What do you do when your taxidermist wont respond

[johnnyblues]

This is just crazy. Sorry guys. Just my opinion

 

[PARA45]

My experience with the taxidermist in Africa that mounted all my animals.

- Beautiful studio & tour
- Great communications
- Received a quoted as promised
- Items were shipped as promised
Items received were shit, piss poor job in mounting these animals. Fought it, and got nothing. Tried getting the outfitter to help me out, and they sided with the taxidermist. I was literally f*cked by this taxidermist, and they didn't even kiss me when they were done.

Bottom line, all the fluff from this taxidermist didn't mean squat in the end. I got mediocre work done on my mounts, and since they are half around the world I couldn't even fight them like I would if this happened here in the states. Getting your taxidermy done in the states, even with piss poor communication, is better than the ordeal I went through. In the end, if you are not happy with the comm, customer service, etc, etc, you can at least get your animals back, so someone else could mount them.

I saved my money for almost five years to make a dream come true, and in the end all I got was a nightmare. Here is an example of the shitty job I got for close to 15K total.

 

[BnC 04]

Just my $.02 but superior taxidermy holds no interest to me if communication is subpar.
Hope everything works out for all involved.

 

[Cam Moon]

@PARA45 That was with Highveld Taxidermists/Oxi Logistic correct? And you had insurance. I'm wondering what other people's experience is with insurance. Is it even worth having?
As far as this ongoing post about Dennis, personally I would want both good communication AND good quality work. This doesn't seem like too much to ask for.

 

[mikecatt13]

@PARA45 That was with Highveld Taxidermists/Oxi Logistic correct? And you had insurance. I'm wondering what other people's experience is with insurance. Is it even worth having?
As far as this ongoing post about Dennis, personally I would want both good communication AND good quality work. This doesn't seem like too much to ask for.

First I've ever heard of insurance for taxidermy/trophies..more details would be interesting for sure

 

[Cam Moon]

Insurance for when you have your trophies shipped home to you.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Insurance for when you have your trophies shipped home to you.

Please start a new thread in regards to insurance, thank you.

 

[mikecatt13]

Insurance for when you have your trophies shipped home to you.

Gotcha, so just general insurance on the shipment like you would get on any packages etc just larger scale?

 

[tedthorn]

Any updates? cant reach Dennis by phone or email, google says permanently closed. really wondering about my stuff

I have sent an email request for a detailed, itemized invoice and inventory so I could drive up, pay my bill and forever sever ties with Dennis Harris and The Artistry of Wildlife.
I recieved a reply from Dennis Harris on Jan 5th that he would do so.
I have recieved no correspondence since.
I will re-send the same email I sent in early January this coming Sunday February 2nd

 

[tedthorn]

google says permanently closed.

That is the old address

 

[Ragman]

I am so glad my taxidermist and I live in the same town! If I didn't have one where I live, the biggest lesson I'll take away from this is to not use a taxidermist farther than a few hours drive from me....even if he does claim to be the World's best. The one exception would be if I knew him personally and had a previous working relationship. @tedthorn I wish you all the best.

 

[slam8031]

I received a call from The Artistry of Wildlife shop manager yesterday--his words--Dennis was in the hospital. He responded because I sent a text message several weeks ago. The shop manager retrieved the phone last weekend and was working through messages.

 

[Royal27]

I received a call from The Artistry of Wildlife shop manager yesterday--his words--Dennis was in the hospital. He responded because I sent a text message several weeks ago. The shop manager retrieved the phone last weekend and was working through messages.

I was afraid of something like this. He hasn't been on FB since the 18th and that's unusual for him. Will send you a PM.

Thanks for the update.

 

[tedthorn]

I received a call from The Artistry of Wildlife shop manager yesterday--his words--Dennis was in the hospital. He responded because I sent a text message several weeks ago. The shop manager retrieved the phone last weekend and was working through messages.

Strange
Dennis told me only a month ago why he didn't respond to my many text messages because he didn't have a cell phone.

 

[slam8031]

Don't know about that. It was the same number I have used in the past from either his facebook or web site.

 

[sestoppelman]

Lets hope he is going to be OK, regardless some of the issues.

 

[kevin masters]

Lets hope he is going to be OK, regardless some of the issues.

Totally agree, Dennis's health is much more important than my mounts.
will be praying

 

[johnnyblues]

Absolutely hope he is recovering quickly. Business is business but one’s health trumps it all.

 

[IvW]

My experience with the taxidermist in Africa that mounted all my animals.

- Beautiful studio & tour
- Great communications
- Received a quoted as promised
- Items were shipped as promised
Items received were shit, piss poor job in mounting these animals. Fought it, and got nothing. Tried getting the outfitter to help me out, and they sided with the taxidermist. I was literary f*cked by this taxidermist, and they didn't even kissed me when they were done.

Bottom line, all the fluff from this taxidermist didn't mean squat in the end. I got mediocre work done on my mounts, and since they are half around the world I couldn't even fight them like I would if this happened here in the states. Getting your taxidermy done in the states, even with piss poor communication, is better than the ordeal I went through. In the end, if you are not happy with the comm, customer service, etc, etc, you can at least get your animals back, so someone else could mount them.

I saved my money for almost five years to make a dream come true, and in the end all I got was a nightmare. Here is an example of the shitty job I got for close to 15K total.

View attachment 327457

Apart from the white stuff behind the ear, what exactly is the rest of the problems you had?

 

[johnnyblues]

My experience with the taxidermist in Africa that mounted all my animals.

- Beautiful studio & tour
- Great communications
- Received a quoted as promised
- Items were shipped as promised
Items received were shit, piss poor job in mounting these animals. Fought it, and got nothing. Tried getting the outfitter to help me out, and they sided with the taxidermist. I was literary f*cked by this taxidermist, and they didn't even kissed me when they were done.

Bottom line, all the fluff from this taxidermist didn't mean squat in the end. I got mediocre work done on my mounts, and since they are half around the world I couldn't even fight them like I would if this happened here in the states. Getting your taxidermy done in the states, even with piss poor communication, is better than the ordeal I went through. In the end, if you are not happy with the comm, customer service, etc, etc, you can at least get your animals back, so someone else could mount them.

I saved my money for almost five years to make a dream come true, and in the end all I got was a nightmare. Here is an example of the shitty job I got for close to 15K total.

View attachment 327457

Sad when this happens. It boggles my mind why anyone would leave taxidermy in Africa to be done. I know this has been discussed numerous times here, but bottom line is little recourse, subpar materials, training is questionable, communication could be difficult. Ya I get guys want to hope they save some money but I ask.......is it worth it?