Terms & Conditions

ORDERS 
I prefer at least fourteen (14) days notice for most orders and at least three months notice for wedding cakes. I will try to fulfil any short notice orders if I can fit it around my schedule. 

DESIGNING YOUR CAKE 
Cake design is a creative and organic process. I will do my very best to replicate and create your selected design as closely as possible. However, at times, I may need to make adjustments to the design in the interest of structure stability or aesthetics, and will do so, without changing the design immensely. It will not be possible to directly copy another cake design or copyrighted character as cake designers can be, and have been, liable to copyright infringement. Characters can be purchased to go on the cake to avoid this. 
If you wish to make changes to your design, these may be made 2 weeks or more prior to the specified date and will be charged accordingly. No changes can be made less than two weeks before the specified date of delivery/collection. 

ALLERGENS 
Cakes & Cocoa is NOT a nut-free bakery. All cakes, chocolates, fillings and icings may contain, or come into contact with, soy, wheat, dairy, nuts or other allergens. However, when specified, I will take all due care to keep allergy prone ingredients away from the work area. 
It is your responsibility to inform me prior to the confirmation of your booking of any allergy issues. It is your responsibility to inform your guests of all allergy information, and accordingly Cakes & Cocoa will not be held liable for any allergic reaction resulting from consumption of the cake. 
All products are made to be eaten on the day of the celebration. 

QUOTATIONS 
All Quotations are valid for 7 days from the date of issue. 

DEPOSIT 
Once you have decided you would like me to create your cake or chocolates, you will need to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit which reserves your order for the day you’ve specified. The remaining balance of the cake must be paid in full one week before delivery date or, in the case of Wedding Cakes, one calendar month before the specified date. Late or no payment is subject to cancellation. For short notice orders, i.e. within 7 days of the pick up date, you will need to be pay in full. 
Late payments may result in substitutions or modifications to the original order as well as an additional charge. 
 
By paying the non-refundable deposit you are accepting and agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement. 

CANCELLATIONS 
In the unfortunate event that you have to cancel your order you must give notice at least two weeks before as some work may have already been started i.e. decorations/sugar flowers. Cancellations made under two weeks of collection/delivery date will result in any monies paid not being refunded due to most items being purchased before that time. 

Where I have to cancel the booking due to illness or any other unforeseen circumstance that affects the ability to deliver the ordered Product, the deposit will be refunded within seven (7) days of notification to the client.

COLLECTION/DELIVERY/STORAGE
Please be sure to schedule your pickup/delivery time accurately. If you feel that you are going to be later than planned, please contact me as soon as possible. In the event that you choose a time outside of your original pickup window, the new pickup time will need to be arranged around my schedule and deadlines. Failure to pick up an order the same day or to contact will result in your order being sold or raffled off to another customer. Requesting to pick your cake up at any other location than what is specified in the terms and conditions will be considered delivery, and will be subject to appropriate delivery fees. Travel charges will be made if delivery is further than 3 miles from my home. If you or your representative chooses to pick up and set up the cake, you assume all liability and responsibility for the condition of the cake once it has left our possession. Cakes & Cocoa is not liable for damage due to client handling once the product has been picked up or delivered. If your product is damaged after it has been in your possession, I will assess the damages and may offer to fix the cake for you. If I come to you to fix the cake, mileage fees will be applied. Additional fees may also be applied, depending on the severity of the damage to the cake. If you collect your cake from me, please ensure your cake stays flat in your vehicle and that it is transported with minimal disturbance. No liability is accepted by Cakes & Cocoa if damage occurs in transit. All wedding cakes, without exception, will be delivered to the agreed venue, set up and left, with a photograph sent to the customer at the point of leaving it there. 
Your final product should be kept flat, in a cool room prior to presentation. In exceptionally warm weather it is advisable to use a fan to keep it cool. No liability will be accepted by Cakes & Cocoa after collection/delivery for any damage incurred as a result of the cake not being stored properly. 

REFUNDS 
All sales are final. If for some reason you are dissatisfied with the product, you must let me know the reason within the 24-hour period after your product has been picked up or delivered in order for us to consider compensation.