Hello, This is my first year in actual buisness and I figured my ducks up to be 307.00 for standing and 329.00 flying. I recently received a 1st with a duck a 1st with a coyote and a second with a deer all in professional a my state show. My customer work is the same as my comp. work. So a guy called me and we set up that I was going to mount two ducks for him at these prices and he was fine with that. A few days later he came to me asking if I screwed up because he called other taxidermists and they were only 180.00 or less and they said that at those prices the ducks should sing and dance. Then the customer started telling me about his d.p. mounts look good years later after I explained to him why other taxidermists prices are cheaper etc....a 300.00 elk mount that looks great... He was actualy insulting me but yet he still wants me to mount them at my prices. I feel uncomfortable mounting them now. I dont want to over-charge people am I too high? I live in Oh. not that it matters because it is still the same time and material costs everywhere, but Oh. is known for low prices and its hard to start out getting fair prices here I dont want to be one of the many taxidermists that I know that told me you have to give up hunting and free time to do taxidermy (250.00 deer head guys). I'm 398.00. Sorry about the rambling on I'm stirred up and need re-assurance or comments or something. Thanks for any constructive responses. Hank
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I think it is wonderful you are actually charging money for your work. There are so many people on here that charge just enough to pay for the form and eyes. I honestly can't see how they can survive. I charge $225 for ducks right now. It seems to me to be a little low, but I don't do a lot of them. Deer I get $500 (I have taken in around 40 deer and 23 antelope at that price). I charge $800 for a elk ( I have 13 to do so far) and if you want open mouth then we are talking $100 more. If taxidermy is your only job, sit down one day and do the math. Get paid for all the hard work you do. There is a guy down the street that gets $500 for a ELK! The form alone is going to be over $100 PLUS shipping, eyes, ear liners, etc. Just do the math. Get paid. You will find that customers willing to pay the price are worth much more than customers that quibble over a $200 deer head.
You are right ontrack, of course you will lose some clients. Who cares? The pride you have in yourself and you're work more than make up for it. Congradulations for sticking to you're pricing. You're competition will raise thier prices as soon as they find out folks will pay it.
That's what I needed. Thanks alot.
Hank
I know this one brings the house down and I'm the LAST guy to tell someone that. If you can get it, charge it. HOWEVER, you're charging darned close for a silly assed duck as you do a whitetail deer? Come on. Be realistic. NO DUCK mounted by a commercial taxidermist should be on the same page as a deer, much less the same paragraph. (I'm wondering why you'd charge more for a flying duck than you do a stander as well and how those odd-ball figures got there.) I can see the National Champions and World Champions getting that much, but they are few and far between.
I appreciate the fact that you'd spend just as much time on a commercial piece as you do on a show piece. I think that's what everyone should do, though few of us manage it. I'd think Jeanette's price for ducks is even on the high end, but there's nothing wrong with that picture. Your's, however, is $100 more than hers. I haven't seen your work so I can't make that call. AND as the others have said, if you can get it, charge it. Just don't be surprised that you don't get as many ducks as Cletus down the road.
I can't understand why you think we shouldn't charge more for flying birds. On standing birds, I just pin the wings and that's it...no wiring, no carding. On flying birds, I have to wire and card the wings. I also inject caulk into the wings of my flying birds to fill out the flight web. I think the extra 15-20 min it takes to do this is worth some extra money. I charge $10 extra on ducks, $20 extra on geese, and $75 extra (pain in the a$$ factor) on swans for open wing poses.
If you had to ask us, well you know already.
It's not how many clients you have, That will make you or brake you ;It's the return clients that keep you Alive.
Do the best possible job you can and when he comes in to pick them up knock of 50 bux. You'll have a lifetime customer and he'll tell all his duck hunting buddies you do great work at an affordable price. This way you don't feel guilty and he gets a warm fuzzy.
Just my opinion.
Happy Turkey Day.
God Bless America! HOOAH!
Heres the equation that works...
If you ask the price, and the customer accepts the price, then that price CANT be too much. Period.
Its not open to debate by us.
