Indecisive customers!
Good evening fellow cakers!
I’m just wondering about common cake designing practices as I’m fairly new to this cake business and whilst most of the time I’ve been very luck with customers giving me a rough idea of what they are after but basically giving me the reigns which is obviously fab but I’ve run into a tricky situation with this lovely lady who is sending me so many conflicting cake designs and ideas and after 6 email conversations, 2 full colour designs drawn up my me and 2 meetings in person, we are still no where near having a design!!!
I think this situation could have been avoided if I were more direct with a “cake designing process” but I’m not sure how to go about this without it sounding like I am not listening to my clients!
Anybody have difficulty with this or a good way to deal with this?? Or if anyone had a standard sort of practice that they do with every customer to establish boundaries etc…. basically any advice would be extremely welcome!
Keep Calm and Get Your Bake On!
3 Replies
When I have clients that keep changing their minds about the design, it usually means they are having trouble visualizing their cake. So, I try to find pictures that meet some or all of their requests so I have a base to work from. I find that doing this provides my clients with a visual concept – making the process less painful for both sides (LOL)!
If the “back and forth” continues, I very politely tell them I need to firm up the design so I will know how much time I will need to allocate towards their cake. My summary invoice states that no changes will be made within 7 days of delivery, unless there’s an extraordinary circumstance.
I hope this helps
DJ - Fun Fiesta Cakes
I have the same sort of problems…I get caught between the initial consult and closing the deal
Claire North
Thanks so much for your replies :D
Yes, it was exactly that and after I found her a photo of something similar she was a lot more sure of it!
I actually had a very funny chat with a tattooist, apparently they have the same issues! She said what she finds helpful is to ask their budget right at the beginning thus saving this back and forth and of course the “oh my god how much…?”from the customer and then the whole idea having to then be simplified etc… She also mentioned that whilst she wants people to obviously be happy with their tattoo, she assumes they have come to her because they like her particular style and so feels comfortable leading the ideas discussion…
Next tricky customer I get I’m gonna try for being clearer and more comfortable with taking the lead…. yes. I. am! :D
Anyhoo… thanks for the advice guys :D xx
Keep Calm and Get Your Bake On!
