I usually search ebay if i am in need of a cape or two to replace damaged ones. But today i happened to go on there and was looking through some of the mounts that are for sale. I am not a show judge or anything, but i can't help but think some of these items are what give reputable taxidermists a bad name.
All i did was search for small mammals and i came up with some of the weirdest looking specimens i've ever seen. Many have the obvious beginner's first time look to them. I've seen red fox mounts that had grey fox forms etc, so the facial features were way out of line etc. My point is, isn't there anything that can be done about this sort of thing. I know im asking for the impossible, but if ebay were to limit sale of items like this to licensed taxidermists only (i'm from ny and there's no license required here but this is the reason why i'd like to see it put into effect), im certain the quality would improve. If someone goes online to ebay looking for a l/s fox mount and sees some of the stuff on there they're less likely to want to have a piece done for themselves. With very few exceptions the work is a poor example of what most of us produce on a regular basis. What i'm saying is that the average person is not going to come visit one of our studios right off the bat, he might look on the internet first, and could be turned off by seeing these things.
The other thing i'm wondering is, what's to stop someone from purchasing something that is illegal to bring into their state. Ebay isn't exactly specific about what you can and can't sell. Someone could be setting themselves up for a hefty fine etc.
Yes i know you probably heard all this before and i'm sure George will holler at me for this post but i figure i would throw it out there. Maybe some big shot at ebay will come accross our forums and do something about it. Of course that's just wishful thinking.
Thanks to all
Regards
Angelo G.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
Thats why they are on ebay, put it up someone will buy it. Practice makes prefect. Where would like them to sell there mounts. People know the differents between beginners and reputable taxidermists thats why some mounts go for under $100 bucks and others go for over $2000 bucks.
Thats why they dont limit the stuff. Everyone starts somewhere. if you limited it to "quality" work, then no one would be a taxidermist unless they were good from the get go. besides, Joe is right, its only worth what the workmanship is. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.