Have you ever wondered why clients take so long to get back to you?? I had a rush order placed on Thursday of last week. She wanted a barbie cake--Well I took pity and made her one for the 26th. Now as I am confident in my baking and had one complaint in Seven years (It was not what she expected but could not wait to eat the rest because it was yummy!).
Anyway I emailed her the same night I dropped the cake with pics I had took. I also gave her a free smash cake. She tipped me a extra ten dollars and a hot cocoa mix.
I left her a messgae Wednesday and Thursday and still no word. I just get freaked out when people do not call back right away!
Ok, someone like me with very very little skill needs to worry but I'm sure someone with all of your talent needs not to worry. A lot of people never comment when it's good so you more than likely have nothing to worry about. Your work is always amazing! I do understand you feeling that way though since that's just our nerves talking. 
well, "no news is good news".. if there was a problem, I'm sure you would have heard by now. People don't waste in waiting to raise h*ll ,when they are really unhappy about something esp. if it's something like cake, which is usually an important part of any special occasion.
Relax, I'm sure it was good.. 
I just visited your website and let me just say WOW!!! You do amazing work! And the sugar bubbles are fantastic. I think those will be my next project to learn how to do. Would you care to share any tips or pointers on making them? Thanks!!!
Again absolutly amazing work!!!
Thanks for the kind words and support!
Shalan
Thanks so much! Here is the thread I started with tips on Sugar Bubble blowing
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-41980.html
The interesting thing is that one complaint I had was from this rather interesting lady. I called her several times and finally she said "I didn't want to say anything but it was just not what we wanted" Then I asked what was wrong and she said she wanted something more heavy frostingwise. Well I said from the start that I use a light Swiss Buttercream. Then she said well it was yummy and I am going to go eat the left overs right now--Whatever!
So I am just have anxiety over new clients!
I agree with oolala. If you don't hear anything that is a good thing. I rarely hear back from my customers, but I keep getting return orders so that must be a good thing.
So now my question is, do you think they expect us to call and ask if everything tasted good? Am I doing things wrong by not leaving it open by telling them to let me know what they think?
I wouldn't expect a call from the baker. Especially if my order wasn't very large. I also wouldn't think to call myself--I'd figure that if this person was in the business of sellng food he/she must be pretty confident in his/her abilities to do a good job. If it's a new client, a quick call just to check in might be nice, but not necessary at all.
Oh I check with all my clients. I think it is a part of good customer servive. When I worked in reatil we would send out personal thank you cards also.
So I did hear back from her and still not satisfied. I guess I am a exclamation mark kinda of gal!
Here is what she wrote
Sorry about that. I have been busy trying to catch up on some work. The cake went over greatshe loved it.
Thanks again for all your work especially given such short notice.
I consider a lot of things I do custom so I try to treat every order very special!
So you're just calling to make sure they were happy? The only time I ever call a customer after the cake has been eaten is if it was a wedding and they haven't returned my stress-free rings or plywood base. Sometimes I get an unprompted thank you note or e-mail, but mostly I don't hear from them until I run into them later and they start raving about the cake, or I get a call from one of their friends saying so-and-so had recommended they call me to order a cake.
i wouldnt worry. i never get calls back but do get repeat orders
i usually send out emails to my customers on *specials* i'm having and usually get a couple responses back.
like others have said, no news is good news!
So you're just calling to make sure they were happy? The only time I ever call a customer after the cake has been eaten is if it was a wedding and they haven't returned my stress-free rings or plywood base. Sometimes I get an unprompted thank you note or e-mail, but mostly I don't hear from them until I run into them later and they start raving about the cake, or I get a call from one of their friends saying so-and-so had recommended they call me to order a cake.
Yes I call almost all my new clients! Something that was taught in retail I guess. We used to call and thank people and write them cards and such.
I guess I am the only one that does this!!
It just was a not very enthusiastic email???
moydear77 : I really would not worry about it in the least especially in light of your beautiful cakes! The majority, well at least 99% of the people I deal with do not have a clue about "custom products" the love, care and hours of work that goes into a our creations.
Today's society is so instant. Instant coffee, fast food, Email instead of snailmail, and a majority of people don't even cook because they microwave, you don't even have to leave your home to shop just do it by internet, drive up drug stores, drive up by banks. I just got my brand new grandbaby's picture born yesterday. (We are thousands of miles apart cuz they are stationed in Hawaii), anyway I did not have to wait for development of film or the USPS to get the pictures. Jeez, people don't hardly even read, especially newspapers, cuz they can get the instant sound bite from CNN as it happens. So in reality, I believe the general population is clueless.
Look at the fact she Emailed instead of picking up the telephone to give you feedback. Instantaneous!
**BTW, I send out thank you's also. They work like a charm in building business especially when a client shells out bucco bucks. 
RELAX!!! Not everyone uses punctuation in their email. I'm sure if they didn't like the cake they would have said so!
I think it's fine to send a little card or email thanking a customer for their business, I agree that it's good customer service. But you can not expect a reply back or be offended if you don't get one- some people are either too busy, private, shy, or just don't care- but don't take it personally! You know you do good work- be satisfied with that and move on to the next customer!
Amber
Ok Ok I get it!! I guess I am just grasping at what Tiptop57 described perfectly!
I know I can make a beautiful cake, I guess I just think on the otherside. We spend so many hours on these cakes and one would think that a thankyou or a simple call would be nice. I have had many clients call me out of the blue before I even get a chance to call them to tell me how great it was. I guess when I don't hear from someone it gets the gears going. So I have the latter of the two--More people that call to say something!
The one person that has ever said boo to me was not even going to call me. I happened upon her and she started with the story I gave you above. So no not everyone is willing to take the time to complain.
I am very confident in my work. By doing customer follow up is a part of customer service in my view. I receved a call thanking me for shopping at Nordstrom--I bought a shirt that was $20.00.
I guess that I am expecting too much in the rush rush society that we live in!
I send the thank you cards hand written and some times it is over a month before I can get them out because of how many orders I have had. Not large orders, pidly $10.00 orders. But I do it for good customer service.
I think it is good that you are calling. I know if I had more time I would try to call all of my clients, but time just doesn't permit. I think it is wonderful that you take that extra step to make sure everything was good. I would be scared of that because I have known to many complainers in my life. They seem to find something to complain about, just to complain. Anyway, good for you for going that extra step!
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