Jamindux
Now i have no bone in the fight...you are offering little facts and shooting from the hip hoping something will stick. There is absolutely no reason for anyone involved to join in this forum posting.
It appears that you are placing blame on everyone but your self...members have offered to assist you and provide some guidance to help you. However it seems you think that if you scream loud enough you are the big man. And everyone should dance to your tune, let me tell you it does not work that way. Things move a little slower in Africa and your screaming will not speed things up.
Are you with out a doubt positive that your PH and Dip & pack are the villains and holding your zebra hide as ransom. (a side note all PH's have a go to taxidermist and dip and pack that they recommend there clients to use) (You did not have any that you wanted to use, so you went with your PH's recommendation) Your pre-planning for your safari should have covered these issues. I have been on a few safaris and i have had this issue covered on all my safari prior to leaving. Sounds like you missed a step in your planning.
This sounds like you did not ask questions on how your trophies shipping would be packed until the issues show up and arrived. (again you did not purchase trophy insurance. so that lead me to believe that if your trophies did not show up you could survive with out them) Were you not in contact by phone or e mail with the taxidermist and dip and pack companies asking questions while the work was on going and paying your bill. I know i have been on every safari i have taken. I make sure i have phone numbers and e-mail addresses prior to leaving.
Thicker plywood is and was available at an additional cost for customers, that is an added expense and that has to be requested. Weight adds to your cost when shipping across the big pond how ever you slice it.
You were cutting corners when you shipped your trophies by ship to reduce your over all expense. There are + & - when doing this. Again why did you not ship by Air?
Do not disagree 1/4 inch plywood was used by Big Buck taxidermy
I had it repaired with 3/4 for final ground shipping to my house.
I had no control over materials used or lack of care taken by shipper.
End result, they got paid in full and my rug was stolen.
Not the way to conduct business or get referrals.
again you are guessing when the damage occured. Was it at the Dip and pack? At the shipper? or on the Cargo ship being tucked away? being unloaded from the ship? Can you tell us where the damage occurred? What step of the way did your crate become damaged or your zebra hide disappear?
To stand on your soap box and shout is not the way to go to settle your issues.
You are able to purchase a zebra rug on the internet for less that the cost of an airline ticket to South Africa, i suggest you go that route and step off your soap box.
Even using that premise, the shippers or their agents would have been operating the forklift. This is how the crate arrived on the dock when Fauna And Flora was contacted and took pictures.
Everything points to DipPack which is rob ably why Andreas remains in hiding and silent.
Do not use this company or it can happen to you!