Friend Of A Friend...fallen Off The Earth
Decorating By shelbur10 Updated 12 May 2009 , 7:50pm by cheesecakes-galore
Okay, I have one of those friend of a friend wants a cake kind of situations. This girl called me on my sister's recommendation and got all excited about a cake she wants in a few weeks. We spoke on the phone & emailed back and forth a few times, now she's fallen off the earth. The problem is I don't know if she wants the cake!
I emailed her a sketch with some ideas last Saturday, then emailed again on Thursday that I hoped she liked it and looked forward to hearing from her. Still nothing. However, her last email to me said she really wanted me to do it (before the sketch). So is she thinking I'm going to do it or what? I don't want to call, really, cause then it feels like I'm chasing her down. If she decided she doesn't want it, that's totally cool with me. But, my worst fear is that she's expecting that I make it and the day before the party, she's going to call looking for it. What to do? The ball's in her court now, should I just leave it there?
I would send her an emial saying she needs to contact you by a certain date and time to verify she still wants the cake or you wont be able to do it. Then the ball is really in her court.
Definitely call her; like blondeez said, she might be having computer problems.
Oh well, at least I know she definitely wants it now.
Those little red flags in my head started waving when I read this. Get payment in advance or at least a hefty retainer.
I never take money in advance; unless it's a wedding cake.
For most birthday cakes, anniversary cakes--smaller cakes, I do not get payment in advance. Weddings and sculpted cakes--I do.
Here is my non-payment story: A chef that I have worked with for quite awhile (you may remember me talking about him taking credit for the cakes he ordered from me) ordered 2 dozen cookies from me for April 3rd. Stressed that he needed them April 3rd.
Delivered them on April 3rd to the store where we both occasionally teach classes. No money for the cookies and since he orders from me all the time, no problem...I catch up with him the next day. Called him and he said he would leave the check for me at the store on Sat. Saturday, no check--called him. He said that he put check on my bulletiin board and maybe it fell off and behind some stuff on the floor. Nope!
Said he would check on Monday but right then, he was catering a job. Finally caught up with him on Monday and he paid with check...not a big amount, only $48.00. Deposited it on Tuesday with the rest of weekend checks. Check came back "account closed". Called his bank and that account had been closed quite awhile (Took me almost a month to get notification from bank). Called him again and for 3 three days, he kept saying he would leave money at store. Even went to store to collect it from him and he didn't have the cash. Told him it was on a closed account and he faked knowing anything about a closed account. Finally got money yesterday--over a month since he wrote the check. NO MORE ORDERS FOR HIM!
Mac, that's called FRAUD!! He's lucky you were nice and didn't involve the police (at least a lawyer)!
I don't get a deposit on small cakes, but on large orders over $100.00 (sometimes on smaller ones too), I get a deposit of 50%.
I get deposits for wedding or big celebration orders.
If it's a bday cake or anything under $100, I tell them I will get payment in cash upon delivery. If I show up and they don't have the money, then they don't get the cake.
I delivered a cake to a restaurant a few weeks ago. Girl was having her bday party, said it started at 7pm. I got there at 7:15, and walk into the party room. EMPTY...nobody was there. I got a little freaked out for a minute. So I went outside, called my roommate to get girl's number off the fridge(I left my phone at home). Call her, goes straight to voicemail. So I tell Dh that I'm gonna go sit in the party room til someone comes. If they don't have the money, I'll be bringing the cake back home with us. Luckily, I went back in and there were 2 men in there this time waiting to pay me.
I just don't want to run around meeting up for deposits for celebration cakes. Obviously, I will be mad when it bites me in the butt, but my family loves cake, so I won't be too upset b/c at least I can still put it in my portfolio!
On small orders I don't get payment up front. But on all orders $50 and up I do require a deposit, just to ensure they are seriously wanting to get it. I figure if they aren't going to pay for a small $30 cake, we will have fun eating it! And as pipe-dreams said, another pic for the portfolio!
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