A little disappointed

[LLtaxidermy]

First I have to apologize for not being on much lately, that's done with now! I need to get this off my chest because it's been bugging me for a few days, I currently have three mounts in gander mountain in Rochester, It's been a good deal for me several people have called after seeing my work there. The problem I have is with the bear I had there, it fell off the wall and an ear broke almost all the way off and the nose was a little scuffed. Both are easy fixes and not a big deal. The problem is that when I was over there a few weeks ago I noticed it was no longer up. I asked about it and was told they were going to hang it elsewhere. No biggie. A week ago I was there dropping off more cards and noticed it still was not on their walls. I asked someone else about it and was told that it had fallen and they were looking for a safer spot for it. I asked if I could take a look at it and the manager was called, when they brought it out I was told finally that there was a broken ear and they were going to have it repaired. This is all fine and a decent gesture but being the taxidermist who mounted it in the first place wouldn't it make more sense to have just called me told me what happened and I could have already had it repaired and back. Furthermore who wants to put their name on someone else's work? This has been brewing for a few days and I would like to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
Lee

[Lee Borgersen]

  happens, but I would be ticked off when they said they wanted to send it elsewhere. I can't even imagine how they would suggest such a thing. On the other hand you had every right to have spoken up at the time and state you will do the repairs. Are you sure the person that said they'd send it out was aware that you were the taxidermist that owned it. Did he think you were just the owner. Sounds stupid, but nothing would surprise me these days.

If your getting some business from them you want to be cautious about the way you discuss the situation. But I'd contact them immediately to set things straight.

[C.C. Waters]

  The manager,  or the person in charge probably doesn't realize this is a minor problem, and may just be going the extra to make things right, or at least what they think needs to be done.  I would suggest  letting them know your concerns, and that it really isn't a big deal.   Honesty, and letting them know what you've told us will probably take care of things.  Sounds like they may have been giving you the shuffle to avoid a situation, and it may not have been the best way to go.   Kind of sounds like a big misunderstanding, and possibly an attempt at fixing the problem backfired.

[Outdoors Junkie]

I agree with C.C. Waters.  The best way to deal with this miscommunication is to explain how you feel (in a nice way).  It sounds like this situation is just a break down in communication.  Tell them how you feel and get it off your chest and you will feel better and be able to move forward.

Hey C.C. I keep trying to hit that darn bug running around in your avatar.   

[deadeye]

I can see your point, however, it's best not to get too worked up over it.  Lifes too short, you gotta pick your battles.   I don't mean to make light of this but a lot worse things could happen.

[Super Star!]

  Lifes too short, you gotta pick your battles.   

very true

but some times you have to shoot a hostage

[LLtaxidermy]

Thanks for the input and yeah I have talked to them (in a nice way) it just bugged me that they wanted to send it elsewhere. Everything is cool and no hard feelings on either end I just needed to get it off my chest. Worse things definetely could and have happened.

[Auggie]

    Take your stuff out. The amount of work you will get from having the mounts there will be so small that it won't justify the hassle of going in to clean and to repair the mounts after they destroy them on a monthly basis. Why decorate THEIR STORE FOR FREE? When is the last time Gander Mountain gave you something FREE? The advertisement sure isn't free. You have to repair the stuff. Most of the people working their couldn't give a rats  about you or your mounts.
     Word of mouth is the best ad you can get LL. Take your stuff and put it in your own showroom for people to come and see. You can't sell yourself to a potential client without being in front of them. You can show them the difference in your work and explain why they should trust you with their trophy. If you feel the need to show your work in the public eye take it to a local sport shop and support them as they will support you. You will have a more personal relationship with the owner and his employees and they will SEND the work to You.
      In the grand scheme of things if the bear is the worst thing you face as taxidermist in your life consider yourself lucky. It could be worse, and you will most likely run into a much bigger problem down the road. Life is short, but in this case I would SHOOT the hostage! Look out for #1 because I guarantee Gander Mountain is.

[JohnWester]

what auggie said...

[Hunters Dad]

Well said Auggie.


Hunter's Dad

[Super Star!]

SHOOT the hostage???? nicely put lol

[Mayfly]

That was one of the best things I have read in a long time Auggie. Makes perfect sense. When was the last time someone went to the walls of Gander Mountain to find a taxidermist.....never.

[LLtaxidermy]

the only reason I don't "shoot the hostage" is because I know a few people that work there and they are why my stuff is there. They point it out and I have gotten several fish in from people seeing my work there. I will not however take my bear back there but will leave the two fish and the duck. Thanks for the advice though I'll keep that i mind for sure.