taxidermist question???

[omega58]

I just have a question about a turkey fan from last year I still don't have back. I won't give out names or anything now, but I can not get ahold of this taxidermist in the last few weeks. I talked to him this fall and he mentioned he had to go back to work, had been in the hospital for two weeks with something, but thought he would be done within a few weeks and would call me. . .I felt bad for him, so let him have a few months without calling him.

I called him a couple weeks ago and the phone just rings, have been trying since, if either keeps ringing or is busy. . . my dad stopped by his place yesterday and the taxidermy sign has been taken down at his house and nobody was home. They do still live there!

My question is how do I get my turkey fan, spurs and beard back? This was a book qualifying bird and I would like it back even if the fan was never done. I have a reciept, but he didn't taken any money at the time, pay at time of finish.

Am I totally screwed here?????

I figured the taxidermy folks may be able to let me know what to do.

[Capt Hook]

Send him a registered letter telling him that you would like you parts back if they are not done.

[Rustyaxecamp]

The more excuses you listen to the more upset you will get. Don't put up with it. The good ones don't screw around. They will tell you up front that if you're in a hurry go somewhere else.

I went with my buddy to pick up a fox that had been with a local taxidermist for 3 yrs. All the guy did was skin it. Same taxidermist had a trout of mine for 2 yrs when it was originally promised in 6 months.

Some of the excuses I got: "Kids have been sick", "Just been really busy", "I never promised any timetable", "can't get the right paint", "all out of driftwood", "Had to go to an expo", and lastly (only true one) "I ran my hand through the bandsaw". If the guy would have told me the last one first I would have been fine with waiting for 4 years. I think he was embarresed...

Bottom line, ask around before choosing a taxidermist, customer opinions make or break taxidermists.

[omega58]

The more excuses you listen to the more upset you will get. Don't put up with it. The good ones don't screw around. They will tell you up front that if you're in a hurry go somewhere else.

I went with my buddy to pick up a fox that had been with a local taxidermist for 3 yrs. All the guy did was skin it. Same taxidermist had a trout of mine for 2 yrs when it was originally promised in 6 months.

Some of the excuses I got: "Kids have been sick", "Just been really busy", "I never promised any timetable", "can't get the right paint", "all out of driftwood", "Had to go to an expo", and lastly (only true one) "I ran my hand through the bandsaw". If the guy would have told me the last one first I would have been fine with waiting for 4 years. I think he was embarresed...

Bottom line, ask around before choosing a taxidermist, customer opinions make or break taxidermists.

We have used him in the past. . .between friends and family, I think he has done 5 deer mounts, and 4 turkey fans for us. . . .I really don't know what happened. My brother knows the guy a little better, and he doesn't even answer calls from him.:confused:

[MGV]

Well i am glad i am not alone. I took a fox to a taxidermist 10 years ago and went the next year to ask how it was coming along. He gave me a blank look and said he did not have it. I had no paperwork proof to say he had it so i was screwed. Take note have something that proves that they have it. Otherwise they could steal it and sell it down the road.

[Ebowhunter]

Tough call when someone doesn't answer the phone or the door.Sounds like a tough run of luck but not an excuse to ignore any current business.

Maybe the police will help? The courts sound like an expensive way to go for a tail mount - beards are truly unique. Hopefully a registered letter threatening the court system?

[omega58]

Tough call when someone doesn't answer the phone or the door.Sounds like a tough run of luck but not an excuse to ignore any current business.

Maybe the police will help? The courts sound like an expensive way to go for a tail mount - beards are truly unique. Hopefully a registered letter threatening the court system?

Thanks, I might go this route if I have to. . .to be honest, as long as I get my beard and spurs back, the rest is history as far as I'm concerned.

I do have a reciept from him that he has my tail, spurs, and beard. . .and I have pictures for identification. . .the beard is rather unique for sure.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/546/turkeybeard_e.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/546/spurs_e.jpg

I just hope I don't just have the pics in a few weeks!!

[Willow]

If the police are willing to get involved it may motivate the guy but there is not a lot that they can do for you. You entered into a binding contract with him so it is a civil issue. Small claims court is the route that you will have to take. A letter telling him that you just want them back with no questions asked may be a good way to go if he won't asswer the phone or door. Good luck to you, that is a bummer.

Willow

[omega58]

Well, my dad called my yesterday and he said he saw the guy in his yard as he drove by, so he stopped to talk to him. It turns out the guy has been in the hospital for the past few weeks again and had some vertebrae fused and just started to be able to use his hands. . .he has had this going on for over a year and hopefully he is on his way to recovery.

He said he will hopefully be able to get back to doing some taxidermy stuff in a couple of months. I'll try to give him a call and see if he would just like me to pick up the fan and do it myself or like me to wait.

[Rustyaxecamp]

See my above post re: hand vs. band saw

You taxidermists must be a clumsy bunch....;)

Again, honesty would have made this situation all better. I am assuming if the guy called you and brought you up to speed, you would have had no problem.

[omega58]

The more excuses you listen to the more upset you will get. Don't put up with it. The good ones don't screw around. They will tell you up front that if you're in a hurry go somewhere else.

I went with my buddy to pick up a fox that had been with a local taxidermist for 3 yrs. All the guy did was skin it. Same taxidermist had a trout of mine for 2 yrs when it was originally promised in 6 months.

Some of the excuses I got: "Kids have been sick", "Just been really busy", "I never promised any timetable", "can't get the right paint", "all out of driftwood", "Had to go to an expo", and lastly (only true one) "I ran my hand through the bandsaw". If the guy would have told me the last one first I would have been fine with waiting for 4 years. I think he was embarresed...

Bottom line, ask around before choosing a taxidermist, customer opinions make or break taxidermists.


It turns out that we are talking about the same guy here.:eek:

[Rustyaxecamp]

FYI - Drove by a couple night ago, his sign is down. My wife (who drives past daily to/from work) says it's been down for a while.:rolleyes:

[omega58]

well, I finally got it back 2 years later. . .I do like the way the spurs are done.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/546/turkeyfan_e.jpg

[WalleyeHunter811]

Hey rusty axe this taxidermist wouldnt happen to live between midland and mt pleasant on a major road that i wont name would he? or omega would be able to tell me also?

[omega58]

Hey rusty axe this taxidermist wouldnt happen to live between midland and mt pleasant on a major road that i wont name would he? or omega would be able to tell me also?

:yeahthat:

[WalleyeHunter811]

I have ended up taking a couple of his customers since he has started this. I also have a guy that i did a fan mount for trying to get ahold of this guy so he can get his turkey back so that i can do the mount for him. 3 guys that have came to me that have had work done by him are now returning customers to me and have told me that my work is better then his.