POLICIES

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE SWEET ESCAKE, LLC

These policies serve as the contract between the customer and The Sweet Escake. By submitting payment, the customer is agreeing to these policies in full. Policies and pricing are subject to change without notice.

ALLERGENS AND LIABILITIES

The Sweet Escake is not an allergen-free or gluten-free service. Equipment may come in contact with allergens including, but not limited to, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, fruits, soy, fish, and shellfish. The Sweet Escake cannot guarantee the prevention of cross-contamination in the preparation area as this is a home-based bakery. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to notify all consumers of allergen risks.

The Sweet Escake is to be held harmless for any allergic reactions resulting from its services and is not responsible for bodily injury, property, or consequential damage, which may result from services.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT OF CUSTOM ORDERS

Custom orders include occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers, etc. Weddings are excluded from event orders and are subject to their own policy.

A date is not considered booked until a non-refundable retainer of 50% of the total order is paid.

The retainer must be paid within the following time frames:

Retainers should be paid within 48 hours of receiving an invoice. Final payments are due 7 days prior to the event date with a 3-day grace period given. A 5% late fee will be charged after the grace period.

The non-refundable retainer fee secures your event date and can be transferable one time within one year of the original event date should an unforeseen circumstance occur. The Sweet Escake will review this request and determine an outcome within 10 business days. The outcome will be sent to the email address of the requester. All requests for credit are subject to the decision of The Sweet Escake, LLC on a case-by-case basis. When we take your event order, we begin the process of declining other orders. As we get closer and closer to your event date, the chances of re-booking your date are greatly reduced.

Orders accepted within 10 days of the event date will be considered booked once full payment is received. Full payment must be made within 24 hours of receiving an invoice.

There is a $100.00 minimum for custom cake orders and an 8% tax will be charged for all perishable items.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT OF WEDDING ORDERS

A wedding date is not considered booked until a non-refundable retainer fee of $150.00 is received. The retainer should be paid within 48 hours of receiving an invoice.

A payment plan may be created for orders placed greater than 60 days before the wedding. A payment plan will only be in effect if previously agreed upon in writing by The Sweet Escake. Due dates for installments will be issued with due dates noted in the wedding contract.

Final payments are due 14 days prior to the wedding date with a 3-day grace period given. A 5% late fee will be charged after the 3-day grace period.

Orders placed within 60 days of the wedding date will need to be paid in full within 48 hours of receiving an invoice.

There is a $300 minimum for booking wedding orders and an 8% tax will be charged for all perishable items.

PICK UP AND DELIVERY

The Sweet Escake is not responsible for any damage to the cake after pick up or after satisfactory delivery and set up at which point the customer assumes full responsibility for the condition of the items. The Sweet Escake is not responsible for any damages to the item(s) caused by a guest, caterer, event staff, or any other person not affiliated with The Sweet Escake.

There is a $300 order minimum to qualify for delivery and set-up. There is a set-up fee of $50 and delivery fees are $0.65/mile.

The Sweet Escake will work with the customer and venue, as necessary, to coordinate a fair delivery and set-up time period.

Pick-up will occur on the day before or the day of the event only at a time agreed upon by both The Sweet Escake, LLC and the customer. The pickup time and location will be confirmed via email or phone at least 3 days before the event date.

Set up may include placing a cake on a stand, adding finishing touches to a cake (such as, but not limited to, toppers, fresh flowers, etc.), arranging cupcakes, etc. It is up to the discretion of The Sweet Escake to determine that a cake stand or table/surface is unfit to bear the weight of an item. In such a case, the delivery staff person will place the item on a suitable surface as determined by the delivery staff person at which point the responsibility of displaying the item will be the responsibility of the customer. No refund will be issued for set-up services.

The customer will be notified in advance of the size of the cake stand that is needed in order to properly display the cake. The Sweet Escake will not provide cake stands, cupcake tiers, etc.

