Please Help Me With Wording Re: Delivery

Business By cakesbycathy Updated 29 Jan 2014 , 8:36pm by as you wish

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cakesbycathy Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:06pm
post #1 of 38

I have a rare mid-week order.  I am supposed to deliver a small (6"round) and 6 cupcakes tomorrow evening  about 20 minutes away. Client needs hem for Wed, but I am not sure what time.

 

I am in Cleveland, OH.  The weather forecast is predicting wind chills to be MINUS 20-30 degrees.  My kids will not have school tomorrow.  Frankly I have no desire to go out in that kind of weather for anything, let alone deliver a cake.  How can I word a message to her that basically says this but still sounds professional?

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as you wish Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:31pm
post #2 of 38

AI'm not sure what it is you want to say. Do you want to do the delivery on Wednesday instead of tomorrow? Or do you not want to do the delivery at all? If you just want to change the time of delivery because of inclement weather, there is nothing unprofessional about saying so. But if you want to get out of delivering at all after you said that you would, there is no phrasing I know of that could make that come across as professional behaviour.

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IowaBaker Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:32pm
post #3 of 38

How about: "In light of the extreme winter weather expected on Tuesday, would Wednesday delivery work for you? If so, what time would work best?"

 

I'm sorry. We're having about the same temperatures here.

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kazita Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:41pm
post #4 of 38

AI agree that it would be exstreamly unprofessional to just not do the order, especially so close to the date that the order is due. ...I know its cold out I was just doing errands for the last hour and yes its suppose to be colder tomorrow but I feel your reputation could be hurt if you just cancel this order....I have to go out in it again tomorrow it sucks but we gotta do what we gotta do....

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Norasmom Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:44pm
post #5 of 38

Just explain your kids will be home from school and would it be possible to deliver on Wednesday.  If the customer says no, then you must comply, or you will hurt your business.

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cakesbycathy Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:46pm
post #6 of 38

As you wish -I just want to get out of delivering the cake tomorrow. 

 

Iowa baker - thanks! 

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cakesbycathy Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:53pm
post #7 of 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazita 

I agree that it would be exstreamly unprofessional to just not do the order, especially so close to the date that the order is due. ...I know its cold out I was just doing errands for the last hour and yes its suppose to be colder tomorrow but I feel your reputation could be hurt if you just cancel this order....I have to go out in it again tomorrow it sucks but we gotta do what we gotta do....

I will of course do the order.

But we're not talking about a small temperature drop here.  We're talking SEVERE cold.  Windchills that are 20-30 degrees BELOW zero.  Frankly, that's not safe for anyone to be out in.

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as you wish Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 6:57pm
post #8 of 38

AOkay, I understand! I think IowaBaker phrased it very well. :)

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kazita Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 7:02pm
post #9 of 38

AI agree I know its cold out...if I were you I would warm my car up and hopefully she wants it during daylight hours but probably not...I know its cold out I was just outside and have to go back out..its down right bitter but I just feel it would hurt your reputation if you back out of the order....just my 2 cents....sorry I know its cold...

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jazzy3190 Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 11:00pm
post #10 of 38

ATo be honest I think it's not right to tell a customer you will deliver and then end up not doing it I have no idea of how you would tell them that you don't want to do it, but hopefully the customer understands you good luck

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kazita Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 11:15pm
post #11 of 38

AI just had to go back out...it is really really cold so I do understand that you dont want to go out but I still think it will hurt your reputation as a baker if you dont...bundle up and try to stay warm....

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cakealicious7 Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 11:18pm
post #12 of 38

A

Original message sent by kazita

I just had to go back out...it is really really cold so I do understand that you dont want to go out but I still think it will hurt your reputation as a baker if you dont...bundle up and try to stay warm....

Can't you just sit your butt indoors??

