Post by: TRB on August 31, 2013, 08:38:20 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on August 31, 2013, 08:42:58 PM
Post by: jeffro on August 31, 2013, 08:49:27 PM
You could of had a hack do it faster, but is that what you want?
Post by: sled on August 31, 2013, 08:50:10 PM
Post by: seth30 on August 31, 2013, 08:51:39 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on August 31, 2013, 09:02:19 PM
Post by: huntnphool on August 31, 2013, 09:31:48 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on August 31, 2013, 10:02:49 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 31, 2013, 10:06:12 PM
You have only sent me 1 PM (on August 7th) since, and it was responded to.
Michelle, I read the posts about guy waiting 3 years for his bear....Is that going to be me or is it really almost done as you stated on June 24?
If you hadn't gotten a response then why didn't you send me another PM, or e-mail me, or even call me? I know you have my phone number.
I will tell you again. I am currently working on your Bear Rug. I do not have an absolute set in stone completion date. It will not be 3 years.
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 31, 2013, 10:09:43 PM
How well do capes hold up after 2-4 years in a freezer?
It depends if there tanned or raw. Raw usually 1 year though I have worked on some that have been in the freezer longer. Tanned I've had some stock capes in the freezer for 4-5 years and they are perfectly fine.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on August 31, 2013, 11:25:21 PM
Chill out and enjoy the finished product.
You could of had a hack do it faster, but is that what you want?
Its not your money and you have no right to tell someone to chill out, thats a rediculous response :rolleyes: just because someone else does their work in a more timely manner and conducts business better doesn't make them a hack.
I have only been here a year or so and only seen this *same* complaint/thread pop up about one taxi, more then once, matter of fact several times. I think there is definitely a pattern that's undeniable. also i think reading a thread and becoming worried and sending a pm is normal.
you stated she has not replied since June,
she says you have not tried to contact her since June
do you have the PM's to paste or quote what you sent michelle on here, so members and staff can see who is outright lying? not that it changes anything, but it surely sets a pattern and shows if there a issue with denied communication and poor inexcusable service. no matter what the circumstances are, denied communication is inexcusable. as a business owner no matter how much the answer sucks or gets me yelled at I am bound to communicate with people, which small business owners tend to avoid, which seems to be the biggest complaint i see for Michelle over and over and over.
so lets see the pms you say were ignored so this is factual and not a false witch hunt as the last complaint was deemed and locked up.
Post by: RoyBoy on September 01, 2013, 12:08:19 AM
Here We Go Again! :bash:
ive seen like 5 or more bad posts about her i think its time to find another taxidermist! theres other ones around. maybe swing by Rainier taxidermy some time he is located in roy his name zach. absolutely AMAZING life long lasting work and reasonable time frames :tup:
Post by: JoeE on September 01, 2013, 03:14:01 AM
Post by: rasbo on September 01, 2013, 04:21:21 AM
Post by: HHPro on September 01, 2013, 06:39:31 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on September 01, 2013, 07:01:52 AM
I have waited twice for two years to have a bear done by a taxi..didnt bother me a bit...took me longer than that to take my first bear,glad I didnt give up..she will have your bear done and it will look great.....
Had the same happen to myself and my brother. Actually twice for him with two different taxis.
It's funny that we just had a thread on here about a short turnaround with shoddy work and everyone says "ya get what ya pay for", but then others want to complain about waiting.
Post by: MrsTurkeyFeather on September 01, 2013, 07:28:00 AM
Ive seen 3 threads on this subject......3 strikes.....youre out :sry:
Post by: Crunchy on September 01, 2013, 07:33:32 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on September 01, 2013, 07:35:40 AM
so lets see the pms you say were ignored so this is factual and not a false witch hunt as the last complaint was deemed and locked up.
I agree.
Post by: Special T on September 01, 2013, 07:40:07 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on September 01, 2013, 07:45:46 AM
I have asked the op to post any messages that were sent and not responded to.
Post by: SCRUBS on September 01, 2013, 08:12:20 AM
Two years wouldn't bother as long as the taxi did excellent work and communicated well. Otherwise I would take my future business elsewhere.
:yeah:
Post by: buckhorn2 on September 01, 2013, 08:18:26 AM
Post by: MrsTurkeyFeather on September 01, 2013, 08:21:05 AM
The decision to have Taxi work done should be done with the realization that $ and TIME is part of the equation for the cost of the service.
Money.....yes
Time for a good product....absolutley
But the BIGGEST part of this equation needs to be COMMUNICATION. If I wake up one morning thinking about my taxi project, even if I know the answer is going to be "still in process", I sure as heck better be able to pick up the phone/send an email/drop a PM or even send a carrier pigeon (ok, maybe not the pigeon :chuckle: ) and expect to get my answer within a couple of business days. NO EXCUSES.
Post by: runningboard on September 01, 2013, 08:36:47 AM
Post by: mulehunter on September 01, 2013, 08:48:57 AM
The wait will be worth it the work she does is special and you will be proud to have it when she is finished.
