View Poll Results: A poll
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll
Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
02-03-2006, 01:02 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MN USA
Posts: 1,489
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
ORIGINAL: DoctorDeath
I think your point is well made but just a littlefood for thought ..if your going to back up orders like that do you think it would be unreasonableto expectthe taxidermist to maybe hire some help to expedite the orders ..to help in the non artistic part of the process..to help reduce the time the capes are in the freezer so the turn around time might be a little quicker....just a thought...
dd
I think your point is well made but just a littlefood for thought ..if your going to back up orders like that do you think it would be unreasonableto expectthe taxidermist to maybe hire some help to expedite the orders ..to help in the non artistic part of the process..to help reduce the time the capes are in the freezer so the turn around time might be a little quicker....just a thought...
dd
02-03-2006, 01:13 PM
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brockport, NY
Posts: 613
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
This is such a frustrating topic, and to me its like comparing apples to oranges. Im one of those long return time, customstudios. I wish it were as easy as hiring help, but the headaches and expense of health and disability insurance and employee benefits would drive an already high price up higher than my best customers could justfy paying, same as pricing to adjust the workload. I DO value that customer, too. I guess my question is, if the long return times arent realistic, and Im wrong for it taking this long...WHY DO I HAVE ENOUGH WORK EVERY YEAR TO PERPETUATE THIS WAIT, YEAR AFTER YEAR? If I were doing them wrong, wouldnt they all stop coming, and Id clean things up and be caught up? The only true adjustment I have to work with to not take more work in is...folks who wont wait that long, going elsewhere.
Not all taxidermists take as long for return work, but not all guys would wait that long. But some do, and there arethose who see something worth that wait. I dont think you HAVE to wait a long time to get good work. I dont think long waits equate to the best quality neccessarily. But please, stop suggesting that long returns means that something is being done wrong. I thank my lucky stars that I have the best customers in the world, in my eyes, who are willing to grit their teeth and wait for me to get to them, they reward me with paying my prices, and I reward them with the best mount I can give them. I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
Theres two things worth saying. First, as a taxidermist, I must, above all, be honest to you, the customer. As much as I wish to say whatever pleases you, I must be honest and up front and tell you what the return time realistically can be, as an estimate. The customer then decides whether its worth it to him, and then, trust me. The second thing, for the sake of this poll...how long should you wait? Id say whatever you and he agree on ahead of time.
In closing, I only posted this for one reason, as I dont wanna change your minds. If you think one month, ten months, a year and a half, whatever, is long enough for you, thats fine, of course. But I just dont want you guys to think we as taxidermists dont know any better. Or that we dont care. Many, I hope most, do care. My customers know up front how long, so THEY adjust how much work I have. I hope that sheds some light from a different perspective.
Not all taxidermists take as long for return work, but not all guys would wait that long. But some do, and there arethose who see something worth that wait. I dont think you HAVE to wait a long time to get good work. I dont think long waits equate to the best quality neccessarily. But please, stop suggesting that long returns means that something is being done wrong. I thank my lucky stars that I have the best customers in the world, in my eyes, who are willing to grit their teeth and wait for me to get to them, they reward me with paying my prices, and I reward them with the best mount I can give them. I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
Theres two things worth saying. First, as a taxidermist, I must, above all, be honest to you, the customer. As much as I wish to say whatever pleases you, I must be honest and up front and tell you what the return time realistically can be, as an estimate. The customer then decides whether its worth it to him, and then, trust me. The second thing, for the sake of this poll...how long should you wait? Id say whatever you and he agree on ahead of time.
In closing, I only posted this for one reason, as I dont wanna change your minds. If you think one month, ten months, a year and a half, whatever, is long enough for you, thats fine, of course. But I just dont want you guys to think we as taxidermists dont know any better. Or that we dont care. Many, I hope most, do care. My customers know up front how long, so THEY adjust how much work I have. I hope that sheds some light from a different perspective.
02-03-2006, 01:28 PM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: marshallville, ohio
Posts: 3,221
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
lol dd, i thought you said you "weren't going to participate" in anymore of your polls
J/M i personally like it when you reply. i have never had a deer mounted so i guess 12 months if he does good, quality work that is well known.
