about others getting run over) I haven't had anyone cancel an order, so guess i'll have to think about that.
Sounds like this is fun and games to her...it's so irritating when people think yu have nothing better to do than to sit around and "play bakery" with them. I'm learning to be more stern with some of the request. I turned down a tasting for an 8" bday cake last week which probably contributed to her not ordering, but so be it. You spend too much time in the kitchen prepping that sample...
I started telling folks I need 50% up front and the remainder 3 days before pick up/delivery. (I usually collect the balance when we exchange the cake, though)
I made her some cupcakes for samples with different styles of icing. It just and pardon the term, "frosts my buns" that she wasnt even giong to call to cancel!! Thank goodness I called first.
I think Im going to start asking 50% upfront and the rest upon pick up or delivery.
So, lessons learned:
Never invest in equipment without a confirmed order and deposit in hand.
Set a minimum order requirement for a tasting/consultation.
If a customer is ordering a small cake but wants a tasting, offer to sell him/her a small cake.
And last but not least, don't let customers push you around 
Did you have it made already? I would tell your customer she's buying a cake.
I had looked at a copy of a contract here from CC and I set it up with my info and I altered it to me and it has been working fine for me. I still don't get the tasting and the whole slab cake thing, but this is the way I have it. They get a tasting for large cake, price (due to fondant or gumpaste or to actual size, large is what you make it out to be) and tastings are only samples of the cakes that they have told me when they called for the cake. I have some simple ? when they call to order a cake. All I give them is a small cake with different types of frosting and/or fillings, again depending on what we discussed when the wanted to ordered their cake. Then they have the choice to place the order or not. Now as for charging them for the tasting itself I am not sure on that one, I have never charged for one but than again I have people order the cake right then and there, I have not had someone taste and not order. I have only had just a few tastings so I have not been in that situation yet, I am sure that it will come one day soon. I guess that I have to think about that one. I really hope that helps you out. I can send you a copy of the contract that I got from another CCer, she had said that we can use it, I am so sorry that I can't remember who it was.
Vicky
i require a 50 %(a few people are excempt from this rule) non refundable deposit before i touch your cake and if more then one wants it for that date whoever comes with the money first gets first dibs 
you have up until 3 days before your pickup date to cancel the money you put down will go towards future orders because sometime things come up out of our control and they need to cancel, now if i make your cake and you cancel or don't come or call well then your out your money my family gets cake and you go on a list that makes you pay in full on any futre orders 
I do not require a contract or deposit on occasion cakes. I've probably been lucky but only about once a year do I someone not show up to pick one up. What you are describing I would not make a contract for, mainly because the average person would be a little confused by a contract for something so minor. Anything that is a wedding cake (tiered in any way whatever the occasion) I have a 3 page order form and a 2 page contract that we both sign and they receive a copy of. As far as tastings go, I offer them ONLY on wedding cake orders. I've had people ask regarding birthdays and stuff, but I politely tell them that I don't do samples for occasion cakes and they are more than welcome to order cupcakes or buy a slice out of the fresh case to "sample" before they order the main cake. You have to stand firm once you set a policy and stick to it with everyone or they will push you until you crack!
Keep your chin up, it'll get better!
-Lori
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