Winged Mermaid
07-19-2011, 09:49 PM
This is an archived thread that was originally posted on mer.yuku.com, the predecessor to MerNetwork. For more information about mer.yuku.com, click here (http://mernetwork.com/index/content.php?136-About-MerNetwork-article).
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
11/29/10 18:21:30
My first introduction to mermaid life was in the Second Life virtual world. While being a mermaid there can certainly be fun, I had always wanted to 'get my tail wet' in real life. I did not persue this dream for a long time, thinking that a mermaid tail would be too expensive.
Back in June of this year, someone in Second Life was talking about a video of a merman on the Mertailor site. I put off ordering for a while, as I had been laid off from work in early May. Then, on July 31, 2010, I decided to order one anyway since: The Mertailor tail was on sale for $530 and the summer swimming season would not last forever. Total cost with tax and shipping was just over $600.
Since I ordered on a Saturday, my order would have been received on Monday, August 2nd. Start the timer here.
I wrote to Eric on September 4th to check on status, as his website gives a 4-5 week delivery time. He responded, “We are waiting for a shipment of monofins to arrive. They should be here next week.” I wrote to him again on October 1st and received this reply the same day, “I do apologize for the inconvenience. Please note all latex tails take 4-6 weeks to produce. Monofins should be here by the end of next week.”
I started working again in mid October.
On October 23rd, I sent another inquiry, and received the reply that it would be shipped out on Friday. On November 10, I wrote again stating that I had still not received it. He replied that there had been family illnesses and so on, and then he said, “The tail was not sent out last Friday as planned. However, the tail is hanging, drying, and being sent out on Monday UPS.”
I got a phone call from Eric on November 15 in which he said that my order had been mixed up with someone else’s and it would be an extra week. This would imply November 22nd, Thanksgiving week.
I wrote to Eric today (Nov 29th) and asked if he had shipped, and if not that I would like a full and immediate refund as he appeared to have no desire to ship a quality product in a reasonable time. His response, "I am waiting for UPS to forward the tracking information my way." Doesn't UPS always provide tracking information immediately?
I will update here when I know more. We are coming up on 4 months time.
Cynthia
Gold Mermaid
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifWinged Mermaid (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/7181606a470c1dba8db18653eeecc4707c9f7303_a.jpeg (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
Posts: 891
11/29/10 19:48:05
Both of my tails (I was one of two people who got a replacement tail before they became non refundable and non returnable and also stated on his site that that sizing issues were not his responsibility) took 3-4 months to get from order time. I got a lot of different excuses. Waiting on monofin shipment, currently being painted, heat dryer malfunction, UPS's systems not working properly (seriously, he blamed it on UPS's systems not working- I highly doubt that), ect. A few times he said it would 100% defiantly be shipped out the next morning.. week goes by and he still hadn't shipped it.
Yes, the tracking information is an immediate thing. In fact the tracking number is usually sent via email by UPS or (as the second one was for me) iShip Services.
All we can hope is that the tail will be a quality one, and that it will be worth the wait. I suggest you take pictures of the tail coming out of the box- time/date stamp it (most cameras have the option to turn it on). If you don't you may get something like this as a response to your pictures:
Eric:
"FYI. A photo is worth 1000 words. As a few of you have already mentioned my tails being edited in a photo program to get rid of wrinkles. If this is possible which I have explained in my previous post, "If wrinkling occurs, as it generally does, photographers choose to take some of the wrinkles and gathering out of the photo. From time to time photographers working for Mertailor, LLC. (www.themertailor.com (http://www.themertailor.com)) will in edit a wrinkle here or there.", then posing a mermaid tails and shipping supplies after a mermaid tail have been used is very possible. I am not stating this as a fact, but it is possible. Did you ever stop and think about that?"
He had that topic deleted, but I quoted it in an email becuase I was so offended that he basically called me a liar.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
11/29/10 20:23:15
Mine took about 4 months actually, I ordered it in October... I got it almost March...
and Iona, what an ass hole email if I can say so. geesh.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifMermaidCalliope (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
http://mer.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/missinng_avatar.gif (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 249
11/30/10 11:24:43
I'm glad you came out to post your story publicly, Cynthia... I really felt for you in the messages you sent me.