J/M i personally like it when you reply. i have never had a deer mounted so i guess 12 months if he does good, quality work that is well known.
02-03-2006, 02:11 PM
#14
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
ORIGINAL: Bill Yox
This is such a frustrating topic, and to me its like comparing apples to oranges. Im one of those long return time, customstudios. I wish it were as easy as hiring help, but the headaches and expense of health and disability insurance and employee benefits would drive an already high price up higher than my best customers could justfy paying, same as pricing to adjust the workload. I
I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
This is such a frustrating topic, and to me its like comparing apples to oranges. Im one of those long return time, customstudios. I wish it were as easy as hiring help, but the headaches and expense of health and disability insurance and employee benefits would drive an already high price up higher than my best customers could justfy paying, same as pricing to adjust the workload. I
I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
dd
02-03-2006, 02:33 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: mississippi by way of Florida
Posts: 357
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
This poll seems to be very objective to me too.
Also, health insurance, disability, benefits? You would pay that to a flesher or other part time labor? I doubt it.
Bill, what do you consider "a long time" to get a mount back? What is your average time to complete a typical deer mount?
Most of the places I have heard of that take waaaay too long to produce mounts are one of two types; typically small time/part time operations or too big for their own britches.
First and foremost, if I walk into a business and ask "how long" and he tells me one year to 18 months, it is my choice to wait. If, because of his reputation and my experience I choose to wait, then that is my choice. But, ifI ask "how long" and the peckerhead says 5 or 6 months and I give him the work based on that estimate, I don't care what the mount looks like if I don't see it for 12 months to 24 months later. That person is, in all probability, being dishonest and I won't be back.
That, is my bottom line. Tell me the truth on how long it will take, let me make my choice and if the work is great, I'll probably be back. Lie to me (I could accept a month or two longer because of delays) one time and I really don't care if the eyes blink when I walkaround the room, I won't be back.
R
Hank
Also, health insurance, disability, benefits? You would pay that to a flesher or other part time labor? I doubt it.
Bill, what do you consider "a long time" to get a mount back? What is your average time to complete a typical deer mount?
Most of the places I have heard of that take waaaay too long to produce mounts are one of two types; typically small time/part time operations or too big for their own britches.
First and foremost, if I walk into a business and ask "how long" and he tells me one year to 18 months, it is my choice to wait. If, because of his reputation and my experience I choose to wait, then that is my choice. But, ifI ask "how long" and the peckerhead says 5 or 6 months and I give him the work based on that estimate, I don't care what the mount looks like if I don't see it for 12 months to 24 months later. That person is, in all probability, being dishonest and I won't be back.
That, is my bottom line. Tell me the truth on how long it will take, let me make my choice and if the work is great, I'll probably be back. Lie to me (I could accept a month or two longer because of delays) one time and I really don't care if the eyes blink when I walkaround the room, I won't be back.
R
Hank
02-03-2006, 03:35 PM
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,688
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
ORIGINAL: Bill Yox
This is such a frustrating topic, and to me its like comparing apples to oranges. Im one of those long return time, customstudios. I wish it were as easy as hiring help, but the headaches and expense of health and disability insurance and employee benefits would drive an already high price up higher than my best customers could justfy paying, same as pricing to adjust the workload. I DO value that customer, too. I guess my question is, if the long return times arent realistic, and Im wrong for it taking this long...WHY DO I HAVE ENOUGH WORK EVERY YEAR TO PERPETUATE THIS WAIT, YEAR AFTER YEAR? If I were doing them wrong, wouldnt they all stop coming, and Id clean things up and be caught up? The only true adjustment I have to work with to not take more work in is...folks who wont wait that long, going elsewhere.
