I got a order from some samples id taken to a business. id never met this woman she'd contacted me via email and phone calls. id sent confirmation emails. she had wanted to pay ahead of time. But we keep missing each other. i was at work or she was busy. so i never go her cc information i told her she could pay with a cc when i got there or with cash. that for such a small order i dont require a deposit. I went to drop off the cake and the person who was there decorating was under the impression that it had been paid for. Poor thing had a dear caught in the headlights look when i said no. I told her it was not a big deal the lady who placed the order could call and pay over the phone. ive never had an issue like that before. mostly people leave cash, or pay ahead of time. i was not sure what to do i by no means wanted to make the poor girl receiving the cupcakes feel bad. but i also didn't want to get screwed over.
for the future what should i have done? what would you have done?
AGet a paypal business account so that you can send the payee address to people. That way they can pay it at their convenience, or you can send them a paypal invoice if they don't have their own paypal account.
AAfter the second time of missing her, i would have asked her to mail a check. Takes 1 business day in my metro area. Only costs a few cents.
I second the Paypal idea, that works really well when you are having a hard time connecting with someone for payment. Never complete an order without having payment in advance.
Thank you so much i didn't know you could send invoices through paypal. I will from now on send an invoice when i confirm orders. Thank you so much. On that subject do you all require full payment or do you just require a deposit when sending an invoice?
is it rude to send a invoice the next day or should i wait until monday?
A
Original message sent by DisneyDreamer
Thank you so much i didn't know you could send invoices through paypal. I will from now on send an invoice when i confirm orders. Thank you so much. On that subject do you all require full payment or do you just require a deposit when sending an invoice?
is it rude to send a invoice the next day or should i wait until monday?
Since when is it rude to request payment?
I had a blahblah in my dishwasher repaired, somehow I doubt the repairwoman thought it was rude to send an invoice.......
Quote:
Since when is it rude to request payment?
I had a blahblah in my dishwasher repaired, somehow I doubt the repairwoman thought it was rude to send an invoice.......
SO TRUE SO TRUE!!!!!! this is what im bad at the money part. i don't want to make anyone feel bad at the cost of my business. thank you i needed that!
Quote:
Since when is it rude to request payment?
I had a blahblah in my dishwasher repaired, somehow I doubt the repairwoman thought it was rude to send an invoice.......
Oh totally, but somehow with cakes it seems different I don't know why. However, DD the longer you do it for I won't say it's easier but you get more used to it - apart from when you need to raise your prices and then your heart sinks right to the bottom again..........
Quote:
Oh totally, but somehow with cakes it seems different I don't know why. However, DD the longer you do it for I won't say it's easier but you get more used to it - apart from when you need to raise your prices and then your heart sinks right to the bottom again..........
Oh lord i dread the day i need to raise prices!!!!!!! as it is my family about faints when i tell them what I charge. Hey its vegan and a specialty so i don't think 2.50 a cupcake is bad!! But I hope your right and it gets easer or at lest i get better at dealing with it. :) the lady called and apologized i know she wouldn't screw me over buy im sure down the line someone would happily take advantage of that situation.
ASomehow with cakes it seems different. And raising prices makes your heart sink....oh my word, what?! Sounds like you are not cut out to be in business. Can't believe I just read that.
Quote:
Oh totally, but somehow with cakes it seems different I don't know why. However, DD the longer you do it for I won't say it's easier but you get more used to it - apart from when you need to raise your prices and then your heart sinks right to the bottom again..........
My heart soars when I raise my prices!
Quote:
Thank you so much i didn't know you could send invoices through paypal. I will from now on send an invoice when i confirm orders. Thank you so much. On that subject do you all require full payment or do you just require a deposit when sending an invoice?
is it rude to send a invoice the next day or should i wait until monday?
I would have sent it when i walked in the door from the delivery! You need to get over the idea that it's "rude" to ask for payment for goods and services that you provided. I'm not insulted when I go to the grocery store and they expect me to pay, or when I fill my tank and they expect me to pay. It's not rude, it's business. And yeah, your family will always be shocked at how much you charge no matter how much that is, so don't listen to them and raise your prices. Or stop giving away free stuff.
AThe only reason you think it's 'different' with cakes is because you're not confident in your abilities. If you've produced a good cake, if you know it meets the expectations and requirements of the customer, if you've figured all the costs that are involved into the price...not just the ingredients, then you should feel confident in charging what your cake is worth, and you shouldn't worry about a customers 'feelings' when it comes time to pay. Not everyone can afford a custom cake! It's not up to them to decide what you should charge, and they should pay on YOUR schedule not theirs! When you take yourself seriously as a business, people will take your business seriously.
Quote:
I would have sent it when i walked in the door from the delivery! You need to get over the idea that it's "rude" to ask for payment for goods and services that you provided. I'm not insulted when I go to the grocery store and they expect me to pay, or when I fill my tank and they expect me to pay. It's not rude, it's business. And yeah, your family will always be shocked at how much you charge no matter how much that is, so don't listen to them and raise your prices. Or stop giving away free stuff.
Quote:
I know I know!! This is the kick in the ass I needed!!! No more of this ****. From now on money before delivery! NO NO NO money before cake gets made one week prior to delivery!!!!! This time I got lucky she paid and even tipped me $25. But their wont be a next time! This was a lesson to learn and i am glad i learned it early on. I think the reason im always so scared about the money is im afraid they wont like what i made. Clearly that was not the issue they LOVED them. Im worth what i charge. I have donated and volunteered enough and this is business!!! Time to put my business girl panties on and woman up when it comes to business!!!!!
A
Original message sent by DisneyDreamer
Be very proud i just took an order and sent them right over a invoice and you know what they paid it right away what a concept you ladies were right it does work!!!!
Original message sent by DisneyDreamer
Be very proud i just took an order and sent them right over a invoice and you know what they paid it right away what a concept you ladies were right it does work!!!!
If you treat your business like a business then other people will too. If you treat it like an afterthought or a hobby then people will take advantage of you as far as they can.
If you have a smartphone you can also get a square account at squareup.com, or a paypal credit card account. Then you can take payments with the card reader they give you, or over the phone. Then the conversation would go "i don't have the payment, she didn't pay you?" "That's fine, would you like to give me a credit card to cover it, or should we call her to get the payment? I can take it over the phone right now." :twisted:
ADitto, I have both paypal and square for those clients who "don't use paypal" and "don't use checks". Oh you don't? That's okay, I also take debit and credit in person and over the phone :). I love square!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%