Burned by Taxidermist
 

Any advice? In June 2005, I traveled from upstate NY to Pa to bring my son on a shooting preserve hunt. He bow harvested his first big game trophy, a ram. As we were in a hurry to leave, I stupidly hired a taxidermist in the parking lot of the preserve. He took my son's ram and a $100. deposit and returned to Philipi WV. Since that time, I have left him at least 20 phone messages, but not once has he answered or returned my calls.(I have been very polite and professional in each message left, no profanity or threats) I have now filed a claim by mail in his WV town. He has responded to the court admitting that he has my money and cape, but still won't answer my calls to set up a settlement. If this goes to trial, I will have to go to WV for the hearing. I can ,however have someone be my proxy. The name of this business is Hugh's Taxidermy in Phillippi WV. Does anyone know this guy or have any advice as to how I should proceed? Please don't call me stupid, as I have already done that. Fred

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

If He hasn't responded as you say, then you are taking the correct action.
You may want to call the game and fish in that town and see if they can check this guy out for you.

7 months is really not as long as many think if the guy is busy, and he might not be all to blame, the tannerys can take their sweet time also, I have stuff from last year that now is when the skins arrived from the tannery.

Some guys do their own tannery but sheep and goats really need to be tanned and de-smelled or you'll have a stinky mount for years.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

I agree with Alex in that 7 months isn't that long, but not returning a phone call or at least contacting to let him know what's going on. If it were me I'd pursue legal actions. I don't care how busy a taxidermist is, taking 5 min to talk to a customer is rediculous. I work 40 - 50 hrs a week at my day job, plus 20 - 30 hrs a week doing taxidermy, plus family time. Plus working with various business' about websites. Now I am busy but if one of my clients were to call me I'd drop whatever to listen. It's called being professional.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

Is there a way to get the stink out of a mount.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

7 months isn't that long BUT he should still respond to your phone calls. Good luck hopefully it will work out in the end.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

I realize that seven months is not all that long to wait for this mount. However he responded to my civil complaint that he still has the sheep in its original condition. This means that he has not done a thing with it. Also when I checked on him before the complaint, I found out that his business phone is his cell phone, and there is no listing for his business in any local directory. I am looking at a 10 hour drive and expenses to get this guy. If it were my trophy, I would chalk it up to my extreme stupidity, but it is my son's and I really want to get this taken care of, both to get his mount and also to show him that the crooks of the world do not always win. Ijust wish that I could find someone who knows this guy or lives nearby who would be willing to intervene or help on my behalf. His "shop "Hugh's Taxidermy", Phillippi, WV. God, was I stupid!!

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

I don't care if he's as busy as a bumble bee in a syrup bucket ...he couldbe courteous enoughto return a phone call ..no excuses for that IMO ...

dd

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

Starrow, yes, we all know how you COULD have avoided this, and it sounds like you know as well, so no sense beating you up over it. I wish stuff like this never happened, but sadly it does. Try this...go to www.taxidermy.net and look at the state association link. You might have to scroll around and navigate a bit. Find WV's state site, and make contact with the new president, as he might be able to steer you through. Id give you more info, but I just dont have it off the top of my head. That would be a decent start. Other then that, hes probably just going to attempt to satify the court decision, you may need to just let the process work. Good luck.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

7 months maybe normal time...but there is no reason for not answering any of the 20 phone calls

-Joe

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

well, i just gotta know, have you made contact yet?

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

iFI WERE TO GET 20 CALLS FROM 400 CUSTOMERS IAM DOING WORK FOR ,I wOULD RETIRE TOMORROW.

1 or 2 calls is normal but 20 calls ? That would be 8000 calls

Man I would put that goat in abox and mail it back and have you take it to another taxidermist.

Iam a taxidermist not a telephone operator.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

Here is the latest update. He has responded to the local court that he has my deposit and the goat and is willing to give them back. However, he has not done it and still will not answer my calls to finish this deal so we can move on. I suspect that he is breaking my balls and wants me to drive to WV on the court date , so he can hand them to me. I just found out that when he took my goat from PA to WV, I can sue here in NY in federal court, and thus he will be forced to come to NY to court. This puts the shoe on the other foot, so to speak. All I ask is for him to mail me my deposit and the goat, and I will go away. Will I spend $200. more to just to prove a point? You betcha! As for me annoying him with phone calls, all he had to do was actually answer one or return my call, one time. I have owned an archery pro shop for 25 years, and EVERY call gets returned in a timely and professional manner. I treat every customer as I would want to be treated. Mr. Riley doesn't seem to grasp this principle.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

well i'm glad that you are getting back at this guy! congrats

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

oops forgot to ask why you have been a member since the last crash and only have posted 3 times?! you should be addicted by now;);)

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

Starrow, I dont think you are being unreasonable. I always tell my customers not to bug me, Id rather work then answer phone calls. But what you have here is quite a different situation then the usual "is it ready yet, Im so excited" type phone calls. Im sure in hindsight you know he wasnt the best choice for you, but by now he should realize that by just getting back to you, he couldve avoided alot of this. There are plenty of good taxidermists in NY, and if you would like me to give you some suggestions, feel free to contact me via email, pm or phone, 585-637-2450. Pardon me if I dont suggest myself, but Im pretty full, and theres lots of other guys too!

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

I haven't posted much, but read several websites every day. I use these forums to learn as much as possible about the products I sell in my store and how they are received by the average guy. You can never learn too much. Look how much I learned about doing business with a guy in a shooting preserve parking lot! If it was just me, I would just chalk it up to stupidity and move on. The goat was my son's, and not only am I out money, but we are out of his first large animal bowkill. I'll fight to the death for my kid. He knows there are dishonest people out there, I want to show him that we do not have to just take it. As for NYS taxidermists, I know several outstanding people who have treated me very well. This was an instance where we were not returning right away to NY and made a quick deal on the run.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

When you get your son's ram back and mounted i would like to see a picture of it.
thanks

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

I had a real nice buck mounted and when I got it back it looked like a doe with horns. used a form that was way, way too small. The ears stick straight out........I was real upset. what can you say! I told the dude, but he said take it leave it. He did give me about a 100$ break on the price, but now I have a real nice buck Im embarrassed to hang on the wall.
Gonna cost another 350$ to get the thing remounted........bastard.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

As an update to this story, I have an unreturned $100. deposit and raw sheepskin and skull being held ransom by this so called businessman. I also have $85. invested in court costs to date. Today, out of the blue, a box shows up at my house with the UPS driver saying that it was a $190.00 COD from the taxidermist. Does this bum think I am stupid enough to pay $190. to get my sheepskin back? And furthermore, I have no clue if my $100. is even in the box. Even if it is, why would i pay 190. to get my 100. back. I was an idiot for hiring him in the first place. Maybe he is testing me to see just how stupid I am. Needless to say, I refused the package and will see him in court.

RE: Burned by Taxidermist
 

Starrow - I would counter sue - also did you sign a contract? If not, you can make him come to NY, or file in federal court. This is a travesty and gives taxidermist a bad name. Really sorry to hear about all this.