Custom Cake Terms & Conditions

I want your experience with Pipe Dream Cakes to be smooth, clear, and stress-free. The information below explains how orders, payments, collections, and cake care work so there are no surprises along the way.By placing an order, you acknowledge that cakes are handmade, time-sensitive products and agree to the Terms & Conditions outlined below.

HANDMADE BUTTERCREAM CAKESAll cakes are custom-made by hand using buttercream fillings and finishes. I do not offer fully fondant-covered cakes. Fondant may be used for decorative elements only.Due to the handmade nature of buttercream cakes and edible decorations, slight imperfections and variations are normal and expected. Refunds or replacements will not be provided for minor aesthetic variations.

DESIGN & VARIATIONSImages displayed on my website, social media, or marketing materials are provided for inspiration and reference only.Each cake is individually designed and handmade, therefore variations in colour, shading, texture, and decoration placement will occur. No two cakes will be identical. By ordering, you acknowledge that you are purchasing a custom Pipe Dream Cakes design interpretation.Exact colour matching cannot be guaranteed due to differences in ingredients, lighting, and screen displays.

DESIGN INTERPRETATIONPipe Dream Cakes specialises in custom designs and artistic interpretation. While inspiration images may be provided, the final cake design is created at the discretion of Pipe Dream Cakes.Customers acknowledge that creative freedom is required when working with handmade products and edible materials. Minor adjustments to colours, textures, proportions, and decorative elements may be made where necessary to achieve the best final result.

BOOKINGS & PAYMENTSQuotes are valid for 30 days.A $150 non-refundable booking fee is required to secure your order date (orders under $150 require full payment at booking).Dates are not held until payment is received.The remaining balance must be paid a minimum of 7 days prior to collection.Orders placed within 7 days of collection require full payment at booking.Failure to pay the final balance by the due date will result in cancellation of the order and forfeiture of the booking fee.Cash payments are not accepted.

CAKE SUPPLY & INGREDIENTSCakes and cupcakes are supplied by a quality Australian-owned wholesale bakery. Ingredient information is available upon request.

CANCELLATIONSCancellation requests must be made via email.The booking fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.If cancellation occurs 7 days or more before collection, payments made beyond the booking fee may be transferred to a future order (valid for 12 months).Cancellations made within 7 days of collection are non-refundable.I reserve the right to cancel any booking at any time, in which case a full refund will be provided.

ORDER DETAILS & ALTERATIONSPayment confirms that all details listed on your invoice or booking form are correct.Names, dates, and wording will be copied exactly as provided. Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for spelling errors or incorrect information supplied by the customer.Change requests must be submitted via email and may not always be possible depending on timing or materials already purchased. Additional charges may apply.

CLARIFICATION OF INFORMATIONIf clarification is required regarding your order, I will contact you via the email provided. If a response is not received within the required timeframe, I will proceed using my best interpretation of the information supplied. Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible if the final design differs from expectations due to lack of response.

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONCustomers are responsible for responding to emails or requests for information within reasonable timeframes to allow sufficient preparation for their order.Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for design differences, omissions, or decisions made due to delayed or missing responses from the customer.

COLLECTIONOrders must be collected at the agreed date and time.If you are delayed, please notify me as soon as possible. Alternative collection arrangements are not guaranteed.Orders not collected within 24 hours may be cancelled, forfeited, and disposed of or reallocated at my discretion.

DELIVERYDelivery may be available by prior arrangement and is subject to availability and additional fees. Setup or positioning of cakes at venues is not included unless agreed in writing prior to delivery.Delivery times provided are estimates only. While every effort is made to arrive within the agreed timeframe, Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for delays caused by traffic, weather conditions, venue access issues, or circumstances outside of my control.The customer is responsible for ensuring:accurate delivery details are provided,safe and clear access is available,a responsible person is present to accept the cake.Once the cake has been delivered and accepted at the agreed location, responsibility transfers to the customer or venue representative.If Pipe Dream Cakes is unable to complete delivery due to incorrect information, restricted access, or absence of a recipient, additional delivery fees may apply.Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for damage occurring after delivery, including handling by venue staff or third parties.

VENUE CONDITIONSPipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for damage caused by venue conditions including temperature, humidity, direct sunlight, refrigeration failure, or handling by venue staff or guests after delivery or setup.

CAKE CARE & TRANSPORTResponsibility for the cake transfers to the customer upon collection.Pipe Dream Cakes is not liable for damage occurring after collection.For safe transport:Place the cake on a flat surface (preferably passenger-side floor).Keep vehicle air-conditioned.Do not transport cakes in the boot.Avoid leaving cakes in vehicles.Responsibility includes environmental exposure, handling by third parties, and storage conditions after collection or delivery.

STORAGE & SERVINGCakes must be refrigerated until approximately 20 minutes before serving (adjust depending on weather conditions).Keep cakes away from heat and direct sunlight. Buttercream may soften or melt in warm conditions.Buttercream cakes are temperature-sensitive and performance may be affected by warm or outdoor environments.Cakes are best consumed within 3 days of collection. Leftovers may be frozen.Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for damage caused by improper storage or environmental conditions.

