This company, or at least their employees are very deceptive about cost. I caught a large fish in Cabo San Lucas and was met at the Marina by a representative of Gray Taxidermy. I was presented an order form stating that my fish would cost approximately $1700 to prepare and that the packaging and shipping would be extra. Keep in mind, this is not the real fish, but a fabricated replica based only on the measurement of the fish. I paid a deposit of $739 at the time. I later received an invoice for an additional $1355 that had to be paid before they would continue work on the fish. The invoice stated that crating was an additional $405! For a large cardboard box reinforced with 2x4 lumber that can be built in an hour!
The invoice also stated that shipping also had to be paid before my "trophy" would be completed and that I would receive an email or postcard. I grew concerned because no one had contacted me about the style of the mount or for the cost of the shipping. I then called and spoke with a representative. We discussed the style of the mount. He sent me pictures that showed baitfish in front of a mounted marlin and said those could be positioned in whatever way I wanted. There was also a plaque beneath the fish. He said he could put a plaque with it we even discussed what would be on the plaque. He then said that I could pay my balance due while we were on the phone. I do not recall him ever mentioning an additional cost for the baitfish and I KNOW he never mentioned a cost for the plaque. For $1700, I figured it was and should have been included as the picture showed. I informed him that I had already paid the balance of my invoice prior to talking to him. He said that was great and that he would check on the cost of shipping and get me the best price. He said he would let me know the cost and that we could include it on the invoice that I had just paid. Sounded reasonable enough, right?
I had not heard from this individual since I had placed the call to pay my balance and to visit with him about the mount. While reviewing my credit card statement, I saw the charge for $2239. When I called Gray Taxidermy to discuss the charge, the receptionist asked where I caught my fish and then transferred me immediately to the individual I had talked to. The individual immediately had an answer..one I am certain I was not aware of. He said that I wanted the baitfish and that he had told me that he had quoted me $300 for the 3 fish...what? $100 each for small fake flying fish? He also quoted a charge for the plaque....again, first I had heard about an additional charge! So folks, it turns out that this replica of the 107 inch Marlin I caught is costing me almost $3000!! What a ripoff!
Oh, did I say 107"? When their representative measured it at the boat, he measured from the end of the bill to the base of the forked tail. In reviewing online how a marlin should be measured, I learned that it should be measured at the center of the tip of the fork....so the representative in Florida estimated that it was approximately 107" long. Another disappointment....the sale was presented to me that there would be several measurments and pictures taken of the fish so the reproduction would be as close to the original as possible. Guess what? No pictures were sent to Florida...the rep in Florida had no idea how to contact the person that solicited me at the marina, nor how to get any of the pictures that were taken. The only positive about this whole experience is the representative said he would "restart" my fish and create a 107 inch "replica" (of any old marlin, because he has no proof this fish existed other than the order form and my money) without any additional fee!!
Guess with this group it should be "let the buyer beware"!!
Told $600 plus shipping to replicate the red snapper we caught. Every couple of weeks a new charge would post to our invoice, everything from mounting charge to crating charges. By the time it was ready to ship the total charge was $984.00. Once arrived, the fish was the cheapest plastic replica I'd ever seen! Ive seen kids toys look more real than this fish. Stay away do not buy from this company!
Gray Taxidermy Reviews
This company, or at least their employees are very deceptive about cost. I caught a large fish in Cabo San Lucas and was met at the Marina by a representative of Gray Taxidermy. I was presented an order form stating that my fish would cost approximately $1700 to prepare and that the packaging and shipping would be extra. Keep in mind, this is not the real fish, but a fabricated replica based only on the measurement of the fish. I paid a deposit of $739 at the time. I later received an invoice for an additional $1355 that had to be paid before they would continue work on the fish. The invoice stated that crating was an additional $405! For a large cardboard box reinforced with 2x4 lumber that can be built in an hour!
The invoice also stated that shipping also had to be paid before my "trophy" would be completed and that I would receive an email or postcard. I grew concerned because no one had contacted me about the style of the mount or for the cost of the shipping. I then called and spoke with a representative. We discussed the style of the mount. He sent me pictures that showed baitfish in front of a mounted marlin and said those could be positioned in whatever way I wanted. There was also a plaque beneath the fish. He said he could put a plaque with it we even discussed what would be on the plaque. He then said that I could pay my balance due while we were on the phone. I do not recall him ever mentioning an additional cost for the baitfish and I KNOW he never mentioned a cost for the plaque. For $1700, I figured it was and should have been included as the picture showed. I informed him that I had already paid the balance of my invoice prior to talking to him. He said that was great and that he would check on the cost of shipping and get me the best price. He said he would let me know the cost and that we could include it on the invoice that I had just paid. Sounded reasonable enough, right?
I had not heard from this individual since I had placed the call to pay my balance and to visit with him about the mount. While reviewing my credit card statement, I saw the charge for $2239. When I called Gray Taxidermy to discuss the charge, the receptionist asked where I caught my fish and then transferred me immediately to the individual I had talked to. The individual immediately had an answer..one I am certain I was not aware of. He said that I wanted the baitfish and that he had told me that he had quoted me $300 for the 3 fish...what? $100 each for small fake flying fish? He also quoted a charge for the plaque....again, first I had heard about an additional charge! So folks, it turns out that this replica of the 107 inch Marlin I caught is costing me almost $3000!! What a ripoff!
Oh, did I say 107"? When their representative measured it at the boat, he measured from the end of the bill to the base of the forked tail. In reviewing online how a marlin should be measured, I learned that it should be measured at the center of the tip of the fork....so the representative in Florida estimated that it was approximately 107" long. Another disappointment....the sale was presented to me that there would be several measurments and pictures taken of the fish so the reproduction would be as close to the original as possible. Guess what? No pictures were sent to Florida...the rep in Florida had no idea how to contact the person that solicited me at the marina, nor how to get any of the pictures that were taken. The only positive about this whole experience is the representative said he would "restart" my fish and create a 107 inch "replica" (of any old marlin, because he has no proof this fish existed other than the order form and my money) without any additional fee!!
Guess with this group it should be "let the buyer beware"!!
Told $600 plus shipping to replicate the red snapper we caught. Every couple of weeks a new charge would post to our invoice, everything from mounting charge to crating charges. By the time it was ready to ship the total charge was $984.00. Once arrived, the fish was the cheapest plastic replica I'd ever seen! Ive seen kids toys look more real than this fish. Stay away do not buy from this company!