Taxidermy Problems

[DennisH]

I'd like to know if anyone has a solution to a problem I am having with my taxidermist. He has had my deer since Nov 20th. The last time I talked to him was in March and he told me I should have it back by mid April. I have tried to call him over 30 times with no return calls. I have gone to his house twice and couldn't reach him either time. On one visit, I physically habded his sister a note from me for him to call me. I cannot get him to return any of my 30+ calls. Just yesterday, I sent him a certified/return receipt required letter asking him to call me. I have a feeling he either sold my rack, damaged it, or lost it.

Anyone have any suggestions? My next step is have a friendly law officer make a visit.

[johnnybravoo77]

I would call your local dnr office. They may be able to help.

[DennisH]

already did. Waiting on a call back from someone who issues taxidermy licenses which is, supposedly, in the Enforcement Division. Thanks for your reply

[Mitchell Ulrich]

First off, Thank You for NOT posting this in the Taxidermy forum. That section is for people who have questions that are learning the trade.

What was the estimated return when your first brought it in? If it was Mid April from the start and here it is September, then I'd say you have just cause to be ticked off. That is provided that he didn't notify you of a revised completion time.


I highlighted estimated because we have no idea how the rest of the season will go..ie heavy flow of Turkey..Bumper Bear season..Fishing season is better than expected...late picks by the hunter. All of these things can and do slow down a return time, thats why we estimate.

You said that the last time you talked to him was in March... (FYI..calling before the guessed at return time wont get it done any faster and can cause friction..not always, but can)...and he said Mid April...it wasn't ready. The average "call a day" was just a lesson if futility. He wont call me back so I'll do my best to p*ss him off by calling everyday. Dennis, don't bring yourself down to that level..be better than that.

"Went over to the house twice"...There ya' go man, that's what you should have done first rather than calling 30+ times. Unfortunatley, by now the dude is probably scared your going to kick his butt and is hiding from you. Thats why he wont come to the door.

I in no way condone his actions, nor would I do business in this fashion.
That being said. I know from many years of experience, there are always 3 sides to any one story..Yours, His and the Truth that usually lies somewhere in the middle. Right now, we are not concerned with the truth, just your original question,"How to get my deer back".

My best advice is this. Send one more letter and say something nice like...

Dear (John)
I realize that I may not have acted like I should in this situation, and it probably could've been handled better than it has been. I'm sorry about that. (even if you dont believe it, which I'm pretty sure you don't) I just wanted you to know that I'll be over to pick up my cape and antlers a week from today at * o'clock. I'm really crunched for time, so I wont be able to stay more than a few minuets.

Hoping to resolve this in an amicable manner and that it doesn't get blown out of proportion and we both wind up in court.
Dennis
(phone number)

(this sorta' tells him that he wont have to face a wrath of obscenities and screaming...you'll get and go...which is probably what he wants and is the best resolution for both parties.)

Hopefully you did not pay in full (a lesson to everyone reading this) as what ever deposit that you gave him is most likely gone for good.

If that still doesn't work, you can try downloading small claims papers for HIS city off the INTERNET. Fill everything out and mail him a copy stating that you'll be filing on X date.

I have done this before in the past and it works...it's always the last resort, but it works. The pending black cloud of legal doom has a way of motivating people.

I really hope this helps you out of your bind. Remember, we're not all like that guy.

Mitch

[Mitchell Ulrich]

The DNR only issues the liscence and wont get involved in this matter.

Mitch

[upmounty]

hey Michigan_Hunter, any thoughts on this topic?????

back to original question. Have u paid for the mount already? if so, usually u have to go to small claims court unless you have evidence he was doing the business in a fraudulant manner then law enforcement can be called i think.

good luck in getting it back.

[Luv2hunteup]

Have you filed a complaint with the Michigan attorney generals office?

[michigan_hunter]

um um i um.dont think so.ha ha

[boehr]

It is going to be a civil matter between you and him. Basically you will have to sue him because it is basically a contract between the two of you..

[unclecbass]

The guy is a hack, you are screwed, you will win nothing in a civil suit because, how do you value a deer rack? If I were you I wold post his name and business on this site so other members dont get sucked in to his BS scam.

[GrizzlyHunter]

What's his name? I want to make sure I don't use him.

I've had similar things happen three times in the past. The worst was a bear mount that took 2-1/2 years and the bleached skull took 3-1/2 years.