NON-EDIBLE ITEMSCakes may contain non-edible elements including supports, rods, toppers, artificial flowers, or decorative items.

CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED ITEMS & ADDITIONAL DECORATIONSPipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for the safety, quality, or suitability of any items supplied by the customer or third parties for use on or with the cake, including toppers, decorations, florals, toys, candles, or accessories.Where customer-supplied items are incorporated into the cake design at the customer’s request, the customer accepts full responsibility for ensuring these items are food-safe and appropriate for use.Pipe Dream Cakes is also not liable for any items added to the cake after collection or delivery by the customer, venue staff, guests, photographers, or other third parties. This includes (but is not limited to) candles, sparklers, toys, decorations, flowers, or other accessories.Any damage to the cake, contamination of the product, or injury resulting from such items is the responsibility of the person who supplied or added them.Pipe Dream Cakes cannot guarantee the stability or safety of the cake once additional items have been added.

STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONSCertain designs may require internal supports or modifications to ensure stability. While every effort is made to achieve requested designs,Pipe Dream Cakes reserves the right to make structural adjustments necessary to ensure the safety and stability of the cake.

HARD DECORATIONS & EDIBLE ELEMENTSSome decorative elements, including sprinkles, sugar pearls, fondant, or gum paste decorations, may be firm or hard despite being edible.Consumption of these decorations is at the customer’s discretion. Pipe Dream Cakes is not liable for injury, dental damage, or discomfort resultingfrom consumption of decorative elements.

SMASH CAKESPipe Dream Cakes products are not designed or intended to be used as smash cakes unless specifically agreed in writing prior to ordering.Cakes may contain internal supports, dowels, or decorative elements that make them unsuitable for smashing or direct handling by young children.Pipe Dream Cakes accepts no liability for injury, damage, or issues arising from cakes used for smash cake purposes without prior agreement.

FOOD COLOURING & STAININGFood colouring is used in many cake designs and decorations. Some colours, particularly darker or highly pigmented shades, may temporarily stain skin, clothing, furnishings, or other surfaces upon contact.By ordering from Pipe Dream Cakes, you acknowledge and accept that staining may occur. Pipe Dream Cakes is not liable for any staining or damage resulting from contact with food colouring.

CAKE SIZE & SERVING GUIDESServing quantities provided by Pipe Dream Cakes are estimates only and are based on standard industry portion sizes.Actual servings may vary depending on how the cake is cut. Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for shortages resulting from larger portion sizes or inaccurate guest counts.

ALLERGENS & DIETARY INFORMATIONPipe Dream Cakes operates under a council-approved home-based food business licence.While care is taken with preparation and handling, products are prepared in an environment where allergens including (but not limited to) milk, eggs, wheat, gluten, soy, nuts, and seafood may be present.Pipe Dream Cakes does not guarantee allergen-free products, including items described as gluten free.It is the customer’s responsibility to inform guests of potential allergen risks. Pipe Dream Cakes will not be held liable for allergic reactions.

THIRD-PARTY CAKE SUPPLYPipe Dream Cakes decorates cakes supplied by a wholesale bakery partner. While every effort is made to ensure product quality, Pipe Dream Cakes is not responsible for manufacturing faults originating from the supplier.

PHOTOGRAPHY & MARKETINGPipe Dream Cakes reserves the right to photograph completed cakes and cupcakes for portfolio, website, social media, and marketing purposes.Images may be used in both digital and printed promotional materials unless otherwise requested in writing prior to collection.

DESIGN OWNERSHIP & COPYRIGHTAll cake designs created by Pipe Dream Cakes remain the intellectual property of Pipe Dream Cakes.Designs may not be replicated, reproduced commercially, or used for business purposes without written permission.

FORCE MAJEUREPipe Dream Cakes shall not be liable for failure or delay in fulfilling an order due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to illness, accidents, power outages, equipment failure, extreme weather events, natural disasters, supplier interruptions, or government restrictions.In such circumstances, reasonable efforts will be made to provide an alternative solution or refund where appropriate.

COMPLAINTS, RETURNS & REFUNDSI take great pride in creating beautiful and high-quality cakes. If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, please contact Pipe Dream Cakes via email within 24 hours of collection or delivery so the issue can be assessed and resolved where possible.Refunds or remedies will only be considered where a product is deemed faulty or not as described, in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.Due to the perishable nature of cakes and cupcakes:Change of mind does not qualify for a refund.Minor design variations or subjective preferences are not considered faults.Cakes that have been fully or partially consumed are not eligible for refunds.Pipe Dream Cakes may request the return of the cake or remaining product for inspection before any refund, replacement, or credit is considered. Failure to provide the product for assessment may void eligibility for compensation.Any approved refunds, replacements, or store credits are issued at the discretion of Pipe Dream Cakes and in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.Customers agree to allow Pipe Dream Cakes the opportunity to reasonably resolve any concern prior to posting public reviews or social media commentary.

CUSTOMER CONDUCTPipe Dream Cakes is committed to providing a positive and respectful experience for all customers. Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour towards Pipe Dream Cakes will not be tolerated.Pipe Dream Cakes reserves the right to cancel any order where such behaviour occurs. In these circumstances, refunds will be considered at the discretion of Pipe Dream Cakes.