When you mount a standing duck, you may pin the wings, but what do you do with the legs and just what do you "stand" this duck on? I still say one price fits all. I charge my customers ALL THE SAME PRICE and I charge THEM ALL FOR FLYING BIRDS. If they want a stander, that's my tip money. PERSONALLY, I think two prices is chintzy. I hate "sneaky" pricing. Give me a bottom line and do what needs to be done. When I buy tires, I buy from the guy who includes balancing and valve stems in the price. I don't want him to tell me I'm getting a deal on the tires and then have him ticky tacking extra "services" on me. I know my guy is adding that within his pricing, but at least he's upfront with the total cost of it. As I've said, my customer is my advertiser. I don't want him deciding the pose of his bird based on my pricing structure. I want him happy and when I tell him I want $175 for his duck regardless of the pose he chooses, the can get as creative as he likes with the position and think he's calling all the shots. Win - Win for me.
taxidermy work is an underpriced value for the public. at 500 dollars we are too cheap compared to lack of benefits the public recieves for their 8 or 10 hour day. the difference between work should not be an issue because how many other buisnesses worry about what the other is doing more than taxidermist. check your self and help educate taxidermist, not the customer, they are not the on-going issue where price is concerned. If your not making at 50 dollars a shop hour your not keeping up with the rising cost of uncontrolled cost. these would be insurance , gas, electric etc... Giving away plaques reduces your price and is in fact discounting.. the public remembers discounts more than quality of work.. spreading word of mouth this way only gets you more give me something for nothing hunter mentalities..
I will once again point out that price setting is all about preception and you're attitude about yourself and you're work and business more than even the quality of the job you might or might not do. I no accept birds or fish because I do not feel that I can look a client in the eye and say the price I feel I need to get to make a decent wage AND a profit. I can with big game and I do. My studio is nice to visit and my taxidermy work and service is on a scale of 1 to 10 is an 8+ in "my" mind. I can look a hunter in the eye and say $545 for a deer mount and get it 99% of the time, so far this year I have taken in 63. This is in a small town with several shops. If you believe you and the mounts you produce are worth what you charge HIGH OR LOW the client WILL BELIEVE YOU. This is also true with many products but I believe esp. in the arts and crafts business.
I have to agree with Bill. If you gave a price and the customer agreed... It's not up to us.
If you want some sound advice, talk to your cpa. Not to offend anyone BUT, taxidermists are rarely sound business people. Most get into this profession because they love to hunt and fish and truly love the outdoors. Somewhere along the way he get interested in this unique line of work. You know he story from here. Often times these new artists in the making find out what others in the area are charging and set their prices, often times cheaper than the competition just so that they will hopefully get the work in. How many taxidermists take the time to study business and marketing?
Hank, I think it's fabulous that you were able to charge that price and get the work. If you KNOW that is what it will take for you to stay in business then you don't need our opinion. Be a leader. We charge 375.00 for a duck AND GET IT.
I thought I'd add my .02 cents worth.
There is a very fine Grey line between what is too little and what is too much. I can agree with pretty much everything said here by various folks. Yes as a taxidermist, we can not sell ourselves short, and yes we need to know what it takes to keep us in business. But... on the other hand, most of us are not World, or National ribbon winners at that. Most of our names aren't big enough to step out in front and place a $400 a price tag on the average duck, therefore we have to remain competitive, not to mention the fact that there is a mentality out there that says a duck is NOT worth $400. I myself would fall into that category.. If I had to pay someone to mount a duck for me, $300 would be the limit, and that had best be a darn good looking mount. Why? Because I know that I can get a very respectable mount for that price. But.. I also know that I can get a very respectable mount for probalby half that. So yes I would shop around.
$375 a duck is great money, and probalby well worth it. But 10 ducks a year isn't enough to keep me in business. There is always someone out there that will pay a high price, but they are few and far between. I have customers who bawk at my $250 price tag. But $250 in my area is high, and you have to be realistic..... $$ signs far outweigh quality in the eyes of MOST clients.
Therefore, you have to ask..
How high can my price go and maintain client stability? At what price does the client say... "ouch, I'd best shop around?" That is the price you charge. Yeah Yeah Yeah, we all say if you don't want to pay my price I can recommend you to a guy down the street that is half my cost, but in reality, most of us cant do that and expect to stay in business. By the same token, most of us cant stay in business on 10 ducks a year either.
So... the old saying... there is always someone better, and always someone cheaper.. holds true, I know of at least three guys within a hour drive of me that put out a respectable duck for under $60. Granted they are just hobbiests but the fact is they do good work. Yes, this does affect me AND my price. I wish it didn't, but it does. The trick is to have the quality of work hanging on the wall to support whatever price it is you charge. Your 100% goal should be to put out good work and keep the client happy and standing on YOUR showroom floor and NOT someone elses.
