DuckSouth.com

I bought a gift certificate last summer at a St. Jude benefit for a free duck mount. I dropped a duck off with the guy at Christmas to be mounted and he told me it would be ready in Feb. Well Feb came and went and I still haven't seen the bird. I've called a couple times to check and see if its done and he always says "I'm gonna get to it in the next couple weeks. I'll call you when its done"
I don't want to be a jerk about this. I know its probably on the bottom of his list to do since he's not getting any money for it but I would still like to have my bird. And I know 6 monthes is a short wait for a mount. It just bothers me that he told me one thing and didn't deliver. If he had told me he was a year behind I would have understood but he didn't. What should I do?

Thanks guys.

Oh and I'm pretty sure he's not on this website.

Be persitent but nice about. He has your bird and if you want a better than half booty job, I wouldn't piss him off. I for one can't say much because I am usually the one that would say take the bird and shove it, but have found in these situations its better to explain your side see if they will be a little more responsive.

I tell him that I realize it might not be top priority since he's not making any money and then offer him a percentage of his normal rate to get his but in gear.

i'd call him every two weeks to a month to let him know you want it, and otherwise just be patient. when it starts getting around the 10-12 month mark, is when i'd start really putting the pressure on him by calling every week. but just be careful, because you don't want him to rush on your mount, rather you just want him to get to it.

and it shouldn't matter that you arent the normal paying customer, he decided to donate the job to St Jude. And i have never had a taxidermist deliver when they said they would.

i am kinda in the same situation. a bunch of us ordered a custom engraved pistol threw kimber and we were told feb and its still not ready. But i feel bad cause we all got the pistols about 200 under retail price. but the guy keeps telling us another week or two and we still havent gotten them. so i feel your pain

He is making money. I can promise you he's taking the deduction as a donation to St. Jude on his taxes.

I had a problem with a deer mount like that, I called once a week for 4 or 5 months. I left messages just about daily since he never answered the phone. Finally called and told me what was happening with his health problems and I told him to take his time and that if he had called and told me he had a damn stroke I wouldn't have wasted either of ours time. It was out of his hands but a quick phone call would have done wonders for the situation.

GearOut wrote:i'd call him every two weeks to a month to let him know you want it, and otherwise just be patient. when it starts getting around the 10-12 month mark, is when i'd start really putting the pressure on him by calling every week. but just be careful, because you don't want him to rush on your mount, rather you just want him to get to it.

For some reason, my earlier post didn't make it on here, so I'll say it again.

+1 on this one. Yes, he has your duck, and you want your mount. He kows this, and you both want it to be a good mount, because let's face it - it's his name on it. When you call him, I'd suggest that you keep it friendly, but professional. It would be better if you can get him to commit to a completion date for you. Not just "in a couple of weeks", but an actual date. That would be the best for you, because that puts a real deadline on the job that both of you can agree to. Plus, by keeping it professional, you may find out why it has taken so long to get yours completed.

Now, if HE gets ugly about it, then you may just want to chalk this up to a bad experience and cut your losses.

well I called and left the ol boy a message. We'll see if it gets returned.

I'm just glad I didn't give this dude any money upfront

HeKing wrote:well I called and left the ol boy a message. We'll see if it gets returned.

I'm just glad I didn't give this dude any money upfront

You would prob have it back "money talks, bullchit walks"

I've worked a little for my dad, The Waterfowler, and of course grew up in the house with him. I also worked for another taxidermist in Alabama for a while. In my experience, calling and bugging them every 2 weeks or whatever doesn't help. It only irritates them. The guy will get your bird done, don't worry. But pestering him will have him in a bad mood when he does your bird. Especially since it's a free mount, leave him be and he will call you when it's ready.

i have never seen turn around time that quick. but he shouldnt have told you that either. i am currently waiting about 2 years with one taximdermist i use frequently and an estimate of about 1 year with another one i use.

you could also tell him you want to get the bird and have him refund what you paid and then take it elsewhere.

lipsplitter39654 wrote:you could also tell him you want to get the bird and have him refund what you paid and then take it elsewhere.

From what he posted originally, he bought a gift certificate from St. Jude, not the taxidermist. The taxidermist doesn't owe him any money.

Dont even worry about it until about the 1 year mark, anything quicker is just a bonus. Thats what I have found, from the times I have had work done, from several different guys.