His behavior IS unexcusable and ridiculous. I wish there was a way to get the message out better to people like you... there are so many people that find this forum only AFTER ordering from him.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/01/10 13:14:55
Have a UPS tracking number. UPS says delivery tomorrow (12/2). OMG!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifMermaidCalliope (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
http://mer.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/missinng_avatar.gif (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 249
12/01/10 13:16:21
Make sure to post pictures for us!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/01/10 16:05:33
Hope things have changed and you get an awesome tail!!!!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/02/10 22:18:03
My tail arrived today (12/2/10)... Will post more about it later, but wanted to get one picture online.
Cynthia Mermaid
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/MerNetwork/GMMTail010.jpg
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifWinged Mermaid (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/7181606a470c1dba8db18653eeecc4707c9f7303_a.jpeg (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
Posts: 891
12/03/10 01:41:52
He's taken to putting some kind of powder on the tails before shipping them, so they won't stick to themselves and take paint off during shipping. The scales look decent, but they can from far off like that sometimes. Let us know how the fit and the details are!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 06:31:34
I see that your fluke isn't detailed either or stiff- just filled with the monofin with rounded edges. That seems to be the standard now, and certainly isn't what he advertises on his website. Let us know how it fits etc! Hopefully you got a good one :)
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/03/10 07:20:01
Yes, if he's using ALEX the tail will stick to itself. That's a problem with all latex items.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifbluemermaid (http://bluemermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/png/6d21605834c96372ab32d8d6338e34b91fe2e2ef_t.jpg (http://bluemermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 228
12/03/10 07:23:50
Yeah he powders the tails to keep them from sticking, just rinse it off.
Here's hoping it fits!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 08:37:38
my tail wasn't powdered and totally stuck together! XD grr
I still can't believe it took this long to get to you
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/03/10 08:55:00
The tail was in a plastic bag, and there was a strip of cardboard at a spot where the tail was folded to fit in the box.
Yes, raina, 4 full months. The pool is a lot cooler than it was when I placed the order. http://static.yuku.com/domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/frown.gif
I have not been able to try it on fully as yet. Yesterday evening was extremely busy, and it didn't go on easily when I tried. Want to make sure I'm doing it right.
Mermaid Cynthia
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/03/10 10:26:05
You will want to either talcum powder the tail once dry or use silicone spray to protect it. Use diver's grade silicone spray only, as hardware store silicone sprays may contain petroleum which will damage the tail.
Here's a link to where you can get it online.
http://www.mcnett.com/Sil...ant-Protectant-P255.aspx (http://www.mcnett.com/Silicone-Spray-Lubricant-Protectant-P255.aspx)
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 12:17:34
the monofin itself is really tricky. Dont worry about strapping your feet in at first if you're just trying it on for the fit. I only strap my feet in when I'm swimming because it's such an ordeal haha. Just slide those babies in one leg at a time. I think your main concern about fit should be if it comes up high enough (i.e. covers your butt) and that it's not too loose or too tight in the waist. Make sure you try laying flat and sitting to be sure it still fits comfortably in both positions.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/03/10 23:31:38
Here is another picture. The waist is a bit loose, but making the opening smaller would make the tail even harder to put on. I don't like the bulge at the ankles that show the outline of the monofin.
http://www.goldmermaid.com/GMM/GMMTailB009.jpg
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/04/10 07:06:52
yah the thing with Eric's photos of his tails is that they are photoshopped to get rid of the bulges and wrinkles. When I wrote my review about it it was one of my main concerns as a model.
But it looks like yours fits for the most part! I hope you can swim in it and I hope it holds up for you :)
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
11/29/10 18:21:30
My first introduction to mermaid life was in the Second Life virtual world. While being a mermaid there can certainly be fun, I had always wanted to 'get my tail wet' in real life. I did not persue this dream for a long time, thinking that a mermaid tail would be too expensive.