Jon
Damn, I knew I liked you, but that was beautifully well put. I know you ARE a bird person and I've heard good things about your work, so I know your perspective is not one like me, Bill Yox or jim who just "happen" to do birds occasionally. You're absolutely right about that grey line. All the schmoozing we do here pumping each others ego doesn't cut it when the mortgage comes due. Great post.
that a guy who makes 30,000 a year will spend 30,000+ for a new truck and buy a four wheeler and a etc. etc. Why? because he sees a value for himself and in the items he buys that is worth it to him. If Burger King can sell a meal that will fill you up for only $5.00 why would anyone ever go to a place that sells the same amount of food for 10 times or more? Mostly because of precieved value and presentation. Both have lots of customers. Why not go for the best in business, and life? No matter what you will still have only 24 hours in a day and you will die someday. Taxidermists are mostly underpriced and under valued by the general puplic. Why? I think its because what taxidermists in general believe of themselves as business persons. If Hank can get over 300.00 for a duck I say great, and he should if he can.
You are 100% correct, it is all because of percieved value and presentation. But that is a two side sword. We, as a supplier of a good, are at the mercy of the consumer. We have to fall in line with what their expectations are else we're gonna live a hard life. Yes, there are exceptions to this rule. There are exceptions to every rule.
Yes, I very willing to go drop a $100 on a seafood meal vs a Whopper any day of the week. Why... because a lobster is far more valuable than a burger in my opinion. This holds true in the eyes of most consumers.... therefore Red lobster has a higher priced menu.
Taxidermy, well , it just isn't a get rich quick kinda deal.. nor will it ever be. If you're in it for the money, then you're barking up the wrong tree. There is a very elite group of clients out there where taxidermy falls at the top of their priority list. But for the average client... it falls wherever it falls...and generally that is at the very bottom of everything else.. If you don't agree with me.. then well heck I'm just sorry.. I'm must be on the wrong side of cloud 9.
My point is this.. Taxidermy is NOT a diamond ring, or a mercedes in the driveway. Not in personal wealth or in percieved value....
I do belive in self improvement and believing in ones self.. however.. there are industry standards whether we like it or not... and right now in todays market $400 is about caps for the duck mounting side of the house, and $400 being the cream of the crop. Will that price go up? I doubt it.... Will there be more people in the future who can compete with the cream of the crop..definately.. So what does that mean.... Supply and demand... I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't see the overall price of a duck go down on the high end as more and more people learn the trade.
Anyhow.. I'm rambling now.. and I smell turkey and dressing.. so I guess I wish you all a Happy Turkey day and go gorge myself on trimmings!
So Hank.. if you are caplable of pulling $300+ for a duck and have a stable client base.. then in all honesty I congratulate you! However, I would hate to see you bite yourself in the but before you got your jean off.....! Test the waters and see where ya float.. thats all any of can tell ya!
Once again!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jon
I really should proof read these things before I hit submit.
Jon
"Damn, good and worth every penny of it." The latest Breakthrough Magazine has a superb article for those of you who THINK you're artists and should be required reading. Comparing what we do to what a welder (OR A SCULPTOR)or even a brick layer is ludicrous. We offer a simple commidity that we don't even create. I can get 3 guys to come to my house and drywall the inside for $300. If I tried to do it, it would take me a week and I'd still have to call them in to do it.
If Hank can get that price, I'm delighted for him, BUT as Jon said, how many people are going to buy into the Emperor's New Clothes. The best he'll ever do is to come close to what God created by using....what God created. I'm like Jon. I'd pay some of the World Camps $300 for a duck but that's the limit. It's still a duck when it's done. It all comes down to COST versus WORTH and since I have to earn my money the hard way, I spend it prudently.
I guess my bottomline point is that if there is a nitch to be filled with high quality, high priced taxidermy and there is, fill it if you are able. Don't ever sell yourself or this business short and a true fact is that most taxidermists, 98%, do. Most of you say here and to the clients "its just a duck, deer, or etc. mount and we are just good ole boys" So the puplic will continue to agree and believe the majority of us as we rake in just over minumum wage and somehow blame the public instead of US. We can name the exceptions on one hand and admire them for thier success but then refuse to follow the example; why is that?
