the center of this party that i planned last weekend, was supposed to be the cake. it needed to be specially made, with our dairy free cake mix, and then, i wanted a Simpsons theme. Maybe too much to ask? Maybe too much emphasis on something that could go wrong? i didn't think so, mainly because i was having someone do it that does this, on a regular basis, for BIG events, like weddings and the like.
i was willing to pay a lot for this cake, because i also knew that this was out of the ordinary, and that this person is extra talented. so, we'll just leave it at that. i was willing to pay for the time and effort that was going into making this cake very detailed and perfect.
well, as you know, things happen. like, the cake maker trips and destroys the cake the night before when delivering it to the decided on location. after this, things were a bit up in the air. my mom was hysterical, calling me at a party,where i really couldn't talk, because t was standing right there. i was calling the cake maker and after having her assure me that she could redo it, with the one box of cake mix that she had AND make it milk free....o.k.
people react to stress in different ways. i guess that in this instance...if this was me, i would have reacted with something between hysteria, knowing that someone was paying me insane amounts of money to deliver something up to my caliber, and well...more hysteria. i would have said, i could still get a cake done, however, it would be nowhere near as detailed as the first and really, wouldn't look much better than a turd compared to my other work. there was none of this, in this instance.
the cake was made, it was small...really small. and yes, the simpsons characters were cute, but nothing that i couldn't have done, had i had some time, fondant, and an exacto knife.
she charged me half price on the cake....do i think this was fair? i don't know. i had a hard time answering when she asked me what i thought of the cake. so, i really didn't know what to say to that? what would you say?
the cake
the center of this party that i planned last weekend, was supposed to be the cake. it needed to be specially made, with our dairy free cake mix, and then, i wanted a Simpsons theme. Maybe too much to ask? Maybe too much emphasis on something that could go wrong? i didn't think so, mainly because i was having someone do it that does this, on a regular basis, for BIG events, like weddings and the like.
i was willing to pay a lot for this cake, because i also knew that this was out of the ordinary, and that this person is extra talented. so, we'll just leave it at that. i was willing to pay for the time and effort that was going into making this cake very detailed and perfect.
well, as you know, things happen. like, the cake maker trips and destroys the cake the night before when delivering it to the decided on location. after this, things were a bit up in the air. my mom was hysterical, calling me at a party,where i really couldn't talk, because t was standing right there. i was calling the cake maker and after having her assure me that she could redo it, with the one box of cake mix that she had AND make it milk free....o.k.
people react to stress in different ways. i guess that in this instance...if this was me, i would have reacted with something between hysteria, knowing that someone was paying me insane amounts of money to deliver something up to my caliber, and well...more hysteria. i would have said, i could still get a cake done, however, it would be nowhere near as detailed as the first and really, wouldn't look much better than a turd compared to my other work. there was none of this, in this instance.
the cake was made, it was small...really small. and yes, the simpsons characters were cute, but nothing that i couldn't have done, had i had some time, fondant, and an exacto knife.
she charged me half price on the cake....do i think this was fair? i don't know. i had a hard time answering when she asked me what i thought of the cake. so, i really didn't know what to say to that? what would you say?
i was willing to pay a lot for this cake, because i also knew that this was out of the ordinary, and that this person is extra talented. so, we'll just leave it at that. i was willing to pay for the time and effort that was going into making this cake very detailed and perfect.
well, as you know, things happen. like, the cake maker trips and destroys the cake the night before when delivering it to the decided on location. after this, things were a bit up in the air. my mom was hysterical, calling me at a party,where i really couldn't talk, because t was standing right there. i was calling the cake maker and after having her assure me that she could redo it, with the one box of cake mix that she had AND make it milk free....o.k.
people react to stress in different ways. i guess that in this instance...if this was me, i would have reacted with something between hysteria, knowing that someone was paying me insane amounts of money to deliver something up to my caliber, and well...more hysteria. i would have said, i could still get a cake done, however, it would be nowhere near as detailed as the first and really, wouldn't look much better than a turd compared to my other work. there was none of this, in this instance.
the cake was made, it was small...really small. and yes, the simpsons characters were cute, but nothing that i couldn't have done, had i had some time, fondant, and an exacto knife.
she charged me half price on the cake....do i think this was fair? i don't know. i had a hard time answering when she asked me what i thought of the cake. so, i really didn't know what to say to that? what would you say?
