"prices within the range of the other taximen in the area"
I do not agree with this statement. If your looking for good taxi work, sometimes you need to pay more than "the going rate". As a general rule, you get what you pay for.
I'm not suggesting the highest guy is the best. You have to do some homework. But, an affordable price has nothing to do with a good taxidermist.
Things to look for in a mount:
Shrinking - has the hide shrunk away from the antler burs, are the lips painted to look like he has a smile (they have shrunk away from their orignal placement), are the eyelids laying nicely against the eye?
Drumming - same as shrinking, but you'll notice it in the ears and the armpit area.
Painting - does it look painted? I don't mean it shouldn't have paint on it. It should color applied by painting, but blended so as to not look painted.
Eye set is normally the first thing you can pick up on if it is out of whack.
The ears - are the edges nice and crisp or curled over
Nose - is the nosepad slick or textured?
Nostril/Septum details - Is it closed shut or can you see the details?
Clean - Is the mount clean or does it look greasy?
Hair patterns - Are they in the proper locations?
Stitching - Can you see the stitching?
You need to have some knowledge of deer anatomy to pick up on some of these items, but most of them stand out if not correct. Don't assume what your used to seeing on the wall is correct. Try to be more observant of live deer and photos. Just because a taxi has been in business for x number of years does not mean they know what their doing. It may just mean he or she has been mounting them incorrectly for x number of years.
www.newcobowhunter.blogspot.com