:yeah:
Post by: boneaddict on September 01, 2013, 09:20:12 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on September 01, 2013, 09:45:47 AM
2 years is nothing for turnaround time. I'd get nervous about year 3. I have a feeling this was generated from the previous thread. Lets see these communications that supposedly didn't get answered as was requested. Being the squeaky wheel shouldn't get you bumped further ahead in the line.
I agree.
Sometimes there is a bit more to a story.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on September 01, 2013, 04:37:03 PM
you stated she has not replied since June,
she says you have not tried to contact her since June
do you have the PM's to paste or quote what you sent michelle on here, so members and staff can see who is outright lying? not that it changes anything, but it surely sets a pattern and shows if there a issue with denied communication and poor inexcusable service. no matter what the circumstances are, denied communication is inexcusable. as a business owner no matter how much the answer sucks or gets me yelled at I am bound to communicate with people, which small business owners tend to avoid, which seems to be the biggest complaint i see for Michelle over and over and over.
so lets see the pms you say were ignored so this is factual and not a false witch hunt as the last complaint was deemed and locked up.
TRB-- you have been logged in plenty, you have not responded at all, (which is what you accused Michelle of) and Id say its safe to say you have checked your thread.
So wheres the beef brother? :dunno:
You threw out some heavy accusations for a site sponsor and now have left her reputation blowing in the wind, time to either provide what you claimed, or, if you exaggerated, then publicly apologize for jumping the gun and not being 100% honest.
:yeah:
Post by: seth30 on September 01, 2013, 05:02:21 PM
Well put :tup:
you stated she has not replied since June,
she says you have not tried to contact her since June
do you have the PM's to paste or quote what you sent michelle on here, so members and staff can see who is outright lying? not that it changes anything, but it surely sets a pattern and shows if there a issue with denied communication and poor inexcusable service. no matter what the circumstances are, denied communication is inexcusable. as a business owner no matter how much the answer sucks or gets me yelled at I am bound to communicate with people, which small business owners tend to avoid, which seems to be the biggest complaint i see for Michelle over and over and over.
so lets see the pms you say were ignored so this is factual and not a false witch hunt as the last complaint was deemed and locked up.
TRB-- you have been logged in plenty, you have not responded at all, (which is what you accused Michelle of) and Id say its safe to say you have checked your thread.
So wheres the beef brother? :dunno:
You threw out some heavy accusations for a site sponsor and now have left her reputation blowing in the wind, time to either provide what you claimed, or, if you exaggerated, then publicly apologize for jumping the gun and not being 100% honest.
:yeah:
Post by: washingtonmuley on September 01, 2013, 05:21:52 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 01, 2013, 05:36:10 PM
I found this one and it shows that I did respond to it! Then I talked to you on the phone 2 days later.
Michelle, I am just checking on the status of my bear. In September it will be 2 years....I spoke to you 2 months ago and you said another 2 months so I am just wondering where you are on it...Thanks,
I also found this one. I don't remember seeing this one and it shows that I did NOT respond to this one. I do not know why.
So how much longer now, Micelle? Coming up on 2 years.....
Then there is the one I previously posted in this thread. Which you got a response to.
Michelle, I read the posts about guy waiting 3 years for his bear....Is that going to be me or is it really almost done as you stated on June 24?
So I responded to 2 out of 3 of your PM's to me. Plus talked to you atleast once on the phone since June 22nd.
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 01, 2013, 05:45:21 PM
TRB-- you have been logged in plenty, you have not responded at all, (which is what you accused Michelle of) and Id say its safe to say you have checked your thread.
He was last logged in at 2:45 AM. He is probably out with family since it is a holiday weekend or maybe out Archery hunting. I am sure he will be back. Probably just busy this weekend.
I keep forgetting it's a holiday weekend and nothing is open Monday. :o
Post by: Kc_Kracker on September 01, 2013, 05:51:09 PM
In my opinion if a taxidermist has a three year wait then he or she is taking in more work than they are capable of doing in a timely manner. I know top quality taxidermist that get your work back in 12 months or less. Oh and by the way his bear rugs are outstanding!!!!!!!!!!
all taxis have been stating they have had extreme tanning waits etc, and many members have claimed they waited 3 years at other places so this is not so uncommon anymore. a friend just waited 39 months to get a fish done at the most reputable place in Alaska.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on September 01, 2013, 05:55:39 PM
you replied 2 outta 3 times, i would not call that "poor or denied communication".
Id say the OP needs to relax, not let other threads get him in a huge worry, this IMO is not overdue 8)
Post by: woodman on September 01, 2013, 06:16:01 PM
In my opinion if a taxidermist has a three year wait then he or she is taking in more work than they are capable of doing in a timely manner. I know top quality taxidermist that get your work back in 12 months or less. Oh and by the way his bear rugs are outstanding!!!!!!!!!!
all taxis have been stating they have had extreme tanning waits etc, and many members have claimed they waited 3 years at other places so this is not so uncommon anymore. a friend just waited 39 months to get a fish done at the most reputable place in Alaska.
