I just got an order from a repeat customer. She pays well but every order is very complicated either in design or flavor. Plus she always orders short notice. She asked today for a cake for this Saturday. wants a car cake theme plus smash cake. I have a company party Friday night then a Christmas parade Saturday am I have to get up early for. Would you do it or tell her no? 
What kind of car cake does she want? Part of my response would depend on just how complicated it must be.
If it's for enough money I would probably do it as long as it wasn' something where she wanted a carved replica of a car.
It sounds like it's for a little boy so you might be able to get away with something not so difficult and if she says anything you can tell her that you didn't have enough time for anything more.
if you can its pobably better not to loose a customer, but if you say yes i think you should dictate what you are willing to do in flavor and design... if she isnt happy with that at least she would know to give you more time next time, but you havnt had to turn someone away ... hope this helps
You could bake tomorrow and ice Friday. Also, either tell her that on such short notice you'll have to put plastic cars on the cake (Walmart will sell you a kit for $5...add it to the price you charge her) or tell her you have had to adopt a short notice policy of adding $25 to every order placed within whatever time you feel appropriate. Either way she'll love the cake and get the hint that you need more notice. But if it's gonna run you way too short this weekend just say sorry...I'm booked.
JUST SAY NO...
need more notice...
tell her you're calendar is full already, and that is NO LIE!!!!
JUST SAY NO...
need more notice...
tell her you're calendar is full already, and that is NO LIE!!!!
agreed! you don't have to bend over backwards every time someone asks ... especially if this one ALWAYS does short notice. Just tell her nicely that you are booked for the weekend and can't do it, that given more notice you may have been able to.
I agree, it is okay to take time for yourself and things you want. It sounds like this is not your livelyhood. If you really need the money, than take it, otherwise, take time for yourself and your family. I'm sure if she is a repeat customer, she will understand and consider it next time. Or, she will "settle" for a sheet cake with a car on it or something like that....a compromise cake. Hope this helps. Good luck whatever you decide, and have a nice weekend.
Thanks for the advise I decided to tell her no. So not worth the stress thanks guys
I tell all my clients 2 weeks notice for any cake other than a wedding, at least 3 months on a wedding. If they have known for a full year that this person was having a birthday, why do they wait till 3 days before the date to order the cake and then want extra details? I would tell her very nicely that you need more notice and that you really can't do this cake justice in such a short amount of time.
I tell all my clients 2 weeks notice for any cake other than a wedding, at least 3 months on a wedding. If they have known for a full year that this person was having a birthday, why do they wait till 3 days before the date to order the cake and then want extra details? I would tell her very nicely that you need more notice and that you really can't do this cake justice in such a short amount of time.
I agree with ShirleyW, if you have nothing else to do it's not so bad, maybe you can squeeze it in. But you have life so let her know that you need more time to do your best. Or you can let her know what you can do for her on short notice.
i say no aswell. don't get too stressed out, your work will suffer.
I agree with the majority here- especially since she's ALWAYS giving you short notice. If you let people walk all over you, they'll keep doing it. Sad but true. Sometimes you will lose customers by standing up for yourself, but if you were nice about it, then they weren't worth having in the first place.
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