Ultimately this is your client.. your cake.. your decision.. Me, I agree with "don't do it".. It's a headache you don't need..but use this as a guideline to set priorities of what you expect from your future clients.. I would NOT give a cake without being paid in full first..

Lindsey, you've been given some very good advice from all the experienced bakers who have responded to your post. Please....listen to them. It will save you a ton of grief.

Obviously your inner voice has also been telling you that there is something wrong with this scenario. You wouldn't have taken the time to post if you didn't feel something is off.

Listen to your intuition and listen to your fellow CC'ers - they won't steer you wrong!

So, I sent her an e-mail basically telling her that I am unable to do her cake, and this was her reply:


"Ok, please send me the contract, and lets set up a time to meet and take care of the payment. I'm sorry if you are offended by me asking I've just never personally had to pay 100% up front for a food item, its normally a portion of the full payment, but if this is how you do it thats fine, I would just like to meet in person, instead of never meeting someone and just mailing them $200. When we meet is it possible to taste a sample of the white cake? or maybe 2 choices or what not?"

did she not check with other bakers? It's my understanding that it is common practice to get a deposit at the time of booking to secure the date and have the balance paid in full before the actual delivery date. She's just plain ignorant.

I still say NOOOOO, run awaaaaay! And samples? On an already deeply discounted order, two weeks before the wedding? Ummm, Costco or WallyWorld can help her now.

If you do take it, good luck - I (and DH agrees) have a feeling this won't be the last of the problems. If do accept a check, make sure it clears before delivery. We've all seen those stories!

I was reading it to my hubby and he said there would be no way he would want to work with a customer that was being like this.

So how does she pay for her groceries- give them a down payment and tell them she'll mail them the rest?? that is if she likes the groceries.

She sounds like a customer in my son's restaurant that told the server, " just leave me the menu honey, I probably won't like what I order so I'll just have to have you get me something else, but I won't pay for it if I don't like that either. I told my daughter that she needs to serve her and when she tells her to leave her the menu to show her the door.

If you let this person badger you in to making her cake, you are caving in to her. She won't be satisfied with 2 choices; it will be 'well, I'd rather have a purple people eater cake'. She sounds like a spoiled brat, used to getting her own way by brow beating a 'person that caters to her wishes'. Just email her back and say you are already booked for that date. YOU SNOOZE YOU LOOSE!

Colleen

She's asking for a sample of cake that she had the chance to taste before at the birthday party that your cake was being served at?

Why didn't she just taste it at the party? And if she hates cake anyhow, then why ask for the sample?

You could mention that the payment process for wedding cakes is the same everywhere else unless she goes with grocery store sheet cake. Then she'll be expected to pay when she picks it up. Normally, a portion of the final payment is due at the time of contract signing, which normally is months before the wedding. This is a deposit which holds the date. Then final payment is due two weeks before the date, as you stated was the norm in your area.

I would for sure mention (and this would be my policy) that since the order is a rush order by now anyways, samples won't be provided unless she wants to just buy a six inch from you (undecorated, remember she saw your work at the birthday party, you no longer have to prove or sell your skills. she's seen what you can do). However unless you have some left over cuppies from something you could bring that, but I would mention that they are left over from another order.

If I had been having this interaction with the bride, I would continue and do the cake for her as long as she pays you CASH when you meet. She did acknowledge that she insulted you and apologized for that. Now is your chance to be the bigger person, accept her apology and provide her with a great wedding cake.

Just wanted to mention that I checked out your pics and that bride has no clue how much of a deal she's getting for her money. She said $200 in the last email?

Here's a comparison, I paid around 400-450 for my wedding cake. Three tier hexagon, buttercream, no colors (weird bakery that refused to use artificial food dye in their cakes, so the only color they would do was chocolate or pink, using raspberry juice!), basic decorations. I paid extra for flowers from the florist to decorate the cake with. Tasted good, but I really wish I had paid the extra money to get a colorful cake because it did look quite plain.

It is NOT worth your time to try to meet this woman halfway. If you do this cake you'll have only yourself to blame when she (or her MIL) finds something wrong with it and demands a refund. Take this whole experience as a learning experience and tell her that you can't work with her. If you let her push you into doing the cake I guarantee that dealing with her isn't going to get any easier!

