I sent her a contract email as well as a message to give the full amount today by 5pm, but she still hasn't even though she has seen the message.
At that point, the order is cancelled. You are going well beyond what most would. She can message you at 0 dark thirty about an order, but can't respond to you during walking hours? Nope.
Honestly, after the first email exchange at 3am I would ran far, far away from this person. That was completely rude of her. Even if she saw that you looked at the email, to then send another email trying to get you to respond is just wrong. But everyone had great advice for you. Plus, I don't want to be a debbie downer here but do not be surprised if this bride is unhappy with what you provide. From all the back and forth and changes she has made it just throws up a red flag for me that she isn't going to be happy with anything regardless of how wonderful it is.
For sure I would have replied after the first messages, the following day, saying something like 'sorry that I have taken longer than you would have like for me to respond to your message but I conduct business during the hours of 9-5:30 M-F and 10-3 Sat so any messages received outside of these hours will be responded to the following business day, I apologise if this inconveniences you', it's polite but to the point.
Once you start pandering to people messaging in the middle of the night they know they can stuff you round unfortunately. If she hasn't paid the balance I would refund the deposit and again apologetically inform her that you do not have the time to get her cake organised this close to the date.
I also agree it sounds like if that happens you will have dodged a bullet. I can just see her on the phone at 3am the eve of her wedding asking to make some more changes hah
Do not be concerned if she speaks rudely of you on social media. You know it is BS and so does everyone else who has ever tasted or seen your cakes. She deserves no consideration what so ever.
Quote by @bubs1stbirthday on 12 hours ago
For sure I would have replied after the first messages, the following day, saying something like 'sorry that I have taken longer than you would have like for me to respond to your message but I conduct business during the hours of 9-5:30 M-F and 10-3 Sat so any messages received outside of these hours will be responded to the following business day, I apologise if this inconveniences you', it's polite but to the point.
Once you start pandering to people messaging in the middle of the night they know they can stuff you round unfortunately. If she hasn't paid the balance I would refund the deposit and again apologetically inform her that you do not have the time to get her cake organised this close to the date.
I also agree it sounds like if that happens you will have dodged a bullet. I can just see her on the phone at 3am the eve of her wedding asking to make some more changes hah
thank you for the tip :) , I'll keep that in mind. For some reason I always get clients that are looking for something extravagant but not willing to pay the price. Like if you want a cheap cakes walmart and costco make great not delicious ones.
My dear, you need to develop more confidence in yourself. Don’t apologize for this brides bad behaviour. Why should you be sorry that she hasn’t kept to the agreement. Would a store stay open after closing hours so someone could come and pay for something, buy something?. No. Closing time is closing time. I wouldn’t even respond tonight. Don’t chase customers. She has missed the time you gave her. Tomorrow I would contact her and say, sorry, you missed the date for final full payment. I am returning your deposit and you will have to secure another decorator. Because you didn’t follow through, I’ve accepted a customer who has paid in full for this date. I am no longer available. She doesn’t have to know you you really don’t have a customer. You can’t worry if she will bad mouth you. People like her are bullies. She is probably all talk, and no action. For all you know, she could be fishing for another deal from some other unsuspecting decorator. Of course this is just my advice, I can’t tell you what to do. I’m sure I’m old enough to be your Mother. I don’t like you doubting your skills and talent. Nor being taken advantage of but a pushy customer.
Sorry I just saw this!
Your way of explaining makes me feel better, you're right a store would never do that. The thing is sometimes I take advice from my parents and they don't understand how someone can not pay the rest of the amount if they have already given the deposit. I'm pretty sure no one will accept her at this point, because no bride gives 15 days for a cake to a baker, and even if she does no one in my area would give it to her or accept it for this cheap. Which is why she probably has no choice to go with me, hence the reluctant deposit. Thank you for worrying about, ill try to be more confident in my skills :)
As for what ill do is yes message her tomorrow that if her full payment is not given I will return the deposit and have accepted someone else who has paid full. I just hope that it doesn't come to that.
Interested to see how this plays out today!
Quote by @GIGGLEBOX2014 on 10 hours ago
Interested to see how this plays out today!
Well here is an update for everyone and you :D
She messaged me at noon asking if I had started on the cake, so I asked her why she wanted to know. Before I could say that she should pay, she message herself that she would like to send the rest of the amount, so I said to send it immediately and to just wait for it let her know. She sent it within minutes (shockingly), an I confirmed it. I also got a call this morning for an interview at 11am tomorrow and I accepted thinking she would be declining. So now I have just barely enough time. I know its my fault for excepting as many of you guys said I shouldn't, this reason being one of it. Thank you for being so supportive, I had no idea I would be met with so many wonderful people, I thought that I had been wrong all along, but talking to everyone that gave me advice for more orders to come has helped me a lot. I will post an edit to the post and provide a picture of the wedding cake in a few days <3
Quote by @GIGGLEBOX2014 on 10 hours ago
Interested to see how this plays out today!