Back in June of this year, someone in Second Life was talking about a video of a merman on the Mertailor site. I put off ordering for a while, as I had been laid off from work in early May. Then, on July 31, 2010, I decided to order one anyway since: The Mertailor tail was on sale for $530 and the summer swimming season would not last forever. Total cost with tax and shipping was just over $600.
Since I ordered on a Saturday, my order would have been received on Monday, August 2nd. Start the timer here.
I wrote to Eric on September 4th to check on status, as his website gives a 4-5 week delivery time. He responded, “We are waiting for a shipment of monofins to arrive. They should be here next week.” I wrote to him again on October 1st and received this reply the same day, “I do apologize for the inconvenience. Please note all latex tails take 4-6 weeks to produce. Monofins should be here by the end of next week.”
I started working again in mid October.
On October 23rd, I sent another inquiry, and received the reply that it would be shipped out on Friday. On November 10, I wrote again stating that I had still not received it. He replied that there had been family illnesses and so on, and then he said, “The tail was not sent out last Friday as planned. However, the tail is hanging, drying, and being sent out on Monday UPS.”
I got a phone call from Eric on November 15 in which he said that my order had been mixed up with someone else’s and it would be an extra week. This would imply November 22nd, Thanksgiving week.
I wrote to Eric today (Nov 29th) and asked if he had shipped, and if not that I would like a full and immediate refund as he appeared to have no desire to ship a quality product in a reasonable time. His response, "I am waiting for UPS to forward the tracking information my way." Doesn't UPS always provide tracking information immediately?
I will update here when I know more. We are coming up on 4 months time.
Cynthia
Gold Mermaid
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifWinged Mermaid (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/7181606a470c1dba8db18653eeecc4707c9f7303_a.jpeg (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
Posts: 891
11/29/10 19:48:05
Both of my tails (I was one of two people who got a replacement tail before they became non refundable and non returnable and also stated on his site that that sizing issues were not his responsibility) took 3-4 months to get from order time. I got a lot of different excuses. Waiting on monofin shipment, currently being painted, heat dryer malfunction, UPS's systems not working properly (seriously, he blamed it on UPS's systems not working- I highly doubt that), ect. A few times he said it would 100% defiantly be shipped out the next morning.. week goes by and he still hadn't shipped it.
Yes, the tracking information is an immediate thing. In fact the tracking number is usually sent via email by UPS or (as the second one was for me) iShip Services.
All we can hope is that the tail will be a quality one, and that it will be worth the wait. I suggest you take pictures of the tail coming out of the box- time/date stamp it (most cameras have the option to turn it on). If you don't you may get something like this as a response to your pictures:
Eric:
"FYI. A photo is worth 1000 words. As a few of you have already mentioned my tails being edited in a photo program to get rid of wrinkles. If this is possible which I have explained in my previous post, "If wrinkling occurs, as it generally does, photographers choose to take some of the wrinkles and gathering out of the photo. From time to time photographers working for Mertailor, LLC. (www.themertailor.com (http://www.themertailor.com)) will in edit a wrinkle here or there.", then posing a mermaid tails and shipping supplies after a mermaid tail have been used is very possible. I am not stating this as a fact, but it is possible. Did you ever stop and think about that?"
He had that topic deleted, but I quoted it in an email becuase I was so offended that he basically called me a liar.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
11/29/10 20:23:15
Mine took about 4 months actually, I ordered it in October... I got it almost March...
and Iona, what an ass hole email if I can say so. geesh.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifMermaidCalliope (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
http://mer.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/missinng_avatar.gif (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 249
11/30/10 11:24:43
I'm glad you came out to post your story publicly, Cynthia... I really felt for you in the messages you sent me.
