I specialise in cupcakes but have been asked to do a complex cake that is a merry go round with horses. I feel its beyond my skill. Has anyone had to say they cant do a cake idea that someone has suggested and how to you politely say that you cant do what they are asking and perhaps suggest something else. Ive never had to say I cant do something but I really dont think ill be able to replicate this cake! [/list]

I would tell the customer that you specialize in cupcakes and that can work with the merry-go-round/carousel theme - maybe you can do cc's with carousel horses on them and tie ribbons from them to a dowel attached to the center of a thick round cake board - I kind of played with a pciture in word, please know this is a quick rough example of what you might be able to do...

Good luck!

I recently had a lady order a cake for her husband's birthday that I felt was beyond my skill level. It was to include a fondant figure of him and I had never done any modelling before (that sounds kind of funny, now that I think of it). I told her that, but she really wanted me to try it out on her. She thought it was great and even tipped me!

I also had a wedding cupcake tower recently where they wanted them filled with bavarian cream, key lime, and strawberry. I told the caterer that I had never done them before, but would LOVE to try it. He had me make about 3 doz for a bridal shower for the same couple so they could try them out and they LOVED them all.

What I'm trying to say is to be honest with your customer. If you end up trying it out anyway, you will probably surprise yourself. I sure did! Besides, you have a ton of talented decorators on here that are always willing to help.

You know I actually turned down a bride about 2 months ago. She was extremely specific about what she wanted. It had to look exactly like fondant, but I had to use buttercreme.

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can make you happy."

She thanked me and left. I breathed a sign of relief. She was a bridezilla waiting to happen.

My skills are pretty good, but I can't make buttercreme look *exactly* like fondant. And she meant esactly.

I tell my clients, "I've never done that before, but it sounds like fun and I'm willing to try."

They typically give me a sideways look but they always decide to let me try it.

I'm honest, so they know they can't get too upset if it looks like garbage!

There's a maypole cake in the Martha Stewart Living website that you might be able to adapt to your client's needs.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/maypole-cake

Several times I've told potential clients that what they wanted was beyond my present skill. Some have gone with a suggestion of something else or similar and others have gone elsewhere. I have to be very honest because I don't need the stress of trying to learn something altogether new in a short time. It just isn't worth it to me. And most people don't think to inquire far enough in advance to make it feasible for me to try to tackle something very new and different for their cake. If I'm going to experiment I want it to be on my family/friends and not a client.

Don't short change yourself or your skills. There is always a way to do a cake in a way that is easier. Like, putting bought horses instead of making them on the cake. Or what ever you can do to bring it down to your skill level. Tell them you can do it but it will have to be a certain way do to your skill level.
On the other hand if this person sounds like a bridezilla type then Run run away!
Jen...

Wow thanks for all the replies and advice. Can anyone help me with wording to say to her that I dont think I can do the cake but am happy to do the other types of cakes we have discussed. Im just not sure how to say it without saying no outright??