My ivory delivered from my 2017 elephant hunt this week and I used SSI to import. I wish I could tell you that I had a great experience with Wyatt. I didn't.
I don't like writing this, but I will. First, here is some background. I first met Wyatt's parents, John and Karen, at the first AH dinner I ever went to in 2015. I met Robert and Rosella Quartarone, the original owners of SSI shortly after and used them with great results and customer service. Due to the history, I wrongly thought that I'd be treated well.
Now to my elephant import. With the ivory ban the permit didn't get issued until August 2023. There was the ban of course and then USFWD backlog so I get this date and have no issue with it. I also think it's important to note that Robert was still helping at this time although I think the company had been sold to Wyatt. or the sale was in process.
The invoice was issued in September of 2023 and I was stunned at the amount for shipping to say the least. The mark-up was excessive. I pushed back and Wyatt tried to basically tell me that "it is what it is" and that was the going rate. What Wyatt wasn't aware of is the fact that I know a fair amount about freight and I called a buddy to get a detailed quote to get a quote for HVC (high valued cargo). After sending Wyatt that quote a lower and yet still excessive rate was sent ten days later. I turned that down too and told Wyatt I'd pass on the ivory before I'd pay the amount. Three months later in December a third quote came, still way overpriced, but a 25% discount to the original quote, a significant amount of money.
For those that don't know, when Robert and Rosella owned the company, they were committed to getting the best shipping rate and doing everything so the customer didn't have to. It even said so on the website (since removed). That's what you paid them for, the knowledge and advocacy. Many of the importers/taxidermists/outfitters didn't like to deal with them for exactly this reason. It took money out of their pockets. This advocacy is no longer the case (and my bad for assuming it was). Now you'll be told that the high price is reasonable and should be paid. Whether Wyatt doesn't understand the shipping business or there is another reason he is OK with customers being overcharged I do not know. But he assured me, incorrectly, that I was getting a fair price from the beginning.
Moving on.... At the end of December, the invoice was sent and begrudgingly, but immediately paid. Two days later I received a message from Wyatt that the funds had cleared and he'd let me know flight details. Well, four months later in April I followed up as I'd heard nothing. The response was that the permits had expired, but that he's have new permits in a week, or so..... Two more months with zero communication and I reached out again.... Not to worry Wyatt said, shipping no later than the weekend.... My August follow-up, the same.... October, November, January, February (now 2025), March, April, May, all the same and not once did Wyatt reach out to me during this time.... You get the point. Finally, in November 2025 I received a message that the permit had been renewed. No additional communication until April 2026. Delivery finally made in June.
The utter lack of communication and follow-up from Wyatt is beyond horrible. This would have NEVER happened when Rosella was running the day to day business. I also question Wyatt's knowledge of the business and commitment to the customer. Whether this is incompetence or a total lack of caring only Wyatt knows. What I do know, is that I'd never use or recommend Wyatt Fetner or SSI again.
Side note: The packing from TCI was poor. Naked ivory wired to the bottom of the crate and salted feet and ears thrown loosely on top. No packing material at all. The change of damage due to rubbing shouldn't have been there but it was. There are some rub marks due to this.
