Opinion needed; Ripoff or No Ripoff?

[Fishndude]

Yesterday, I took my fully processed deer meat to a local deer processor to have sausage made. By fully processed, I mean de-boned and in zip-lock bags. They told me there was a $40 processing fee. I asked why as my deer was already "processed". Here is what she said. "Do you see these little silver tendens? Well, we have to go through your meat and cut all that out because it won't go through the grinder." Now, I have run plenty of grinders, stuffed plenty of sausage and ground plenty of chili meat and I have never had a problem with the meat not going through the grinder.

My question is this. Is this a common practice amongst deer processors? Have I been ripped off? What have you guys/gals experienced?

I am going to buy a grinder for chili meat but I am not about to stuff sausage again. I process my deer fully because I don't trust the 17 year old kid working part-time to clean my deer properly.

[TreeCrab]

Sounds odd to me, but I'm no butcher.... hmmmmmm.... not real sure

[Deerhunter30]

The processor that I use charges a "minimum processing fee" on all orders. I think that it's around $35 or $40. I used to debone all my meat, but now I just quarter my deer and take it in becuase it costs me the same either way.

[dswalke2]

Agree...

most places charge a processing fee regardless of how you bring it in. I usually de-bone mine and clean it up as I then know what meat I have and how it was handled. Now I know some butchers will turn around your order quicker if you do the de-boning etc...I get mine the next day from my butcher.

[Chew]

The two places that i use waive the $40 processing fee when I bring in deboned meat. Most of the tendon is gone, but not all. They seemed to appreciate that I had taken good care of the meat and it was nice and clean already. Sounds like a ripoff.

[splitfinger]

Based on what I understand, "most" processors just add your meat in with all the rest and just give you your sausage based on the weight. So, by boning the meat does not add any value to you. I'm sure there are a few processors that will make sausage out of your own meat but they will probably charge more for it.

As far as being "ripped", I'd say, probably yes. If this processor removes all of the tendons, he is the first I have ever heard of to do this.

[Richard M.]

The processor I've used waved the fee for bringing in deboned meat and only charged for what I wanted done. I have paid as little as $8 for a box full of hamber meat before and usually around $14-$16 for hamburger and tenderized/vacuum packed backstrap.

A word of warning. A Game Warden was present once when I was dropping off some meat and threatened to give me a ticket for transporting a deer less than quartered. He chewed me and the processor both out pretty good. I argued that my house was the final destination where the processing started. I had always brought in my meat deboned and it's a gray area to me. I'm not sure who is right, so I bought a grinder and do it myself.

[Bluesman]

The "silver membrane" will plug up grinders I've had.

[DrenalinJunkie]

There is a min. fee at every place I know of. Just quarter it up and drop it off you are gonna get that charge anyway

[huntresss]

I can't speak for anyone else, but when I process meat I personally like to inspect and trim every piece to make sure there aren't any pieces of lead or broadheads that could ruin my grinder. While the sinew does bind up the plates, it's usually during the first grind. Also, it takes just as long to clean up after stuffing one little batch of sausage as it does to stuff a whole bunch, so I'd still expect to be paid for my time. Just my opinion for what it's worth...

-Cheryl

[Bowanta]

Sounds like to me he is trying to hose you. Having worked with a Processor and being a Meat Cutter for over twelve years, the info that was passed on far from the truth. The grinder will process the "Silver" he referenced.I do not pay anyone to process mine. I do it myself. Look at your local retailers and you can find a grinder feirly inexpensive. You can spend a lot on one if you want, but if all you are doing is processing deer, you will not need to.

[Snakelover]

I think they are entitled to charge a flat base fee on all orders and call it whatever they want. So I wouldn't necessarily call it a "rip-off." But I think she was feeding you a line of bull about having to cut out a bunch of stuff before it goes through the grinder. I would rather her just say, "We always charge the fee no matter what," than to make up stuff.

[DJM]

I make my own sausage and have no problems with the grinder and tendons/sinew.I'm pretty sure any processors grinder is alot more heavy duty than mine.

DJ

[txtimetravler]

The "silver membrane" will plug up grinders I've had.

Same here. If I am lazy at cleanign my deer, and didn't get all the tendons, I will have to stop and clean the grinder plate and balde of silver tendons.

[Fishndude]

I think they are entitled to charge a flat base fee on all orders and call it whatever they want. So I wouldn't necessarily call it a "rip-off." But I think she was feeding you a line of bull about having to cut out a bunch of stuff before it goes through the grinder. I would rather her just say, "We always charge the fee no matter what," than to make up stuff.

So, instead of doinking me and lying to me, they should just doink me? I agree. I enjoy a good doinking every now and then.

It is highly unlikely that they clean the membrane better than I do. I guess it's possible but highly unlikely.