Taxi Trouble

[gallion_t]

I just wanted some people oppinion on my situation. I dropped off my 2011 buck last October and was told it would be done in 9 month, 6 if I paid in full up front. Wanting to have some leverage I only put the half down. July comes around and I give him a call to see if were still on schedule and I was told the end of the month. Thats only about 2 weeks late I figured no big deal. At about this same time I find out my Mom had decided to surprise me and paid the other half at the beginning of the month. August comes around and I still haven't heard from him so I call him back. I am then told any day now. I keep waiting. September comes and I still haven't heard anything. I call him back and once again get the "any day now" response. Once pushed he tells me the end of the month. End of September comes and still nothing. I call him back once again. He tells me hes moved mine to the top of the list and it should be a couple weeks plus or minus a little bit depending on the drying time. I just called him back again today am still getting the "couple weeks" answer and that its pinned and in the drying stage, but still needs to finish drying and be painted.

Were now going to be 4+ months late on what I was orignally quoted and he has been paid in full for it. I informed him that I feel like I'm getting jerked around and I'm about to just come pick up my deer and money. He is telling me I can get my deer, but not my money back.

I guess my question is how much longer should I leave it there to get worked on? If he doesn't complete it what are my options as far as getting my deer and money back. At this point I feel like I am being robbed. I paid him to complete a service which he isn't doing. I understand mounts can take a long time, but when I am continually being told "any day now" and not seeing results I feel like I'm getting screwed.

[whacker1]

Does the Taxi have a good reputation elsewhere?

Many taxi's run late and telling you 6-9 months is pretty lofty for most taxi's anyway, at least in my opinion.

my suggestion is stop by BS him and ask him to see it, so that you can see if he is full of crap to begin with, but if you see it 90% done then I wouldn't worry about it.  While I feel taxi's should be held to the accountability you want, many times you are better just to stay on top of them and see if you can't nudge them along.  You don't want shotty work in return for getting upset about it.

Many taxi's are taking in work now and caping fresh animals, which probably slows them down for getting last year's animals out the door. 

[Capt Morgan]

I wish my Taxi was only 4 months late. Come January my Taxi will be 1 yr behind schedule with no end in site. :bash:Yes I could go grab it & take it somewhere else but I'd just start at the end of the line so whats a guy to do.

[h20hunter]

I agree....stop by and check things out if you can. My issue is I keep sending my taxi stuff so she can't get started on everything at once and get a little hunting time in for herself!

[gallion_t]

It doesnt bother me that its late. It's that he keeps telling me its going to be any day now. If its going to be late thats fine. Just be honest and give me a reasonable answer. Thats whats bother me.

[cedarriver]

 Go to the shop and check things out. A lot of things can happen in the course of the year to slow things down, but no excuse for not telling you what is holding things up. Money wise not sure, on the legal end, but not how I would do business myself.
 Good luck!

[CAMPMEAT]

Post the name of the business, ain't no law against that. Then see what kind of responses you get and tell the guy you did it. Might light a fire under his azz ! That's what I'd do and don't care about feelings... it's your money and you want it now !!!

[gallion_t]

I plan on stopping by his shop this weekend and seeing if anything has been done. Today was the first time that I talked to him and he had said progress had been made. I understand things come up but you should keep your customers informed of things like that. I just hope by expressing my frustration with him that he doesn't do a crappy job and just throws something together to get me off his back.

[adamR]

my father-in-law took a bull to a taxi that will remain nameless...  he told us that it would be done by the following season.  We called around 13 months later and he told us that it would be about a month, which was fine.  Two months later we were told he had his freezer go out and had to have an emergency move and things were scattered blah blah blah.  4 months later we called and he said it would be two more months at least.  We told him we would come pick up the horns and the money the next day and we were tired of his bs.  The next morning he called and said it was drying and would be done in a week.  Turned out to be one of the best mounts I've ever seen. 
It's not a matter of how long it takes, it could have taken 3 years, just be honest.  Why mess with your customers, just come out and say it will be done at this time, and have it done at that time!

[BuckHunter23]

My brother is still waiting on his 2010 Spring Bear to be finished.  Over two years now and been several months since he's received any kind of update. 

[mdbuck5x5]

It doesnt bother me that its late. It's that he keeps telling me its going to be any day now. If its going to be late thats fine. Just be honest and give me a reasonable answer. Thats whats bother me.

I definitely know how frustrating waiting years on end can be. Like you said its not how long it takes, it's the stringing along that comes with it! I would definitely stay on top of it.  A taxidermist I used for my 2004 muley took 4 years to get back and my dads 2005 bull he did took 5 years. Now I think he did nice work but it was the people skills and professionalism that came along with it that was terrible! I now have a new taxi that I am extremely happy with and thankfully all thats in the past.

[elkhunter1977]

My Taxi is 5 years late. Hopefully he reads this and remembers he still has it.

Wow!....that's unacceptable!... I hope you are fibbing a little. There is no reason what so ever to be that far behind.....

[Kola16]

it's your money and you want it now !!!

Your right! It's my money, and I need it now!!! 

[coastie hunter]

 Maybe it's just me but if I have problems with a taxi I will make sure you guys no there name. I dont want you to have the same problems.

[HornHoarder]

My Taxi is 5 years late. Hopefully he reads this and remembers he still has it.

Wow!....that's unacceptable!... I hope you are fibbing a little. There is no reason what so ever to be that far behind.....

So your saying my buck from 2003 should be done by now We must have the same taxidermist.