Just got a call from a bride that starting by saying "XX gave me your name (a fellow decorator -- first red flag!!)", then "I was looking at your website and I noticed you have a $200 minimum . . . not sure how to order a wedding cake, etc. etc (more red flags!). So I start the usual questions, like how many servings does she need, etc. Then I ask her when is the wedding is and she says (like it's no big deal) October 3rd!!! THIS October 3rd??? Yes. I just laughed and told her I was booked and she sounded a little put out and then said that she had a backup plan anyway. (most likely a grocery store cake).
I mean seriously??? Ordering an occasional cake less that three weeks out is bad enough, but a wedding cake??? I'm already booking dates for a year from now!
Sometimes you just want to reach through the phone and smack these people upside the head!!
I totally understand! I had a bride that came to me 2 weeks before her wedding asking what I would charge for a "simple" all red 2-tiered cake with black fondant flowers at the base of both tiers. I was actually available and ended up doing the cake but not before getting a phone call saying that her car got repoed and she lost my information. 
Red Flag!!!!! She then said she still would like the cake and wanted to get my address to send me some more $. After that call I received another one 3 days before cake was due. They then asked if I could meet them at the farmer's market (they initially were to pick it up from my house) because they didn't know the area that well. 
Ugh! At that point I kindly reminded them what the balance was and since the balance was less than $100 I either need cash or money order. I was making sure not to give them a cake for almost free. In the end I will definitely NOT change the place where it will be picked up. VERY glad that cake is done.
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