Matuska Taxidermy

[Todd K]

   Anyone out there use there forms? I have and like them alot. But the last one I got from them cost me a whopping $78! Thats right, $78 for one WT form with shipping. It was'nt next day or 2nd day either. I called them today but they have yet to call back with an explanation. Have any of you been charged that much? Like I said, I like their forms but cant afford to use them as a supplier at that rate of shipping. There was also a $1.40 fuel sur charge added. ( Gas is as cheap now as it was 5 years ago)

[Todd B]

Did you order anything else besides the form?  If so that is why most wait and order alot of supplies at one time.  It was probably an oversized shipping container.  All you can do is learn from your mistake and make a larger order next time so the shipping does not seem so bad.

[Todd K]

     That same day I got a box from McKenzie with 2 deer forms in it and the shipping was less than half of the box from Matuska. I have a small shop and really dont have room for alot of forms at one time. Just seemed aweful expensive, thats all.

[Todd K]

   Just got off the phone with them. She said that a bunch of people have called about the same thing. She also said they are tryin to figure it out and said she will call when they do. At least their trying(I hope)

[Michael Butler, a.k.a. artwildcreate]

Hey.. At least they always put in a piece of candy with every shipment!

[Brian Claar]

I tried them this year, and paid 77.59 for a deer form.      48.25 + 27.49 fed ex + 1.85 fuel surcharge. 
When I checked fed ex (web site) the freight from them to me with the box they used was 24.00 and change.

I expected to get screwed on the the freight, but the fuel surcharge is bull chit.    Fed Ex charges a flat rate, fuel is down so why the extra 2 dollars?

Sorry but no more from me.

[Curt]

It's the oversized shipping from the carrier. Speedy is the cheaper shipper but they don't service every where.

[BDT]

I'm not trying to be a smart ass but in their catalog below every form/pose it says overcharge shipping applies.  The table in the back of the catalog tells approximately how much shipping will be to your zip code.  There's also a note in the back about additional charges for residential  and rural deliveries.  You could have calculated the shipping ahead of time to know what you would pay and then decide if it's really worth the small order or not.  I guess next time try to order another form (a common size and pose that you know you will use within a year) so you get two forms in that box for the same shipping rate.  I don't think there's much they can do about it but maybe use a different shipper.  You guys say it too expensive but you should be passing that on to the customer - raise your prices a bit.  As much as we hate to admit it, I think most of us have been in a situation where we unfortunately had to order one form and we get killed on the shipping.  You could factor that in on the cost for every mount and when it doesn't happen (99% of the time) that's extra money for you.

Brian Claar - Don't they come to the PA show?  I believe they have in the past.  I don't know how they do it for that show but in Wisconsin if you pre-order, most of the time they can bring your order in their trailer and you don't pay any shipping.  You might want to look into that.

[Brian Claar]

Brian Claar - Don't they come to the PA show?  I believe they have in the past.  I don't know how they do it for that show but in Wisconsin if you pre-order, most of the time they can bring your order in their trailer and you don't pay any shipping.  You might want to look into that.

BDT I agree with you.
Yes they come, and I'll probably by some forms from them at the show.   I knew what the freight would be and added into the price.  That wasn't a problem.
What bothers me, even though it wasn't much was the added fuel surcharge.     That was a surprise. 

[BDT]

I guess you could look at the fuel surcharge like taxes.  Once it's there it's almost impossible to get rid of and it will only go up in the future.

[John C]

Todd the first thing you should have done is call them, not cunsult the people here!!! That would have answered you questions, always go to the source.

[bill@hogheaven]

You have to buy multiple forms at one time. 3-4 forms may fit in the same size box as 1. You pay for the size of the box NOT weight in almost all cases. So get that box full of merchandise.

[Todd K]

   Yeah, your right John. I was'nt bashing them though, and I did call them. They did get back with me later in the day. She explained that they are trying to do something about the shipping costs too. I was venting a little, thats all. And Michael....I did'nt even get a piece of candy this time! Maybe next time, when I order more than ONE form I'll get some candy.(lol)

[Becky P]

I've never ordered deer forms from them so my stuff never comes in an oversized box. I do order almost all of my bird supplies from them and the shipping is about the same as it is from anywhere else that far away, so it must be the oversize thing.
Also, UPS is still charging a fuel sur charge so others may be too.

Some companies also charge a handling or boxing fee, especially if you order under a certain amount of $$.

[Old Fart]

This is a good business lesson....ALWAYS price your mounts based on the cost of getting a single form delivered to you, not on volume shipping or volume discounts from suppliers. Those things are sound business practices, but not what you want to base your prices on.