I have a nice coyote I killed last fall at the taxidermist's shop. Here's the story...This guy had been in business in my area for about 5 years, then he moved up north somewhere. Last year he came back to the area and started back up his business again. I heard he was back, and so I took him 5 deer heads(friends) and my coyote. He said he was not real busy because he was building back up his local clients, and many folks did not know he was back in the area. The main reason we went to him was because of time. He said he could have everything back in 3-4 months, vs all the other taxidermists that are 18mos+ backed up. His work is decent, and prices fair...so the guys with the deer heads chose to go that route to get their heads back faster.
Anyhow, he did slowly start getting the deer heads back...and kept telling me he'd have my coyote done in "the next 2 weeks". This went on for months. In mid august he had finally gotten the last deer head back to my buddy(who he promise he'd have done by May) so I called again about my coyote. He said "by the end of the month for sure". Sept I begin calling again. Answering machine. I call once a week with no return calls. So I decided to drive by his house and see him in person. Low and behold the house is empty. Nothing left but a couple of deer heads hanging in what used to be his display room.
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So I bring him all this business from my friends and I....he finishes all thiers, but never even starts MY mount...now who knows where he is? I'm hoping he didn't skip town with my coyote and my deposit. :( I called again yesterday...his answering machine is still hooked up, so who knows what is going on. I know he was renting that house, and based on the time he got back into the are...his lease was probably up. I hoping he is just in the middle of moving, and I didn't get screwed. I don't understand why people are so unaccountable. Why can't anyone these days do what they say they are gonna do? Man I'm pissed right now.
If he did skip town....am I just screwed or do I have any options?
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If your man lives in Hornell, NY Keep after him, we had to for 2 years to get my albino racoon back (stuffed)..and I'm still not sure the one he gave me back is the one I gave to him to stuff after it had been killed by an automobile. I had to finally sick my brother-in-law, who lives in Hornell, NY, after the taxidermy to get my animal back.......No one likes to deal with my brother-in-law.......and everyone there knows him.......so if you need my brother-in-laws name, add. just let me know. Sorry for your problems.
TLC
Sounds like he moves often and is lazy. Get your hide back and take it to a different taxi! For your inconvenience of such a long wait refuse to pay him for tanning and fleshing. If you paid a 1/2 deposit get it back even if you have to go to court. Most importantly get your trophy! I don't think you got screwed yet but I can see it commin!
Joe V...my problem was he disappeared. I had no way to reach him if I wanted to get it back. That was my thought as well. However...I finally got in touch with him at his current phone #....he did move, but he is still in the general area. He said "sorry I haven't been in touch with you, I meant to call you. I have alot of people mad at me". No kidding....imagine that.
He said my coyote is mounted and should be ready to pick up by the end of next week. Hopefully it will. I'm very glad it looks like it will work out, but I was nervous for a while there. The #1 thing in the world that I cannot stand is someone being unaccountable. Doesn't matter what it is about. Thanks for the replies.