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-K8memphis Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 11:18pm
post #13 of 38

i would not deliver a dumb cake in 20 below zero weather --just my two cents --the coldest i've ever been out driving in is thirty-five below or was it -40  and i think  15-20 below would be my line in the snow/sand/ice/cold--

 

and i'd happily take a ding on my reputation to avoid that mess--

 

i don't know--i really feel conflicted though--20 below is too freaking cold to drive--who wouldn't understand that? and who cares if they don't :lol: 

 

my husband would take me though--gawd what a b---- of a delivery agh! and such a tiny order! 

 

for once i'm glad i'm retired--hahahaha

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kazita Posted 27 Jan 2014 , 11:42pm
post #14 of 38

A

Original message sent by cakealicious7

Can't you just sit your butt indoors??

Lol im in now for the night

I know k8 its a small order...idk im torn too ....I do know its darn cold out

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cakesbycathy Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:09am
post #15 of 38

You know, it's not like I've decided I just don't feel like going out to deliver the cake. I'm not trying to get out of it because I'm lazy or because I don't like the cold.  If it were any other day/order I would deliver and be done.  We're talking about the weatherman saying that being outside for longer than 5 minutes can cause serious frostbite.  I guess I don't consider it unprofessional to be worried about my safety during a delivery.  Apparently some of you feel like there should be no exceptions?

 

At any rate, I messaged the client and asked if she was open to delivery on Wed but she said they want to eat the cake at midnight to celebrate their daughter's 1st birthday.  They have offered to come pick it up.  My husband thinks I should let them and refund the delivery fee.

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as you wish Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:11am
post #16 of 38

AIf the customer doesn't even need the cake until Wednesday I would think they would be alright with it being delivered Wednesday morning; it's only reasonable, right? I don't even know if my car would start when it is that cold! Edit-apparently I was typing at the same time as the OP! They want to come get it? Hooray! Problem solved!

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-K8memphis Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:14am
post #17 of 38

oh yes! great news! they wanna come get it --hurray

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-K8memphis Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:16am
post #18 of 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakesbycathy 
 

...she said they want to eat the cake at midnight to celebrate their daughter's 1st birthday.  

 

and...this is a little weird to me...idk

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kazita Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:17am
post #19 of 38

AOh there you go let them pick it up...I wasn't saying to stand out in the cold if thats what it sounded like...but now their willing to come get it problem solved. ..

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as you wish Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:25am
post #20 of 38

A

Original message sent by -K8memphis

and...this is a little weird to me...idk

Yeah, that is odd. It takes all kinds though, right?

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kazita Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:26am
post #21 of 38

AWho feeds their 1 year old cake that late at night?? I guess takes all kinds...

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BeesKnees578 Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 2:06am
post #22 of 38

That's good that they will come and get it....who the heck is celebrating a 1 yr old's birthday at midnight????????  Kinda weird, but who am I to judge?  Could be a serious miracle baby and they are savoring every. single. moment.  And no one can blame them for that!

 

And totally refund the delivery fee.

 

On the other hand, I would establish an order minimum, if you haven't already.  I wouldn't have taken that one.  Hopefully you made a decent amount on it to make it worth your time.

 

Are you the Cathy from Strongsville (Creative Cakes by Cathy)?

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nancylee61 Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:07pm
post #23 of 38

AI skied in 35 below zero without the wind chill a couple of times a year. Bundle up, bundle up your kids, make sure you have blankets in the car, and do what you agreed to do. What it the ER doctors decided to not come in because it was cold? I'm a little confused that you would cancel because it's cold? It's a business. You should deliver that cake. I would be very upset if you did that to me.

Now if it was freezing rain and really dangerous, that is different. But not because it's cold. Nancy

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nancylee61 Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 12:13pm
post #24 of 38

ASorry, I see they agreed to come get it.

I still stand by what I said. I realize I live in a place where it's regularly cold, but ignore the hysterical weatherman. You are delivering a cake not standing on a bus stop. Lots of people have to go to work, and they don't even have a car.

