I had a person picking up a cake today from my house. I usually deliver but she didn't want to pay the delivery fee. Anyhoo, we had settled on a time of 10am. I waited and waited until 10:45 but nobody had come to pick it up. I left messages but nobody picked up. I had to leave because my daughter had dance lessons so I left it on the porch with a note. They picked it up and left the payment.
How long should you wait for someone to pick up a cake? Was is wrong of me to leave it on my porch?
Ugh, I hate when that happens. After the 3rd time I sat waiting for someone to pick up a cake, I finally threw together a "Pick Up Direction Sheet" (with directions and tips for a safe cake pick up/delivery). It also clearly says on there, "For every 30 minutes you or your elected pick up person is late without warning, a $10 late fee will be added to the price of your cake." I also require pick up people to call or text me when they are on their way so that I can be aware of those early-risers too 
I think that's really helped because it scares the pick up person into coming on time or at least calling if they plan to be late. I hope that helps
If you have a payment policy of 50% down at time of order and 50% due two weeks before pick-up along with a written pick up policy (any wait longer than 30 minutes requires rescheduling); then the onus is on the customer.
If they don't pick up a cake that is completely paid for at the designated time, it's not a problem for you - it's their choice.
HTH
I thought I'd share this late pick-up policy for my niece's day care: For every minute you are late, they add $19 to your bill. I can guarantee you, NO one arrives late to pick up their child! I can't imagine doing this for cake, but wouldn't it be nice? I'd actually hope they were a bit late!
I have a store front and I actually have people ask me to stay open late for them so they can pick up the cake at their convience! (and I dont mean a couple of minutes...we close at 2 on Saturdays and I had a lady who wanted me to stay opened till 6!) Usually I am not there on Saturdays (out on deliveries) and that would mean paying my employees to stay late! (and no they don't want to pay for delivery fees)
So I dont know what to tell you about people who have a disregard for your time. I like this idea of making them pay a huge amount per minute they are late! haha!
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