Back in the 70's when I was a kid, I used to mount a duck for a box of #4 duck and pheasnt loads so I could go duck hunting. Damn was I ripping myself off. Should have mounted a duck for a new shotgun. Things have come a long way.
your last response was great! I also enjoyed your other responses. You have a different viewpoint than most in our industry. It sounds like you arrive at prices based on your cost of running your business rather than settling for "the average price in your area". You say you are gettting 545.00 for an elk. Please tell me that you are getting over one thousand for an elk.
$545 for deer 950 for elk 1200 for bulgling elk 3200 for lifesize cougar, bear etc. plus the extras. You have to remember you must SELL to the potential clients ego, not ours. It is not just a duck or a deer or whatever! Its HIS TROPHY and he is proud of it and wants quality and service for his money so he can show it off to reflect his hunting or fishing ability and luck and most importantly EGO. Taxidermists must sell this to the client. The studio and you're presentation must reflect high quality from A thru Z even if you know you are still learning and improving. I do not get all the work around here, far from it, and I am not the best but I am good and I am doing my best to be better and I take in "alot" of work for myself and three full time people. I am also a sculptor and I have sold several monument sculptures for in excess of $50,000. There is alot of artist competition in that business also, foundry costs plus gallery commissions and high dollar advertizing involved. Fine art collectors will not buy unless they see value in you and the work so thats what you SELL them More so than the work itself! Ever see a sloppy looking gallery with high priced art in it? Art is not bought "IT IS SOLD!" so it must be for success in taxidermy. Its a leason taxidermists Must learn or forever be small time or part time and/or barely making it. Again look at the studios that are big time names, the look of the studio, themselves at show booths etc. they give taxidermy a good name and help us all. Improve from the bottom up. ie. clean floor to nice displays to pro signage, etc. Strat selling from the minute the client is even thinking of buying and the business from good clients willing to pay top dollar WILL show up. This advise is as old as dirt in advertizing and promotion, but most taxidermists just turn it off with negative quips and stay stuck right where they are. I say its a choice.
It was not my intention to be sarcastic and I do apologize for MY typo error. I did mean deer. It's hard to find a studio that charges more than 500.00 for a deer. I appreciate you sharing your prices. My studio is getting 640.00 per deer and 1350.00 per elk. Bugling is extra. I have seen the responses that you have posted and I appreciate your business philosophy. I hope that others will decide to give themselves a raise. If we as artists don't feel that we are worth more then I promise, the clients never will. By the way, we are having one of our best deer seasons and for sure we have booked a record number of elk 6this year. We must believe in ourselves and others will follow.
where it says elk 6this year. the six should not be in there. Typing is not my strong point!
This price war could go on for ever ,but the truth is charge plenty enough for your work if you want to work for next to nothing than get a job flipping burgers.We are a skilled profession and charge for it,who cares if the duck is almost as much as a deer. The last time i checked the auto mechanic charged liked $36 hr why can't we get those wages, we can theres guys out there getting premiums, but the rest of the industry is afraid to raise prices,charge what you have to and if you put out good work people will come,i guess everyone that is charging under $200 are super fast or making under $10 hr.
George- you know I love you but you are so very wrong about duck prices compared to deer. At this time we get $375 for ducks and 525 for WT deer. I believe the ducks should be at least 425 but our market won't support that so we limit the amount we take in. Deer are much easier to produce than birds. If you use a good form, have a good tan and have some knowledge of anatomy- you can mount a pretty good commercial deer. But- you can not take a commercial mannikin- and I mean anyones- for a bird and expect to produce a good mount if you don't have the knowledge of the anatomy of the species. A good mannikin is a great place to start but it will not guarantee a good mount. Danny has been mounting birds for years and he can not produce the quality of mount our shop requires in the amount of time he can a deer- after it's been tanned. Call him slow or whatever but that's the way it goes. Hour per hour of labor- the bird should cost more than the deer. My 2 cents worth.
Here's how it works....if you feel your mount(bird,elk,deer) is worth $500,$1000,$2000 dollars and people are willing to pay that price,then its not too much,or should we first get the ok from our taxidermy peers. When did a persons personal affairs become the concern of the rest of the taxidermy world.Where i work,we do as good of a bird as ANYONE can and we charge accordingly,and sometimes it's still not enough. stick to what you feel is your worth and let others charge what they want.