re: Does this sound right?

[grunt11B]

Hello,

      I want to tell you my story...I will withhold the information until I get a final answer. I dropped off my trophy blacktail to a taxidermist in November 2010. I was assured that it'll be done in January 2011, I called and he had informed me that he recieved a workload that came in from Africa and mine will be pushed backed. He had informed me that it should be done in June, I called in June and he had informed me that he wasn't done and it should be done in September. I called in September and he said he wan't done and I asked him if he started on it, he said no, but it should be done in October. I informed him that I'll be stopping by to see my deer and he said that he hasn't started on it and there's nothing to see. I'm thinking about just taking my money and trophy buck back. I would appreciate it if he didn't give me the run around. I want to see my investment before I leave again to Afghanistan.
What is your opinion? Please advice.....Grunt11B

[Knocker of rocks]

Yes, get your buck and buck$ back.  He has done nothing but lie to you.  It's bad enough that he pushed your job back.  That was questionable in and of itself.

[Kola16]

Take it back, and tell everyone on this site who it is so we do not go to him.

[grunt11B]

Knocker,

      There is the fear of my trophy being stolen like the one article I read of a guy who got his trophy buck stolen...I am shopping around for an attorney as a fall back plan...Theft by deception...I don't want other hunters to experience this situation, and I might just bring it up to the better business bureau....I'm going to see if he gives me the run around next week when I ask for my buck and cash back...

[predator guy]

Go get your buck and take it to someone else. Thank you for your service by the way.

[grunt11B]

Predator,

      Thank you for your support....

[firefighter4607]

Did you pay the fully amount upfront?
Did he give you a date on when about it would be compete?
Does he have your cape?

I would go and talk to him. Tell him that you are disappointed with his service. Ask him why your business got pushed back. If he gave any type of BS responses I would ask for my money and deer back.
Please keep us informed on this issue we had another member that had to have his whole mount redone, the taxi screwed the ears to the horns.
There are alot of good taxidermist that are members on this site, if you take your mount back I would recommend you take it to one of them.

[grunt11B]

firefighter4607,

      I didn't pay the full amount, I paid half now and the full amount upon completion. When I first dropped it off he said it'll be done in January, then June then September and now October. He said that it will be worked on and it shouldn't pushed past November. He has said this all throughout the timeline he's given me. He has the buck in his possesion and we have the receit. The buck I am on is in his shop. I might as well inform everyone the shop name since I don't want anyone else to experience this type of crap. ...I never bugged, nor pressured him. I called on the timeline he gave me, and now it's getting old.

[Knocker of rocks]

Knocker,

      There is the fear of my trophy being stolen like the one article I read of a guy who got his trophy buck stolen...I am shopping around for an attorney as a fall back plan...Theft by deception..

I don't think it would be theft by deception, I would think it would be just plain theft.  If he somehow switches bucks with you, then there could be a case for theft by deception.  In any case, that would be the choice of the police, sheriff, prosecutor and court system. 

But regardless of what the police and courts do, if your buck is missing, you can bring a civil action against him.  You can also sue him if he doesn't refund all your funds if you request him to du so.  He has broken all contracts with you (written or verbal), and you are deserving a full refund and return of your property.   

I would think about not using an attorney.  At $200/hr, they can chew through  a lot of money fast.  If your buck is gone, you would be able to receive reasonable damages for that, probably on the order of $500 to $1500.  There wouldn't be any chance for emotional or punitive damages   

Forget about the BBB, and also do not threaten him by saying something like "give me my buck, my money back and $100 for being a pain in the ass to me, or I'll tell everybody on the internet".  That could be viewed as extortion.   

Maybe you could tell him that, but sure as hell don't send it in an e-mail, letter or voice mail.

[firefighter4607]

I am glad you didn't pay the full amount. I have seen a few people pay full amount then not get there mounts done in a timely fashion.
With that being the case I would try to get my money and buck back. Good Luck!

[grunt11B]

Knocker of rocks,

      I really appreciate your legal advice. Trust me Extortion is not on my list. Once this guy screws me over I will inform everyone of this mess, so they won't step into his shop. Thanks again for your advice.

Grunt11b

[3nails]

 I wasn't going to comment but then I had a close up of your buck........ ......I'd go straight down there and demand your antlers back first. Then start a discussion. That's a buck of a lifetime. If you get your antlers back but no cape pm me and I'll give you a real nice one.

[Knocker of rocks]

Knocker of rocks,

      I really appreciate your legal advice. Trust me Extortion is not on my list. Once this guy screws me over I will inform everyone of this mess, so they won't step into his shop. Thanks again for your advice.

Grunt11b

I ain't a lawyer, just been around a long time, and have had to finely tune a letter or two in my time.

I'm also a junkie for pod casts of "Handel on the law"

[grunt11B]

Knocker of rocks,

        Nonetheless, I'll take any advice that would help...

[grunt11B]

3 nails,

      Thanks I might just do that....

