To refund or not to refund…
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Would you refund in this instance?
A cake decorator reported that a bride-to-be cancelled her wedding cake due to the wedding being called off.
The bride was demanding a full refund.
The Cake decorator didn't know what to do.
Well, it depends...
My question is, what do your terms and conditions say about refunds? For not only wedding cakes but ANY celebration cake made by yourself?
Do you have a time limit and the deal set out? A refund of x% is possible x weeks before the due date?
What are your rules for taking money? Do you ask for a deposit and a final balance?
This cake decorator had received the full payment due. She had bought all the ingredients and extra elements for the cake.
Your rules for your own business should be laid out in your terms and conditions. And every customer placing an order should receive a copy.
These rules will protect both you and your customer. It is something written in black and white and for you both to refer to in the case of trouble.
My other point would be that it is imperative for you to know exactly the true costs minus labour for any order. Every element that is required to be purchased.
Now you most likely have "constant use" ingredients in your pantry— the things like flour, sugar and butter.
You must decide what your refund rate ought to be. For example do you refund 50% of what the final bill was? Up to the point of the refund request, what percentage had they paid?
Do you want full payment x weeks/days before starting baking?
Your business, your rules.
But ensure your rules cover you for the effort you made designing the cake and admin done up to the refund request point too.
It's sad if a wedding gets called off.
And don't let emotions get in the way.
Your high street baker running a shop would have strict rules in place.
Make sure that you do too. (And you can always bend the rules if you wish - but that is your call)
I hope this helps.
