I am running into a new problem with pricing this year. My clients are not taking their deer to another taxidermist that is cheaper but are saying "this buck is not worth that much. Cut the horns off, give me credit for the cape". We have a very liberal buck limit here (4) and a very long gun season (October to January 1st). If the buck is big enough or is the young one's first buck no problem, but if he's average they are not mounting them. Not many deer are killed that score over 110. Have I reached the limit for what I can charge and still retain volume? So far, I have stuck to my price but my volume is going to be down. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am known for outstanding work but the hunters are not killing the bucks they are willing to pay my price for. This is the first year this has happened and my price increase was $25 over last year.
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You are going to have some meager years as well as some exceptional ones. Don't let one not so good year discourage you. It may have nothing to do with your prices at all. It just may be that simple that not that many good deer have been killed that are worth of being mounted.
Now if you are running into this same problem for a couple of years in a row then you may look at your pricing and see what is wrong. A price increase of $25 is not enough to deter most hunters to get the deer mounted that they really wanna get mounted.
Plus I think the economy is still lacking behind some and people are still wary on letting go of their money. Deer season afterall falls into the same time of year when people have to spend money on Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas presents and the likes. Just don't get discouraged. Who knows the next year could start with a bang and you could get swamped all the sudden.
Im always posting things on pricing, but honest? Im not sure of what to say to you. I can say things to justify it, but thats all. Are you behind like I am? Then use the off year to help catch up. In another year your price might be easier for them to justify. Maybe having a good year trophy-wise will bring them back around. Suugest a sale for antler mounts, of theres that many cut offs out there, get paid to do that for this year. Theyre easy money to be sure. Just dont force the issue or change prices, unless of course you were just outrageous which Im sure you arent.