Well here is an update for everyone and you :D
She messaged me at noon asking if I had started on the cake, so I asked her why she wanted to know. Before I could say that she should pay, she message herself that she would like to send the rest of the amount, so I said to send it immediately and to just wait for it let her know. She sent it within minutes (shockingly), an I confirmed it. I also got a call this morning for an interview at 11am tomorrow and I accepted thinking she would be declining. So now I have just barely enough time. I know its my fault for excepting as many of you guys said I shouldn't, this reason being one of it. Thank you for being so supportive, I had no idea I would be met with so many wonderful people, I thought that I had been wrong all along, but talking to everyone that gave me advice for more orders to come has helped me a lot. I will post an edit to the post and provide a picture of the wedding cake in a few days <3
You can do it, HudaM! Own your decision and rock this thing! I am happy she paid you in full, so maybe your instincts were more accurate than ours after all! Can't wait to see you amazing cake!
YESS! UPDATE FOR ALL, SORRY FOR LATE REPLY!
Sent the cake out yesterday and although she did not come to pick it up for the time decided because she was busy as a bride, she did end up taking it through her friend. The cake was delivered safely, today evening I got a message from her that she loved the cake and the design and was very happy she ordered it from me. Thank GOD because I was so nervous. Her flavor was simple vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. AND so here is the final result :) the cut off bit says Mrs.
No way. I had a similar experience last December 31. I had spoken to the bride off and on for months. Had given her a quote on a $400 naked cake. She said OK to the quote but never responded to any of my messages telling her that I needed her to come in and pay her deposit. No deposit and you're not on my calendar. 10 days before the wedding she messages me and wants to know if she can add a grooms' cake to her order. She included this crazy haphazard drawing of 6 circles spaced about with Bible quotes all around. It made absolutely no sense to anyone in our shop. I told her that at this point that I needed full payment of her wedding cake and she needed to come in immediately and explain her drawing as we had no idea what she was wanting. She said that she'd send the $ immediately and would come in the next day. Guess what? No $, no responses. 4 days before the wedding is to take place, she messages me and wants to know when I will be arriving to deliver her cakes. :) I told her that she had never confirmed her orders and that maybe someone else can do it for her at this late date. It was New Year's Eve! She went off on me about how she'd never recommend me to anyone and how could I have done this to her so close to her wedding, yada, yada, yada. I told her that as I had before that no deposit means no cake. So then her fiance calls and blesses me out. I told him the same and he ranted for a bit till I hung up on him. I saw her wedding photos later and the poor girl was a looney tune. She had told me that they were getting married under a big beautiful tree in their churchyard ( in the dead of winter mind you),how her dress had this long train and her beautiful flowers. Well, her photos showed her getting married inside the church with very few flowers and one of the homliest dresses I've ever seen. I think the poor bride was living in a dream fantasy. I have no idea if she had a cake. No pics of one. So no....no deposit, no cake.
Exactly, people need to know that such a cake cannot be made in two days, and even if it could, no deposit means no cake. I'm glad she decided to change her serving to like 30-40 people, otherwise there was no way that for 4 day notice I would've made a 100 serving cake. and if she gave her deposit I would've gladly returned it back to her. As much as I feel bad for her simple wedding, I don't at the same time.
yes you did great for her -- it's a lovely bridal cake with all the right elements --
you kept your wits and held your breath and got it done -- well done you!
It is a beautiful cake! I am happy for you and the bride, who finally came to her senses at the last minute!
Quote by @-K8memphis on 5 hours ago
yes you did great for her -- it's a lovely bridal cake with all the right elements --
you kept your wits and held your breath and got it done -- well done you!
Thank you so much!!
Quote by @SandraSmiley on 5 hours ago
It is a beautiful cake! I am happy for you and the bride, who finally came to her senses at the last minute!
Yes me too haha, im very happy!
Quote by @jchuck on 6 hours ago
Lovely cake HudaM. Glad it all worked out. Valuable lessons for next time!!
Quote by @jchuck on 6 hours ago
Lovely cake HudaM. Glad it all worked out. Valuable lessons for next time!!
Thank you so much :) and yes, definitely a valuable lesson, I will keep all your advice in mind.
The cake is lovely and I'm so glad that this worked out for you--and the bride.
Hope all of the advice here helps with the future--written contract, dates for payments and cancellation, and firmness with clients.
You are driving the bus once you take the order. The client can request route changes--for which there may be additional charges--but you are the one who will get everyone to the destination. If the client disrupts the journey too much, you put on the brakes and decide whether to continue, or not. Don't let the client take the wheel!
Quote by @maybenot on 3 hours ago
The cake is lovely and I'm so glad that this worked out for you--and the bride.
Hope all of the advice here helps with the future--written contract, dates for payments and cancellation, and firmness with clients.
You are driving the bus once you take the order. The client can request route changes--for which there may be additional charges--but you are the one who will get everyone to the destination. If the client disrupts the journey too much, you put on the brakes and decide whether to continue, or not. Don't let the client take the wheel!
I will keep your advice in mind :) and thank you very much :')
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