Taxidermist threw out my mount. How do I handle this?

[Jimmy]

For me, I guess it boils down to his apparent lack of concern over it. I really don't care if I got a free mount or anything out of it. It is more the point that he did not offer anything up to remedy the situation. I understand that mistakes happen, accidents happen. But, as a business owner, if I made a mistake such as this, I feel as though I would be doing everything in my power to make it right. Especially when the lively hood of my business literally depends on people trusting me and bringing in other customers. I would think if word got out that I accidentally pitched someone's animal out and then didn't do anything about it, it would be pretty bad for business. Maybe that is just my view of the world, Idk!

You're not wrong, this IS bad for his business.

Did you suggest a way to make it right? If you think of a way that would satisfy you, let him know. Then if he says no, you can leave a complete and honest review.

 

[go_deep]

Do you have any pictures of the duck?

 

[Quandary]

Pay for a replacement hunt.

 

[Chris in TN]

It's hard to think of a reasonable way he could 'fix' this beyond just refunding your money.

 

[LongWayAround]

Buy a brewers duck from an aviary and make him mount it for free. I know it’s not the same duck you killed but I believe it’s the best option if you want a brewers on the wall.

That's a pretty good idea. It will still remind you of his malfunction, but it might be a "better" specimen than the one originally killed.

 

[RockAndSage]

I also was kind of thinking because of the rarity, he might've sold it or something, idk. I don't have an ounce of proof so I will not make that allegation, but it did cross my mind that it could have happened.

I wouldn't discount this possibility at all - there's definitely a black market for rare mounts. And a taxidermist would be a central node for that. Nobody's "throwing out" something a customer put a deposit on, especially if it's something rare or uncommon.

 

[Zeke6951]

Over 25 years ago I had a banded Black Duck that was banded for over 7 years, a banded Canvas Back ( the only one I ever shot) and a Common Goldeneye at a taxidermist, I called to check on progress after about 6 months. I'll get right on them, they'll be ready in a couple of months. I called again in 6 months, his freezer had gone out and all the birds spoiled and were thrown away. I didn't even get my bands. Oh, well. Just chalked it up as an accident, no drama.

 

[rac5115]

Mistakes happen and sounds like he genuinely made a mistake but two sketchy things occurred.

Sketchy thing one, not only did he lose your duck, he then mounted either someone else's duck meaning someone else was going to lose theirs also OR he knew and tried to pull a fast one and replace it with another duck.

Sketchy thing two he didn't call you and tell you the he couldn't find it, you had to call him. Clearly he wasn't that concerned about you or rectifying his mistake.

You know better than anyone here since he is your taxidermist, do you think he deserves another chance or not? If I were in your shoes it'd boil down to can I trust him anymore. If he had shown a little more concern or remorse then I think I could say stuff happens, but just from what's posted here I dont think he's done enough to warrant it. Nothing is bringing the bird back sadly, as a waterfowler I know this one has to hurt.

 

[MallardSX2]

I am constantly reading about Taxidermists nationwide fleecing people hand over fist. It’s a common thread on many websites. If taxidermists demand “professional wages” they should conduct their buisness in a professional manner.

I would document everything and take him to small claims court and sue him for maximum damages.

 

[Marbles]

I don’t think you’re going to get any money from him nor am I saying you should even try. It’s probably hard to put a dollar value on something like a duck.

But it’s weird to me that lots of folks here are saying “he shouldn’t pay for a mistake.”

Yes, he should. Mistakes happen but it doesn’t absolve you from responsibility. If someone mistakenly crashed into my car I still expect them to fix it.

Agree with this. If an Arborist drops a tree on your house, you expect him to fix the house.

Professionals carry insurance because they know even with the best of intentions and skill, things go wrong sometimes.

Also, sounds like he only offered to refund the deposit AFTER being called out. I say he should pay 50% APY on the money he basically borrowed under false pretenses (particularly the second year). Doesn't get the duck back, but does show some remorse for what at best is reckless disregard (he threw it out, not like he had a freezer go out are his shop burn).

 

[jayhawk]

Hate to say it but you’re SOL. The right thing for him to do would be to refund in full. But I wouldn’t pursue it any further than that.

Then take your business elsewhere. You won’t trust him, and he’ll hate doing any more work for you. It’s a broken relationship, and you should just move on.

 

[ianpadron]

Not going to make accusations over the internet but him mounting the wrong duck and then supposedly losing/tossing out a hybrid is fishy. Shooting a hybrid for duck guys is like killing a 400" bull or 200" buck. Literally once in a lifetime for even the most hard-core waterfowlers. Any decent taxi knows that...

If I ever wanted a bird done right, it'd go to Seth Lane or Birdman studios, no questions asked and no BS.

My advice is to leave a review for others to see and then move on, sorry man that sucks

 

[plchny]

I'm new, and knocking out some obligatory posts. This one is brutal, I think every taxidermist i know works out of a spiral bound notebook. I have no idea how they keep it together! My mounts have all taken 18-24 months.

One solution could be for him to replace the Brewers duck. Obviously it's not the one you shot, but you get a like item and a story!

Keep us posted to how this unfolds

 

[Jmoore]

2020 I won the NM Goulds turkey tag raffle. There were 2 tags then one raffled and one sold by the state I believe. I was fortunate to take a good bird in the Coronado National Forest. Dropped my bird off with a guy that had done my bird mounts and couple years go by, I hadn’t heard from him. Called him up and the phone didn’t work. I knew his dad’s business so I looked him up that way.
He and his wife had gotten a divorce and my bird was a casualty of what was apparently a nasty divorce and she had unplugged freezers without telling him. He gave my deposit back and that was the end of it for me.
Til this day I’m still trying to draw or win that raffle again.
Good luck

 

[Jon Boy]

There’s a thread going on right now where a company basically stripped all of the metal and trusses off of a shop and replaced them because the customer was dissatisfied with the finished product (rightfully so) I feel a free mount would be the least they could do…

 

[go_deep]

I'd like to see a picture of the duck.

Maybe the OP is spot on with what he told us, maybe not, but I'd at least like to see what all this frustration is about.

 

[Dogone]

Many taxidermists are jump in / jump out guys. It seems like a good way to make easy money but after while they drift on to their next scheme. Guides, dog trainers, horse trainers are the same. Not saying your guy is a crook but these jobs attract a certain type of people. I am an outfitter and guides come and go, taxidermists often move on after a few years also.

 

[Esteban]

If he or his wife raises chickens you could whack one of em to get even. "You got my bird, now I got yours" kind of a thing

 

[loganwayne]

Man I cant imagine this happening. Everything that ends up at a taxidermist from me is special to me somehow. I have a grouse getting mounted for my youngest dogs first wild bird. The last bird my old dog pointed before we put him down. So loosing something like that id be pissed.

 

[pirogue]

The only "contract" I have is the bill of sale and proof of my deposit on the bird. The paperwork he gave me has the bird and its description and everything and I do have a copy of it. But that is the extent of what I have.

Does the contract state, “brewers duck”, or just “duck”? Guess we, or least I, if another taxidermy job, will have nice description of species and picture on contract, that he acknowledges. And for a duck with a band, I would never leave one on for a taxi. They’re too easy to remove and reinstall yourself. You need more back than just your deposit.