KC, don't take this personal please.
I have had bear rugs and mounts done by very reputable taxidermists and they only took around one year. The work was excellent and have had many compliments on them. I have posted some on this web site.
I really don't get the two and three year wait. I am sure that Michelle does outstanding work so I am not trying to say anything negative about her here. The taxidermists probably have access to the same tanneries. I don't know if you have personal experience with this process, but I sure would shop around if someone told me that it would take that long.
When I did my Canada hunt they did tell me that the wait could be 5 years.
I am not naming the taxidermists that I use out of fear that everyone will start flooding them with work.
Post by: Special T on September 01, 2013, 07:29:17 PM
Post by: woodman on September 01, 2013, 07:47:59 PM
And there is the crux of the issue! You can tell a good Taxi by a wait list, but one with a short wait list is a wait and see proposition. Since YOU (and most other people) are afraid of the same thing(sharing a good taxi with a short wait list) then the easiest way to tell a good taxi is the wait list.... Only beginners and unknowns have a short wait list, and since the tannery process takes up a bunch of the time how much is the Taxi?
I would say another way to tell a good taxi is by referral. When I am talking in person with someone I will share who I use. I just am not going to broadcast it on here. That would be like posting a great honey hole on here, how long would it be a honey hole after that.
I really don't know how long their wait list is. Maybe they are efficient with their time while doing their job. Some people can do jobs very well, just faster than others. I would say that would apply to any vocation, all you have to do is ask anyone if where they work if some get more done on the same shift than others.
As far as tanneries go, I assume they are like vendors in any other business. I would assume that any registered Taxi that pays their bills can use them.
Post by: washingtonmuley on September 01, 2013, 08:00:56 PM
And there is the crux of the issue! You can tell a good Taxi by a wait list, but one with a short wait list is a wait and see proposition. Since YOU (and most other people) are afraid of the same thing(sharing a good taxi with a short wait list) then the easiest way to tell a good taxi is the wait list.... Only beginners and unknowns have a short wait list, and since the tannery process takes up a bunch of the time how much is the Taxi?I completely disagree with the comment of only bad taxidermist have short lists. I know of a great Taxi that knows how to manage his work properly and only has a year wait. I will guarantee his work to be better than the one in question.
Post by: magnanimous_j on September 01, 2013, 08:11:27 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 01, 2013, 08:12:07 PM
I completely disagree with the comment of only bad taxidermist have short lists. I know of a great Taxi that knows how to manage his work properly and only has a year wait. I will guarantee his work to be better than the one in question.
I hope your not directing that towards me and my work. Considering I do not believe you have ever been in my shop to see my work in person. Seems a little bit of a one sided biased opinion.
Post by: washingtonmuley on September 01, 2013, 08:13:24 PM
I don't know anything about taxidermy. What is a reasonable turnaround on a project?Not three years!!!
Post by: turkeyfeather on September 01, 2013, 08:13:44 PM
Post by: washingtonmuley on September 01, 2013, 08:17:19 PM
I have only used a taxi once. Had a couple pheasants done by a gentleman in the Tri-Cities. He told me it would be 5-6 months. It was done in 4 months and the work was excellent.Birds don't require a tannery so turn around can be much faster.
Post by: turkeyfeather on September 01, 2013, 08:18:38 PM
Ah, well that shows how much I know. :chuckle:I have only used a taxi once. Had a couple pheasants done by a gentleman in the Tri-Cities. He told me it would be 5-6 months. It was done in 4 months and the work was excellent.Birds don't require a tannery so turn around can be much faster.
Post by: Tbar on September 01, 2013, 09:01:56 PM
I was quoted a 1 year but told to check at 9 months. At 10 months he informed me the cape was back and he was starting right away. I was led on and ignored(not to go into too much detail) for the next 10 months while calling every couple weeks religiously. It was such an uncomfortable feeling, the taxi held all the cards. I wanted to freak out on him but he had something special of mine. I wanted to go elsewhere but my $1000 bill was paid in full. I felt I was behind the 8 ball at every turn and was powerless to change the situation. In the end he discounted my bill 15% (which he didn't have to), but thats not worth 1 of several arguments I had with my wife on how to handle things from our(the patron) side.
Post by: Sawbuck on September 01, 2013, 09:30:21 PM
I don't have a dog in this fight but I'll throw my :twocents: in. I have had about 10 mounts done and several euros. I have used just about every taxi in skagit county. Turnaround and quality are in no way relative (in my experience), some mounts turned out awsome and were a relatively quick turnaround, and some waits have been disappointing to say the least. As a taxi customer the only time I was fighting mad was when my mount wasn't ready close to the promised timeframe.Tbar, have you tried Wildlife Art Taxidermy over on delta line road in Custer? Bruce does great work for a good price and has your stuff ready when he says he will. When I brought my deer in last October he told me July, and ended up calling me in March and said it was ready. Five months and quality work, I was thrilled.