His behavior IS unexcusable and ridiculous. I wish there was a way to get the message out better to people like you... there are so many people that find this forum only AFTER ordering from him.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/01/10 13:14:55
Have a UPS tracking number. UPS says delivery tomorrow (12/2). OMG!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifMermaidCalliope (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
http://mer.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/missinng_avatar.gif (http://mermaidcalliope.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 249
12/01/10 13:16:21
Make sure to post pictures for us!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/01/10 16:05:33
Hope things have changed and you get an awesome tail!!!!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/02/10 22:18:03
My tail arrived today (12/2/10)... Will post more about it later, but wanted to get one picture online.
Cynthia Mermaid
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/MerNetwork/GMMTail010.jpg
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifWinged Mermaid (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/7181606a470c1dba8db18653eeecc4707c9f7303_a.jpeg (http://winged-mermaid.u.yuku.com/)
Posts: 891
12/03/10 01:41:52
He's taken to putting some kind of powder on the tails before shipping them, so they won't stick to themselves and take paint off during shipping. The scales look decent, but they can from far off like that sometimes. Let us know how the fit and the details are!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 06:31:34
I see that your fluke isn't detailed either or stiff- just filled with the monofin with rounded edges. That seems to be the standard now, and certainly isn't what he advertises on his website. Let us know how it fits etc! Hopefully you got a good one :)
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/03/10 07:20:01
Yes, if he's using ALEX the tail will stick to itself. That's a problem with all latex items.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifbluemermaid (http://bluemermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/png/6d21605834c96372ab32d8d6338e34b91fe2e2ef_t.jpg (http://bluemermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 228
12/03/10 07:23:50
Yeah he powders the tails to keep them from sticking, just rinse it off.
Here's hoping it fits!
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 08:37:38
my tail wasn't powdered and totally stuck together! XD grr
I still can't believe it took this long to get to you
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/03/10 08:55:00
The tail was in a plastic bag, and there was a strip of cardboard at a spot where the tail was folded to fit in the box.
Yes, raina, 4 full months. The pool is a lot cooler than it was when I placed the order. http://static.yuku.com/domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/frown.gif
I have not been able to try it on fully as yet. Yesterday evening was extremely busy, and it didn't go on easily when I tried. Want to make sure I'm doing it right.
Mermaid Cynthia
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCapt Nemo (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a45269f61a697d1194b83e30e110093fd3299de0_s.jpg (http://capt-nemo.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 577
12/03/10 10:26:05
You will want to either talcum powder the tail once dry or use silicone spray to protect it. Use diver's grade silicone spray only, as hardware store silicone sprays may contain petroleum which will damage the tail.
Here's a link to where you can get it online.
http://www.mcnett.com/Sil...ant-Protectant-P255.aspx (http://www.mcnett.com/Silicone-Spray-Lubricant-Protectant-P255.aspx)
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/03/10 12:17:34
the monofin itself is really tricky. Dont worry about strapping your feet in at first if you're just trying it on for the fit. I only strap my feet in when I'm swimming because it's such an ordeal haha. Just slide those babies in one leg at a time. I think your main concern about fit should be if it comes up high enough (i.e. covers your butt) and that it's not too loose or too tight in the waist. Make sure you try laying flat and sitting to be sure it still fits comfortably in both positions.
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/off_line.gifCynthiaMermaid (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0c216c6d9349954f30879442840c439aeb94762d_a.jpg (http://cynthiamermaid.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 81
12/03/10 23:31:38
Here is another picture. The waist is a bit loose, but making the opening smaller would make the tail even harder to put on. I don't like the bulge at the ankles that show the outline of the monofin.
http://www.goldmermaid.com/GMM/GMMTailB009.jpg
http://static.yuku.com/common/bypass/images/on_line.gifAinaR (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c226346ae7e6b31364c36c8510d31288a8f570e_s.jpg (http://raina.mer.yuku.com/)
Posts: 848
12/04/10 07:06:52
yah the thing with Eric's photos of his tails is that they are photoshopped to get rid of the bulges and wrinkles. When I wrote my review about it it was one of my main concerns as a model.
But it looks like yours fits for the most part! I hope you can swim in it and I hope it holds up for you :)