Should I continute to be patient, or tell her off?!
My experience has been completely different. I called last Friday & spoke w/the baker, asking if I needed an appointment. She said no, but that she'd be out until 1pm. I came at 1, & waited 1-1/2 hours; she never showed up. I emailed her pictures of the cake I want with details (date, flavors, serving size, etc.) She responded promptly saying she'd work up a quote on Monday. Monday came & went w/no quote. I called twice on Tuesday, no return call. The second time I was told she would return all calls on Wed. I waited until 4:30 on Wed. to call her, & was told she had left for the day. Today I emailed asking her to let me know if she can do this or not, so I can find another bakery; she hasn't responded. She is not some big time designer bakery; in fact, she's just starting off.
Answers: My boss recommended a cake bakery she is using for a party she's holding the same day as ours. She told me how the baker has spent hours with her, going over designs and got an immediate price quote.
My experience has been completely different. I called last Friday & spoke w/the baker, asking if I needed an appointment. She said no, but that she'd be out until 1pm. I came at 1, & waited 1-1/2 hours; she never showed up. I emailed her pictures of the cake I want with details (date, flavors, serving size, etc.) She responded promptly saying she'd work up a quote on Monday. Monday came & went w/no quote. I called twice on Tuesday, no return call. The second time I was told she would return all calls on Wed. I waited until 4:30 on Wed. to call her, & was told she had left for the day. Today I emailed asking her to let me know if she can do this or not, so I can find another bakery; she hasn't responded. She is not some big time designer bakery; in fact, she's just starting off.
I wouldn't be investing all this time and energy on someone who is showing you to be so unreliable, especially when you or your boss have not used her services before. She obviously is having trouble managing her bakery, or isn't desperate enough for the business. I wouldn't take it personally as it is very possible that she may be a great baker but terrible with the management side of things. Many food service businesses fail for that reason alone.
If you really want to give her this chance, then I would set a final date ie. this Monday and then move on. I would leave her a message and let her know that you are sorry that you haven't heard back from the her, as she came highly recommended by (insert name), but if you do not hear from her by the end of the day you will have to take your business to someone else. I hope we can do business.
find another bakery
It sounds like she hasn't mastered the business yet. I am sure you will be happier with someone else, who nis more professional. Cancel the cake.
Find another bakery and try to find a review place online that you can comment about your experience with this bakery, so others can avoid it.
I would just find someone else. She is not worthy of your business. Word of mouth spreads quickly and I would deffinitely let others know the trouble you have had dealing with her.
I would go with someone who has more experience. I mean sure she's just starting off but if you don't want to be disappointed, experience will help! She's already getting bad reviews....
I would find someone else to do my cake. You gave her too many chances already! It sounds as though she doesn't know the first thing about customer service!
