Firstly I've learned a lot from reading all the forum posts on what to do and what not to do, in regards to everything about cakes and running a home business, but I've also noticed that some people (Bluehue in particular) are quite rude when comes to comments on other people's posts. Lollll - i thought setting me apart from others and calling me out on being rude was a sign of poor manners...i might be of slim build but hey, i have broad shoulders and can carry what you say - your perogative. I am an American who proudly calls Australia home, I'm married to an Australian and our kids are all Queenslanders. I've lived here for twelve years and will be here for the remainder of my days. But Blue to tell people to settle petal is rude and condescending,EXCUSE ME!!! Gather your facts petal before you make rash statements - not everyone in America understands the Aussie slang but I do, Pfffftttttt - obviously you dont because that is as far from Aussie Slang as you call it as one can get - it makes you sound very arrogant. Proud to be called arrogant - far better than being ignorant.That might not be your intention but that's how you sound. I get very protective when people start slamming America, yes they are having major problems at the moment but what country isn't not even Australia has escaped from the GFC, and to say its the lucky country we pay 3x the amount for fuel, power, groceries, rent, cars, everything. Oh for crying out loud - stop it - our wages are 3 times higher than America - so again - gather your facts please - before claiming things that aren't true.Yes we do get somethings like Medicare, and dental if you can't afford it. But when someone waits seven years to get cataracts removed or do their own dental surgery because you have to wait six weeks to get a tooth fixed that's not lucky thats cruel. Well petal - if more people stopped bludging off the Health system and paid into private health then the waiting lists wouldn't be so long - And coming from Queensland yourself Blue you would know how bad the Bruce Highway is. Hmmmmm, not sure where you gathered that incorrect fact from - but i wasn't born anywhere near Qld - Actually i am a Victorian born and breed - but WA is my home now - It's like a two lane death trap. Back roads in the states are in better condition than one of the major highways in Australia. So Australia does have the sun and the surf but to say its lucky is true but it doesn't share it luck with everyone. I'm sorry to hijack this post and I might get in trouble but I couldn't sit back and read anymore without saying something.Chat away - great to read your input - just gather your facts first - and yes indeed we Australians do live in a lucky country - gert by sea - and if one works hard -plans for the future - it doesn't mean life won't throw them a curve ball - but we do our best to prep for the future - we can cross any border freely - and accept 99.9% of those who wish to live in this sun blessed country - yes, many whinge and whine about the small stuff in life - pfffttttttt, good grief - i woke up this morning and i put two feet on the ground - many people weren't so fortunate.
And i am the first to throw my hand up in the air and yell that i do support the economy in the States - hells bells, the money i have poured into America by buying Caking suppkies is enough to support a small country - lollllllllllllllllllllll
To whoever mentioned crowded house - love thier music - brillante group/band - formed in melbourne Australia - but the Finn brothers were born across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand...giggle - but we like to call them half ours.
Kitchen calling - must dash
Bluehue
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To whoever mentioned crowded house - love thier music - brillante group/band - formed in melbourne Australia - but the Finn brothers were born across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand...giggle - but we like to call them half ours.
Bluehue
I know they're from NZ, but formed in Melbourne qualifies as an Australian band 
[
To whoever mentioned crowded house - love thier music - brillante group/band - formed in melbourne Australia - but the Finn brothers were born across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand...giggle - but we like to call them half ours.
Bluehue
I know they're from NZ, but formed in Melbourne qualifies as an Australian band
Lollllllll - so do we - 
Went to an open air Ampitheatre and saw them last time they were in Perth - we sang - we clapped - we cheered - we sang some more - then sang again - 4 encores later (due to all the cheering and clapping) we started singing again - lolllllllllll.
Wish you could have been there singing - clapping and cheering with all of us - you would have loved it.
Blue drifts off back to the kitchen singing....Something so strong... 
I saw them live in Boston once, but we also went to an in-store concert they played the day before to promote their album. It was in a little record store, there were terrible acoustics, no good sound system,and they still sounded amazing. If you can play a great set under those circumstances then you're the real deal.
I saw them live in Boston once, but we also went to an in-store concert they played the day before to promote their album. It was in a little record store, there were terrible acoustics, no good sound system,and they still sounded amazing.
If you can play a great set under those circumstances then you're the real deal.
Good god - yes
..they are unique aren't they... with their style of music.
