base for a L S Black Bear w/cost & retail price

[James Marsico]

When a taxidermist only charges 1200. for a lifesize bear mount he can not afford to spend lots of time and the best materials in it or he will lose money. 1200. should not even be a 1/2 deposit for a decent lifesize black bear mount.  He is not paying himself a decent wage and he is not figuring in a profit which would keep him in a business cash flow black ink. This is the same taxidermist charging less than 400. for a deer mount and the same taxidermist burnt out on taxidermy and disillusioned after a few years. It is the same taxidermist who would scream murder and quit if his other real job payed him less than 15.00 an hour and dropped his benefits. The poor man mind set in taxidermy is mind boggling to me anyway.

[AndyO]

Sounds like you have it all figured out Jim...lol.

[James Marsico]

Sounds like you have it all figured out Jim...lol.

Very wrong, but I do know a few things about taxidermy after all these years in this business. I have looked at other taxidermists sites and price lists and shake my head at some of the low pricing. Then again some are not worth even the low price that they are charging.  I think it is a mistake to charge separate for mount and then base except when a client orders a mount without a base up front. People like "a" price and nobody likes add on extra fees to a invoice.  I am not a great taxidermist but I am pretty good and I have lots of experience and I charge most than most, I take in lots of work in a small town that is saturated with very good taxidermists and my business makes a profit.

[cwt]

this topic has been beat to death,nobody ever changes someone elses mind, i have never made alot of money.not in taxidermy or my full time job but i do enjoy taxidermy and i get paid for it,and that is my no questions asked from the wife play money. charge what you want to charge and dont worry about what other people charge. if your happy then be happy if you get pissed at what someone charges and how they explain it then it seems that you might be unhappy about what you are charging.i include a suitable base on all my lifesize and turkey and ducks and fish all come with driftwood at no extra charge and if they want something more than a "suitable base then they pay more"