Don’t You Hate It When …

Bud, it's the same company.
I hear you and wish you luck on your search for cheaper, better suppliers with the selection offered by them.

 

Tell them to call with shipping cost before you have them ship im sure they will. you should try snail mail it is way cheaper than ups

 

Yep, it's hard to play ball with them. It's their ball, and their field. But there's not much out there in taxidermy supply companies as far as fair competition to drive the fair market value of supplies down. We are unfortunately buying retail rather than wholesale.

That being said, I just pass the cost along to the customer, and add some for shipping. Since you called it a rant, and if I'm being honest, I have more respect for the suppliers charging me more than these so called taxidermists (hacks) in my area doing it for next to nothing. They either have some sort of side gig (part timers) or they're lacking confidence in their poor quality to charge more.

I wish there was an artisans guild of taxidermists (sort of like a band of brothers-sisters) who all agree to keep the prices at a certain threshold, or at least what a bare minimum should be. This way, the consumer will choose someone based on skill set, or artistic abilities, rather than the low price. Believe me, I've thought this out, and am very seriously considering getting it going.
"The bitterness of poor quality outlasts the sweetness of the low price". In other words, you ALWAYS get what you pay for with regards to taxidermy.
Best of luck in your endeavors to find a supplier that fits your criteria, GotHonks

 

Honks, are you a member of any associations UTA or state? If not some get discounts from select suppliers.

 

I only order from the big companies if I can't get it anywhere else. I've probably only ordered from them twice. Matuska, James Supply, Lone Star, and many other small supply companies will get my business. Bases and pedestals and such I get from Bridges Custom Woodwork or I find someone local.

 

Sorry, mini rant. I'm sure nothing that you all have not experienced already. I'm a new DIY'r and have no interest in going into business. I just placed my first order with McKenzies. Shipping for three quail heads and five 4oz bottles of paint.....$37.58!! Hazmat perhaps? I understand if you order a bunch of bulky forms and the packaging needs to be determined after placing the order. But an order that would fit into a six-pack box?? Hazmat charges could've also been applied at checkout. We all order large/heavy items or powder and primers from outdoor suppliers...Cabelas, Bass pro, Midway USA ....I've never been surprise charged like this. The shipping process has been figured out at this day in age.

Insult to injury. The day before shipping was charged to my card, they drop shipped one bottle of paint to me separately. No paint, it was filled with someone else's order. I did the right thing and called their customer service to advise them. They gave me an RMA to return the items....that's it. No shipping label to return their items. I emailed them about shipping, they just responded that the RMA # was for their internal use only. Apparently shipping is supposed to be on me.

Thanks for all the good advice and guidance you all provide on this forum!

 

Matuska hands down blows every other company out of the water. I get everything I can from them

 

KEEP THE PACKAGE IF THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR POSTAGE AND TELL THEM WHY

FLOCK THEM

 

Simple solution, order from one of the other companies or make your own.
This sight is filled with tutorials and helpful posts on how to diy. The state and national conventions have multiple seminars that provide hands on experience with every aspect of the industry. The internet is also loaded taxidermy videos.

The McKenzie horse has been beaten many times before on this sight. If you don’t like them quit whining and move on.

 

they cant be the only supplier that has what everyone needs. if ti is they have become a monopoly isnt that against the law...buying up all the supply companies so everyone has to buy from you ?

https://www.classlawgroup.com/antitrust/unlawful-practices/monopoly/

 

It is a monopoly but the government has to care about the segment that it hurts and we already know they couldn't give 2 sacks of ratchit about us.

 

then someone this affects has to file a complaint. maybe if several state associations banned together something would happen.