Say It With Cake

I contracted with Ms. Scamordella to bake, decorate, and deliver my daughter's wedding cake and groom's cake on June 12, 2012. I had sampled her cupcakes, which were delicious, and viewed a portfolio of her creations before choosing her to provide this service.At this time I gave her a deposit of $50.00. On August 28, I again met with her and we confirmed the sizes and designs. I also discussed the location of the reception and confirmed the date and time for the cakes to be delivered. On this date I paid the balance due of $620.00. On October 8, 2012 I delivered the cake topper and ribbons to be used when decorating the wedding cake. When I arrived at the wedding reception I was shocked and dismayed when I went over to see the cakes. My daughter's five tiered wedding cake was leaning severely. The groom's cake, which I had been told would be elaborately decorated with a Mahi-Mahi fish since my new son in law is an avid sport fisherman, featured only the faxed picture which my daughter had e-mailed to her. Several family members observed my distressed reaction to the cakes and hurried over to inform me that Ms. Scamordella was still attempting to set up the wedding cake when they arrived at the reception. My decorator informed me that she had only arrived to deliver and set up the cakes 45 minutes before the guests were expected to arrive! Of course, she hurried away before I could arrive from the chuch. The event manager at The History Center and others who were assisting in preparing and decorating the room informed me that Ms. Scamordella arrived with her young daughter in tow, and commented on her unprofessionalism. She was aware that the cake was leaning severely, and resorted to placing stacks of napkins beneath the lower tier of the wedding cake to prevent it from toppling over. As I anxiously awaited the arrival of the bridal couple and wedding party from the post wedding photo session, I observed the frosting start to buckle and fold, and the ribbon begin to pull away from the lower layers as the tilt of the cake got more and more pronounced. Panicked, my sister and I placed overturned dessert plates beneath the bottom tier in an effort to prevent the cake from falling onto the table and floor! I was so embarrassed as I heard guests commenting on the "Leaning Tower of Pisa". My daughter and son in law were forced to cut the cake immediately upon arrival at their reception. I was stunned to discover that the only supports inside this large and heavy cake were what appeared to be cut drinking straws. I am not a professional baker, as Ms. Scamordella claims to be, but even I know that these very thin, lightweight straws are not sufficient support for a multi-tiered wedding cake. As any bride and her parents are aware, a great deal of planning, work, and expense are involved in creating a wedding. For me at least, my daughter's special day will forever be marred by the image of this horrible cake. Very little of the cake was consumed, despite the large number of guests, and I was forced to throw away well over half of it. It is my opinion that most people were so disgusted by the appearance of it that they were therefore reluctant to eat it.
I went to Say It With Cake on October 15, 2012 and was told by her employee that Ms. Scamordella was not there, but that she had left something for me. I was handed a note written by Ms. Scamordella apologizing for the cake and offering a $100 store credit. I returned on October 16, 17, and 18 before finally finding her in her bakery. I told her how disappointed I had been in the cake, and that I difinitely did not wish to purchase any other baked goods from her. She made excuses for the appearance of the cake. When I continued to voice my dissatisfaction, she informed me that she "isn't Walmart, that she is just a small business owner and did not have the money to refund any of my expense". I should state that I told her that I felt I should pay for the groom's cake, even though 
it was not decorated as we had discussed, and that I would also pay her $50.00 for the cost of the ingredients in the wedding cake. She said she would have to "think about it" and asked for my street address as well as my e-mail address. I told her that I expected to hear from her within two days. That was four days ago and I have heard nothing more from her.