I was quoted a 1 year but told to check at 9 months. At 10 months he informed me the cape was back and he was starting right away. I was led on and ignored(not to go into too much detail) for the next 10 months while calling every couple weeks religiously. It was such an uncomfortable feeling, the taxi held all the cards. I wanted to freak out on him but he had something special of mine. I wanted to go elsewhere but my $1000 bill was paid in full. I felt I was behind the 8 ball at every turn and was powerless to change the situation. In the end he discounted my bill 15% (which he didn't have to), but thats not worth 1 of several arguments I had with my wife on how to handle things from our(the patron) side.
Post by: kramer on September 01, 2013, 10:07:54 PM
Post by: TRB on September 01, 2013, 10:29:11 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 01, 2013, 10:55:09 PM
Post by: wildweeds on September 01, 2013, 11:02:48 PM
I don't have a dog in this fight but I'll throw my :twocents: in. I have had about 10 mounts done and several euros. I have used just about every taxi in skagit county. Turnaround and quality are in no way relative (in my experience), some mounts turned out awsome and were a relatively quick turnaround, and some waits have been disappointing to say the least. As a taxi customer the only time I was fighting mad was when my mount wasn't ready close to the promised timeframe.Tbar, have you tried Wildlife Art Taxidermy over on delta line road in Custer? Bruce does great work for a good price and has your stuff ready when he says he will. When I brought my deer in last October he told me July, and ended up calling me in March and said it was ready. Five months and quality work, I was thrilled.
I was quoted a 1 year but told to check at 9 months. At 10 months he informed me the cape was back and he was starting right away. I was led on and ignored(not to go into too much detail) for the next 10 months while calling every couple weeks religiously. It was such an uncomfortable feeling, the taxi held all the cards. I wanted to freak out on him but he had something special of mine. I wanted to go elsewhere but my $1000 bill was paid in full. I felt I was behind the 8 ball at every turn and was powerless to change the situation. In the end he discounted my bill 15% (which he didn't have to), but thats not worth 1 of several arguments I had with my wife on how to handle things from our(the patron) side.
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on September 02, 2013, 01:53:52 AM
Post by: jburkett on September 02, 2013, 09:29:46 PM
Seems to be a TREND :bash:There's definitely a trend here, look back at all of the post from her very happy customers over the years and compare them to the few Posts of people who feel there waiting to long for their trophy, and you will see a trend of people who are pleased with her work.
Post by: The scout on September 02, 2013, 09:56:37 PM
Post by: sirfunkeybut on September 02, 2013, 10:53:03 PM
Seems to be a TREND :bash:There's definitely a trend here, look back at all of the post from her very happy customers over the years and compare them to the few Posts of people who feel there waiting to long for their trophy, and you will see a trend of people who are pleased with her work.
Unfortunately bad news travels farther and faster than good.
Post by: jburkett on September 03, 2013, 09:03:04 PM
I think people are just getting a little carried away with this, I just got a mule deer back last week from 2011, it took nearly two years. And I probablySeems to be a TREND :bash:There's definitely a trend here, look back at all of the post from her very happy customers over the years and compare them to the few Posts of people who feel there waiting to long for their trophy, and you will see a trend of people who are pleased with her work.
Unfortunately bad news travels farther and faster than good.
won't get my 2012 buck back till this time next year. I don't care how long it takes my taxi to do it if the mount is perfect, and my mule deer is.
Post by: seth30 on September 03, 2013, 09:21:34 PM
thats gonna be an awkword day when he picks it up:yeah:
Post by: sirmissalot on September 03, 2013, 09:47:26 PM
And there is the crux of the issue! You can tell a good Taxi by a wait list, but one with a short wait list is a wait and see proposition. Since YOU (and most other people) are afraid of the same thing(sharing a good taxi with a short wait list) then the easiest way to tell a good taxi is the wait list.... Only beginners and unknowns have a short wait list, and since the tannery process takes up a bunch of the time how much is the Taxi?
That's not true at all. Good taxi's can and do charge more as their work load increases annually. Turn around time has absolutely nothing to do with quality of work. If you are that flooded with work, and increasing prices doesn't help reduce your work load, hire more help. No one ever said a taxidermist has to be a one man shop... It just doesn't make sense to me when these debates come up. You are given a time frame of when your trophy should be done when you drop it off, that taxi should stick to it to the best if their ability. Where I come from, a man is only as good as his word... One year is plenty of time to finish a quality mount.
Post by: stevemiller on September 03, 2013, 10:50:17 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 03, 2013, 11:06:49 PM
There are hundreds of tans on the market and they are not all good for Taxidermy.
The reason tanneries have the turn around time they do is because they tan for multiple Taxidermists.
