I have a client who wants a strawberry shorcake themed cake.
To date I personally have only done one cake of that theme. I showed her the cake and she did not like it. She then showed me 2 other cakes which she found on the net and asked me to price them. I did but with that I sent her two other cakes which I found on CC for her to look at. She liked the one and asked for a price on that one which I then quoted.
I also suggested a slight change to that cake and she has now went me a mail worded the following:
"Will the cake you bake be an exact replica of the one on the pic. Sorry for being so direct but for $$$ I would like it to be something special and look like the picture."
Now, I know that she wants the cake to pretty and look good but how would any of you respond to this mail. Also, I am afraid that if the cake is now not exactly like the one I showed her, she is going to come back with some sort of complaint.
Can anyone shed some light?
I tell my customers, that I NEVER replicate a design completely true, because I want everyone to know xxxx yrs from now, by just looking at a photograph, that that cake is theirs. It's called keeping someone special and making something special for that specific person. Also called artistic licence. I might make small suggestions of change, but if the customer would negate evreything, it's goodbye and good luck finding someone else
edited to add, up till now, everyone was thrilled with my explanation and tell the truth, even in photographs not all details are apparent. You are an artist, not a copy machine
I would say I will attempt to make a fair copy of the cake but due to it being handmade and that the original was not made by myself, that there may be differences between the photo that she has and what I can produce.
She must realise that we are not a production line and things will always have their differences and variations, even if we HAD made the first one ourselves.
I have to tell you, the alarm bells are going off on this one!
I never promise to duplicate a picture. I show them the quality of my work with pictures of cakes I've done and explain to them that I cannot create an exact duplicate of any cake....even one I've done myself. What I can give them is my interpretation of a particular cake. They should be able to tell by my previous work if they would be happy with my level of ability.
I'd tread very carefully with this customer, she sounds like trouble waiting to happen. If she were calling me, honestly I'd encourage her to go elsewhere. She doesn't sound like a customer I want to deal with.
I think you should be absolutely honest with her. Tell her that no one, not even the person who originally made the cake would be able to duplicate it to look exactly like the picture. Tell her that you will be able to make her a beautiful cake and it will be close to the one in the picture but that every cake is different and it will not be a carbon copy. And tell her that you understand her concerns and maybe suggest that she talk with other decorators before choosing you because the last thing you want if for her to be disappointed even if it means she chooses someone else to make the cake. I think that would send a message that you want her to be happy with the finished product even if someone else provides it and you will be surprised at how many people will choose you to do the job just because of that.
Hi
Thanks to everyone for giving input...
This is what I sent her
"I strive to offer a good product for each of my clients. Pictures are normally used for inspiration. A lot of the time people have difficulty in visualising the cakes and hence I keep pictures of other cakes to help them in deciding what it is they want. Even if I had done that cake, I cannot give you a 100% assurance that is will look exactly the same in every respect. What I can give you is a 100% of my best effort in creating a cake that will be special and unique to you.
I do understand your concerns and maybe you should talk to other decorators before choosing me, as the last thing I would want is for you to be disappointed, even if it means you choosing someone else to make the cake."
Well said! I think you've done the right thing! 
Hey there,
Sounds like quite a dilemma, I also have a bad feeling about this one. I think it depends on how confident you are that you can create the same cake.
I would let her know that handmade articles always differ in minar ways but that you are confident that you can create something just as beautiful. You said that the cake was a cc cake so maybe contact the baker and get some hints ie. pan size and colours use etc. I agree that you should invite her to chat to other people to see if they could do better.
I would also say that in your next email, you should make you refunds and returns policy very clear and make sure that she confirms receipt of the email so that you know she has read it.
Good Luck!!!
I agree with everyone else, this woman is not going to be happy with the way the cake turns out, so I would leave well alone!!
Your email was excellent!!
See we have another "SA" in our midst!!
I too feel this person is going to be TROUBLE.... get everything in writing..... she will not be happy with what you give her, and will ask for at least a partial refund........ Did you think to mention copywrite infringments ? That you are not ALLOWED to make an EXACT copy of anyone elses work ? If she wants that EXACT cake, she should go to that decorator, and pay that decorator's price.....
Customers like this really curl my toes. Run away as fast aa you can. I am dealing with one now whom I am doing a 1 year olds birthday cake plus smash. She has called at least once a day to make sure the cake isn't going to look girly (I dunno maybe the DH is gonna yell at her or something). YET she wants a big loopy bow on the smash cake.
I would not of taken this cake if I would of known that she would bother me everyday. Just too much stress!
Please direct her elsewhere so you don't have to deal with this lady.
HTH's in your decision
Christi
She just sent me a mail back thanking me for my honesty and also to say that she would love for me to still do the cake.
Thank you everyone for your input.....as you can see it helped.
That's wonderful. You were straightforward and honest and she respects that. I think you handled the situation perfectly and now you can move on to making her a special cake!
I'm glad everything worked out well and she responded to your honesty how I felt she would. I'm surprised to see how many people have said to stay away from this woman though. I mean the lady asked one straight-forward question and now she's labeled trouble? Anyway....good luck with the cake, I'm sure she will love it! 
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