Friend Keeps Throwing Out My Stuff...
Decorating By meghanb Updated 5 Dec 2006 , 2:46pm by baker2699
I have a good friend who has been my best (paying) customer....and so I really, really appreciate her....but she keeps throwing my cake boards and boxes out!
The first time, she threw out the cake board and box, even though I told her I needed them back. She said that the leftovers were left at her parents' house, and they threw them out.
The second time, she said she threw the cake board out because it was just cardboard wrapped in tinfoil (it was actually a piece of wood my dad cut for me, wrapped in foil and then covered in clear mac-tac). The box was just a cardboard tray, but it was the perfect size for that board, so I wanted her to bring that back as well, but that was thrown out too.
This last time, I went so far as to stick stickers with my name and phone on the cake boards and the boxes and I told her when she picked it up that I needed everything back. Of course, I thought I didn't even need to tell her because of the last 2 incidents, but I wasn't taking any chances.
SHE THREW OUT THE BOXES. I was pretty upset, because this keeps happening, because I told her not to, because I marked the boxes, and because I can only buy the boxes at Micheals which is 1 1/2 hour away!
I don't know what to do now....start increasing my prices to accomdate this? The cake boards that I normally use are either made of wood and covered, or they are the foam boards that Wilton makes - neither are cheap!
Any advice is appreciated. 
Take a deposit for the items you want returned -- that give you the money to replace the items if she throws them away & will more than likely help her remember so you don't have to go to the trouble of buying new ones.
Just make sure the deposit is enough to replace all the items you want returned.
I agree with the cake board..charge a deposit
I would include the dollar something in your price for the cake box and not ask for that to be returned. I don't ask for those back since you never know how many hands have been on it, inside of it, etc.
I would start a new policy, that if you return the board and box, you get $ off your next order.(Enough to cover the cost of the box & board) Then add the price of the supplies to the order. That way, you will be covered. Since she orders frequently, she'll only have to pay for it the one time, and it might be an incentive to bring your stuff back.
Yep, unfortunately that's really the only thing to do that will help your friend "remember" not to throw them out! I even started writing on the back of the board with a sharpie my name, phone number and RETURN FOR $10 DEPOSIT. Noone in their right mind will throw away ten dollars!! And if she does, well then at least it's her loss and not yours! It is hard to do at first though, gotta get tough!
I charge a deposit equal to the replacement cost on anything I want returned. Doesn't guarentee they will return it but at least you haven't lost your whole cake profit on replacing items customers have thrown away.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh and rude but since she keeps doing this to you repeatedly, once I can understand, twice she's off a little, three times she just isn't a true friend I'm sorry.... But what I personally would do is instead of going to the length and possible arguement of charging a deposit I would use cheap stuff to do hers from now on.
Use the cheaper cake boards and boxes you can buy them in bulk from a website I don't remember but there is a thread on it somewhere here maybe try searching Google for Cake boxes or Cake packaging supplies.
I've had a few people do this as well.... one being my husband's ex-wife. I purchased a full sheet cake sized board and box from the grocery store bakery for $6.~ and told her I needed them both back even if the cake board was dirty I still wanted it back. She then asked me where the plastic containers the other cakes were in were and I said in my car, I don't give them to people with their cakes as they cost me too much, she followed that with "well how the heck am I supposed to cover these darn things" (not so nice words) I said well you take plastic wrap or foil and cover them they are one sturdy cake boards that'll be fine just cover them and it'll be fine. She got upset and continued complaining about how the bakery department doesn't do that and so on I said yeah they charge you for the packaging as well and since these 4 cakes are easily worth $80-$90.~ or more and you just got them for $35.~ you should be happy about that and understanding when I ask for the stuff back. Well needless to say we go back over there the following weekend (figured give them time to eat all that cake 4 cakes for maybe 10 guests...) she had thrown them out because I didn't come back to get them! WTH! lmao I was so mad and since have no offered to help with bdays anymore lol.
I personally would either use the cheaper boards and boxes on this woman you're having problems with or from now on you deliver the cake(s) and take them out of their boxes and off the boards and place them on the table. You could do that... for transporting only use your good boards and boxes, have the cakes on cheap-o boards that she can trash, and just slide that board off your good hard wood board and take your stuff with you when you go 
I would be afraid asking for a deposit she may feel insulted.
