Protocol for tipping taxidermist

[actionshooter]

100% against this, unless the customer placed heavy demands for turnaround on the taxi, and the taxi met those expectations.  Or some similar extraordinary effort above and beyond a normal taxidermy transaction. 

Tipping culture is completely out of control, IMHO.  Offer your services for a price, accept payment of that price, and don't expect a customer to make up for your lack of willingness to pay a reasonable wage to your employees on your behalf.  We're stuck with food service tipping, but I resist it at every other opportunity.  If anything other than a sit-down restaurant expects me to tip as a form of payment, they'll never see me again.

That said, I do tip often, and generously, when the service is warranted.
 , and off my soapbox now.

Well Said!

[teanawayslayer]

I’d say repeat business is a tip enough if you have a taxi who does a great job.

[jackelope]

The tip should be return business.

[FWilliams]

I agree the tip should be repeat business as well as a good recommendation to fellow hunters

[Rugsnfeathers]

I'll be the devil's advocate here.  I've never tipped any of the taxidermists that has done a job for me.  This I say, I have recommended many to a taxidermist and has done a lot of work and made good money.  I'd like to say, it should be me given a little discount for numerous times going back to him and giving him customers.  Now, I understand, cost of living increases every year.  So, let's say, in a given year, I've recommended two or three peeps to my taxi, and the charge for a shoulder mount is, let's say $800.00.  It would be nice to be given a discount from my taxi and just get charged, $750.00, or even just $25.00 off.   That said, I have a very good relationship with my taxi, and I always pay full price for the work, and never asked for a discount or break, even though he knows I've brought many hunters to him.  In the end, my taxi could always say, "if my fee is too much, or my work is not satisfactory to you, then go take your stuff to another taxi".  Don't wanna get to that point.  Taxi business is a dying cottage industry and if you find a good one, keep a healthy relationship with that business.   

[jrebel]

I struggle with this exact question.  My taxidermist is always talking about tips which is uncomfortable at best.   I have rounded the price up 25-50 bucks to a nice round number on occasion but I just can’t bite off on a tip.  He is on the upper end of prices as it is (his work is worth it).   I love the guys work and he is a good dude…..I just can’t see tipping for this type of service.  He often talks about how guides get huge tips but taxidermist don’t.  I understand what he is saying but don’t necessarily see this as apples to apples.   

 

[Taco280AI]

Y'all need to start tipping your pilots too when you fly.  You tip delivery drivers, Uber drivers, taxi drivers, hotel van drivers...


Tipping is getting out of hand. Even automated machines are asking for a tip.

[CarbonHunter]

I agree the tipping is getting ridiculous.  I had a pest control company out this week for routine spaying, kid was at my place maybe 20 minutes and as soon as he left I get an email asking me to tip him. He never even said goodbye when he left but I got an email asking me to tip him. $10, $20, $30 or other…

[Skillet]

I agree the tipping is getting ridiculous.  I had a pest control company out this week for routine spaying, kid was at my place maybe 20 minutes and as soon as he left I get an email asking me to tip him. He never even said goodbye when he left but I got an email asking me to tip him. $10, $20, $30 or other…

Was that an email directly from the kid who did the work, or an email from the company he worked for?  Both are ridiculous, but if it came from the company itself I'd like to know the outfit.  That is extra terrible.

[Skillet]

I struggle with this exact question.  My taxidermist is always talking about tips which is uncomfortable at best.   I have rounded the price up 25-50 bucks to a nice round number on occasion but I just can’t bite off on a tip.  He is on the upper end of prices as it is (his work is worth it).   I love the guys work and he is a good dude…..I just can’t see tipping for this type of service.  He often talks about how guides get huge tips but taxidermist don’t.  I understand what he is saying but don’t necessarily see this as apples to apples.   

 

That is a whole 'nuther level of bizzarre.  He thinks he's related to the guiding business, the one-on-one services they provide, and their tipping expectations... how exactly?  I commend you on continuing the business relationship with him in a way you can stomach. I don't think he realizes how off-putting his entitled attitude is. 

