This is slightly off-topic but this forum gets a lot more activity so please bear with me. I have had the misfortune to be dealing with a marginal taxidermist and he has lost a hartebeest and a buffalo backskin I paid him to tan. If you were me what would you demand in compensation for both the tanning and the lst skins? The tanning wasn't itemized on my bill so I'm not sure exactly what he charged me. Any ideas would be appreciated - thanks.

You don't say if the taxidermist is located in Africa or elsewhere. - But I would suggest you ask for the replacement value of the tanned skins and any delivery charges to replace them.

If you contact lifeform taxidermy at http://www.lifeform.co.za and ask them for a price for them to supply you with tanned skins out of their stock and shipping to you, then you should have the right figure......You might find that once the tannery who lost your skins find out how much they will have to pay to replace them they just might manage to find your originals....

I paid $400 for the tanning of my Gemsbok and Kudu backskins and IMO if they was worth that to have tanned they was worth that to start with.....I believe I'd be reasonable to ask $800 as compensation for the loss of those two skins if I'd already paid the tanning charge.

Thanks guys this gives me a place to start.

Steve the taxidermist is in the US.