indydebi

We actually had to make a checklist sheet to cover situations EXACTLY like that. IE- Look the client dead in the eye and explain that the stand is THEIR responsibilty, regardless of who returns it and that the person who does return the stand is the one who gets the deposit- so send someone you trust who's gonna give you your $100!

We've actually had to threaten to call the police and report stands stolen a few times! That was back in the day when we used to just take a credit card number for the stands. People would cancel the card before we could charge it when it didn't get returned. One time, after calling for days on a stand, then trying to charge the card only to find out it was cancelled, we finally drove over there (stand was rented the following week to a bride who's design was dependant on it and it could not be replaced in time). The man who answered the door said his mom had it in her car and she wasn't there blah blah blah. My husband told her "Ok. Well just so you know, we're going to report this stolen today so you might want to let her know."


The guys was like "Hold on." He goes inside for a minute and then comes out with car keys and low and behold, the cake stand is in the trunk of the car right there in the driveway. People are so ghetto.

[quote="indydebi"]

Amen!

Could those who run a cake decorating business make their customers sign a waiver/agreement? One that covers the contraindications of supplying their own stand ie; supplying own stand automatically voids warrenty type of thing! Maybe also include in the agreement a list of care/instructions that highlight the 'do's and donts' of looking after the cake post delivery. That way they are signing a type of contract that states they understand the terms and conditions prior to their purchase.

Chin up hun.. these situations are going to happen in business and by the sounds of things you handled yourself proffessionally Be proud of yourself and stand tall and understand that you have learnt from this situation and it will only help you out in the future.

Cathy, just wanted to drop off some (((hugs))) of encouragement for you...I know you must still be feeling awful

Thank you all for your replies.
No word from the bride but she's off on her honeymoon so who knows if I will hear something in a week or two (or later when her pictures come back from her photographer).

I am trying to get past that feeling of not wanting to do another cake for a while.

Wow Cathy - thanks for posting as there is a lot of good advice here. I havent been asked for a wedding cake yet, but shutter sometimes the thought. I believe that if and when I do, I will deliver and camp out somewhere in the room, maybe behind a plant and become a spy for my creation - LOL. So many things can happen in such a short time. Unless you have done cakes, the general person has no idea! They arent bumping into a solid structure - they are bumping into a fragile creation. (not saying this is what happened to your cake) I believe we could pour our hearts out, give them books, pictures, and it still wouldnt register. I only started doing cakes in March 2010 - no classes - self taught - and I can honestly say that I conduct myself totally different in a room where there is that awesome creation in the corner. Somewhere there is a lady or man that spent countless hours in mind and labor that deserves lots of credit.

Bless you Cathy - and please dont let this get you down.

I really think if they wanted a refund someone would have complained by now....the mother, or someone? I usually feel like "no news is good news"....