Whats an acceptable time frame on getting your animal back

[seth30]

I was at michelles last year and she told me about the problems .  I feel bad that the mistakes of one can create the domino affect for so many others.  My next Euro mount I want will be dropped off at michelles as well.

[Kowsrule30]

I've had elk and a couple deer mounts take a year..... A few deer mounts that took 3-6 months to.... A yote hide in 28 days!!!!    

[billythekidrock]

I've had bear mounts take 18-24 months and my brother is still waiting for his bear he killed in 2006.

[bearpaw]

Bad News
I have some hides and horns I had to go get from a taxidermist that was 6 years behind and I took them to another taxidermist. 

Good News
I have taken several bear to Michelle and some of the mounts took a little longer than she thought, but she replied back promptly to my email and she was still way faster than some other taxidermists that I have dealt with. What is most important is that she did a nice job, I have no complaints, she can count on seeing more work from me.

There has been a real problem with tanneries because some chemical was outlawed and it screwed up a lot of the tanneries. Michelle has been taking hides to a better tannery just to make sure of getting the best job she could find. It's not as convenient but she is getting good results from them. Sad thing is that it isn't really the tanneries fault either, it's all due to the government outlawing some chemical that was used in tannering.

Unfortunately unexpected things can happen that screw up schedules. it's happened to me before and I had to own up to the situation like Michelle is doing now. I would suggest that you guys try to be understanding and give her a little time to catch up, she has had some pretty serious setbacks that she could not aniticipate in advance. I know that she is trying to get caught up but she can't do it all at the same time. But, I have confidence she will get your mounts done as soon as possible. 

[Annette]

I just got back a cougar hide after 3 1/2 years and the taxidermist.. had quit his business but missed getting my stuff to me, still owes me 800.00 back and I don't have a tag or the tag numbers yet....

[billythekidrock]

I just got back a cougar hide after 3 1/2 years and the taxidermist.. had quit his business but missed getting my stuff to me, still owes me 800.00 back and I don't have a tag or the tag numbers yet....

Lacey?

[Michelle_Nelson]

I have yet to recieve any comunications from massivehunter.  Since I am still not positive who this individual is I am going to post my contact information on this thread for anyone who would like to get ahold of me.  I am eager to make contact so that I can address the questions and concerns he has about his Bear Rug.   Thank you.

PHONE;  (360) 704-0034

E-MAIL; mntaxidermy@hotmail.com

I accept PM's through this sight and messages on Facebook.

[LITTLEBUCK]

Michelle, I don't want to through gas on an already going fire, but have you contacted your clients regarding your troubles and set backs? Seams to me that would be the first thing I would do if I had an issue. That's just good business. Please don't take this wrong, I have nothing at stake here. Just curious.

[Michelle_Nelson]

LITTLEBUCK,

I have been very up front about the set backs I have been experiencing.  The majority of my clients that have been affected have been updated.  There are a few that have moved and have changed phone numbers that I can't get ahold of. 

I try, exerytime a customer calls me for an update, to ask if they are aware of the set backs.  I do this to make sure everyone knows in case I have missed anyone.  I have posted about my set backs in several threads on this site as well.   

[LITTLEBUCK]

Thanks Michelle, you can only do what you can do. trust me I understand. I am waiting for my 2010 buck from Charlie. But its all good, and I know it will look great when complete.

[massivehunter]

Whitelightning - Michelle was the Taxidermist on my Bear. Did it take longer than she intended yes Michelle_Nelson – I just spent the last 5 hours calling, playing phone tag, and recieving phone calls from all the customers that I still have Bears (Rugs, Shoulder Mounts, 1/2 Life Size, and Life Size) for in 2010.
Bearpaw - I have taken several bear to Michelle and some of the mounts took a little longer than she thought Michelle_Nelson - I try, exerytime a customer calls me for an update, to ask if they are aware of the set backs.  I do this to make sure everyone knows in case I have missed anyone.  I have posted about my set backs in several threads on this site as well. 
 
So you first say that it took you five hours to contact customers, then you say when a customer calls YOU, are they aware of the setbacks?? I really think that should in fact be YOUR job to inform.  I can see that being late is the way you conduct yourself in a business like environment. You have answered most of my questions just by replying to this thread. I may of already talked to you the other day but I am not going to say anything until I get my item back and I find a new taxidermist.
 
But the only question not really answered was this one you can read and make your own guess. Lets say that you order a pizza, they tell you  45 minutes,  on the way to your  home they get stuck in traffic, they see something that needs to be taken care of, they get in a little fender bender, they have to stop for gas. There are a lot of unseen issues that can arise. But you know that when they get there they are going to MAKE IT RIGHT, you will get a discount, or you will get it for free…. So you should really think about that when you are handing animals over that are 7-9 months behind the time you told them. It is your business and I can see as a lot of other people can see you are not someone that can meet your end of an agreement. I will be waiting for the call to come pick up my bear hopefully within the next 6 months.

[billythekidrock]

Try Alden's next time. 5 years plus with no money back even after changing to a lower priced mount. Stuff happens.

[jjdavis2222]

I will be bear hunting up in Alaska in 5 weeks and after following this post and knowing a person that has a bear with Michelle, I can tell you I wont be sending her a bear if I am lucky enough to get one. Michelle, This type of bad press can really hurt you! I know you do great work, but just knowing how bad your communicating skills are and how backed up you are is really going to hurt your buisness I think. Like I said I have seen your work and it is GOOD, I hope you can learn  little from this. I dont think this was meant to be a bashing post and I certianly am not bashing anyone. I just know if I was running any kind of company, I would always let my customers know whats going on! I hope you just take all this with a grain of salt and learn from it and make your buisness better!

[boneaddict]

I've waited 3 years for a bear after being told 9 mos.    I had no idea.   Honesty is the best policy.  Guess what kids, SUPPLY AND DEMAND.  In other words if you are a GREAT taxidermist, the only thing slowing things coming into their doors is the price of the critter.      Be pleasantly surprised that these great taxidermists on here aren't JACKING thier prices to keep down the overflow.   

point #2.  Just because you see them on the internet, doesn't mean they are not doing their work.  I am betting some of you work an 8-10-12 hour day and still find time to be on here, such as me right now, spending my 30 minute break evaluating this thread.

point #3. PATIENCE is a virtue.    I get so flustered with everyone on their damn cell phones calling every 10 minutes.   Sure, there might be just one of you, but take a hundred of you that think its your right..........I see it every year with the draw.  Let them do their work.   WHEN I AM mounting a deer, and my wife brings me the phone because someone at work can't do thier job, I have to wash my hands, stop what I am doing, interupt a chain of thought etc.   THINK ABOUT IT.


I won't justify someone not contacting you back, unless you are being annoying as hell.   


now for that bear.  After 15 mos, I called.  Then 2 years, then 3 years, I heard he was going out of business.  I went and stood on his doorstep until he got home from the bar.  My bear was in a pile of 30.  I was going to take it, but he promised me he'd have it done.   I sat and watched and learned until I could tell I was making him nervous.  After the week I called and he brought it to me.   I believe I avoided a bad situation as I heard all sorts of bad stories after that.   There is a time to be proactive...there is a time to be patient.  FIGURE IT OUT

[Miles]

Sounds like I'm saving money AND headaches, by not having anything mounted. 


It's easy enough to do a Euro myself and be done with it.   No wait, no real cost, and I can pull those antlers off the wall and fondle them anytime I want.