[Smithandsonstaxidermy]

Reading your post brings back angery memories,Lacy taxi scewed me so hard years ago,just thinking about it again ,leaves a bad taste in my mouth.Long story short,Took 4yrs to get back,When i got it back my double white patched cape,Was replaced with a ugly ratty cape.I feel for you. I would go get your stuff back as soon as possible sounds fishy.                                                             

[FSTaxidermy]

Reading your post brings back angery memories,Lacy taxi scewed me so hard years ago,just thinking about it again ,leaves a bad taste in my mouth.Long story short,Took 4yrs to get back,When i got it back my double white patched cape,Was replaced with a ugly ratty cape.I feel for you. I would go get your stuff back as soon as possible sounds fishy.                                                             

Ditto, go pick up your horns/cape.

Before getting into taxidermy myself, I have also had my bad experience with one of my trophies, that still hangs on the wall until today (good reminder for me to be committed to only quality work).

Your trophy is suppose to remind you of all the great memories of the hunt, not the bad memories of someone dogging you.  Even if the current taxidermist finishes your buck, your never going to have a good nights sleep until its out of his hands (sounds like you just want resolution at this point).

Going to an attorney would be the last of the last choice in my mind.

3nails, what an awesome offer, that is what I love about this site, hunting community rallies for one of their own!

grunt11B, hope your experience ends with an awesome mount, filled with great memories.

P.S. there are several taxidermist on this site that are committed to being accountable to the members on this site and making sure our customers are happy.  FYI-Their sites are listed at the top of the taxidermy page, check them out to see examples of work.  Good luck, Duane

[billythekidrock]

Reading your post brings back angery memories,Lacy taxi scewed me so hard years ago,just thinking about it again ,leaves a bad taste in my mouth.Long story short,Took 4yrs to get back,When i got it back my double white patched cape,Was replaced with a ugly ratty cape.I feel for you. I would go get your stuff back as soon as possible sounds fishy.                                                             

Dale (Lacey) did great work, but when he wanted to screw ya he did it good as well. He did 4 bucks and 4 bears for my family. Most were great but both my brother and I had bears that we knew weren't ours. The one's we got back were bigger. 

[840dc]

I wasn't going to comment but then I had a close up of your buck........ ......I'd go straight down there and demand your antlers back first. Then start a discussion. That's a buck of a lifetime. If you get your antlers back but no cape pm me and I'll give you a real nice one.

Thats awesome! what a great offer!

[adamR]

kinda sounds like what happened to my father-in-law, he had a nice 7x7 bull get pushed back for 2 years for some damn water buffalo... we were given like three different dates of when it would be done, fortunately we finally got the mount and will never go back

[Michelle_Nelson]

I dropped off my trophy blacktail to a taxidermist in November 2010. I was assured that it'll be done in January 2011,

Before reading my comments please keep in mind that I am not making accusations of any kind only assumptions.  I do not know which taxidermist grunt11B is talking about.  I do not know what is going on in that particular taxidermists life that may be causing things to become stretched.  Wether there is an illness, death, loss of cape, etc.   
 
 
A 2 month turn around?  This was the first thing that stood out in my mind.  It either sounds like the guy doesn't have enough work to keep himself busy or he is quoting a low turn around to get the work.  Most taxidermists average about a 1 year turn around. 
 
Did you see any of the guys work before leaving the deer with him?  How did you hear about this taxidermist?  Does anyone you know use the guy?
 
It is up to you if you want to have your deer returned to you.  It's your property!  I just wouldn't go in there starting off with and attitude or threats (not saying you will).  That will more than likely just complicate the situation. 

[grunt11B]

Michelle_Nelson,

     I saw his website in the internet and he sounded reasonable. I asked him if there where any chance if he could get it done any sooner for the upcoming hunters expo and he said he could do it. So I took his word, like I've mentioned I was going off of the timelines he wanted me to call. Calls, after calls sounded like the round around or avoidance. First excuse was he was swamped with African shipments, next was he wasn't done, and just recently he said he was swamped with the recent hunts. He came in third place in the taxidermist contest. If I don't get my property back then of course I will inform every hunter in this State to stay away from his shop. One of the response from my post made sense. The trophy buck was not just a deer, but memories of the hunt, the good times with the buddies, the long cold days and nights. Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything irrational, unlike the taxidermist I believe in my values as a hunter and a soldier.
Thanks for the input.....

[Michelle_Nelson]

Michelle_Nelson,

 I asked him if there where any chance if he could get it done any sooner for the upcoming hunters expo and he said he could do it.

OK, that explains the 2 month turn around.
 
 

[Kuduman]

Grunt11B:
 Sorry to hear about your situation.  Bottom line....... GO VISIT YOUR TAXIDERMIST AND TALK TO HIM........

Like Michelle I also picked up on the January 2011 pick up date.....If you came to me and asked for a two month turn around I would add 50% to your invoice and give you an exact pick up date or its regular price. Did he offer express service at no additional charge or did you offer to pay extra to be placed ahead of 50-100 customers that were waiting longer than you.

Normal turn around for this taxidermist might be a year so figure out why its changed so often.

Don't go in ready for a fight. You are one of as many as 100 customers and although he may not have done a good job of managing your expectations its now time for clear concise and professional communications. voice your concerns and get an concrete delivery date along with a guarantee of what actions will be taken if delivery is not made by that date. if it makes you feel better get it in writing.

Did you sign an agreement when you dropped of the cape and antlers ?  If you did now is the time to review it.

I commend you for not naming this taxidermist and dragging this person through the mud. It shows that you have class and are more concerned about fixing the problem rather than trashing a businessman.

Good Luck

Kuduman