A Silicon Valley baker says she is reconsidering her business policies after preparing an order placed by Tesla for 4,000 mini pies, which the company “cancelled at the last minute.”
The Giving Pies of San Jose, California, are used to working with large corporations like Meta, Google, Apple, and Amazon.
However, a recent order placed by Tesla for 4,000 cakes cost the local bakery around $16,000 after the clean energy company allegedly suddenly canceled the order at the last minute.
The thousands of mini cakes, which cost between $3 and $4 each, were reportedly ordered for a Tesla event to commemorate Black History Month.
Voahangy Rasetarinera owns neighborhood bakery Willow Glen and says she took a big hit after the massive cake order caused her to reject other requests, splurge on ingredients and work around the clock with her employees to complete the order. .
Tesla is coming under fire for placing a huge order of 4,000 cakes at a local Silicon Valley bakery before canceling the order at the last minute.
The Giving Pies of San Jose, California, are used to working with large corporations like Meta, Google, Apple and Amazon (pictured: bakery owner Voahangy Rasetarinera)
A recent order placed by Tesla for 4,000 pies cost the local bakery around $16,000 after the clean energy company allegedly suddenly canceled the order at the last minute.
Voahangy Rasetarinera says she took a big hit after the massive cake order caused her to reject other requests, splurge on ingredients and work around the clock alongside her employees to complete the order.
“To fulfill the order, I turned down other Black History Month catering inquiries, purchased supplies, and prepared for a demanding production schedule,” Rasetarinera explained.
Tesla approached the beloved local bakery on Valentine’s Day to place the order for 2,000 mini pies to be delivered the following Tuesday and Thursday, which is short notice for the bakery, according to Rasetarinera.
In a Facebook post titled “How Tesla’s Actions Hurt My Black Woman-Owned Small Business,” Rasetarinera explained the series of events.
The post details how the payment was not made, which caused initial concern.
Despite the lack of payment, Tesla’s Laura approached the bakery again to apologize for the delay and request that the order be doubled to 4,000 pies, assuring the bakery that “cost was not an issue.”
Tesla reached out to the beloved local bakery on Valentine’s Day to place an order for 2,000 mini cakes to be delivered the following Tuesday and Thursday (pictured: Tesla CEO Elon Musk).
Tesla approached the bakery again to apologize for the late payment and request that the order be doubled to 4,000 cakes, assuring the bakery that “cost was not an issue.”
“To fulfill the order, I turned down other Black History Month catering inquiries, purchased supplies, and prepared for a demanding production schedule,” Rasetarinera explained.
Rasetarinera said his hopes were ‘shattered’ when Laura ‘casually’ texted him to say that Tesla no longer needed the cakes after he had already purchased the supplies and prepared for the order.
“Despite the late hour and short notice, I consulted with my staff, who assured me they could handle the expanded order,” the post describes.
Rasetarinera said her hopes were “shattered” when Laura “casually” texted her to tell her that Tesla no longer needed the cakes after she had already purchased the supplies and prepared for the order.
“This abrupt change left me stunned as I realized the extent of the impact on my small business,” said the business owner.
“I had invested time, resources and effort based on Tesla’s guarantees, only to be left broke.”
After sending Laura a heartfelt message expressing her disappointment, Rasetarinera said her response was an attempt to “place the blame on senior management.”
“It was clear to me that Tesla’s corporate culture prioritized convenience over responsibility, with no regard for the livelihoods of small business owners like me,” Rasetarinera wrote on the company’s Facebook page.