5 comments:
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For you, this cake order was a big deal. It's a one time event. It's a lot of money to spend on a cake. A lot is riding on this cake. But, to the cake maker? Well, yes, they should care about each and every order. But, they have hundreds of orders to fulfill. You are one of many many clients. And sometimes, they forget just how freakin' important this order is to you.
Kind of like people in the Realty industry. I can't tell you how many Realtors, mortgage brokers and other people related to the industry talk to you like it's no big deal. When, um, excuse me, this is one of the most important decisions I'm making in my entire life. And this is, by far, the most money I'll ever spend. And don't talk about it like I'm trying to decide which gossip magazine to buy. Seriously. Don't.
So, I sorta get where you are coming from. -
September 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM
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i agree...although i'm a realtor...but the SAME thing happened when i bought a house. the lady at the model home acted like it wasn't a big deal, then on top of it, because she assumed i knew what i was doing, didn't ask questions of us.
this lady that made the cake, was unfortunately, or fortunately, not one of those people that doesn't see it as a big deal. from other people's reports, she is in a tizzy about it. i think she was afraid to set US off, so she was acting calm, when inside, she was in a shame spiral ;)
she only does a few cakes and has only recently started doing them for "hire". -
September 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
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How would i respond? Hard to know because i'm not in the same place. I imagine i would express some disappointment, but then assure her i know that accidents happen.
My parents had a big anniversary recently & because of the decision of my sisters i was stuck in the kitchen instead of spending time with guests, some of whom i had not seen in many, many years. I was miffed, i still am, but there is nothing i can do about it at this point.
I'm disappointed, but stuff happens. At least my parents enjoyed their party. Life happens. I'm sorry this didn't turn out like you desired. -
September 10, 2009 at 3:03 PM
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I would've said -- well it's not what i wanted. It's a nice cake, but for all the planning that went into it and the cake being a big deal, i'm not willing to pay half. Not to mention the stress of knowing the-day-before that there was really NO cake.
I would NOT have paid for the cake, or paid only the value of a store bought (cake mix and icing)
I hate being rude and i hate confrontation...but something like that would really piss me off.
If she were smart, she would've given it to you for free - it's her fault the cake took a tumble, and if she wants your repeat business...well then -- FREE CAKE! Or at least -- next one free ;) -
September 10, 2009 at 8:10 PM
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i confuse myself...did i contradict myself one sentence after another?
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September 10, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Posts
5 comments:
For you, this cake order was a big deal. It's a one time event. It's a lot of money to spend on a cake. A lot is riding on this cake. But, to the cake maker? Well, yes, they should care about each and every order. But, they have hundreds of orders to fulfill. You are one of many many clients. And sometimes, they forget just how freakin' important this order is to you.
Kind of like people in the Realty industry. I can't tell you how many Realtors, mortgage brokers and other people related to the industry talk to you like it's no big deal. When, um, excuse me, this is one of the most important decisions I'm making in my entire life. And this is, by far, the most money I'll ever spend. And don't talk about it like I'm trying to decide which gossip magazine to buy. Seriously. Don't.
So, I sorta get where you are coming from.
i agree...although i'm a realtor...but the SAME thing happened when i bought a house. the lady at the model home acted like it wasn't a big deal, then on top of it, because she assumed i knew what i was doing, didn't ask questions of us.
this lady that made the cake, was unfortunately, or fortunately, not one of those people that doesn't see it as a big deal. from other people's reports, she is in a tizzy about it. i think she was afraid to set US off, so she was acting calm, when inside, she was in a shame spiral ;)
she only does a few cakes and has only recently started doing them for "hire".
How would i respond? Hard to know because i'm not in the same place. I imagine i would express some disappointment, but then assure her i know that accidents happen.
My parents had a big anniversary recently & because of the decision of my sisters i was stuck in the kitchen instead of spending time with guests, some of whom i had not seen in many, many years. I was miffed, i still am, but there is nothing i can do about it at this point.
I'm disappointed, but stuff happens. At least my parents enjoyed their party. Life happens. I'm sorry this didn't turn out like you desired.
I would've said -- well it's not what i wanted. It's a nice cake, but for all the planning that went into it and the cake being a big deal, i'm not willing to pay half. Not to mention the stress of knowing the-day-before that there was really NO cake.
I would NOT have paid for the cake, or paid only the value of a store bought (cake mix and icing)
I hate being rude and i hate confrontation...but something like that would really piss me off.
If she were smart, she would've given it to you for free - it's her fault the cake took a tumble, and if she wants your repeat business...well then -- FREE CAKE! Or at least -- next one free ;)
i confuse myself...did i contradict myself one sentence after another?
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