taxidermist - what would you do???

[dukluk]

Taxidermist(friend) has had some of my deer heads, ducks, and other small game for nearly two years, now....he's one of the most expensive around, but really doesn't do any better job than the new guy I'm using, now....I quit using my friend because he's too expensive, and just takes too long....the new guy has already finished with this year's animals, at about 20% less cost, and they look really great....my friend found out about my switch, and is sorta pizzed at me....do I level with him, or try to avoid the issue, and let a family member pick up my mounts, when and if, they are ever finished???....btw, I pay 75% down to him, but he only requires 50%.

[huntersmky]

2yrs? Who cares if he gets mad or not. Anything over 8 months is too long

[sunnylab]

business is business...and those mounts do not belong to him regardless if you paid or not.
I would just be straight up.... hey. dude.. you take to freakin long and i'm taking my business elsewhere.
I would also demand that he get whats yours to YOU. The sooner the better.

sometimes you just gotta tell people the way things are gonna be.

[edub20]

Taxidermist(friend) has had some of my deer heads, ducks, and other small game for nearly two years, now....he's one of the most expensive around, but really doesn't do any better job than the new guy I'm using, now....I quit using my friend because he's too expensive, and just takes too long....the new guy has already finished with this year's animals, at about 20% less cost, and they look really great....my friend found out about my switch, and is sorta pizzed at me....do I level with him, or try to avoid the issue, and let a family member pick up my mounts, when and if, they are ever finished???....btw, I pay 75% down to him, but he only requires 50%.

You sure he still has them after 2 yrs?

[BUCKWHEAT]

I feel your pain, I'm still waiting on an Elk that I took to a guy in September of 2008.

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Friend or not I would have got my stuff back long ago.............tell him the guys cheaper and does better work..........if he cant handle it then fark him..........life is to damn short to deal with Drama Queens

[Blackduck]

He might bump you to the back because you are friends. Tell him you really wanted it sooner and didn't want to push him because you are friends. That way you can save face, get the messages that he takes to damn long across to him, and get a mount done. Win win win.

[Faithful Retrievers]

Easy... Man I figured since you were so backed up you still haven't got my other stuff done I would go some where else, by the way are you about done with those its been two years. If he can't understand that wouldn't worry too much about the friend part.

[quackheadbp]

Whoop his booty! Take your stuff else were.

[Dutch Dog]

Easy... Man I figured since you were so backed up you still haven't got my other stuff done I would go some where else, by the way are you about done with those its been two years. If he can't understand that wouldn't worry too much about the friend part.

Sounds like a pretty good plan to me.

[RedEyed Duck]

Easy... Man I figured since you were so backed up you still haven't got my other stuff done I would go some where else, by the way are you about done with those its been two years. If he can't understand that wouldn't worry too much about the friend part.

Sounds like a pretty good plan to me too! You said he was a friend, you should at least talk to him and pickup your own stuff. I'd also let him know about his competition so he can make the necessary adjustments to his business and be competitive.

[jacksbuddy]

Easy... Man I figured since you were so backed up you still haven't got my other stuff done I would go some where else, by the way are you about done with those its been two years. If he can't understand that wouldn't worry too much about the friend part.

Seems to me that this is the best consensus you have. Now, if he does NOT have your stuff ready and can't give you a good deadline for completion, then I think a serious, but calm, discussion is warranted.

[Jeff]

If he is a true freind, IMO I would have talked to him before I went to the competition. Personally I would be HIGHLY upset if I had a freind take buisness elsewhere as business is all about relationships in my opinion.

A good freindship is hard to come by, 20% off wouldn't sway me from using a freind if he still did good work I would still use him over the less expensive "non" freind. I've also waited more than two years for a good taxidermist to get them back to me. However I knew this going in that it would be the turnaround time. If this wasn't your expectation you have a reasonable complaint.

Bottom line I would talk to him as a freind you owe him that.