[Sirsewalot]

Brown, that's why it's a luxury. I wouldn't exactly say that materials are inexpensive. Seeing how they are a petroleum based product, the prices are only going to go up. The rest of the money is wrapped up in labor. Like it or not, taxidermy is a VERY labor intensive job, that means it's not 9 to 5, 5 days a week. Some guys I know work 6 to 6 a minimum of 6 days a week. I'm sure if you were forced to sit and watch the entire process, you would have a different opinion on the cost being justified.(that is if any taxidermist could stand being watched that long)

Again with the waiting, most decent to good taxidermists already have a backlog of work that needs to be done even before you pick up the phone to bring your work in. All those racks hanging are there before you and should be done before you. There's a ton more, but maybe you get the idea.

You're not offending me in the least, I'm just trying to shed a little light onto why things are the way they are. A simple solution would be to stop listening to anyone who is not actually a taxidermist. What the hell do they know except for how they feel? It's like the guy who says my sister's cousin's uncle knows a guy and says it should be done in a week. Find out who that guy is and go there, im SURE you'll be pleased.

 

[nelson_munce]

for me anyone providing a service always has the possibility of a tip, aside from the food service which is usually guaranteed, if a taxidermist did an overwhleming job and i was happy, sure ill flip him a few, he went the extra mile, if i get it back with glue boogers and an eye poppin out, the price has just become negotiable

 

[rockyoutdoors]

For all the guys complaining about the high cost of taxidermy you have an option, Go to Cheap Charlie's Garage and have him mount your trophy buck in only two months time (quick turn around, that's what you want right?) For only a few hundred bucks (CHEAP! Cheap is good too, right?) Then spend the rest of your life looking at that Cheap, Quick Turned Around, Ugly, Piece of CRAP hanging on your wall. You get what you pay for and good taxidermy work is worth every cent.

 

[chuck172]

How about a Europeon mount for 40.00 and get a new bow or gun.

 

[Dirtracing]

i usually throw my butch like 10-15 bucks more just bc of how fast they get everything done... n then they do a better job for ya most times....

 

[Black Bellamy]

I never tip expert professionals. They set their prices and I pay that.

I tip unskilled service personnel only, like drivers, bellmen, maids, and waitresses.

 

[JerseyJay]

How about a Europeon mount for 40.00 and get a new bow or gun.

you cant take the $600 it would cost for a deer mount and get a bow set up, at least not a really good one.. go buy a mathews and set it up, bring at least a grand with you too...

the prices are high because it's a luxury, not a necessity, perhaps you'd enjoy working for minimum wage, I sure as hell wouldn't. The wait is so long because there is a demand for the services being rendered.

exactly

I wouldn't exactly say that materials are inexpensive. Seeing how they are a petroleum based product, the prices are only going to go up. The rest of the money is wrapped up in labor. Like it or not, taxidermy is a VERY labor intensive job, that means it's not 9 to 5, 5 days a week. Some guys I know work 6 to 6 a minimum of 6 days a week. I'm sure if you were forced to sit and watch the entire process, you would have a different opinion on the cost being justified.(that is if any taxidermist could stand being watched that long)

no kidding, come and watch, anyone is welcome... i check a mounted head every 1-5 hours for days after it is mounted, just checking how it dries, etc. making sure everything is going smooth. sure its not "labor" but it is TIME that i have to make sure im around to do. if you want a cheap mount, FINE, its simple, all the taxidermist has to do is mount the animal, leave it dry for a week and come back in a week without touching it as it dries. then he can just load it up with putty and paint it to match. this is one difference between prices... one taxidermist might charge to watch the dring process (which is a very important time to watch) and one might just set it aside to let it dry and pull any which way it wants...but in the end, you will have a ton of putty rebuilding the eyelids,
UNLESS they take the time to thin the skin EXTRA THIN, which also takes a ton of time and patience.... which in the end, you pay for..

I've been tipped a few times and each of those times was told that I was offending them by trying to refuse. In every case, there was extensive damage that was repaired to the best of my ability and well above customer expectations.

this too is good info. when people bring heads they are usually frozen.. if i see the deer was shot with a 7MM in the neck, i charge extra for damage... but if its shoulder is blown up and you cant tell because its frozen. i just sew it up. i never raise a price after i give a quote.... its just not in me, even if it was damage done from the hunter that i was unaware of.. the hunter KNOWS where they shot it, and if they dont say its shot in the shoulder the taxidermist doesnt find out til a day later when he skins it.. you should definately tip if there was damage done to the skin that you werent charged for.. i charge $40 + depending on the damage and size of the hole..

 

[Assumpink Hunter]

heres a tip for your taxidermist....lower your prices

Thats what Im Talking About[up][up][up]

 

[buffalostink]

Tips, Tips, Tips, it never ends. If you leave the NY NJ area, you tip certain people and they look at you and say are you sure? I tipped a bartender in California 1.00 per round the other night like I would at home and they said that was unheard of.. I tipped the barber 2.00 out here and she seemed like it was alot also.. I would not tip a taxidermist.

 

[catfish hunter]

I used to tip them but I got crappy work just them same

 

[parkerbows]

Wow lots of thoughts thanks

 

[kmtpr]

Thats what Im Talking About

Rolly, with all due respect, sometime, you should try to go see what is involved in a good mount. A lot of hours, go into a piece, from start to finish, if you take pride in your work, that is.

 

[catfish hunter]

if you take pride in your work, that is

that is a key note there K ,I was a firm beliver in tipping until I got burnt by one guy I tipped now I have to very impressed before tipping ,I threw ron nill 20 bucks on my fish mount because it was great looking

 

[JerseyJay]

that is a key note there K ,I was a firm beliver in tipping until I got burnt by one guy I tipped now I have to very impressed before tipping

well of course. you dont tip a waitress who doesnt bring you any drinks all night and doesnt check to see if you need anything for an hour and you wait another hour after eating for your check do you?

tips are for whoever and whenever the person giving it thinks the other person deserves it for exceptional work...personal judgement.

 

[kmtpr]

that is a key note there K ,I was a firm beliver in tipping until I got burnt by one guy I tipped now I have to very impressed before tipping ,I threw ron nill 20 bucks on my fish mount because it was great looking

Catfish, that's a shame, really! I'm not saying to tip or not. It is personal choice, but why would you tip if you weren't satisfied?

 

[parkerbows]

thanks for the input, i guess the best tip for a taxidermist would be word of mouth and a referal

 

[joedjr]

No, I pay them for services rendered.

 

[Randy]

i never got anything mounted, i'm usually eating it and buying new equipment with the savings... BUT! if i ever did get a mount i probably wouldn't tip because id be broke after paying for it.

 

[BamBam]

NO, he gets my business!!! Usually 2 mounts a year!!!

 

[BowMan45]

If the quality of work is there paying a little extra is not a question, your going to have to look at your mount for the rest of your life, why not have something your proud to hang on your wall.