Best thing about their concerts - they get everyone onto their feet and singing....
lolll - we really have adopted them as Aussies 
... 
Oh for crying out loud - stop it - our wages are 3 times higher than America - so again - gather your facts please - before claiming things that aren't true.
I recommend following your own advice. Median wages in Australia are 30-40% higher than the US, while the cost of living is 60-70% higher.
Oh for crying out loud - stop it - our wages are 3 times higher than America - so again - gather your facts please - before claiming things that aren't true.
I recommend following your own advice Median wages in Australia are 30-40% higher than the US, while the cost of living is 60-70% higher.
Blue howls laughing -
Good grief - i never realised you were up to speed on the Middle Income of Australians.
Next time you google something about another country Jas - do it the right way - and not just .com 
And please remember to factor in what parties are ruling what States & Territories before you start telling me to get my facts straight.
%'s - pftttt - Jas don't go there - for you have no clue as to what you are typing about.
The so called information you posted above - was that for my state economy or for Jalex's. ...oh no, thats right - you goggled and got it of a .com web site.
The economy in her state is far different to the economy in my state.......... i'll give you the nod. But then you know that don't you Jason - because you are up to speed on all our %'s and middle income - no matter where we live - spare me.
Whee do you find the time Jason to be a Caker - Baker and world economist ..................... shrug.
Oh this is such a time waster - what the hell am i bothering to respond for
Utter BS thats what it is - talking about my politics with you....
Lolll like you would REALLY know.
Blue slaps forehead and walks away.........
well said.Blue
heh heh...and yes, I know exactly what the lyrics are for that song. 
Had prob with check also, took check for payment....$450 didnt know they put a stop payment on it untill 30 days later when my bank sent itback to me in the mail. By then it was to late, couldnt get them to pay so then went to court & won it. And you know what......i never got my money...
judge said she cant make them pay, but i can file a judgment.
So sign says checks for depoist only..... all orders must be paid at pick-up
We work to hard for our money, in what aver wo do.
Good grief - i never realised you were up to speed on the Middle Income of Australians.
Actually those numbers were provided from a source found by Addictive_desserts, we were having an interesting (and respectful) discussion via private messages on this topic.
The main takeaway from this side discussion is that generalizing across an entire country is counterproductive and tells you nothing about the relative pricing structure or the state of the economy in localized areas.
Had prob with check also, took check for payment....$450 didnt know they put a stop payment on it untill 30 days later when my bank sent itback to me in the mail.
How long after you received the check did you deposit it? From the time of deposit it shouldn't take more than 10 days to clear, after which you can't stop payment.
By then it was to late, couldnt get them to pay so then went to court & won it. And you know what......i never got my money...
judge said she cant make them pay, but i can file a judgment.
I recommend hiring a collection agency. They will take a cut of the payment but you'll have a better chance of getting at least some of your money.
Well I sent a message to her directly and was about to call her when she responded back. Here's most of what I sent:
I sent you a message on July 9th stating the balance due on your wedding cake. Payment has not been received and the date is now just 2 weeks away. Unfortunately, if payment is not received by the end of day Sunday your order will be cancelled. Deposit is non-refundable and order will be null and void. At this time checks will no longer be accepted. I'm sorry it has come to this but I will not start production and deliver cakes that are not paid for.
She responded:
Actually I was just sitting down to notify everyone that remaining balances were sent out today. Yours is check # 1158 for the amount of $185.00. I hope you receive it in time. I just spoke to heather at the legion and she has our reception starting at 3:15 and said that everyone can make their deliveries anytime after 9am on the 25th.
For what it's worth, my bank doesn't consider this to be a "payment on time". Nor does any business that I have to deal with. This bride is sliding along hoping that she can pay for things after the fact. So please read the other recent thread, the one about the cake that got et with a stopped cheque, and don't feel bad.
I have seen many businesses add a box that you have to check off to positively state that you accept the terms of sale, BEFORE you can make an online purchase. I think this should be added to all written cake contracts, with a separate place for the customer to actually sign, to make sure that they don't then slide along with late payments like this one.
Good grief - i never realised you were up to speed on the Middle Income of Australians.
Actually those numbers were provided from a source found by Addictive_desserts, we were having an interesting (and respectful) *ouch*.....Lolllll
lolllllllll I am sure AD is thrilled that you announced that - i thought a PM was meant to be just that - a private message
discussion via private messages on this topic.
