OK, so I had a very last minute bride. She emails yesterday for a wedding cake on April 18th, I went ahead and took order and told her that her cake had to be paid in full when we meet, which is Wed April 1st...this is 18 days before her wedding! She emails me back and this is what it says...
"I hate to be a pain, but I talked the cake info over with my fiance and well, he isnt to big on the idea of paying up front. He is more of a put down a deposit for supplies and them give the rest when the job is done kinda thing. SO, with that being said..I thank you for your time, and do wished we could of used your services, but we will not be able to continue to do so. Thank you so much, and you do an amazing job 
"
What do you say to this?
I agree with dkelly. Wish them luck finding someone to do it that close to the date without paying for it in full (most places I know of ask for the amount to be fully paid two weeks before the event)
It may be a blessing ~ who knows ~ maybe they would have given you a hard time about paying at delivery!
Unfortunately, we can't win them all...and like someone said, sometimes that can be a good thing. You don't want a customer who is unwilling to follow your policies.
Maybe she was going to flake or last minute decide, "I didn't really like the cake so I shouldn't have to pay" situation. Don't worry atleast you didn't rush into the whole thing without money up front.
I think she should see this red flag for what it is .... a husband who has an idea of how things should be and "by god...!" that's how it's going to be. This won't apply JUST to deposits.
I knew a lady who didn't want to put down a deposit on an apartment because she thought it was "stupid" to do so. We kept telling her "good luck finding an apartment, then!"
Your short, sweet response was appropriate.
I bet she'll regret turning you down because she probably won't be able to find anyone to do it in such short notice. Your response was great though.
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