My daughter's a baker and recently got the dates mixed up on a wedding cake order. She got a message asking where it was, and having done all the preparation, managed to get it to them for 7pm - it was due at 6pm. When she delivered it, the customer said: "We'll speak about this later." Fast forward, and the customer has asked for a full refund of £450. My daughter offered £100 as goodwill as she knows it was late, but the customer took the cake and didn't reject it - what would you do?
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Money Moral Dilemma: My daughter delivered a wedding cake an hour late - should she fully refund?
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Comments
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No bride or groom (well maybe some) deserve this kind of aggro when they are supposed to be celebrating their big day. But I'd say you'd have to look at the impact.
If there was an evening due planned and the cake was meant to be rolled out after dinner at, say, 8 pm well it's a bit stressful but no actual harm. So a partial refund.
If the party was planned with the cake in full sight and meant to be cut at 6 pm well that's too much stress and the refund should be more generous. But anyone who plans on slicing a cake the moment it arrives is a tad mad in my books.
The only other qualifying factor is what is the impact on the baker's business. Is this bride an absolute bridezilla that is going to trash the reputation of someone trying to build a business? Or are they someone who might be talked round? Either way I would expect at least a review missing a couple of stars and maybe a "the cake looked and tasted divine, shame I nearly had a heart attack waiting for it to be delivered!!"I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
"Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.” Nellie McClung0 -
Someone has to say it - the customer wanted to have her cake and eat it!13
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Certainly not a matter for goodwill, but a serious breach of contract.
A cake for an event is clearly time sensitive and a higher expectation of perfection - hence the prices hike when "wedding" is mentioned. A wedding cake is not just about getting an amount of food, but the look and timing help create a stress-free event. 6pm sounds right before a reception, when 1 hour could be the difference between a cake cutting display as scheduled, vs changing up the ordering, or just handing out cake with dessert.
Yes the customer got the cake, but didn't get the full value from it - I'd think at least 50-100% back is fair.9 -
Some further detail is required. Otherwise it's the more of the usual guessing game and speculative responses.6
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No further detail is ever provided for these things. I suspect because they're made up during a weekly brainstorming session in MSE towersHoenir said:Some further detail is required. Otherwise it's the more of the usual guessing game and speculative responses.
Unless we know the impact of the lateness, the question is moot. eg, was "the cake cutting" due to take place at 6pm.3 -
Sue them. Some people try to swindle anyone.1
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Well of course the bride took the cake! She could hardly reject it and have no cake at all, could she? It was her wedding!2
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Take the goodwill out of your statement. Your daughter did not deliver on time for the service she was paid for. If her customer goes to her credit card company to start a card dispute based on breach of contract, her customer would get her money back. She should definitely be offering at least 50%. Also, your daughter should not be mixing up delivery timing for events this important or any order tbh.5
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How can a cake possibly cost £45011
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As it was her mistake I think more of a refund is required. I would suggest she covers her costs of ingredients and refunds the rest.8
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