Taxidermy pricing

[Royal27]

Might want to consider finding another taxidermist and having them pick up. Might be worth it even for a pock up fee both financially and piece of mind. these things don't often get better.

Might also call the PH and point out that the price is higher than what you were told by him (assuming that's correct) and see if he can/will help.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Two different price lists sounds like a big kick back to the outfitter to me

Charlie, it is not called a kick back, it's a commission. Come on man.
(I'll add this for clarity )

Yes I've got that figured out now. There's this odd and seemingly unused term called "communication" this last trip was void of.

It is an institutional reality in the industry, not just a communication issue.

 

[buck wild]

Well sounds like tey are honoring the original price- which is best you could have hoped for at this time. BUT definitely good to know for any future transaction for other hunters that might be considering using them.

 

[Ryan Wilson]

Charlie, it is not called a kick back, it's a commission. Come on man.




It is an institutional reality in the industry, not just a communication issue.

You'd think more people, including myself, would know about it being you say its a norm. First time I've ever heard of "international pricing". Also, I've never seen where a commission was paid at the expense of a client, especially at near 100% mark up. So either people are aware of it and never say anything, or the industry there tries to hide it. To me it's no different than booking a buff hunt outside RSA and the PH never mentioning having to tip folks off for weapon clearance, hunting privileges, etc.....which in that case, I have heard of happening.

 

[BRICKBURN]

You'd think more people, including myself, would know about it being you say its a norm. First time I've ever heard of "international pricing"..............

It is not truly a secret really. If you have been around for any length of time and truly researched the culture you will know about it.

So, in a sense it is a secret.

You think they are going to advertise: "Hey, we are going to charge you twice as much get your stuff done here."


It is the least researched part of the safari.
How many taxidermists did you contact/research before you left home?

The vast majority of hunters just take the recommendation presented to them.
Who the hell wants to spend $400 per day going to a taxidermy shop. Spend a week touring them?! You are their to hunt.

I vetted plenty before I left and had a list. When the recommended guy was going to charge more to tan a hide than it would cost to be done in Canada, ALL my stuff was picked up by the alternate within a few days.


On another point of interest. Is it really a surprise that the price of the taxidermy plus the shipping tends to come in JUST under the local (US) price plus dip and pack? (Although the lines are really starting to blur on that one)

Taxidermists in Africa can add and subtract.

 

[CAustin]

Charlie, it is not called a kick back, it's a commission. Come on man.
(I'll add this for clarity )




It is an institutional reality in the industry, not just a communication issue.

HA! Ok I'll use the right word next time!

 

[Ryan Wilson]

It is not truly a secret really. If you have been around for any length of time and truly researched the culture you will know about it.

So, in a sense it is a secret.

You think they are going to advertise: "Hey, we are going to charge you twice as much get your stuff done here."


It is the least researched part of the safari.
How many taxidermists did you contact/research before you left home?

The vast majority of hunters just take the recommendation presented to them.
Who the hell wants to spend $400 per day going to a taxidermy shop. Spend a week touring them?! You are their to hunt.

I vetted plenty before I left and had a list. When the recommended guy was going to charge more to tan a hide than it would cost to be done in Canada, ALL my stuff was picked up by the alternate within a few days.


On another point of interest. Is it really a surprise that the price of the taxidermy plus the shipping tends to come in JUST under the local (US) price plus dip and pack? (Although the lines are really starting to blur on that one)

Taxidermists in Africa can add and subtract.

I contacted a received price lists from three different taxidermist in the area. Just so happens, the taxidermist my PH uses gave us a quote that was comparable with the other two. So, as you can imagine, we didn't feel a need to use anyone else. The only reason I found a discrepancy was due to my anal approach to organization and research. I do remind you, this entire post was asking about taxidermy cost, yet it was derived from having a price list that was not comparable to the invoice I received. The response I got from the taxidermist was "Harry's clients receive a different price sheet", so it made me believe I was being taken advantage of rather than falling to a little miscommunication. I certainly appreciate your knowledge of the common practices in Africa. However, I'm not a person that can stomach blowing $1000-$1500 USD by accepting poor business practices. On a positive note, the taxidermist is honoring their previous quote and that in itself speaks of their integrity. Thanks

 

[CAustin]

Good for you Ryan in following up and getting a fair shake!

 

[BRICKBURN]

I contacted a received price lists from three different taxidermist in the area. Just so happens, the taxidermist my PH uses gave us a quote that was comparable with the other two. So, as you can imagine, we didn't feel a need to use anyone else. The only reason I found a discrepancy was due to my anal approach to organization and research. I do remind you, this entire post was asking about taxidermy cost, yet it was derived from having a price list that was not comparable to the invoice I received. The response I got from the taxidermist was "Harry's clients receive a different price sheet", so it made me believe I was being taken advantage of rather than falling to a little miscommunication. I certainly appreciate your knowledge of the common practices in Africa. However, I'm not a person that can stomach blowing $1000-$1500 USD by accepting poor business practices. On a positive note, the taxidermist is honoring their previous quote and that in itself speaks of their integrity. Thanks

No criticism intended. I don't want to drop 1500 on some prett basic work either. Nothing ticks me off more than over pricing work.
I hope you can find a decent solution

 

[BRICKBURN]

HA! Ok I'll use the right word next time!

Always be PC. Charlie. Warm fuzzy terms.

 

[Royal27]

On another point of interest. Is it really a surprise that the price of the taxidermy plus the shipping tends to come in JUST under the local (US) price plus dip and pack? (Although the lines are really starting to blur on that one)

Taxidermists in Africa can add and subtract

Nope. No surprise at all. The math doesn't lie.

 

[Ryan Wilson]

Nope. No surprise at all. The math doesn't lie.

Business is business. You can't knock someone from trying to make a $$. But there is a fine line between good and bad business. I personally wouldn't gamble away integrity and customer service. Especially when there is so much competition in RSA.

 

[johnnyblues]

Thieves. Both of them.

 

[rinehart0050]

It is the least researched part of the safari.

You got that right Brickburn. I researched the heck out of my outfitters before going on our safari, but not the taxidermists. I kind of wish I'd researched it more myself. Right now, my trophies are with taxidermists in SA and fingers crossed that all goes well.

 

[redassnavajo]

Most taxidermist also charge a fee for documentation prep regardless of what is done.

 

[redassnavajo]

But should not be that high.

 

[redassnavajo]

I got a 1/2 mount Nyala, shoulder mounts on Warthog, Mtn. Rhebuck, Bushbuck and my bill was under $3000

 

[Bhfs300]

The invoice was:

Kudu Skull Mount $265
Gemsbok Skull Mount $275
Wildebeest Skull Mount $300
Wildebeest Flat Skin $300

Ryan
Is there some kind of backing on these or are you having something special done to them? The things they have to do gets you a skull that looks like these.
All I did was use a $40 wall mount to put them on the wall.

 

[markferrigno]

I will say that you should never get taxidermy done in Africa. Way expensive because of "commissions" and lots of the work is late and substandard. Have the skins/skulls shipped home and taken to a reputable taxidermist.....

 

[Ryan Wilson]

View attachment 159912

Ryan
Is there some kind of backing on these or are you having something special done to them? The things they have to do gets you a skull that looks like these.
All I did was use a $40 wall mount to put them on the wall.

Nothing special at all. It's their cheapest option.