I know it doesn't help you now but for your future mounts and anybody out there reading this I "STRONGLY SUGGEST" that you don't use the cheapest guy you can find, and he's probably working out of his house! Go with a real taxidermy shop where they have a building, it's their business and it's their livelyhood. The guy working out of his house probably started doing taxidermy because of his love for the outdoors. Now his taxidermy his competing for his time with his work, his wife, his kids and his hunting and fishing hobbies. And you know what...the taxidermy usually comes last.

I've bounced around through a few different taxi's over the years but now I stick with Nancarrow's out of Frankenmuth. They're not geopgraphically desirable for me, they're not cheap either (I think they are fairly priced though for the high quality they put out). What I really like about them is I've taken five animals to them and every single one was done when they promised it would be done or earlier! And their quality is fantastic! I want to be proud of my mount for years when I look at it, not reminded how the SOB took forever to do it and he probably didn't do that great of a job either. I gladly pay another $100 for great quality, good service and timely completion of something that I'll have in my trophy room for hopefully another 25 years (god willing).

I'm sure there are other great taxi shops out there that are as good or maybe even better that Nancarrow's. But I'm very happy with who I use now.

In summary I recommend that everyone find a real taxidermy shop who does good work, reward them with your business and they'll most likely give you the service you want.

Grizzly Hunter

[gunner878]

i wouldn't go posting this guys name and ruining his reputation yet! First let the deal go through. Don't anger this guy anymore because i know a few taxidermist that would get angry and want to cut the horns up. It has been under a year so the time isn't to delayed just play your cards

[Mitchell Ulrich]

Dennis;

I'm telling ya' man...do what I said, not only is it the right legal option, its your best hope of being made whole! I've been correct so far, right? I've had this happen to me more often than I'd like..only for me it's the slob hunter that wont pick up his mount, which is my paycheck! Try the polite route, then if that doesnt work, you can seek to be made whole in small claims court.

Re-read Gunners post, it's sound advice!

Posting adverse comments about the dude's name or business on here could lead you and possible Steve down a road that you may ultimately regret. I have wanted to post the names and adress of the buttplugs who have stiffed me in the past, I dont because of that very reason.

Mitch

[Luv2hunteup]

I didn't see your answer yet but try here.

http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-17331-42077--,00.html

[SevenMaryThree]

There is a well known and well used tannery in the midwest that is having a *really* bad year with turnaround.

Maybe it's not a taxibermist problem at all, but the tannery he sent your hide to....and he's stuck in the middle like you.

But the lack of communication thing stinks. Hopefully he's a better taxidermist than businessman.

[DennisH]

I told the DNR that I sent a certified letter, WHICH HE SIGNED FOR. The DNR said to call the RAP line since he illegally in possession of a deer.

[DennisH]

The last time I DID talked to him, which was early March, he said my hide was suppose to be back from the tannery at the end of March and that I should have the deer back by mid April. I "won" the free mount in a buck pole contest (I know, I'm really screwed now). I am trying to reach the business that hosted the Buck Contest but he went out of business 2 weeks ago.

[stickem]

thats your problem..you won the free mount..do you think hes going to work on a mount thats costing him money or work on a mount that hes getting paid for?;)

[bigcountrysg]

I have a friend in the same boat as you. But he has been trying to get what ever he can back for 2 years now. He pretty much gave up on his.

My self I use the closest best Taxidermist there is to me. Just happens to be my nieghbor. If he moves I will know about it.

[buck37]

thats your problem..you won the free mount..do you think hes going to work on a mount thats costing him money or work on a mount that hes getting paid for?


No, I would say that's the taxidermies problem. The man won't even call this fella back and it's his fault because he won a free mount. :dizzy: Not very good business. He shouldn't promise a certain date then disapear.

[DennisH]

POSSIBLY GOOD NEWS AND A HUGE THANK YOU!

Because of this website and all the feedback and ideas I received, I FINALLY got a call from the Taxidermisy. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Mitch from Trappers Taxidermy.

Mitch called this guy and (imagine that) he took the call. Mitchtold him that he didn't know anything about what was going othewr than he had a client (me) that he was to do a mount for. This prompted the Taxidermist to call and tell me that his Verizon cell phone wasn't taking messages, got a new phone, and he had 103 messages.
He said he was almost finished with the deer and that it should be done in 3 weeks.