DECOR AND INEDIBLE COMPONENTS

The Sweet Escake or the customer may source decor for the cake which will be agreed upon prior to the final payment of an invoice. The customer must notify The Sweet Escake prior to ordering any custom décor to certify conditions such as spelling, color(s), etc. All items should be non-toxic and food safe for application on an edible item.

The Sweet Escake will not be responsible for items supplied by the customer and adorned to the items that are considered harmful or cause harm after the fact. Non-edible decor is not to be consumed. The customer is responsible for ensuring all non-edible décor and structural items are removed from the items before cutting and serving including, but not limited to, cake toppers, fresh flowers and floral tape, cardboard cake boards, structural plastic straws, structural wooden dowels, etc. The Sweet Escake, LLC has the right to refuse to place decor on items that are believed to affect the structure, integrity, or safety of consumption. Note that some flowers are toxic and caution should be used by the customer and florist when selecting flowers to be inserted into an edible item. The Sweet Escake is not liable for any damage or illness caused by floral inserts into the items.

VARIATION IN DESIGN

Cake decorating is an art form and therefore may be subject to variation. Exact color matching is not guaranteed. No refunds or credits will be issued due to design elements that the customer may consider unsatisfactory including, but not limited to, style, decorations, color, size, misinterpretation of design concept, distaste for flavor, or failure to order correct flavors. In order to maintain the stability and integrity of your event cake, The Sweet Escake, LLC reserves the right to make design and structural changes to the item(s) on-site or off, without prior notification. Images of items created by another bakery may be provided for reference or inspiration however they will not be duplicated as an exact copy of another artist’s work.

SET UP CONDITIONS AND OUTDOOR LOCATIONS

It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure a proper and secure environment for the items including, but not limited to, a sturdy stand capable of holding the full weight of the item fully finished with decor and a sturdy and level table on a flat ground capable of holding the full weight of the items arranged on it. The Sweet Escake, LLC will not be held responsible for damages resulting in a structural failure of a cake and/or cupcake stand and/or cake table regardless if the setup is completed by the delivery staff person, the customer, the venue staff, or any other individual.

The items should never be displayed in direct sunlight or where sunlight may eventually move to. Humidity and heat will adversely affect the items. In the warmer months (average outdoor temperature of 72°F or greater) it is encouraged to keep the items in a refrigerator, air-conditioned room, or a cooler area. The Sweet Escake, LLC will not be held responsible for damages caused due to the effects of outdoor weather conditions, table on un-even ground, wind-blowing undesirable atmospheric items (such as, but not limited to, dirt, leaves, branches, etc.), sunlight, insects, or damages caused by outdoor weather conditions, that may cause, but not limited to, “sweating” (water condensation), running of colors, melting buttercream, sliding decorations, etc.

STANDARD PORTIONS

Standard cakes from The Sweet Escake, LLC contain 4 layers of cake and 3 layers of buttercream and filling. Pre-cut cake slices measure at 2x2 or 3.5x1 inches per slice. Cakes should be cut according to cake cutting guide given to the customer at the time of pick-up or delivery. The Sweet Escake, LLC is not responsible for a shortage in cake portions due to cutting oversized pieces.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

The Sweet Escake, LLC reserves the right to take and use their own photographs of your items to use for marketing and promotional purposes without compensating the customer. Photographs of the finished and decorated items will not be posted to social media prior to the event date.

SOLE PROVIDER

For reputation management and food-safety reasons, all cakes and/or cupcakes for your event must be supplied by The Sweet Escake, LLC. If any additional cake is provided by an individual or company other than The Sweet Escake, LLC without prior notification and our express written consent, we reserve the right to leave the venue without setting up the cake and/or cupcakes, and all payments made will not be refunded. The undelivered items will be disposed of at The Sweet Escake, LLC's discretion.

FORCE MAJEURE

The Sweet Escake, LLC promises a product of high quality and service, but is not liable for unforeseen circumstances including, but not limited to, inclement weather, transportation problems, illness, accidents, labor disputes or strikes, Acts of God, and other causes beyond reasonable control. A delay in transit shall not constitute grounds for a credit, discount, or refund.