Post by: stevemiller on September 03, 2013, 11:15:49 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 03, 2013, 11:47:20 PM
Yes i do agree it is a mess,it smells,it needs to be done right of course but its no where near as intricate as the taxing itself.as a business man myself i think doing as much yourself as possible is and always will be best,I hated answering for customers work due to a contractors turn around or shabby work.None of my business of course and not trying to harp on you and your business by any meens but if you are as busy as it sounds and I'm sure you could even get more work if you hired your own tanner to do yours and yours only that's all. :dunno:
I keep as much work as possible in shop. It would be very easy for me to just mount the heads in bear hides and ship them to a Rugger and let them do all the stretching, trimming, rugging, etc. That would help me get caught up much faster than tanning my own stuff. I won't because people brought me there Bears because they wanted my work. The stretching, trimming, and rugging portion is just as important to the over all look of a rug as mounting and finishing the head. The tanning is also important, every step is. That's why it is very important to do your research on any tannery you chose to use.
You run into some of the same problems hiring someone to work in shop. You still have to answer for anything they screw up or ruin. No different to me than hiring a Tannery to do the work. Everything else is done in shop by me.
I do not see myself going back to tanning my own capes and hides. I've been using this New tannery for 3 seasons so far and have been receiving nothing but quality work.
Post by: stevemiller on September 03, 2013, 11:59:21 PM
Post by: madmack76 on September 04, 2013, 02:41:20 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 04, 2013, 05:03:44 AM
Post by: Viszla on September 04, 2013, 11:01:41 AM
Does she do good work? Yes
Does she run a good business? No
Would I use her again? Absolutely NOT!!!
I've had the same experience with her as many others have had. She is impossible to get a hold of and comes up with every excuse in the book as to why she hasn't gotten back to you. In her defense, she did eventually get it done but I spent 2 1/2 years wondering if I'd ever see my bear again. Too bad her business/customer service skills are not as good as her taxidermy skills. I would not trust her to do another animal for me.
Post by: hrd2fnd on September 04, 2013, 11:53:46 AM
Personally I'd probably be upset myself, but knowing that a professional is doing something I don't have the skill set to do the quality of work that I have seen posted here from various artists and this is art.
When the day comes that I want a mount or rug done, I already have my artist chosen for the out standing works they've produced. Now if a bribe gets me too the head of the line so be it.
seeing as I've only filled 1 tag over the years I've been hunting the animal I get done will mean more as a way to remember the years of hunting and the me time spent. I'm not a trophy hunter by any means and my family could careless either way.
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on September 04, 2013, 11:59:30 AM
Post by: 92xj on September 04, 2013, 12:16:05 PM
When I get a chance I will upload a picture of a bear rug I had done in 2006 by a taxidermist on the east side.. Anyone that is complaining about having to wait will shut up quickly. The rug was done in just under a year, and I cannot even display it. I would have gladly waited another year to have a quality rug done by Michelle.
And there are numerous people who could post pictures of their rugs done by taxis on the east side that look amazing and the quality of work is as great as the best taxidermist out there and the time to get it back was under a year. Your arguement is weak, very weak.
Post by: Colville on September 04, 2013, 12:19:53 PM
I don't have a dog in this fight either, but since it seems that people aren't happy with the turn around time or the business practice then maybe they should learn to do the job themselves. This way they have nobody to complain about except there self.....
That's nuts. I also have no dog in the fight. I am a business owner. I don't care if you are fixing cars, taxi work, interior decorating, construction.... Makes no difference. To suggest I learn to fix my own transmission if the shop I hire takes 4 times as long as another, or far longer than they said, or regardless of the timing can't or won't communicate with me, is beyond silly. Time is equal to and in many cases more important than cost. No one can make any kind of claim that quality exists in an ultra finite number of locations. It's not a trade off of quality for whatever the business crams down my throat, there are other quality businesses. But I don't really think it's about either of those in this thread.
It's really about proper expectation setting, honestly. If you are 2 years out on work, that should be the first words out of your mouth when you on board a client. If you on board a client and you can see at some point you are going to fail on: cost, time, quality or some other aspect agreed upon YOU CALL. If you fail to set solid up font expectations your rep will be that you never do what you say. If you set good expectations and meet most of them but when you don't you let the customer swing out in the breeze, you're going down for that too. Don't like that? Don't run a service business or expect it to be trashed with some regularity by your customers. Can't have your cake and eat it too. Customers have choices and worst thing about that is that it is FAR harder to find a new customer than to serve the one you have well and get him/her to return.
Also, I was just on vacation for a week. I had no fewer than 4 client conversations and many emails... Because it's my business and they're my customers and I want both of those things to continue.
Post by: HntnFsh on September 06, 2013, 06:00:46 AM
Post by: Whitelightning on September 06, 2013, 10:24:56 PM
Thanks again Michelle I have a Speed Goat for a Euro coming to you soon!!
