re: Does this sound right?

[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