Help! Should I still be using her or not? (kind of long)

salem17

I found my cake baker through a bridal show I went to a few months ago. She has a small private bakery and does not believe in having a website. Her cake is the only one that stood out during our taste tests that day.

Since the show I have met with her, designed my cake, chosen most of my flavors, and received my contract. The price is amazing, no extra delivery charge, she does different flavors for each tier at no extra charge, and does not charge for the sugar/fondant flowers I wanted.

HOWEVER, she has done the following:

-She wrote down the wrong date and time for our initial meeting, so when I showed up at her home she had no idea why I was there. She did take me and my bridesmaids in to discuss designs and get my wedding info, but she had no samples for us.

-I had my MOH pick up samples at her home after her classes the one day. The woman said her mother was supposed to be there to give the sample to her. My MOH knocked and rang the doorbell but got no answer. She even called her cell and got no response. Eventually, hours later, she got a call back and went to pick them up for me.

-I emailed her about the sample flavors as we only got one of the ones we discussed. She couldn't remember what she gave me, which made deciding on specific fillings and flavors difficult.

-I received my contracts and they had the wrong reception site on them, even though we specifically talked about it and I gave her then address. To her credit I had new contracts within three days.

-I emailed her about creating a box of samples with specific flavors so I could finalize my decision about them. She told me to have my MOH pick them up at her house today because her mother would be there. When MOH got there the mother was at her own house next door and had no idea what she was there for. She eventually got the box from her and went home.

After the first four incidents I told myself I'd give her one more chance to redeem herself. I worry that all these small mistakes are a sign that she could very easily screw up my wedding cake. However, her cake really is the best I've tried and she has given me the best deal.

Do I go with someone else or use her anyway?

Thank you!

jessicabessica

Have you found any reviews of her cakes and services?  I would also be nervous about all of those things happening, but if I found reviews that said she was a little flaky to work with, but pulls it together day of, that would ease my concerns.  Maybe try posting on your local board to get reviews, too. 

salem17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_should-still-using-her-not-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:e4310c6c-ce4f-4baf-9e88-5ac32ab9bb52Post:10577144-8c6d-4e5a-a016-7178268a44b6">Re: Help! Should I still be using her or not? (kind of long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Have you found any reviews of her cakes and services?  I would also be nervous about all of those things happening, but if I found reviews that said she was a little flaky to work with, but pulls it together day of, that would ease my concerns.  Maybe try posting on your local board to get reviews, too. 
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]


I found only one review for her and it raves about the quality of her work, which I already know to be very good. I'm messaging the girl to see if she had the same trouble.

kristenrmu22

I may consider emailing or writing a letter (or call if you are gutsy enough) the vendor and simply stating. I would love to use your services however I have some concerns, list them, and then ask what will be in place to assure there aren't any errors in the future? Could you provide me with some references?  

Or maybe just ask for references. If she refuses then I personally wouldn't go with her. I tend to go with customer service...

SSaltzman87

I wouldn't go with this person. She's had more than enough chances to win you over as a customer and failed. If she can't keep up with simple details like where your reception is, I wouldn't trust someone like that with more important things.

Also, as far as not having a website- if she expects to have a successful business, she has to have one (that's my business degree talking, hah). She just may not understand how beneficial having one is in this day and age. Heck, the dog groomer I take my dog too doesn't even take credit cards- but even she has a website.

acwm

I would ask for references. If she doesn't have any, I'd rethink using her; if she does have some to offer you, contact them to find out about their experiences. Have you signed the contracts?

031107

Personally, I don't think asking for references is a good idea.  I would not like a vendor I used to be giving out my info to some random person so they could ask me about my cake.

The woman does not sound like she has an business sense at all.  I would go else where.  I would also tackfuly tell her why so she can learn how to run a proper business.

lthom17

I would not go with her.

Also, I've never heard of people asking for a box with cake samples.  We just sampled the cake at the people's bakeries...this way, they could explain what we were tasting and we could write down what we liked and put that into the proposed contract. 

Sin715

Absolutely NOT!!! Sounds like your cake will end up the wrong flavor, at the wrong place, on the wrong date, lol!!! Do yourself a favor and stop worrying about this and move on to a better known more trusted vendor.

topchef33

I would go w/someone else. She doesn't seem to know what she's doing and you don't want her messing up on your wedding day.

FaithCaitlin

I wouldn't go with her.

salem17

Thanks for all the recommendations. After everything, I emailed her and nicely explained what I was worried about. I indicated that I had never written anything like that to anyone before and apologized in case I sounded rude or unappreciative. She replied immediately and basically acted like I attacked her on a personal level. She explained that it is her second job and that anything that happened was a "simple human error." She did not apologize for any of the mistakes or try to reconcile the situation. She said maybe I'd be more comfortable with a different baker.

So now I'm back to looking.

Thanks to everyone for your input! I won't be recommending Very Special Desserts to anyone.