Michelle Nelson rugging "Beware"

[CoryTDF]

Another job the OP subbed out

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php?topic=329651.0

I have no feeling one way or the other but after reading this it seems to me that the guys is a decent fellow. There are so many of these MNT threads that it makes my head spin. All i know for sure is that her claims about having bad tannery are true. Cant take that from her. The communication on the other hand.......... Good luck with this to the two taxi's. I got my popcorn and am watching this unfold.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I figured this would be pages long by this morning ...it always is  how about the people who have delt with Michelle and had some taxi done by her shine the light on this ...seems like she is weeded out more than others ..I think she does a fine job ...I know it gets tougher as you get bigger ..just like anything ...have to really work hard to please everyone 

[Michelle_Nelson]

I'm still waiting for all the guys on this forum that have been told "I just have to sew your rug and it will be done" over and over again to realize that there are 16 day turnarounds happening right under their nose and delaying THEIR work. What is the priority schedule for outside work? Obviously it comes before customers that have been waiting 2+ years. Why is that? To make a quick buck since the other Joe-shmo's already handed over their $$??

Just curious as it seems like it would bother waiting customers that have posted similar complaints over the past several months.

There is a LOT more to doing a rug than there is just "sewing it together". 

Like Split, Turning, Fleshing, and Salting the hide.  Changing the salt 2x.  Shipping it to the tannery.  Waiting for the tannery to tan the hide and ship it back (4-7 months).  Rehydrating the head. Next day preping the face, sewing and making repairs, then test fitting on a head.  Ordering the head a supplies and waiting to recieve them.  Assembling the head and making any modifications.  Mounting the head and allowing it to dry for a week minimum.  Rehydrating the body of the rug and letting sweat overnight.  Next day making repairs and sewing up holes, then stretching it on the stretching table.  Waiting for it to dry for a few days.  Then trimming it out and dying the flanks and edges.  Next day cleaning off excess dye.  Cutting the felt strips, edging them, them sewing them together.  Sewing the felt around the edge of the Bear, installing the batting, pinning the backing in place and then hand sewing it, then hand sewing the hangers on each foot and head.  Prep the face, do appoxi work, and let the appoxi set up over night.  Next day do the finish work.

Now try juggling all that X 30.  Not including Shoulder Mounts, Skulls, Life Size, Tanned Hides, Paperwork, Talking and meeting with clients.

As you can see the Rugging portion is a very small part of the whole picture. 

[jackelope]

I'm still waiting for all the guys on this forum that have been told "I just have to sew your rug and it will be done" over and over again to realize that there are 16 day turnarounds happening right under their nose and delaying THEIR work. What is the priority schedule for outside work? Obviously it comes before customers that have been waiting 2+ years. Why is that? To make a quick buck since the other Joe-shmo's already handed over their $$??

Just curious as it seems like it would bother waiting customers that have posted similar complaints over the past several months.

Me too.

[kramer]

You can only blame stuff on the tannery for so long. Time for new excuse or find a new tannery.

[Whitelightning]

I figured this would be pages long by this morning ...it always is  how about the people who have delt with Michelle and had some taxi done by her shine the light on this ...seems like she is weeded out more than others ..I think she does a fine job ...I know it gets tougher as you get bigger ..just like anything ...have to really work hard to please everyone 

I agree, I have no complaints about her work or her communication with me. I have had work done by other taxis and have had NO communication and additional charges on the bill when I picked up. I have not had communication issues with her. I have work being done there now and will continue to send her work. 

I think there is more to this story than can be told on an open forum!

[Michelle_Nelson]

I'm still waiting for all the guys on this forum that have been told "I just have to sew your rug and it will be done" over and over again to realize that there are 16 day turnarounds happening right under their nose and delaying THEIR work. What is the priority schedule for outside work? Obviously it comes before customers that have been waiting 2+ years. Why is that? To make a quick buck since the other Joe-shmo's already handed over their $$??

Just curious as it seems like it would bother waiting customers that have posted similar complaints over the past several months.

To make a quick buck?  No.  It was a favor for a friend.  Is there a problem with me doing a favor for a friend?  Didn't know it was against the law.  Had nothing to do with making a quick buck. 

[Cascade]

I have a bear with Michelle right now.  She told me upfront the tannery issues and how it affected her and gave me an idea of when my rug might be done.  I went into it with no time expectations and wasn't in any hurry getting it back therefore haven't been calling every month for updates.  I haven't had any problems contacting her, and she has given me updates along way.  I suppose if I had expectations of getting my rug back sooner I would be bent out of shape, however if that was the case I would have taken it somewhere else to begin with. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dscubame]

Whitelightening.  I deleted my post if you choose to delete yours my remarks will be no longer.  I should not have commented, not like me.  My bad.

[runamuk]

Interesting side topic about subcontracting.

I don't see anything wrong with knowing who and what work your primary business is subbing to but ultimately it shouldn't matter. The primary business is personally responsible for the quality of their sub'd out work.

If, heaven forbid, a Boeing A/P falls out of the sky do you think they can stand in front of their customers and the world and point the finger at their subcontracted engine manufacturer? I don't think so.  Only our President does can get away with that crap! 

I have a friend who does 'Full Service' custom auto restorations. His bill is seldom under 100K for a complete job (which is why I do my own!) but he doesn't do everything himself. He can't. Not enough equipment, room or skill. For instance he sends work out to a painter/shop for body & paint. Ya know what happens if it comes back less than perfect? It goes BACK TO THE PAINTER to fix it! Too many goofs and he just finds another painter.

When the customer finally comes to pick up his masterpiece it has to be perfect because my friend's reputation is on the line for future work. If I sent a project to him, I wouldn't feel the need to ask him who is doing the paint cuz I don't care. When I pick it up it will be perfect. Period.

Sorry for the Hyjack.  Back to your regularly scheduled programming

 

[erk444]

This is a he said she said thing. Unfortunately Michelle's track record doesn't give her the benefit of the doubt.

Have you had work done by her?
 I have! I have done my research its on my walls and in her shop!

Whitelightening.  I deleted my post if you choose to delete yours my remarks will be no longer.  I should not have commented, not like me.  My bad.

:tup:dscubame! Its frustrating to see people bashing Michelle without ever having met her or have work done by her. I haven't had any work done by her, but I've built her a fire pit and a few other brackets for her business. After meeting her, I wouldn't have a problem at all with taking my trophy to her. To me, she has always been very friendly and professional, and she has an awesome sense of humor too.  I consider her a friend.

[Taco280AI]

I don't care about contracting work out. If I make an arrangement with someone, they are responsible to get me the final product. If they want something done here and there by someone who is better or specializes it or can get it done fast, I don't care. But if they sub out work and it isn't up to standard, the person who did it doesn't matter - the guy I made the deal with gets all the blame and is the one to take care of it.

I want X done in Y time and Z quality. Explaining what all I want and paying for it is my business, how you get it done is your business.

[Maverick]

sounds like Alaska just needs to pay for the return shipping and this issued would be resolved.

[jackelope]

If this is a matter of the guy paying return shipping, I'd like to see that happen then get a follow up report when the shipping happens. We can't be talking about more than $30. Pay up, be done and let's see what happens from there.

.03

[TheHunt]

sounds like Alaska just needs to pay for the return shipping and this issued would be resolved.

And he has...