Cake consultation...Major vent!!

bsims726

So, today was our 1st cake consultation with a bakery. I was all excited because well...who doesn't love eating cake? The appt was at 11am and I was kinda cranky because 1. I’m not a morning person and 2. I stayed up late doing school work & putting together wedding invitations (only about 185 more to go smh). Anyway, I was also annoyed because this baker already peeved me off by moving locations and not telling me until I called to schedule a consultation. I had met her at one location close to my house, had some meetings with her, and really considered working with her because she was willing to give us discounts and because I wanted to help out a local black-owned, up-and-coming business. Then she just moved somewhere out of my way. The new location is not even permanent, it’s temporary….so she’ll be moving again soon (like a damn gypsy or something smh). We leave for the appt early and call to confirm, and she’s like she’s not there yet but she’s on her way. My FI then states that her points are droppin because she moved without proper notification & now, she’s not even at the new place ready to go. He was like, is she gonna have us waitin for the cakes to bake too? I was frustrated but he had a point. She gives us an address & some directions but we wound up getting lost. We literally drove for an 1hr, in circles in this hot GA weather, wasting gas we don’t have to waste. After numerous calls back & forth, she finally decided to drive and meet us somewhere to lead us to the temp. shop. By then, we were hot and majorly pissed but I reminded him that we needed to stay civilized. He was just angry because the directions were jacked up and wrong so she had us lost for no reason. And then when we got out, she had the nerve to jokingly say “I should be mad at ya’ll but I ain’t. I’ll let it slide but get it together.” I almost blew a fuse but I decided to go against unnecessary confrontation (Whoo, she lucky I’m saved *signs the cross above heart*) We tasted cakes (they were delicious btw) and discussed tiers, designs, etc. The consultation went fine but the trip there was long and horrible. Afterwards, FI suggested we still check out other places because he’s afraid she’ll keep movin to random places and we’ll never get our cake. Idk, I guess I’m still tryna give her a chance because I know bakeries may be losing business due to places like Walmart, Kroger, etc. but I definitely gonna pray on it and maybe draw up a contract for her to sign (is it normal for bakeries not to have contracts? or is that done when prices and things come about?) Ok, thanks for reading my majorly long vent. Now for a lil napping before I go out to celebrate the 4^th with fam. Happy 4^th of July!

saharnshard

I'm with your FI. You should look at other places, too. You don't need all that stress, even if the cake is delicious. And no, I don't think it's normal for a baker to not have a contract, even if it's just an order form that has a couple of terms and conditions. I hope she gets it together.

island07b2b

She should have presented a contract to you with all of the relevant details (wedding date, location, cake details, delivery cost (if any), price, deposit (if any), etc.). 

Like the PP said even though the cake was delicious she is showing signs of disorganization which is not good business to me.  Keep an eye on her to see if she finds a permanent store front but I would definitely do some more tastings. 

tcjames

I also agree with FI. If she's this unstable now, what does the future hold?

keyaira04

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_cake-consultationmajor-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:3f5bb828-7882-446e-bde9-14329600eb21Post:ab239f15-3e6d-4ca0-9d5c-50cb330f60c6">Re: Cake consultation...Major vent!!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm with your FI. You should look at other places, too. You don't need all that stress, even if the cake is delicious. And no, I don't think it's normal for a baker to not have a contract, even if it's just an order form that has a couple of terms and conditions. I hope she gets it together.
Posted by saharnshard[/QUOTE]



All of this! If there is one thing I've learned in wedding planning is to get everything, I mean everything on paper. The discount, the time and place she plans to deliver, the refund and no show policy. If you do keep her, I would suggest you have a frank convo about your concerns and what she plans to do to resolve them.

20pearls16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_cake-consultationmajor-vent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:3f5bb828-7882-446e-bde9-14329600eb21Post:922cb27a-ec93-49b5-93c0-924a82e11c2a">Re: Cake consultation...Major vent!!</a>:
[QUOTE]She should have presented a contract to you with all of the relevant details (wedding date, location, cake details, delivery cost (if any), price, deposit (if any), etc.).  Like the PP said even though the cake was delicious she is showing signs of disorganization which is not good business to me.  Keep an eye on her to see if she finds a permanent store front but I would definitely do some more tastings. 
Posted by island07b2b[/QUOTE]

<div>This This and This! Who wants to be stressed on their wedding day about cake!</div>

TL25

I agree with the other ladies, on to the next one.

tirathemrs

Im gonna have to piggy back on the other comments....good cake or not she has to much foolishness going on to be in business with someone and not to mention brides are already stressed out with dress, bm's, gm's and the dreaded in laws and what they may or may not have to say...honey she wouldve been made at me cuz if it was my FI (and i knw his temper) we wouldnt have made that cake tasting lol....on to the next bakery

MissusD1116

Like Ann Nesby baby! *Put it on paper* hunny! LOL! She need to get her life!

[Deleted User]

brit I'm actually gonna go against the grain here.   Normally I'd say, next. but I'd vote that you tell her (in a nice way) that she does in fact need to get her life.   I think you're talented and your cakes taste like the bomb.com but your availability and accessibility is sketchy.   Love to work with you, maybe we can talk more when you're settled.  

She gives us an address & some directions but we wound up getting lost. We literally drove for an 1hr, in circles in this hot GA weather

p.s. this part here ^ is justifiably irratating, but legitimately not her fault if she gave you an accurate street address.     

I wouldn't suggest staying in touch with her but for your mention of the following combination:  discounts, cake design and taste, ideal and hard to beat elements of a  wedding cake.  

honest opinion

[Deleted User]

I understand Supporting black businesses I am a trama Nurse (RN) that got out the military and now taking a break and trying to start my own business there is is no way in the world I would switching locations especially if its temporary to me I will be cautious thats not professional at all and I'm with your FI just to be on the safe side look at other places cuz the next time she might have her phone number changed

bsims726

Ok, ladies, thanks so much for replying. After sleeping on it & discussing it with FI, we decided to research other bakeries. We just feel that this current baker may have a lot going on with her plans to move and all, plus she doesn't seem professional enough. I mean, I have yet to sign an order form/contract or even see pics of her work (she always happens to not have her album when asked about it), just seen the cakes she already had baked in her shop but they weren't wedding cakes. I know her cakes are tasty & she's offering discounts but we just can't risk having a subpar cake or just not even receiving a cake at all. I'm not sure if I'm gonna express my concerns to her just yet---for now, I just want to find a reliable baker asap & get everthing in order. Thanks again, ladies.