Legal notice

These Terms & Conditions apply to orders placed for ready-made cakes offered by The Dough Cartel through our website or other approved ordering channels.

By placing an order, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions, including the product description, allergens, cake size, flavour, collection terms and cancellation policy.

1. Our products

1.1. Our ready-made cake range consists of pre-designed cakes sold in a fixed design, size and flavour as described on our website or ordering platform.

1.2. These cakes are sold as listed. We do not offer customisation, personalised messages, toppers or design changes under this ordering system.

1.3. Once a customer selects a specific cake, the order applies to that cake as listed. No changes can be made to that cake itself.

1.4. A customer may request to change the order to a different cake from our available range, subject to availability and our approval, provided the request is made no later than 7 calendar days before the collection date.

1.5. If the replacement cake is priced higher, the customer must pay the difference before the order is updated. If the replacement cake is priced lower, we will refund the difference.

2. Placing an order

2.1. Orders must be placed at least 7 calendar days before the requested collection date.

2.2. Submitting an order does not automatically mean that the order has been accepted by us.

2.3. We reserve the right to decline any order before acceptance, including for reasons such as:

  • lack of availability,
  • product unavailability,
  • pricing or description errors,
  • technical issues,
  • operational constraints,
  • or any other reasonable issue affecting fulfilment.

2.4. If we decline an order after payment has been made, we will issue a full refund. Any refund due under these Terms & Conditions will be made to the original payment method without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 calendar days.

3. Prices and availability

3.1. All prices are as displayed at the time of ordering.

3.2. We reserve the right to change prices, product listings and availability without prior notice.

3.3. Any such changes will not affect orders that have already been accepted by us.

4. Payment

4.1. Full payment is required for all ready-made cake orders.

4.2. Payment must be completed no later than 7 calendar days before the collection date.

4.3. If payment is not received in full by that deadline, we may cancel the order.

5. Cancellation by the customer

5.1. Because our cakes are fresh products prepared for a specific collection date, cancellations are subject to the following refund policy:

  • More than 14 calendar days before collection: 100% refund
  • 8 to 14 calendar days before collection: 75% refund
  • 4 to 7 calendar days before collection: 50% refund
  • 3 calendar days or less before collection: no refund

5.2. Refunds will be made to the original payment method unless otherwise agreed. Any refund due under these Terms & Conditions will be made to the original payment method without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 calendar days.

5.3. This cancellation policy reflects the fact that we reserve production capacity and purchase ingredients in preparation for each order.

6. Collection

6.1. Orders are currently available on a collection-only basis.

6.2. Collection must take place during our opening hours.

6.3. Once the order is ready, we will email the customer with the collection address and the opening hours applicable on that day.

6.4. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide a valid email address and to check their email regularly. Email is our main channel of communication. In exceptional circumstances, we may contact the customer by telephone.

6.5. We will hold a completed cake for a maximum of 2 working days after the collection date.

6.6. Where that holding period includes a day on which we are closed, including Sunday, Monday or a Bank Holiday, the holding period will be extended accordingly.

6.7. If the cake is not collected within the applicable holding period, the order will be treated as completed and fulfilled and no refund will be due.

7. Storage and serving

7.1. Cakes must be kept refrigerated after collection.

7.2. We recommend removing the cake from the fridge approximately 20 minutes before serving, although this may vary depending on ambient temperature.

7.3. High temperatures and direct sunlight may adversely affect the cake’s structure, finish and taste.

7.4. Best before: 24 hours from collection.

Use by: 48 hours from collection.

7.5. After collection, responsibility for safe transport, storage and handling passes to the customer.

7.6. We are not responsible for any damage, deterioration or quality issues caused after collection by improper transport, handling, storage, exposure to heat, or failure to follow care instructions.

8. Product appearance and variation

8.1. All of our cakes are handmade.

8.2. Images on our website and ordering platforms are illustrative and representative only.

8.3. Because each cake is handmade, there may be minor variations in colour, decoration, finishing and placement of design elements.

8.4. Minor handmade variations do not amount to a defect, provided the cake remains substantially consistent with its overall design, style, size and flavour as described.

8.5. Colours and appearance may also vary depending on photography, lighting and screen display.

9. Allergens

9.1. Each cake is sold with its allergen information clearly stated.

9.2. Customers are responsible for checking allergen information before placing an order.

9.3. If any ingredient or production change becomes necessary and this affects the allergen profile of the ordered cake, we will contact the customer before proceeding where reasonably possible.

9.4. If the revised allergen information is not suitable for the customer, the customer will be entitled to a full refund. Any refund due under these Terms & Conditions will be made to the original payment method without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 calendar days.

9.5. Our kitchen is not allergen-free.

9.6. Although we take care in preparation, our products may contain or come into contact with allergens, including but not limited to nuts, milk, soya and gluten.

9.7. We cannot guarantee the absence of trace allergens or cross-contamination.

10. Complaints, quality issues and statutory rights

10.1. Customers should inspect the cake at collection and notify us immediately of any visible damage, incorrect order or other obvious issue.

10.2. Any complaint relating to quality or compliance with the order should be reported to us within 48 hours of collection so that we can assess a fresh perishable product promptly and fairly.

10.3. Complaints received after 48 hours may still be reviewed by us on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the issue and the evidence available.

10.4. Where reasonably possible, customers should provide:

  • photographs,
  • proof of purchase,
  • and retain any remaining cake and packaging.

10.5. Subjective dislike of flavour, sweetness, texture, decoration or style will not by itself amount to a valid complaint where the cake supplied matches its description and is of satisfactory quality.

10.6. Minor handmade variations, as described in section 8, are not grounds for complaint.

10.7. We are not responsible for issues arising after collection due to transport, storage, handling, exposure to heat, direct sunlight, or failure to follow care guidance.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects your statutory rights.

11. If we cannot fulfil an order

11.1. If we are unable to fulfil an order due to our fault, the customer will be offered either:

  • a suitable agreed alternative, or
  • a full refund. Any refund due under these Terms & Conditions will be made to the original payment method without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 calendar days.

11.2. We reserve the right to cancel an order due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • equipment failure,
  • supply disruption,
  • ingredient shortage,
  • utility failure,
  • fire,
  • extreme weather,
  • illness,
  • emergency,
  • or any other event materially affecting production.

11.3. Where an order is cancelled by us due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control and fulfilment is not possible, we will refund all sums paid. Any refund due under these Terms & Conditions will be made to the original payment method without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 calendar days.

12. Communication

12.1. The customer must provide accurate and complete contact details when placing an order.

12.2. Email is our primary communication channel for order confirmations, collection details and other order-related communication.

12.3. Customers are responsible for checking their inbox, spam and junk folders.

13. Delivery

13.1. Delivery may be introduced in the future, but is not currently active under these Terms & Conditions.

13.2. Any future delivery service will be subject to separate terms or an updated version of these Terms & Conditions.

14. Governing law

14.1. These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Scotland.

14.2. Any dispute arising in connection with these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.