Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the festive season and found some time to recharge. Now, as we get back into the swing of things, I want to share a quick tip for your cake business that could save you from a big headache down the line.
Here’s a true story that illustrates the importance of gathering all the customer information—yes, even when it seems unnecessary!
A talented cake decorator recently faced a serious issue. Two months after she had delivered a $160 cake, she was hit with a chargeback from the customer. There hadn’t been a single complaint—no mention that anything was wrong at delivery, no feedback after the fact. Just a chargeback, and the bank sided with the customer. The decorator was out $160, and it felt like the customer had treated this as a convenient way to get some extra holiday cash.
When she tried to resolve this through the small claims court, she hit a roadblock. The court required an address for the customer—but all she had was a name and a phone number. Without that key piece of information, her options were limited.
So, the takeaway here? Always get your customer’s full details. Even if it’s a pickup order, having a customer’s address on file protects you if something goes wrong. If a dispute arises, being able to send an official letter or engage legal assistance can be crucial. A social media contact alone won’t cut it—customers can easily delete or deactivate accounts.
It’s shocking how often banks tend to side with customers, even when the facts are unclear. For example, I’ve heard of cases where a small discount glitch on a system caused a customer to dispute the entire charge instead of just the difference, and the bank supported the customer without giving the business owner a chance to explain.
To help cake decorators like you, we’ve created Custom Order Pads specifically designed with this in mind. These pads are affordable, and each sheet provides space to capture all the essential details you’ll need—not just names and orders, but addresses and other key information. It’s a simple step that can save you time and protect you from potential disputes.
Let’s start the year prepared and ready for anything. Cover all your bases, and remember: every detail matters in your business!