Taxidermist problem?

Oregonhunter · 12-31-2004, 07:21 AM

Hello All,

To make a loooong story short, about 2 1/2 years ago I shot a small black bear and wanted to have a rug made so called my taxidermist who is a little expensive but really reliable and does top notch work but he was fully booked so I had to go somewere else to have it made.

Well I ended up taking it to a guy up north, and its been 2 years now this next month and still no rug? I did look at his work and he seemed like a nice guy but who knows? I did put down some cash and after talking to him about every 3-6 months I just get another extended timeline.

So how long should a customer be willing to wait and what do you all think I should do next? I have heard of waiting as much as 1 year but 2 years? This is starting to bug me a a little bit! After dealing with a good taxidermist for so long I am not sure were to go from here? I do not want to offend the guy if he is on the up and up, he does have a really small shop and I think he may take on more than he can handle?

I really dont want to use his name but if any of you have used Taxidermist in the Salem area and have had problems I would'nt mind knowing about it! :depressed:

Take care and thanks for any help!

Oregonhunter

Amahnee · 12-31-2004, 07:35 AM

Yikes! Two years?

Man I could understand 10 months to a year, but not two years. I could have read up on it and done it myself in that amount of time. Sheesh! I'm a patient man, but I'm not that patient.

Good luck. :whazzup:

gottafish · 12-31-2004, 07:58 AM

I dropped miner off at Wiebolds in sept. and its done now???

Rank Amateur · 12-31-2004, 10:24 AM

I'd say that's too long. My dad does some taxidermy work as a hobby and the biggest hang up is the tannery, sometimes they hang up a batch until they have enough of the same animals to do at once, but I think his turn around time now is way less then a year, sometimes only a couple of months.

Salmonator · 12-31-2004, 11:01 AM

That's insane. I'd demand the hide back finished or not. I'm guessing he let it somehow spoil or ruined it in the process. Either way I'll bet he doesn't have your hide anymore. I'd politely let him know you want your hide and money back. If he cannot produce a hide then I would not so nicely let him know that you will see him in small claims court.

sliverpicker · 12-31-2004, 11:09 AM

That's waaay too long for a bear rug! You need to call him tell him you're coming over, and when you get there demand the finished product or YOUR hide and deposit back. Don't let him give you the run around any longer. Excuse's are a$$holes, everybody has one, and most stink!

Good luck, hope you get your bear back. sliverpicker

Fishstix · 12-31-2004, 11:51 AM

Two years is way too long. All the people I know that have taken a bear in to be made into a rug got in back in a little under one year.

Oregonhunter · 12-31-2004, 12:07 PM

Yep agree with you all! I know I should not have let it go this long already.

I have had a few critters done now by 3 other taxidermist, mainly deer and one turkey and they did'nt take even close to a year. The turkey I had done was less than 4 months!

I really like the taxidermist I have now, I just wish I would have looked a bit harder when I found the one thats got my bear! I am starting to get the same idea about him not even having it anymore. I appreciate all the help and advise! I will post the results of my next visit with him (this is if he is still around, it has been 4 months since I talked to him last):whazzup:

Take care,

OH

Amahnee · 12-31-2004, 02:04 PM

We'll be looking forward to that.

Mello-Yello · 12-31-2004, 05:19 PM

My guess is he just way overbooked, or he tends to do 'favorites' for other people which places you further down the list.

Either way, I'd be on his front porch demanding my money back and my hide back, NOW!

or

A firm deadline with a written agreement that if it isn't done by said date, he starts reducing the cost.

The taxidermist that did my bear took longer than he'd expected, and gave me a free blacktail cape so I could do a blacktail I'd gotten years before.

Remember, he works for you.

M-Y

sandman · 12-31-2004, 05:41 PM

oregon hunter,I know who you are talking about!I'm having the same problem with my bighorn sheep full body mount,Its been 15 months and counting.The problem is you gave him a non-refundable deposit and he will not give it back.I've tried.Just stick it out,your pain will be over soon.