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cakesbycathy Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 2:17pm
post #25 of 38

Bees Knees, I am that Cathy.

 

Nancy - I think your comparison is a little ridiculous.  We're talking about cake, not saving lives.

They live in an apartment which means it may not be as simple as walking from my car to their door.

 

I do have a minimum order requirement and she met it. 

 

As far as eating it at midnight...maybe that's a cultural thing?  She had a very heavy Middle Eastern? maybe Indian?  accent.  So much so that I could barely understand her and all our communication has been through messages or I would have had to turn down the order because I couldn't figure out half of what she said in her initial voicemail.

I took her up on her offer to pick it up and then learned she planned to bring the baby with her :(.  I'm not going to be responsible (or feel responsible) if gosh forbid that kid gets sick or something so my husband has offered to do the delivery for me.

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-K8memphis Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 2:29pm
post #26 of 38

i think op made a good responsible decision in creating a more acceptable way for her client to get their birthday order--

 

from yesterday's 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/weather/blog/index.ssf/2014/01/arctic_front_brings_strong_win.html

 

Quote:

 

A strong cold front is moving in and temperatures are dropping quickly. It was 26 degrees at 4 a.m., but the National Weather Service is predicting it will be 8 degrees by 5 p.m. Weather concerns have resulted in delays and closings of area schools and other organizations. Go here to see a complete list from WKYC Channel 3. Cleveland City Schools are closed today, and the University of Akron already has canceled classes for today and Tuesday.

 

The front is causing very high winds, with sustained speeds of 45 mph and gusts up to 55 mph overnight. The Weather Service is warning that wind and snow could create blizzardlike conditions, creating very dangerous conditions for commuters. Downed power lines and accidents had closed sections of I-90 and I-271 early this morning. Drivers also are cautioned to be alert for blowing and drifting snow. Also, Cleveland residents were being asked to limit travel as crews continue to clear snow from city streets.

 

extreme weather conditions are not for everyone and cleveland authorities agree--didja see that chick's car fly off the bridge in minnesota somewhere this month--

 


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nancylee61 Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 4:06pm
post #27 of 38

AProbably because I am new, and looking for customers, not an established business, but if I said the cake would be delivered, it would be delivered. I know this is a small order to busy, established bakers, but the cold, in my humble, upstate NY opinion, is no reason to bail on a customer. If I worried about the cold, I would never leave the house!!

Example of a baker who made me unhappy. Very busy local baker made my daughter's Sweet Sixteen cake for about $150 to $200, I can't remember. Lovely cake, but she rushed the order. The filling was warm. How do I know? When I drove over a tiny bump, the entire top layer slid off and cracked. I put it together best as I could, and served it. We laughed, what can you do? But when I went to tell her the next week, and let her know I know the filling was still warm because I felt it when repairing the cake, she wouldn't come out to talk to me. She refused. I didn't want my money back, I just wanted to ask her to maybe pay more attention?

And I have owned other businesses and truly believed the maxim that if you make a customer happy, she will tell 3 people. If you make her unhappy, she will tell 300. :D I teach in the area, and have told hundreds of people in my area this story, but she is so successful, she makes about 10 wedding cakes every summer weekend. So I guess maybe people don't really care how you treat other customers. She also really has no competition in our resort town at all. That may now change.:)

Just my humble opinion.

Nancy

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-K8memphis Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 4:11pm
post #28 of 38

op did not bail on the client

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IowaBaker Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 4:33pm
post #29 of 38

Maybe the cake at midnight thing is a family tradition because the baby was born at midnight? I have a very silly friend whose husband would sing to her if they happened to be looking at a clock at her "birthday minute". Any day of the year. Yes, up to 365 times a year. :duh::cake::party:

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cakesbycathy Posted 28 Jan 2014 , 5:19pm
post #30 of 38

Nancylee, if you had read my last post in its entirety you would see that I did NOT bail on the customer.  I completed the order and it is going to be delivered.

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