The main takeaway from this side discussion is that generalizing across an entire country is counterproductive and tells you nothing about the relative pricing structure or the state of the economy in localized areas.
Yes Jas - i know that - i just thought you didn't because of this comment you wrote - recommend following your own advice. Median wages in Australia are 30-40% higher than the US, while the cost of living is 60-70% higher
Anyhoooo - life goes on
Bluehue.
I personally am holding Australia in complete contempt for the Wiggles. My kid has discovered them and freakin LOVES them - like full-io happy dance giggling smiles when that crap comes on the TV. She actually cried - CRIED - when I tried to change the channel yesterday.
So yeah, thanks for shipping those tools over here.
Mash potato mash potato
<sticks tongue out at Blue>
I was playing fruit salad...yummy yummy the other day to annoy my 13-yr old daughter. She got a microphone and can talk to her friends while they're online now, so me being able to play things like that in the background adds an entirely new dimension of parental humiliation to her life.
Sometimes it is embarrassing to be associated with Australians
Without wanting to FURTHER the Aust/America debate..... but.... 2 pieces of BAD news for you
1. Its ... HOT potato - HOT potato OR mashed BANANA - mashed BANANA
and...... maybe good news for you??
2. Most of the Wiggles announced their retirement - only the blue Wiggle (Anthony) will remain
AND
they have their first FEMALE Wiggle
SO...... how did I do in steering this OFF TOPIC? haha
Hey, after 22 years of hot potatoes and cold spaghetti, I think they deserve to retire. Good on them!
To think four grown men made millions out of singing for kids, I'd give them a hats off! Well done!
FromScratch -
Aweeeee what, you mean you have never taken your child to see them live when they tour the World - shame on you FS - shame on you.........
I would wear a blue skivvy if it made me 15 million dollars a year.
Oooooooo - just had a thought - perhaps i could grab some DVD's and shoot them off to you for your little HOT potato just incase the show finishes on tv....yes? .............. lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
costumeczar
Oh yes, the joys of being a parent to a teenager -- got to love that part of parenthood
Bluehue
I just have to say that when I started this post I never could have imagined it going from online banking to talk of the Wiggles....lmao!
I will clear a few things up that may have been of curiosity.
The deposit was under $100.00 because it was a small cake. The balance owed was just under $200.00. I really don't know what her issue was other then not wanting to pay. I did try calling but no one answered. (as I figured would happen) that is when I sent the message. It did seem strange that she 'had a check in the mail that same day' for me. Bull. As for PayPal, I do offer it but not used in this case.
Another quick example of some wanting it for free... I had a meeting with a couple for a tasting and then completely ordering what they wanted. It was a $500.00 cake. They paid for the tasting, thankfully. Prior to the meeting the bride sent me an email and asked what all she needed for the meeting. I replied the usual, color samples if possible to match, flowers wanted, plus I let her know she would need a deposit to secure her date on my schedule. At the end of the meeting and when they got the total they were happy. However, I mentioned a deposit and they weren't ready to give one. Hello?? Did you not read my message when I said you need to give one?? They told me it would be a month until they were ready. They had 'just changed jobs and didn't have the money.' Load of crap cause I see them on Facebook and know they haven't changed jobs. Don't lie to me!! I told them I can't secure the order. If another one comes for that day I will take theirs first. She's in pencil, not pen. I told her that and she wasn't happy. Oh well. Go to a grocery store then!!
20 Years? World Tours? Millions of Dollars? I had no idea. I never heard of them literally until these past few weeks. Thankfully my kid is only a year and a half so most of this kid stuff is totally new to us. But I THOUGHT those dudes looked OLD!
Jen, I think your people didn't have the money when all's said and done. So you got $100 and they get to buy Costco sheet cakes. At least some of your time was paid for!
I'm sorry for contributing to the weird off-topic place this thread has gone, but I have to stand up for The Wiggles. I love them. Having spent the last 20 years raising children, (my oldest just turned 20, my youngest just turned 4 ) I've heard every annoying children's song, watched every TV show, and believe me, I should know. The Wiggles treat kids with dignity, and their songs are catchy. Also, they go out of their way to accommodate disabled children at their concerts. They remind me a little bit of Mister Rogers, in the way that they don't talk down to children.
So yeah.. cake.. bride..
That second cake does look pretty terrible, not the worst I've seen but it's clear that the cake was not a high priority for her.
I'm curious, how did you get that picture?
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