Peso Power - PhP 3000 (Buyanihan Deal), additional Php 1900 for add-ons and Delivery Charge
Rating: Not Happy
For my son's first birthday, I asked a former Co teacher to make his 2-layered fondant cake, two layers of which were real cakes. He really didn't tell me how much it cost, but I knew since it was a fondant cake, I knew it would cost more outside, I just ggave him PhP 6thousand as payment, I don't know if it's too cheap or it's too much. Here is the cake that he made for my son's birthday. I was very happy with the output. The colors were alive and the cake was huge. It did attract atention during Liam's party.
So as soon as I learned that I would be changing themes for Sam's birthday -- from Sesame St. to Dora, I immediately looked for cakes. I again considered my former co-teacher or Bakeshoppe of Shoppersville (in Katipunan, Quezon City).
But, I chanced upon this groupon site, Buyanihan, around March and the deal for the day was for me a good deal. I of course checked the expiry date and when I saw that the deal can still be used until December 2011, I thought of buying one for Sam's party. I asked hubby if I can purchase the deal and he agreed.
The catch is, they can customize the design of the cake that I want. I also got excited to get the cake tower, being one of the first 200 buyers (didn't choose the additional 24 cupcakes as we already have the ice cream cart and cotton candy cart) as shown on this photo:
I was also able to track down their newest creations thru their FB page, and it made me more excited. I told myself, I made the right decision. Hubby also agreed when he saw the outputs. But after a month, I couldn't see their FB page anymore! This got me worried and a bit paranoid. The only time I got to see their FB again was when I was in Manila! I don't know if the setting of FB has something to do with it.
There were days that I got paranoid, but thru a forum I was appeased by other clients who also bought the deal. The deal includes 48 cupcakes and a 9" inch round cake, with a choice of free additional 24 cupcakes or cake tower, if you are among the first 200 buyers. I was the 108th buyer and I opted to have the cake tower.
After all the cake designs I saw, I finally decided to combine 2 cake designs.
I emailed them the design and asked them for additional requests like:
A. Making the cake fondant -- additnal PHP650
B. Adding another layer, fondant again -- additional charge
C. Deliver the cake to the venue -additional charge
We didn't request for individual packaging anymore since we were OK to serve the cupcakes to the guests.
I called them September, two times, three weeks after I have emailed them my Order form and my design, but as of September 21, I still haven't heard from them. Two weeks before we left for Manila, still not acknowledgement of my e-mail, I called them and finally got the chance to talk with Rose. With this conversation, I was able to explain my requests and was told of the do-able things.
After the conversation, Rose promised to e-mail me for the additional costs of my requests. She also told me that she will call me 3 days before the party to refresh everything.
Thursday before the party, 17 November, she did call and we had a good talk. I told her about my excitement about the cake and how, like Liam's should be the center of attention during the party. Well, I expected too much :(
I was really not happy with the result. I am not even happy with the cake tower they used! Parang tutumba! Poor quality. Compare with the picture they showed for the deal. And the cupcakes were small. The fondant cake? Yes, she did use the colors I requested but it looked pale, not vibrant , as it should be! Parang the colors were not alive because of too much white powder...parang espasol na yung dating.
Here is their output. Compare it with the design I emailed them. Even the strips of colors on the second layer were not cut evenly! Sus! And look at Dora, the cake topper...sad. Just sad.
Cake:
Cupcakes:
The taste? Not exceptionally good.
I am no Masterchef, but hey I can see (as well as any ordinary person) if the cake looks good. And with the looks, if the cake tastes great. But with Sam's cake, I was really not happy.
This was one hard lesson learned. I can't undo it anymore because I only got to see the output on the day itself. Lessn? Still better to spend and go for the old reliable suppliers!
Adding insult to what we had for Sam's cake, I decided to order Liam's cake for his super duper advanced birthday celebration with family based in Manila in Shoppersville Bakeshoppe. And look at the output:
It was a 3D Firetruck Cake and everything was edible!
Liam was very happy and so was I!
Oh well. No one to blame but me. Should have not expected much especially that I got it from a promo.
