Marine Cake AKA (The cake that almost ended my career)
Marine Cake AKA (The cake that almost ended my career)
I was hesitant to post this cake, mostly because it represents for me one of the lowest points ever of my cake making career, I still struggle to look at this cake and feel anything but sadness, but I need to move on from this incident, so I am hoping posting it will give me an additional sense of resolution.
I have been making cakes for 7 years and selling cakes for 3 years….in all that time I have never had a genuine complaint, and certainly nothing that I couldn’t resolve amicably with a customer to the point that they went away happy from having done business with me.
I was asked to make this cake for a marine retirement, I was hesitant to take the order because the customer was exceptionally specific about design elements of the cake, including mostly, the coloration of the hat and uniform. I was sent an inspiration picture and was very upfront about not being able to recreate the cake exactly, I made sure the customer was fully on board with the changes before sending a contract. She was fully amenable to all alterations and left the fine details down to me.
The night before the cake was due, I sent her a picture, I don’t usually send previews of my cakes but she was very specific about wanting to see the cake before delivery to check the coloration details. She didn’t like it, in fact she complained about just about everything about the cake, including that the flag wasn’t wavy enough, that the color was “off”, that it looked NOTHING like the other picture (even though it was actually very similar) . I made a few minor changes as best as I could and asked her to see the cake in person before making a judgement and that I would work something out with her, but I resent her the contract that she signed, highlighting all the changes she had agreed to.
I delivered the cake, later in the evening she messaged to say everyone took photos of the cake and that the lemon was a huge hit. I felt relieved…until…2 days later she sent me an email detailing how unhappy she was with the cake, that she in fact HATED it, that it was nothing as she expected, that I had severely miscommunicated the design details, that the hat looked messy and said “who covers a board with fondant??” That it was ridiculous, I was unprofessional, I needed cake decorating classes etc…it goes on.
I was incredibly upset, I defended the work and the contract, though I did offer a partial refund of 30% because she was a local customer who was involved with our local community and I wanted a happy resolution to a bad situation.
She was outraged by my response and proceeded to threaten me by “exposing” me as a fraud- telling locals I had lied, I was unprofessional and that I had stolen the images on my website to pretend I was a cake decorator. The abuse continued with her telling me I was “STUPID and DUMB and an IDIOT” It really was the most appalling experience I have had, not just as a baker but in life, I have never received this kind of abuse from anyone. Despite all of this, I kept my cool and again explained that I had offered her the partial refund which I felt was more than fair considering the terms of the contract and the quality of cake delivered, which she accepted and then ate. Ultimately I had to block her and even proceed to take legal recourse for defamation and slander, I took down my cake page, I took down my website, I was utterly broken for a while and very low. Luckily I was able to turn to friends in the cake community who helped to show me that there is a way forward after going through this kind of cake hell…I am so thankful to them to bucking me up when I was at such a low point- and told me not to let one person kill my dream and passion. So to them, who are members here, thank you, and to those of you who bake and sell cakes who have had similar experiences, and shared them with me, thank you!
RebekahNaomiCakeDesign
38 Comments
Oh sweetheart, I had no idea… Did I miss this? Or did you go through it so quietly.. . Either way I’m so sorry to hear you went through something like this but I am absolutely 100 percent certain the lady has serious issues and nobody could have given her what she wanted! Goodness, if I ever get someone so demanding and exacting in the specification I’ll refuse the order immediately… In fact the only cake I ever didn’t post on cd had a similar situation except I didn’t get all the abuse and a complaint at the end…. And I still swore never to take another order like that on!
At the end of the day we’re artists, not machines. We create, out our spirit into the form & design of what we do. Specifying the design so much just kills that, making it joyless and mechanical; and ultimately that spark of genius we alone can bring to our own work won’t be there. People like that lady you mentioned can never appreciate that, and imo as such don’t deserve to have nice cake. Off to walmart with them. You continue making your GORGEOUS cakes and don’t worry about people like that. I think this cake is AWESOME and that woman needs some form of professional help xxxx
What a miserable b*^^&*! First of all, there is nothing I repeat nothing wrong with this cake. All your cakes are beautiful and this one is no exception. I think your reluctance was your instincts telling you this one was going to be problem. Very strange that she seemed to change her mind 2 days later. Sounds to me like she was looking to get the cake for free. Probably paid too much for the party. So sorry that this happened to you.
Don’t take her negative behavior personally. It sounds like she’s a perfectionist who probably forgot to take her medication. Personally, I think you did a fantabulous job on this cake.
How unfortunate you were to come across such a nasty client. The problems were all hers not yours – sounds like she needs treatment!! I love this cake.
Combe Cakes
Wow that is awful. What a terrible person. Sorry you had to go thru that.. The cake is lovely <3
http://www.facebook.com/veenaartofcakes , http://www.veenasartofcakes.com or http://veenaartofcakes.com
Wow, what a horrible client. I agree with the others, her behavior is a reflection on her, not you. Be thankful she isn’t related to you-LOL! Could you imagine her at your Thanksgiving table – good grief. I think she needs therapy.
Your cake is fantastic. I’m so glad you have continued moving forward and still being passionate about caking. And remember to listen to that small voice inside, it’s often smarten that we give it credit for.
Love the cake!
Teri, Ontario, Canada http://www.TeriLovesCake.ca
I hate to speak bad of people but what a horrid customer! Your cakes are fabulous….this cake looks fabulous and by all accounts tasted fabulous! How could she complain?! I`m shocked that anyone could treat you so badly. It doesn`t sound like you did anything wrong at all, and that the woman has issues and you just got caught in it. Time for a deep breath, head up, shoulders back and put her behind you.
Julie Cains Cakes
Oh Bekah, what an AWFUL story. I have looked and looked and LOOKED at this cake and in terms of the quality of decoration I can see NOTHING wrong, it’s all to your usual beautiful standards. Seriously, like Sawsen says, if it wasn’t good enough for her, then NOTHING would have been, and you were just the unfortunate cake maker she asked to make it for her. There is no way you deserved such a terrible slating from this client. I’m glad you had your paperwork to back you up against her crazy demands! Sounds like it was a hit with everyone else though so take solace from that. Put it behind you and move on, it’s just one of life’s experiences to learn from. Your cakes (including this one!!) are wonderful xxx
Blossom Dream Cakes at www.facebook.com/blossomdreamcakes
I can’t say anything more than what has been said above. Definitely a reflection on her not you. It’s an awesome cake.
Karen
Wow! Cant believe you were treated so badly!
I love your work, dont ever be disheartened and dont take on clients like this again. I see why your cake has been spoiled to you…..but I think its fantastic!!!
sugar and art - perfect combination! sugarmagic22@gmail.com