[Special T]

Tips have been *censored*ized. You used to give a Tip before the service  T Insure Prompt Service!  Now some jobs lend itself to Tips more than others. Want to get bumped up. Expect nothing but the best?  Are you a PIA? Perhaps the old school Tips would make a bigger difference if done at the beginning. My industry isn't known for tips and I got one a few weeks back. It wasn't much but it made an impression. They guy told me to buy a bottle of whiskey or some nice cigars. I can guarantee you this guy will get taken care of if he calls on me again. I'm used to people chilling  in every way shape or form. It's made me re think a bunch of things, especially those recreate customers that cause me tons of grief without so much as a verbal thank you.

As far as taxidermy I don't see myself expending again. Did my first elk paid full boar and told everyone how great he was. That was my tip. That said if I planned on being a repeat customer of any kind, I find a way to show some love on the first deal if satisfied. I've done so with service folks and it has helped me learn more in value than the case of bee faith of whiskey or whatever. 

[NW SURVEYOR]

I heard this expression years ago and never knew where it came from.
It has always stuck with me and made a lot of sense as a regular working person.
I must admit to being 66 years old, so maybe that's my problem.

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more."
Jonas Salk

You can probably imagine my opinion of tipping.
Carry on.

[Taco280AI]

There's a Thai place we like I'll order from and pick up. Online you can pay and provide a tip, it's good for and I give a small tip for that reason. Then you get your food and sign your receipt, There's a line for additional tip. Additional tip? GTFO 

[Pathfinder101]

I struggle with this exact question.  My taxidermist is always talking about tips which is uncomfortable at best.   I have rounded the price up 25-50 bucks to a nice round number on occasion but I just can’t bite off on a tip.  He is on the upper end of prices as it is (his work is worth it).   I love the guys work and he is a good dude…..I just can’t see tipping for this type of service.  He often talks about how guides get huge tips but taxidermist don’t.  I understand what he is saying but don’t necessarily see this as apples to apples.   

 

Many guides work for tips only, or room and board plus tips.  Those that get paid a salary don't usually get much, so most of what they make comes from tips.  Like waiters and waitresses used to before min wage got out of hand....

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Perspective from a taxidermist…….
I never expect to be tipped. I’m doing a job that someone is expecting quality work from in a rough timeline that I can provide at my best judgment based on amount of work in the shop and the current tannery and supply timelines. Prices are based upon a lot of industry norms related to quality and also prices to forms used. Sometimes timelines go over or very slight modifications are needed, to which I notify the client but don’t charge less (for over timeline) or more (minor mods).

I COMPLETELY agree with most of you that tipping in today’s world is ridiculous. Norms at a restaurant are now an insane 20% expected….dumb! If the service or food is exceptional I will tip, but otherwise it will be a few bucks for the job/service that you are already being paid for.

Similar goes to taxidermy work. Again, I never expect tips. The only exception, still not expected, is a project that was rushed, completely custom added habitat from the client, something very very specific that was asked of, etc. I still am not in the mindset that I will get a tip for this, but the mere act of receiving one for this type of extra work is very well taken as an appreciation for a ‘beyond’ project.
Furthermore, tips in the form of money is always appreciated but the ones that are really nice and mean more to me are a package of steaks, fish, etc- something that the client gave that I know is truly a token of appreciation as a sportsmen/woman.

I think some mentioned it in here but one thing that irritates me along those same lines as a taxidermist is expected ‘extras’ like ‘can you do 2 for the price of 1 cause I’m bringing you extra work’ or requesting a discount secondary to a referral. Or people that try and get me to drop tax, etc. Trying to take advantage of me or my services when they are in the middle range of prices can get on my bad side real quick. Yes, I and many other artists give discounts or breaks to returning client,  but the ask of that on your first trip into my shop does not bode well with me and is truly a little disrespectful.

Most professional taxidermists take care of their regulars and returning clients, reciprocation is always appreciated, not by tips, but mere courtesy, communication, and professionalism. These actions I value more than anything else, should be extended to the client as well, and lead to a solid relationship with returning clients!
Sorry for the long winded response!