Karoo Taxidermy - Eastern Cape

08 May 2007, 21:27

Has anybody had any problems with Karoo Taxidermy. Two buddies of mine had a bunch of stuff done by them and were told by e-mail in early April that the mounts were ready and requested full payment which was made and received by Karoo. Since that time Karoo will not reply to e-mails and phone calls will not go through. Any suggestions? Can anybody help?

09 May 2007, 01:25

L. David Keith

Your buddies should contact their Outfitter/PH. Most likely he would have recommended Karoo and can follow up on the status. Once Karoo has their mounts crated, they will contact their shipping company. There goes another waiting period, but they should get the name of the company expediting their mounts. If they are using a Customs Broker here in the States, contact them in advance. LDK

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10 May 2007, 22:53

LHowell

My shipment from them is awaiting the Vets inspection of the shipment and then will be on its way to Safari Cargo Systems / Fauna and Flora for transit using their Ocean Cargo scheme.

I understand that Karoo has been in the midst of restructuring the production line, and have as such been distracted as well. [I assume that their new facilities are completed and being integrated into the process.]

As Mr. Keith suggests above, a note to your Outfitter/PH asking for their assistance should not be an unreasonable request.

Les

12 July 2007, 09:08

L. David Keith

Update: 3 of us contacted Karoo and Brad met with Frank while we were in RSA last month. Initially, 2 of us wanted our trophies dipped and packed only. My bill for 25 animals and six waterfowl was $2,400 plus $295 for "documentation and crating" although I instructed them to ship both our trophies in one crate. Now we get no updates or information. I had requested a quote for mounting all of our trophies. Still no reply. If this is how we are to expect service, I think we'll take our 43 trophies elsewhere. I don't like to be kept nervous about my trophies. Anyone care to comment on the quality of their mounts from Karoo? Thanks, David

15 July 2007, 08:55

Jim Ishmael

Karoo did 7 mounts for me on my April of 04 trip and 7 more on my May of 06 trip, and I a very happy with the work they did for me. They arrived right when they said they would and the workmanship was very good. On our trip in 06 we went to their shop and got the 50 cent tour. Our PH told us on the first trip that they would do us a good job and that all of the mounts in their lodge were done by Karoo. He also told me that if I needed help dealing with them to contact him and he would take care of it. Every time I have emailed Tim at Karoo he has replied and taken care of what I wanted done. The down side of having your mounts done over there is it's a long way to go if you are unhappy. I got both of my shipments in about 8 or 9 months after I returned. Here at home it took me 17 months to get an Elk mounted by a Taxidermist here in town.

Jim

17 July 2007, 22:07

L. David Keith

I finally received a reply from Meggan on our status. She has been very helpful and answered every email promptly. Evidently, the guys were off picking up trophies from all over the Eastern Cape. It is the middle of hunting season so I'm hopefully in good hands. Thanks for the PM's and calls. I appreciate all that contacted me. Good hunting, David
PS: I'll keep an update on this.

22 July 2007, 03:30

Trapdoor

I had ten animals done by Karoo. A few minor problems that turned out OK in the end. Someone lost a wire transfer of $1500 for 2 months. Don't know where in the chain exactly it happened but I am told that it was an international bank that the funds were wired to directly before Karoo's account.

When trophies did arrive, all were nicely done, but my Cape kudu's horns were mounted incorrectly. Apparently the skull broke when removing the horns and they had no reference how they should be mounted. Mine was a very wide, beatuiful old bull that was stunning. Now he is much norrower. Still the same horns, but just not the "same" bull... dissappointing.

Several emails with my PH being involved and Tim offered to have my next kudu mounted for free. That's great and am thankful for that, but with a 1 year old and new house, I can't see getting back for a long time...

Ultimately, I want my kudu to be presented as the animal was, but I guess nothing can be done about that...