Post by: huntnnw on September 08, 2013, 11:02:53 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 08, 2013, 11:12:14 PM
Wow.. I did not mean to start such a public debate..I was not trying to start a witch hunt on this but I see how it could be construed this way...You started a thread on a forum with somewhere around 12,000 members right before hunting season, and you didn't want a big debate and witch hunt? :o
Post by: huntnnw on September 08, 2013, 11:15:41 PM
Post by: 92xj on September 09, 2013, 07:46:07 AM
The issue is not the quality of work done, its the horrible business practices that are done.
Quality of work is only a part of the business.
I will not spend my money with a business that has no customer service or has issues with customers.
There is a reason this is a topic that is brought up numerous times.
There are a dozen other business' on this site that members of the forum use that dont have thread after thread of negative things to say about the business.
There are plenty of other taxidermist that do great work, the same quality or better that take far less time and communicate with their customers.
Again, the issue isnt the work she does. We all know and have seen she does amazing work. The issue is customers complaining about no communication, promises of completion not met constantly, the numerous excuses instead of taking responsibility, ignoring phone calls, etc. bad business practices.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 09, 2013, 10:02:09 AM
I have visited Michelle's shop a couple of times. She is very meticulous, which is why I brought my buck to her. I think it says something about her that even though she has been "behind" for a couple of years, and she has a lot of customers putting pressure on her, she is still putting in the time and attention to detail that she was 3 years ago.
In fact, Michelle, if it's my buck you are working on; go ahead and let the phone ring...
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on January 09, 2014, 03:15:45 PM
Post by: TRB on February 23, 2014, 10:06:48 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 23, 2014, 10:32:01 PM
Status update on my bear from 2011 please.
2 weeks ago? It's been 9 days. You sent your message on the 14th I haven't logged on to hunting washington since Feb 12th. This is the first time I have seen your message.
You know you can look at my profile and see when I was last active if you do not receive a reply from me in the time frame you would like there is always a phone call.
I don't log in here every day and sometimes it is several days.
Post by: huntnnw on February 23, 2014, 10:34:24 PM
Post by: sled on February 23, 2014, 10:43:27 PM
im sorry since 2011..thats not acceptable:yike: I Don't Know The Situation, But Does Seem Looooong. If Your That Backed Up Why Don't You Turn Down More Work?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 23, 2014, 10:46:17 PM
Post by: sled on February 23, 2014, 10:56:47 PM
I turned down a LOT of work this year. I took in oughly 25% of what i normally do.Wow.
Post by: turkeyfeather on February 24, 2014, 10:24:51 AM
You were on the site the day before this. So you had been on the site between Feb 12 & yesterday. :dunno:Status update on my bear from 2011 please.
2 weeks ago? It's been 9 days. You sent your message on the 14th I haven't logged on to hunting washington since Feb 12th. This is the first time I have seen your message.
Post by: boneaddict on February 24, 2014, 10:37:33 AM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 24, 2014, 10:10:16 PM
You were on the site the day before this. So you had been on the site between Feb 12 & yesterday. :dunno:Status update on my bear from 2011 please.
2 weeks ago? It's been 9 days. You sent your message on the 14th I haven't logged on to hunting washington since Feb 12th. This is the first time I have seen your message.
First of all Turkeyfeather I have not been to bed since 5:30 pm on the 22nd. My first time logging on since the 12th was right around 8:30pm the 22nd. Please excuse me for mis speaking. The days kinda ran into each other. I took a 4 hour nap today at 8am-til noon. That is all the sleep I have had.
Between the 22nd and the 23rd I have had right around 90 PM's. Needless to say I have been a little busy since I logged in. I am still working through PM's.
Post by: wildweeds on February 24, 2014, 10:30:15 PM
Post by: huntnnw on February 24, 2014, 10:37:01 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 24, 2014, 11:54:53 PM
With 90 PM's it's no wonder a person can't get anything done,yet if ignored it starts a huge hub bub and a vicious circle that doesn't bode well because of the piling on that occurs.There's a time and a place to shut down the internet,and get the nose on the grindstone.Hard to have the nose on the grindstone defending yourself on the internet or the phone.It's apparantly a full time job for someone keeping the impatient at bay.Honestly from 2011 I'd say you over extended yourself,perhaps an assistant or two is in order(or a flat out qualified Taxi Skool grad to mentor in real world performance) to help get the backlog whittled down.Your work looks great,and because it does a flood of it comes in,when the performance to get it done lags because of the volume,one either needs to set a limit and turn the rest away or come up with a way to cope with the volume. What you've got is what we call in the oil industry as a SERIOUS bottleneck,Your trying to run 500k barrells of oil through a 100k barrell plant.
I hear from members "You need to be working, not playing on HuntWa or Facebook, or Taxidermy.net. People get all worked up and upset because if they see me on they think I am "playing". "You need to be spending more time in the shop and less time online".
BUT, if I don't log in every day to check messages and answer questions customers and other people get mad because I am supposedly "ignoring them".
It is a loose-loose. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. You can't have it both ways!