Not all taxidermists take as long for return work, but not all guys would wait that long. But some do, and there arethose who see something worth that wait. I dont think you HAVE to wait a long time to get good work. I dont think long waits equate to the best quality neccessarily. But please, stop suggesting that long returns means that something is being done wrong. I thank my lucky stars that I have the best customers in the world, in my eyes, who are willing to grit their teeth and wait for me to get to them, they reward me with paying my prices, and I reward them with the best mount I can give them. I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
Theres two things worth saying. First, as a taxidermist, I must, above all, be honest to you, the customer. As much as I wish to say whatever pleases you, I must be honest and up front and tell you what the return time realistically can be, as an estimate. The customer then decides whether its worth it to him, and then, trust me. The second thing, for the sake of this poll...how long should you wait? Id say whatever you and he agree on ahead of time.
In closing, I only posted this for one reason, as I dont wanna change your minds. If you think one month, ten months, a year and a half, whatever, is long enough for you, thats fine, of course. But I just dont want you guys to think we as taxidermists dont know any better. Or that we dont care. Many, I hope most, do care. My customers know up front how long, so THEY adjust how much work I have. I hope that sheds some light from a different perspective.
This is such a frustrating topic, and to me its like comparing apples to oranges. Im one of those long return time, customstudios. I wish it were as easy as hiring help, but the headaches and expense of health and disability insurance and employee benefits would drive an already high price up higher than my best customers could justfy paying, same as pricing to adjust the workload. I DO value that customer, too. I guess my question is, if the long return times arent realistic, and Im wrong for it taking this long...WHY DO I HAVE ENOUGH WORK EVERY YEAR TO PERPETUATE THIS WAIT, YEAR AFTER YEAR? If I were doing them wrong, wouldnt they all stop coming, and Id clean things up and be caught up? The only true adjustment I have to work with to not take more work in is...folks who wont wait that long, going elsewhere.
Not all taxidermists take as long for return work, but not all guys would wait that long. But some do, and there arethose who see something worth that wait. I dont think you HAVE to wait a long time to get good work. I dont think long waits equate to the best quality neccessarily. But please, stop suggesting that long returns means that something is being done wrong. I thank my lucky stars that I have the best customers in the world, in my eyes, who are willing to grit their teeth and wait for me to get to them, they reward me with paying my prices, and I reward them with the best mount I can give them. I appreciate my customers, so the wording DD implies does rub me wrong.
Theres two things worth saying. First, as a taxidermist, I must, above all, be honest to you, the customer. As much as I wish to say whatever pleases you, I must be honest and up front and tell you what the return time realistically can be, as an estimate. The customer then decides whether its worth it to him, and then, trust me. The second thing, for the sake of this poll...how long should you wait? Id say whatever you and he agree on ahead of time.
In closing, I only posted this for one reason, as I dont wanna change your minds. If you think one month, ten months, a year and a half, whatever, is long enough for you, thats fine, of course. But I just dont want you guys to think we as taxidermists dont know any better. Or that we dont care. Many, I hope most, do care. My customers know up front how long, so THEY adjust how much work I have. I hope that sheds some light from a different perspective.
Really good thoughts their Bill. But the tread was, and is, how long are you willing to wait for a mount. Not, why do you think it takes so long. I'm sure you have lots of customers willing to wait 2 years. I would not be one of those customers. I would go somewhere else.
02-03-2006, 03:54 PM
#18
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
ORIGINAL: ahankster
This poll seems to be very objective to me too.
Also, health insurance, disability, benefits? You would pay that to a flesher or other part time labor? I doubt it.
Bill, what do you consider "a long time" to get a mount back? What is your average time to complete a typical deer mount?
Most of the places I have heard of that take waaaay too long to produce mounts are one of two types; typically small time/part time operations or too big for their own britches.
First and foremost, if I walk into a business and ask "how long" and he tells me one year to 18 months, it is my choice to wait. If, because of his reputation and my experience I choose to wait, then that is my choice. But, ifI ask "how long" and the peckerhead says 5 or 6 months and I give him the work based on that estimate, I don't care what the mount looks like if I don't see it for 12 months to 24 months later. That person is, in all probability, being dishonest and I won't be back.
That, is my bottom line. Tell me the truth on how long it will take, let me make my choice and if the work is great, I'll probably be back. Lie to me (I could accept a month or two longer because of delays) one time and I really don't care if the eyes blink when I walkaround the room, I won't be back.
