Bird Taxidermy question

[6257]

I do not get a lot of taxidermy work done so I am reaching out to others who have more experience.  In January of 2013 I took a beautiful Pintail Drake into a local Taxidermy shop near Spanaway.  I was recommended to use this shop and told they do great work. 

When I dropped the bird off I was told it would be about 9-12 months to finish and had to give a deposit of $150.00.  After more than a year I checked back because I hadn't heard anything back.  I was told there was an illness/medical condition and it would take a little longer.  I was asked to check back in 3 months.  After 5 months I showed up unannounced to see the status of my bird.  The owner was shocked to see me and caught completely off guard.  I got the same excuse and he made a phone call apparently to the person who has my bird to check on the status.  I could tell by the conversation he had no clue about the status of my bird.

At this point I was told the bird was being thawed out and should be ready in about 3 months.   Needless to say I was not happy and told the person just to give the bird back and not thaw it out so I could take it to another shop to complete the work.  I was told that it was already thawed and if I did take it back I would only be put at the back of the line with the new shop anyway.  I left the shop very frustrated and working hard to compose myself.

Fast forward about 4 months.  I still have not received one call from this shop.  Being aware of the pace of their work and realizing I did not want them to mess up the bird just to get it done, I wanted to give a little extra time for the job to be completed.  I am about 20 days short of waiting 2 years to get this bird back.

My question to you is what would you do in this situation?  I want to be reasonable, I've been accommodating and more than patient but I am getting frustrated.....Any Ideas?

[Natures Way]

you should contact them!

[Coltsdad]

Sounds like an awfully long time to me regardless of excuses for a bird. Keep us posted on out come.

[h20hunter]

Sounds like way to long. I'd ask for my money back and would consider the bird a possible loss. Then, depending on the outcome I'd either call it good or decide to name the shop and spread the word.

 

[Jaques Bonet]

A really good Taxidermist can take two years because he has plenty of work back log, sucks. Next time try Peter's Taxidermy his wife doe's birds. If you were told a certain time frame and  it wasn't done than ask for a discount. Never hurts to ask. Good luck

[boneaddict]

Did you sign any sort of contract with the expectation of delivery of product?   I would indeed contact them at this point as well as it does sound like some run around, though they really do have you by the balls.   

[Natures Way]

Hi, Larry L..... you could just as easily have called or come by but here we are.  I do agree with you that it has been to long. when I received your bird I had a third party helping to complete some of the bird projects for me. Although every effort is made to complete projects within the time frame given some difficulties with the third party came up and your project has been delayed.  At this time your bird is mounted and is drying will be completed shortly. Here is a picture of your bird, Thank you for your continued support and patience. Micheal

[Spuddieselwwu]

Hi, Larry L..... you could just as easily have called or come by but here we are.  I do agree with you that it has been to long. when I received your bird I had a third party helping to complete some of the bird projects for me. Although every effort is made to complete projects within the time frame given some difficulties with the third party came up and your project has been delayed.  At this time your bird is mounted and is drying will be completed shortly. Here is a picture of your bird, Thank you for your continued support and patience. Micheal

Worth the wait by the looks of it.  Good looking Bull Sprig.

[Coltsdad]

Dont really care for the tactics of throwing the individuals name out there like that. In my opinion you could have very well used his username didn't see were he even said it was you.

[boneaddict]

Looks like a fantastic mount about to be finished up.   A little more patience and a happy ending.   

[h20hunter]

There you go. Time to lock this up before the opinions run it into the ground.

[duckmen1]

Great looking mount.

[jackmaster]

looks pretty funny with the blue tape and stick pins though 

[Badhabit]

Isn't there a rule about first posts? 6257's first post, not even an intro just giving you a bad time. Welcome to HWF and glad to hear your bird is almost finished.

[h20hunter]

Never heard of any such rule. Typically is where do I go kill an elk/bear/deer/squatch type of first post.