Did you explain to her why you wanted them back. The way you worded it in your post was very clear. Especially the 1 1/2 hr. drive.
Maybe, she is a bit of a germ freak and throws them out so you don't re-use them the next time you bake a cake for her.
Really the only solution you have is to keep a stock of cheap boards and boxes to use. They would be nice to use for other orders.
My daughter is a germ freak and she brought my stuff back on her own. And, they were the cheap ones. I was suprised. I wouldn't re-use them for customers, but for friends and family I will.
I love all these ideas, desposits, and going to cheaper boards,ect... great ideas to help. I have another.
I do catering, I get a CONTRACT signed No matter what, It explains everything from times to delivery to depostis to fees. Figure you have ingredients, cost of fuel to the store to get supplies, fuel to deliver it making the cake and time ,ect....... it all adds in.
Make up a simple contract, sign it and have your customer sign, friend or not. Put in there " if cake boards and boxes are tossed out there will be a $$ what ever charge amount to replace the boards"
As one member said, people aren't going to throw boards out with a $10.00 Deposit refund.
If you think she'll most likely throw the board out even with a contract and depsoit, add the cost of the board once again to the already added up price. Meaning if the board was 10.00 it just now cost her 20.00, she doesn't see it cause it's in the cost of the cake, but if she returns the board she gets 10.00 back. You can still use cheap boards, not wood.
I always always get everything in writing, it covers your hiney. Make sure you have 2 copies signed, one for her and one for you.Highlight things if you have too. I have mine on my lap top and I print it out when I have an event and I go over it from top to bottom, I ask if they have any questions ect... if not I ask them to inital and area whereI told them everything on the contract......... then I have them sign it. It works out great. I always request 1/2 the price up front and the final 1/2 on delivery, before setup. Again Covers me.
I also learned I don't give big disocunts to friends, you always end up on the bottom no matter what, I'll give a 10-20% break but not more then that.
Hope all these ideas help you Best of luck
If she was my friend I would not do the deposit thing as she is likely to get mad and order her cakes from someone else thinking you don't "trust" her..........which of course you don't based on the past.
I too would use the throw away boards and boxes. Much easier for both of you.
She does not appear to be the kind who likes to deal with washing and returning items so make it easy on both of you.
Also, if she gets the cakes for others she may feel strange asking for the box and board back. I know I would if I bought a cake for someone.
Just use the cheap cardboard cake boards and wrap in foil. Build the price into the cost of the cake including a white bakery box and be done with her. I wouldn't waste time on it - or get upset. Just increase the price, if she compains or ask why your prices went up...tell her to cover boards and boxes. She should understand - nothting is free.
The reality is if you are selling a product you have to charge enough to cover your costs BUT a cake box that another customer has used (no matter how far you have to travel to get them) should never be reused for another paying customer. The wood and other materials that you are using for cake boards is a different story since it is covered and hopefully covered with new material for each customer.
This is a perfect example of a reason to start buying your supplies on line. You would surely pay more in gas to drive an hour and 1/2 away and Micheals prices than the cost of shipping these items in bulk just a few times per year.
IMHO, to expect customers (especially those who are regulars and good paying customers) to return these items is unrealistic and inconvenient. The heavy duty materials are great for large, heavy or tiered cakes (and should be returned to you) but to use them routinely just adds to the difficulty factor and obviously is giving you a headache! 
I'm all for making life easier and most convienient for everyone involved.
Either charge a large amount for a deposit or raise the prices of her cakes so that ahe understands the cost of her throwing our your boards and boxes is costing you money...
I would never reuse a cake box. I just think that would be yucky! I do use wood boards and have gotten most of them back, but there are a few that have been "lost" to people. If she is really a good friend, I'd call her up and tell her how you feel. My friends know I want my boards back and I wouldn't have a problem calling to remind them during the party if they seem to "forget".
I had made my parents a cake one time (being the wonderful daughter that I am) and I called to ask my step mom where the cake board was, it was one of the plastic round ones from wilton, she told me she threw it out.... 
I told her they were kind of expensive and instead of having to cough up 10 dollars or so, she sent my poor dad to go dig through the trash... lol
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%