If someone posts a question about Taxidermy, Field Care, etc and I don't reply and answer questions the day they are posted there is a VERY good chance. Actually I would almost put money on the fact atleat 2-3 people are going to either PM me with the same question, ask me a different questions, or get mad at me because I am not answering there question asked on the forum.
People wanna bitch when I am behind but also wanna be able to bitch if I am not here to help them and answer questions. Maybe it is time for some other taxidermists to STEP UP and answer questions. There are atleast 8 of them on here.
Most of you guys that are just members, what do you get 1-2 maybe 3 PM's every day on a day to day basis? Maybe? I get on average every day 8-10. Those 8-10 get responded to and then respond back. Those 8-10 PM's end up being 30-40 PM's because a few of them want to just BS. Or they come up with other questions etc. I think the most PM's I have done in one day was close to 200.
Do you guys realize how much time that takes up each day to?
And people wonder why I miss or forget to respond to a PM. I've got 20 pages of PM's Between mid Sept and Today still in my inbox. Thats 500 PM's. I bet I've deleted atleast another 20 pages between the same time. If not more.
If your a customer or someone inquiring to have work done and you send me a PM. If you havn't gotten a response and you see that I have been online then chances are I missed your message. CALL ME. Don't wait a week or 2 weeks or a month and then complain that I didn't get back to you and that I am ignoring you. Check my PROFILE and see when I was last active. If I was last active on the 1st and you sent your message on the 2nd, I didn't see it because I havn't been logged in. That really aggravates me.
I am logging off and taking a break from the drama on this site. I will be back when I am back. I have work to do and I don't have time to entertain people on here just looking to create more drama.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 25, 2014, 05:42:54 AM
Post by: Taco280AI on February 25, 2014, 05:51:12 AM
but getting off the Internet and going back to work is a good idea, Iceman has been waiting 52 months for his rug and skull! Fifty-two!
Post by: turkeyfeather on February 25, 2014, 05:53:21 AM
Yet you logged just 4 hours later. Just couldn't help yourself could you. :chuckle: I felt bad for you at one time. I don't any longer you are just asking for it at this point. :bash:
I am logging off and taking a break from the drama on this site. I will be back when I am back. I have work to do and I don't have time to entertain people on here just looking to create more drama.
Post by: TRB on February 25, 2014, 01:13:15 PM
Post by: TRB on June 20, 2014, 06:02:07 AM
Post by: MADMAX on June 20, 2014, 06:13:37 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on June 20, 2014, 06:31:49 AM
I have three lawyers in my family and was close to legal action ... but she got lucky and finished.
Good luck.
Post by: Gringo31 on June 20, 2014, 06:34:36 AM
It was my intent to pick up my mounts. But, I got my first firm date of when they'd be completed and that is the best scenario. I understand your frustration but to me its simple. IF a rug is $1200 and you've paid $500 (for example).....I'd pick up my rug, take to someone else and have them finish. IF the final bill was $800, I would pay it but then expect Michelle to be responsible for $100.
It's a tough deal all the way around but the idea of having a firm date is SO comforting. If Michelle can't provide ONE..... I would take it to someone who will. :twocents:
Post by: Band on June 20, 2014, 08:17:24 AM
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on June 20, 2014, 09:29:26 AM
Post by: Becky on June 20, 2014, 11:15:26 AM
This topic comes up here more than anything else I see and yet people still send her work. There are many other quality taxidermists out there, I got my bear rug back in 13 months from the 2012 season and it looks amazing. Do some research people, we all know her MO so don't complain when you get the status quo.
Most of these threads and issues didn't start popping up until last year and this year. These gentlemen have had their trophies with her since 2011 and longer, way before there was any public outcry of problems here. They didn't "know her MO" and I'm pretty sure no one on the forum is taking work to her now, so I feel they have every right to complain. It's now been helping 2013+ potential customers to steer clear I'm sure.
Post by: Band on June 20, 2014, 01:59:33 PM
Post by: Becky on June 20, 2014, 02:34:41 PM
Geez, Smossy's Girl, you already sound like a Moderator! :tup:
Ha! :chuckle: I've been this way, whether that's "moderator" sounding or not I don't know :dunno:. I just point out stuff.
Post by: akirkland on June 27, 2014, 01:04:07 PM
Post by: sirmissalot on June 27, 2014, 04:56:26 PM
Post by: birddogdad on June 27, 2014, 05:25:54 PM
Post by: Band on June 27, 2014, 06:04:40 PM
When I get a bear this fall...it's going to Michelle Nelson. Thats a fact, Jack!You have big brass ones, sir! :o
Post by: granola/hippyslayer on July 02, 2014, 03:51:59 PM
Post by: snowpack on July 02, 2014, 03:55:36 PM
Michelle I hope you are still on here and reading this I have tried for the last year to contact you through pm email and over the phone with no response. you have had my deer since 2010. Witch I have already paid for. At this point all I am hoping for is that you would please return my antlers and my Hyde too me. And I would suggest others to use a different taxiSince 2010 for a deer! yowsers
Post by: Taco280AI on July 03, 2014, 07:59:32 AM
Post by: dscubame on July 03, 2014, 09:29:58 AM
Michelle I hope you are still on here and reading this I have tried for the last year to contact you through pm email and over the phone with no response. you have had my deer since 2010. Witch I have already paid for. At this point all I am hoping for is that you would please return my antlers and my Hyde too me. And I would suggest others to use a different taxi
Its suggested you start a new thread with your concern over this....
