Bismillah Bakery — Restaurant in Birmingham

The customer service from Bismillah Bakery is awful, hence my 1 star rating. They got a number of things wrong and were completely unhelpful in resolving the issue.

Last Friday, I ordered a cake online seeing the picture of the cake I wanted (b29) and placed the order. I requested on the online order that no message be put on (as I wanted to put my own personal message on it) Once order was confirmed online, I then phoned the shop I placed order at (Lozells) to confirm order placed and the details. They confirmed order would be ready by Sunday (but didn't give time), they asked what message to put on, I told them I don't want a message, just leave it blank, they said OK. I called again on Sunday morning to confirm time to pick up cake, we agreed afternoon time. They again asked what message, and I told them again 'no message, just leave blank' they said OK.

I go to pick up cake and two things are not right:

1- The cake barely looked like the cake in the online picture I expected (see attached pictures)

2- They didn't leave the top of the cake blank as I had asked, instead covered with chocolate shavings, no space to write my own message.

The reasons given for the above issues are:

1- Their terms and conditions/online website "at the bottom" says that the same sweets may not be used ---WRONG! -- there is no mention about this on the website! I'm paying for a professional service and IF YOU SHOW ME WHAT IM GETTING, THEN THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I EXPECT TO GET AND PAY YOU FOR!!!

2- Again they say their terms and conditions on the website says that they cant leave blank spaces!? - WRONG! - there is NO MENTION of covering blank spaces in their terms and conditions - so again a LIE! I asked why not, but they had no answer, just " I don't know, its what I was told, its what we always do"!? what kind of answer is that?! makes no sense at all!

Debating the issue proved useless as the shop staff kept blaming the online T&Cs and that "they've been told so" and claimed I was told, which was a complete lie also! they said I was emailed, I asked to see this email, but they couldn't, as there isn't one! And the fact that I called and told them to leave blank, they took that to 'mean' to cover it!? but didn't bother telling me the customer!?

Completely useless and ridiculous customer service. No offer to understand or rectify the situation or anything!

No reasons given as to why they couldn't leave a cake blank that made any sense!!? I paid for this cake, I should be able to say what goes on it or not!

Bismillah Bakery has completely let me down. They should change their name to something less holy as I'm sure God wouldn't be pleased with this level of service and...

Used them for everything but NEVER EVER USING THEM AGAIN and won't recommend either as THEY ARE GREEDY..WILL NEVER RETURN. My husband took my sister to their lozells branch on Saturday as we have been using them for years in my husband's family. It was for her wedding cake and the lady had said you can choose any cake design on any cake stand but there is a 100 pounds refundable deposit for for stand which is reasonable. We went back there on Sunday as my sister wanted me to be there. So we chose a cake design with 3 tiers for 375 and we chose the cakestand too, but we wanted to add another tier as it wouldn't be enough for our guest. The tier we wanted to add was an 8 inch cake. The lady gave us a price 575 pounds. We were shocked that she wanted to charge 200 pounds for a 8 inch fresh cream cake. We asked her why her excuse was that this is the price of cake on that stand. So she was basically charging us for another cake price that was on the stand we chose rather than the cake we actually chose. It doesn't make sense. We tried and explain to her we want another cake than the one on the stand but she said that's how they price them. We obviously wouldn't take this nonsense and buy from them but my husband tried to explain to her this pricing is not reasonable. She went back and spoke to her manager and said she can take off 100 pounds. We asked her if the price is not negotiable then how did she take off 100 pounds also we said it's not reasonable to pay 100 pounds for a 8 inch fresh cream cake. I would say worst service ever.. and the thickest people you will meet.. they didn't offer no tasting and nor was she very interested in helping or provide any suggestion.. they are called bismillah bakery but holds no value of Islam. I called Cakeshop on witton road and got appointment there and walked off(trust me got the best...

I had a bad experiance with this bakery a few years ago, but I was in need of a cake last minute and not many options, so I thought I'd give them another chance. I was wrong, I should've stayed away! I am very disappointed with them again.

I ordered a 10" birthday cake. When I picked it up something didn't look right, but wasn't sure what. When I got home I measured the cake and it was 8.5" square. This is alot smaller than the 10" I ordered. It's completely unacceptable to advertise and sell a 10" cake but only give an 8.5" cake. Why the need to cheat people like this?

Everyone please check the sizes of the cakes you order and receive!

We are giving this business our hard earned money, why should we expect less than what they say they're going to give us!? Its totally unacceptable.

In terms of the actual cake, I'm sorry to say that that cake was far less than what I expected from them. The cake tasted too dense and stale, like shop bought ready made cakes. not the the fluffy airy cake they used to make. And then the oreos they had placed on the cake also tasted stale, very soggy.

This all seems like cutting corners, it's an awful way to run a business, such a shame.

It's my fault for thinking this business would learn from its mistakes, what's the point of feedback if you don't use it?

I won't be back again and will advise others the...