She may not be but she sounds flakey to me....
She knows you're legit, she seen a cake you provided at another function.

She doesn't like cake...
She wants samples

You tell her you'd like to meet...
She doesn't reply

You tell her you can't do it...
Now, she is okay with all of your policies

You could respond to her "never paid someone in advance..." comment with "I've never not gotten paid in advance..."

Ive had people exactly like this. DO NOT. I REPEAT, DO NOT CAVE! She is going to be the first person to contact you on either Sunday night or Monday morning and complain about not liking the cake or to try to get her money back from you or some other complaint. Just walk away. I know you probably are a lot like a lot of us and feel bad about doing that. I know I cant afford to deny orders but really, you will be saving yourself a lot of money and a big headache. I had a client pull this on me. He wanted a engagement cake for 200 for a Saturday (he called on Monday). I was happy to take the order and he kept complaining about the price and didnt want to pay for delivery (2 hours away by the way). Asked for a deposit and a contract. oh he signed the contract but I never got paid for the thing. He probably knew that I wouldnt bother taking him to court over it so thats why they pull this. I spent money that I didnt have to get the last minute ingredients and I got a kick in the butt for it!
People like this really should be a red flag. Really. Dont do it. There is a reason why she does not have a cake squared away and that her mother thinks its ok to not pay in full after the event. Their called deadbeats!

*sigh* So what do you do now? Did you mention something in your last email to her that prompted her apology?

Do you want to make the cake for her? Are you okay with taking a check from her?

What part of "I can't make your cake" do you think she doesn't get!!!!!!!! At this point the only email I would send her is a copy of the last one.
"I CAN"T MAKE YOUR CAKE!!!!!"

I agree with everyone...this is just a headache situation if you choose to do the cake for her. She'll find something wrong with the cake and contact you for a refund after it's over. You have a contract for a reason and she hasn't signed it. Since she did not sign YOUR contract, you are not obligated to do her cake. There were some great replies on here. Pick your favorite response from the CC members...send it...and find a new cake to do! If you're like me, you got into cake decorating because you found it "FUN". You're already stressed over dealing with the bride. It just may be one of those cakes that starts out bad because of the client and doesn't get any better. Cancel the order and be done with it!!

"I'm sorry, but as my previous email stated, I will be unable to do your cake. My policies regarding weddings are that contracts need to be signed and deposits made no less than 30 days in advance, with FINAL payment due 2 weeks prior to the event. That time frame has elapsed, and therefore the date is no longer available for your event. I had generously given you a much discounted price and allowed the contract date to slip significantly, but at this point my patience with this matter and your lack of professional respect has been thoroughly exhausted, and I will not be doing your cake. "

Perfectly stated Sagebrush!

Chasey- this was part of the e-mail that prompted her apology:

"Getting payment in advance is normal protocol for any bakery, not just because I am starting out. One of the reasons why we sign a contract is to protect you, not just me. By signing the contract I am promising to have your cake, decorated with your design, on your wedding date. At this point, I've done everything I can to accomodate your deadline and budget, but I cannot waiver on this... "

And I only feel comfortable taking a check from her if I receive it two weeks in advance.

My husband and I rented out our attached studio apartment for years. One thing I learned is that if applicants are difficult/demanding/flakey when we met with them to show them the room, you can multiply that difficult/demanding/flakey attitude X 10 or 20 if we rented to them. It's the same with cakes.

Dump her fast, she's already been too much trouble, and she's only going to get worse.

i totally agree with indideb and sagebrush-you have been accommidating and as much as you'd like to help someone out and work within their budget there is only so much you can do. if you do this and meet their/her demands she will not be happy at the end of the day and demand a full refund or cancel the check-i would only accept cash from her-does she not realize that you have to buy ingredients to make this cake. that or the MIL will say something is wrong-it's very fishy and there are always other cakes. the best thing about working for yourself is you can avoid these hassels and learn from others mistakes and experiences

Is there a chance that she is young, has little social ettiquette, and is just trying to go by the advice of what all the magazines, tv shows, and opinions of others (such as future MIL) say? Too bad she didn't get more info from the birthday party friend - maybe then she would have understood the pricing, etc... However, I agree with the others - she sounds like she is out to get something for nothing!

I love this! Hey-it's my business, you can play by MY rules, or you can go to Walmart if you don't like it! To the curb with her!