Post by: Mudman on July 03, 2014, 09:45:46 AM
Post by: BullMagnet76 on July 20, 2014, 09:43:57 AM
Cool, let me know how it turns out when you pick it up in 2018.
Sent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
:yeah: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Button Nubbs on July 20, 2014, 11:23:06 AM
Michelle I hope you are still on here and reading this I have tried for the last year to contact you through pm email and over the phone with no response. you have had my deer since 2010. Witch I have already paid for. At this point all I am hoping for is that you would please return my antlers and my Hyde too me. And I would suggest others to use a different taxi
I was wondering when you were gonna chime in. Maybe she's having trouble finding the right bun for the mount. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: TRB on July 20, 2014, 08:45:45 PM
Post by: Old Man Yager on July 21, 2014, 10:33:19 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on July 21, 2014, 04:42:32 PM
I know she's done quality work in the past, but in response to the last post, after all this, nobody on Hunt Wa is going to go there. Maybe she can still get buisiness from hunters that aren't members on here. Even if you can't finish the work on time, or at all, at least let customers know wth is going on with thier mounts an rugs.
You would be surprised at how many HW members still take her work.
I am sure she will continue to do quality work. It is communication and the time it takes to complete the work that are the issues.
Post by: Band on July 23, 2014, 08:50:08 AM
I find that absolutely shocking. There are so many quality taxidermists out there. I can't imagine purposely putting yourself in the years-long frustration game that she plays. :oI know she's done quality work in the past, but in response to the last post, after all this, nobody on Hunt Wa is going to go there. Maybe she can still get buisiness from hunters that aren't members on here. Even if you can't finish the work on time, or at all, at least let customers know wth is going on with thier mounts an rugs.
You would be surprised at how many HW members still take her work.
I am sure she will continue to do quality work. It is communication and the time it takes to complete the work that are the issues.
Post by: TRB on June 09, 2015, 05:50:57 PM
Post by: sled on June 09, 2015, 05:58:28 PM
Post by: Muleyslyr on June 09, 2015, 06:01:49 PM
Post by: grundy53 on June 09, 2015, 06:16:36 PM
Post by: KFhunter on June 09, 2015, 06:55:15 PM
I'm glad this was resolved.... Even if it was 2 years later.
4 yrs total if my math is correct
This month it will be two years since she took in my bear....Will I ever see it again? I spoke to her in June and she said she was now working on it and should be anytime...Not returning PMs since then...I feel I am being led on like a sucker... :bash: :'( Ideas or encouragement welcome!
Post by: grundy53 on June 09, 2015, 06:58:54 PM
I was referring to when he made his original post about his issues with Michelle. It took 2 years from his initial grievance. But yes it took 4 years total to complete it. Which is horrible.I'm glad this was resolved.... Even if it was 2 years later.
4 yrs total if my math is correctThis month it will be two years since she took in my bear....Will I ever see it again? I spoke to her in June and she said she was now working on it and should be anytime...Not returning PMs since then...I feel I am being led on like a sucker... :bash: :'( Ideas or encouragement welcome!
Post by: 2labs on June 09, 2015, 07:03:37 PM
Post by: Cascade on June 09, 2015, 09:09:30 PM
.....Just an update on my 2011 Bear. I have left numerous voice mails and personal messages to Michelle without any response....except for in late December she left me a pm that said I should be expecting a call in January....I messaged and phoned back several times in the last 6 months without reply. .....Then out of the blue I received a call from somebody stating my bear was done and that I could schedule to pick it up...I did so and now have it hanging on my wall... 3 years and 9 months later. Overall I think the quality is good. I have not been up close to many bear rugs so it is hard for me to compare.... but I don't notice any serious flaws and I believe she put her quality workmanship into it that was advertised.....I did not say anything about it being late and no apologies were offered..I just wanted to move on and leave stress behind....Just an FYI to all of you who followed this thread...
I'm glad the quality was there and you got your bear back! I have a bear with her as well. Fortunately for me the wife won't allow another animal in our current home, so I haven't stressed too much about it. That's all about to change though as we are moving this weekend.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Becky on June 09, 2015, 10:05:27 PM
Post by: BoomWhop on June 09, 2015, 10:31:09 PM
Post by: Mossyoak on June 09, 2015, 10:54:39 PM
Post by: Special T on June 09, 2015, 11:25:52 PM