Now, the big question is, do I believe him or do I go get my rack & cape right now?

Thanks again Mitch! Mot many people would take the time to do what you did.

[mrbreeze]

Did he mention why he didn't call you back after you hand delivered the note to his house?

I had a guy doing some remodeling work for me that used to use that excuse " I got a new phone", or another guy that always said "my voicemail must not be working". Funny, in the 10 years that I've had a cell phone, I've yet to have my voicemail not work.

I think that you're still going to have a fight on your hands. Good luck.

[DennisH]

No, he kinda skipped over that part. His mom died, he had to take on a second job to pay his mom's medical bills, blah, blah, blah.

I should have hit "record" on my phone and recorded the conversation.

[Scott K]

You waited this long, no sense giving up now. Wait the 3 weeks and see what happens.

[Arwin]

I'm nearly in the same boat. I took mine in Oct and haven't got it back yet. It was supposed to be done in July/August. I have had some communitcation with the guy and he's had a death in the family, but I'm getting real impatiant. I already paid for it in full and I also have the wife nagging about it.

[Arwin]

I should add that that he gave me a good deal and everyone that I know, who knows him too, has said he's been having a rough year. I suppose I'm venting some frustration since I saw this thread. I gotta get the stupid flower picture off the wall where my buck should be! My worst fear is damage to my rack before I get it back. I only laid hands on it for less than a week and it's my best to date.

[DennisH]

Arwin,
I think since he is communicating, he probably is backed up. Can you ask to see the "work in progress"?I'm going to wait the 3 weeks like my taxidermist said he would need to finish my deer. BUT, come October 2nd, if he so much as babbles one word about it not being ready, I will proceed to the next step that day!


I learned alot because of this deal:

1. NEVER give your rack to the taxidermist-they only need it the last 2 weeks

2. Never pay in full.

3. Make sure you have a written contract, not just a receipt.

4. Check out the taxidermist throughly, get references

5. Price should be the LAST deciding factor.

[coca_colaguy23]

wow is this guy from mason county ? I had a similair problem with a taxidermist I dropped off my Hog to have it mounted told me it would take about 6 months took a year ( just got it back last weekend) All in all I was pissed at first , I had paid 1/2 down but I gave the guy a chance to explain , I did send a certified letter etc. and talked to my lawyer and the sheriffs dept. I gave him a chance to explain and a time to give me my goods or return them and my $$ . After playing phone tag etc with him he called and told me he couldn't get it done by the time I stated he appoligized and offered me my money etc. I then asked him How long then to do it? He told me he had been forced to work out of state etc and was not home much but he could get it done in 3 months. I told him to do it and now I have my mount .

[CHASINEYES]

I had one done by an at home taxidermist. He said 6 mo.- After 8 mo. went by I called and asked whats up -told me he needed more time - another couple mo went by I called again - It was not ready, he finally told me he was going through a bad divorse. I got my mount back 1 1/2 yr after dropping it off. He did a good job and it still looks good from 1994 1/2:lol:

[keyman]

Yeah, you really have to check out your taxidermist.I had a friend that was a taxidermist.Some of the questionable things he did,switched deer hides to get a one mount done faster without the guy knowing(he had hides waiting ahead so he could mount them).He said,"No one knows which is which".He asked me once if I caught any big bluegills to let him know,he needed them because he messed up a guy's fish.I had to quit hunting with him because he trespassed alot and we are no longer friends.

[DennisH]

I think, we the hunters, need to get some better laws in place to protect out investments AND TROPHIES!!

Should we call Mike Cox??

[DennisH]

I finally got my deer back!! And it looks great!!

[SPITFIRE]

glad to see it finaly worked out for you.I know of some cases that didnt.

[solohunter]

I had my last one done by a guy near Mio, T.S. he quoted me six months, and it was done on time and looks great, however I will remember next time not to pull it out of the swamp with a rope around its neck, I slightly damaged the hair and I can see it, no one else has mentioned it,,,,, And I aint complaining- just a warning to others to learn from my mistake - good hunting next week,, i gotta work till friday :dizzy:

[QuakrTrakr]

I finally got my deer back!! And it looks great!!

Waiting to see pictures!:)

[Mitchell Ulrich]

See Dennis...were not all horrible antler stealing Trolls!

Mitch