Making the change to $650.

Greg you already know that's because we are all lazy and besides working on section 1 when we get home is a lot more important
Folks you got to go to the bar to get the joke!

 

That's right. I am just trolling the other threads to drag patrons back to Buck's languishing bar establishment.

 

You have a point there but I do know one taxidermist that does work full time as a taxidermist while he is trying to build his business and works third shift at a convenience store/gas station. He is the exception.

Being a high school teacher myself by day I don't have the time to do taxidermy at night. If I were going to I sure as heck would not be doing it for a lousy $300.00 for a deer head. Which is why I have no desire to do commercial work. It isn't worth dealing with the mentality of people who cannot recognize quality over pricing.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is this...if you live in an area that traditionally pays low for taxidermy, charge more, or at least offer a service thats more expensive, and get the customer conditioned to see a difference, and then move forward, at the very least. If you truly are in such a depressed area that the money literally isnt there, why in hell would you do taxidermy there...for less than its worth???

To be brutally honest, I dont live high on the hog doing taxidermy. My life took some twists and turns, and taxidermy had nothing to do with, so Im really not a good example. But I can say this, I know for certain that many guys out there are for sure leaving available money on the table...

Boarhunter, thanks for understanding and its great to see you believe in yourself. It really will work for everyone, once theyre ready to try. Id be happy to talk to ANY of you, whether youre a past student or not, about ideas and ways you might try to promote yourself or charge more. Just call me. I like to help. BTW Kevin L, you make a good point.

 

Fortunes can change, Bill, that's for sure. In my market it was incredible when the oil money was flowing. Now I'm shutting down my business with 200 grand still on the books as all the oil companies are laying off thousands as we speak. A combination of low oil prices and a first in history socialist government for Alberta has literally put my whole country into a recession. Regardless of which market you practice in, if you can't profit from your work you may as well be doing something else.

 

If the lowest taxidermist in your state was $800, and the average cost was $1000, I bet they would still be having taxidermy done in your state. As long as the low end is $300 or less, you get what you got. It's not that customers can't afford $900 for a mount, it's that they are not willing to as long as you have $300 heads heads out there. If some one can't afford taxidermy then they don't get taxidermy done. If it costs me $150 in parts and services and hourly wages, not shop rate, but hourly wages at $25 an hour for 4hrs , we are at $250 then over head and 30% or more profit and you are already way past $300. So you have to decrease your hourly wages and or your profit. If you are OK with working at $8 or so an hour and don't believe in making a profit, then you are doing great, however, if you can't get a living wage per hour and you throw away your profit, you are better off doing something else for a living and doing taxidermy for yourself, family and close friends if you need a taxidermy fix.

 

I got into taxidermy because I was one of those poor saps that just couldn't afford iit. At the time I was journeyman tool and die maker and made a pretty good wage. I had 4 kids, 3 of them hunted. No way in hell could I afford to things mounted, so I learned how to do taxidermy.

The assumption that if you can afford to go hunting then you must have the money to pay $700 or more for a mount doesn't make any sense to me.

That's one of thereabouts I struggle with raising prices, I can relate.

 

Bill every word you wrote is wise words and true. But lets take a look at the above.
For dang near all of us taxidermy just kinda happened, very very few set out right out of high school with taxidermy as occupation career .
most of us started doing it for our self's and buddies in the kitchen and one thing leads to another. Not one thought then was one day this is what will pay the bills. Being that it was an accidental plan that just kinda progressed . I doubt most people would just up and move to another town/state to start something like taxidermy. I know its been done before with great results (Harris) for example but how many have fell on their ass we never heard of. Anyways the word is ROOTS, They have roots, families, kids . roots keeps them in place. To deep of roots to move, best to just water and nurture whats already growing. Jerking roots up after they gotten to big will kill the plant. Unless you got some deeeeeeeep pockets to nurse it through what going to be a long slow come back even then you may not make it.

 

I agree with this if your talking about the "locals" who hunt family farms and public property. However, when someone goes to Illinois or Canada and pays 5,6 or 7 thousand dollars to hunt whitetail and then shops around for a bargain $300 mount when he is done then the argument holds water.

 

Yea but you obviously think about your business plan way more than the average hacker.

 

People who are charging those ridiculously low prices for a deer head are not running a taxidermy business. They are just doing taxidermy for people. There is a big difference from one to the other.

 

Buckfever, Im not suggesting they move elsewhere to open a shop to keep doing taxidermy. Im saying if youre in an area thats so depressed you cant get a decent wage, before you charge so low its not making the numbers worth it...do something else. Anything else.

 

Yea, you could do like Ron and make your wife cut them up for money while you sit on your tookiss not mounting them.

and then go Elk wishing.

 

Thats the way I read it Bill, my bad!
But My friend you need to get in your car and ride around. Yo dont have a clue what a depressed area is. . In the entire Parish there is no kind of fast food (Wendy's, burgerking popeyes etc none,) No walmart, NO HOSPITIAL, no clothing stores, no car dealerships new or used, only ONE grocery store, There is no work ! as you put it (.do something else. Anything else.) there ain't nothing else!


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensas_Parish,_Louisiana



Tensas Parish (French: Paroisse des Tensas) is a parish located in the northeastern section of the State of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,252, making it the least populous parish in Louisiana

The former Newellton High School in Newellton and Waterproof High School and Lisbon Elementary School in Waterproof have closed because of decreased enrollments.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,252 people residing in the county. 56.5% were Black or African American, 41.9% White, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% of some other race and 0.8% of two or more races. 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,618 people, 2,416 households, and 1,635 families residing in the parish. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 3,359 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 43.2% White, 55.6% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,416 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.10% were married couples living together, 20.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the parish the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years.
The median income for a household in the parish was $19,799, and the median income for a family was $25,739. Males had a median income of $26,636 versus $16,781 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $12,622. About 30.00% of families and 36.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.20% of those under age 18 and 29.60% of those age 65 or over.

SAD AINT IT ! :'( :'( :'( :'( Click that link and you will cry ! :'( :'( :'( :'(

 

Buck you're kinda like the 7 that stands beside a 3 and then looks like a 10?

 

I'm not sure what you mean. Are you coming on to me again! I done told you , you ain't rich enough to get in my panties. Go try Ronb. You perve !

 

No...LOL...about you living in such a depressed area. Makes a millionaire look and seem like a billionaire.

In my case a thousandaire.

Be careful there. This aint CE ya know.

 

so, why not open a BMW repair shop there instead?