R
Hank
This poll seems to be very objective to me too.
Also, health insurance, disability, benefits? You would pay that to a flesher or other part time labor? I doubt it.
Bill, what do you consider "a long time" to get a mount back? What is your average time to complete a typical deer mount?
Most of the places I have heard of that take waaaay too long to produce mounts are one of two types; typically small time/part time operations or too big for their own britches.
First and foremost, if I walk into a business and ask "how long" and he tells me one year to 18 months, it is my choice to wait. If, because of his reputation and my experience I choose to wait, then that is my choice. But, ifI ask "how long" and the peckerhead says 5 or 6 months and I give him the work based on that estimate, I don't care what the mount looks like if I don't see it for 12 months to 24 months later. That person is, in all probability, being dishonest and I won't be back.
That, is my bottom line. Tell me the truth on how long it will take, let me make my choice and if the work is great, I'll probably be back. Lie to me (I could accept a month or two longer because of delays) one time and I really don't care if the eyes blink when I walkaround the room, I won't be back.
R
Hank
dd
02-03-2006, 05:20 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: mississippi by way of Florida
Posts: 357
RE: Taxidermist ...just how long should we be expected to wait?
DD,
You are right, if my post implied that Bill was dishonest, I apologize up front. I do have to question the idea of paying all those benefits for what I would consider part time work. Him being from NY, I am not familiar with his employment issues. I would be interrested in what his turnaround time is so I can see where he is coming from. From my standpoint, I could not see any reason at all why a mount would take 20 months, and like you, would probably never do business if that were the case.
Another factor is how many taxi's are in his area. In the Miss, Al, La and Fl areas, there is almost a "stuffer on every streetcorner". Some are one or two year affairs, some are not that great, some are terrible, some are run out of fancy buildings with big glass windows and some are run out of garages; there are a few here and there that last and do great work. These typically do good work, have reasonable prices and a decent turnaround. There is too much competition around here for someone to last too long, and do well, if they don't satisfy folks. Word of mouth can kill a taxi here pretty fast. If a taxi is in an area where he is the only game in town, I guess he can make the rules himself.
What I was trying to get across is that if a taxi tells me a mount will take 6 months just to get my business, and I don't see it for a year, that particular taxi will never see me grace his door again. As in any customer service oriented business being upfront and honest with a customer is as valuable as the quality of the work. If it will take 18 months, let me know up front and let ME make the decision.
So, if anyone thought I was knocking Bill, I apologize. I don't think we would agree, but if he is up front and telling his customers what the wait will be and they are choosing him to do the work, more power to him.
I am still interrested in what he thinks a good turnaround time for a typical deer mount is though.
R
Hank
You are right, if my post implied that Bill was dishonest, I apologize up front. I do have to question the idea of paying all those benefits for what I would consider part time work. Him being from NY, I am not familiar with his employment issues. I would be interrested in what his turnaround time is so I can see where he is coming from. From my standpoint, I could not see any reason at all why a mount would take 20 months, and like you, would probably never do business if that were the case.
Another factor is how many taxi's are in his area. In the Miss, Al, La and Fl areas, there is almost a "stuffer on every streetcorner". Some are one or two year affairs, some are not that great, some are terrible, some are run out of fancy buildings with big glass windows and some are run out of garages; there are a few here and there that last and do great work. These typically do good work, have reasonable prices and a decent turnaround. There is too much competition around here for someone to last too long, and do well, if they don't satisfy folks. Word of mouth can kill a taxi here pretty fast. If a taxi is in an area where he is the only game in town, I guess he can make the rules himself.
What I was trying to get across is that if a taxi tells me a mount will take 6 months just to get my business, and I don't see it for a year, that particular taxi will never see me grace his door again. As in any customer service oriented business being upfront and honest with a customer is as valuable as the quality of the work. If it will take 18 months, let me know up front and let ME make the decision.
So, if anyone thought I was knocking Bill, I apologize. I don't think we would agree, but if he is up front and telling his customers what the wait will be and they are choosing him to do the work, more power to him.
I am still interrested in what he thinks a good turnaround time for a typical deer mount is though.
R
Hank
