Tanning Terms and Conditions

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1. Nature of the Product (Biological Risk)

All hides and capes are natural biological materials. Even with proper handling and industry-standard tanning practices, issues such as hair slippage, bacterial damage, grain damage, color variation, shrinkage, or weak leather may occur.

No tannery can guarantee a perfect outcome, especially on deer, elk, and other hair-on game.

2. Customer Responsibility (Before Drop-Off)

The customer is responsible for:

Proper field care

Prompt cooling

Adequate fleshing and turning (unless otherwise agreed) to lower the chance of bacterial spoilage prior to delivery/ drop-off.

We are not responsible for damage caused by poor field care, delayed cooling, improper salting, or pre-existing bacterial activity, even if damage becomes visible after tanning or freezing.

3. Inspection & Acceptance at Drop-Off

All hides are accepted at customer risk

Pre-existing damage may not be visible at drop-off

Acceptance of a hide does not constitute a guarantee of final quality

If a hide is determined to be unsuitable for tanning, we reserve the right to refuse it or return it without processing. We will do everything we can to preserve your hide!

4. Tanning Process & Industry Standards

We process hides using industry-standard tanning methods appropriate for each species.

Hair slippage can occur even after successful tanning, especially due to:

Bacterial damage prior to tanning

Freeze/thaw cycles

Moisture retention in thick areas (neck, shoulders)

Stress on follicles during mounting or handling

5. Freezing, Storage & Post-Tanning Handling

Wet-tanned hides may be frozen for storage or customer pickup

Freezing does not cause hair slip, but can reveal pre-existing bacterial damage.

Once a hide leaves our possession, we are not responsible for damage caused by thawing, storage, transport, or handling.

6. Inspection Upon Pickup or Delivery

All hides must be inspected immediately upon pickup or delivery if possible.

Any concerns must be reported within 48 hours.

Claims made after this period will not be considered.

Once hides are cut, mounted, shaved, rehydrated, or altered, they are considered accepted.

7. Limited Liability

Our liability, if any, is strictly limited to the tanning fee paid for that specific hide.

8. No Cash Refund Policy

All tanning services are non-refundable.

No cash refunds will be issued under any circumstances, including but not limited to hair slippage, spoilage, grain damage, or unsatisfactory results due to the natural and biological nature of hides.

Limited Remedy – Store Credit Only

If a hide is determined by us to have failed solely due to our tanning process, our only obligation is, at our discretion, to issue a non-transferable store credit for future tanning services.

Credit value shall not exceed the original tanning fee paid for the affected hide.

Credits have no cash value.

Credits may not be redeemed for cash or refunds.

Credits must be used within 12 months of issue.

We are not responsible for:

Trophy value, mounting costs, replacement hides, , consequential, or incidental damages.

9. No Guarantee on Hair Retention

Due to biological variability, hair retention is not guaranteed, especially on:

Early season deer

Rut-harvested animals

Poorly cooled or delayed hides

10. Payment & Abandoned Hides

Payment terms must be met before release

Hides left more than 30 days after notification may incur storage fees, unless arrangements have been made.

Hides left more than 90 days may be considered abandoned and sold by H.E.T.

11. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting hides for tanning, the customer acknowledges they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.