View Full Version : Mertailor. This is some scary stuff...
Nerissa
11-13-2011, 09:59 AM
I thought I should start my own review of my tail from the Mertailor.
I ordered the tail and a top in August. Well, actually I ordered and paid for the top in January, but it never arrived. I was naive enough to order a tail as well. I thought I should give him a chance because Mike Van Daal was, is, booked until next year.
Ok.
So I ordered a tail, a silicone tail. In black, red and copper. Custom colours.
We were emailing and I was very careful about what I said in my emails. Until I asked about customs and VAT, which I have to pay as I live in Norway. I think the VAT is 25% of the price of the item, but I don't know about customs. He didn't know what to say to that email, and I think he got a bit angry when I asked what kind of item this is. Because "costume" wasn't listed at the Norwegian customs homepage. He said it was three dimentional art. But I can't find "art" there either. Anyway. This is where I sent him another email where I apologized. I don't remember if I ever got a new email from him. I received an email from his staff this weekend, after 3 months. The tail and the top are ready soon, and they were sorry about the delay, and the order was delayed because they had a problem with one of their distributors.
This is where I am now. I am skeptical. I really, really, REALLY hope this is worth all the money and all the while I have been waiting. I am afraid of saying something bad about Ducharme, because he follows this forum and can ruin the tail if I do so. Oh my gosh, he has a lot of power!
OrcaMatt
11-13-2011, 01:24 PM
Well, international shipping stuff gets complicated, and definitely expensive. If it's not something they have to deal with all time time they might not really have a system in place. Why it's too bad that there aren't more high-end tail makers in Europe doing latex and silicone.
Don't worry, he's probably more scared of you than you are of him :p
LindseyLu
11-13-2011, 02:45 PM
Also I think he's been waiting for a shipment of wave monofins because finis has been out of them. But I don't know if that's what he uses in his silicone tails...he posted a message about it delaying his latex tail orders. Hope your tail looks great :) I'm still debating buying one, but they're looking better all the time! Good luck :)
AniaR
11-13-2011, 07:31 PM
I think he's been waiting for a shipment of wave monofins because finis has been out of them
he makes his own monofins for silicone ones. And the wave monofin stuff that applies to the latex ones was a recent development, not as far back as January or August.
Eric says his stuff is 3d art (sculpture) because he registered a tail for copyright that way since you can't copyright a costume or clothing. He shouldn't have gotten mad at you for inquiring as to what the product would be labelled under so you could pay the associated fees. I assume that's a paranoia issue that revolves around the copyright of the "sculpture".
Waiting this long for a tail you paid money for, having him get angry at you for a legitimate question, the 'staff' reply when he's publicly stated time and time again he has no assistants, is all very inappropriate in my opinion. I'm sorry you're having this experience. I know a lot of people have this experience with their latex tails but usually not the silicone ones.
People shouldnt be afraid to post here because they're afraid he wont deliver.
I feel so bad because I know how long you've wanted this, been waiting, and saving
MermanMatty
11-13-2011, 09:31 PM
Hello :) Good day!
@ Nerissa-Pertaining to your problem, Eric was on back order because the product he uses to make her own custom monofins were also on back order. He wasn't able get the materials he needed, he actually just got what he needed a few days ago and has finished your tail, it will be shipped soon! He worked all day on it and completed it at a record time :)))
@Raina-Eric has been on back order for his finis fins for more than 4 months and maybe more, I know this because he has been stressing the issue A LOT, he's been buying a similar product at a local dive shop to get orders out so there is no problem with customers.
And as for the "staff" his company has expanded, and the post about him not having assistants or staff was a post from months back, and his work load has gotten bigger, everyone needs a helping hand every once and a while, right?
Just wanted to shed some light on the situation :)
Have a good day! :)))
Merman matty
AniaR
11-13-2011, 11:01 PM
@Raina-Eric has been on back order for his finis fins for more than 4 months and maybe more, I know this because he has been stressing the issue A LOT, he's been buying a similar product at a local dive shop to get orders out so there is no problem with customers.
How again does that apply to his silicone tails that he claims to make the monofins for? She ordered a silicone tail. If the products for making the monofins were back ordered- why have other people who placed orders after her received tails and how does that account for the extreme lateness (11 months?) of her top? All these things could have been politely explained to Nerissa with perhaps a discount considering the 11 month wait for a top and 3 month wait for the tail and Im sure she'd have no reason to post about a negative experience.
Point is, she shouldn't have to post something negative here in this forum for Eric and his "staff" to take notice of her situation, clarify, and rectify. None of this stuff has to be dealt with in public if it's dealt with appropriately in email. You shouldnt have to come in and "shed light" if you have to- that's a sure sign that customer communication needs to improve.
MermanMatty
11-13-2011, 11:42 PM
The Finis fins comment was relating to his Latex tails.
Pertaining to her Silicone tail it is a 6-10 week wait for the production and delivery of silicone tails. 3 months is 1 week short of ten so he still has a week to deliver it in his allotted time frame. He is not over stepping his boundaries or going back on company policy. And I'm sure if the top was a necessity she would have been persistant about receiving it. Yes, she emailed back and forth with him about the tail, understandable, it being a $2500 product, but the top was obviously not a main concern of hers. And a discount is not necessary since she is receiving her product in the allotted time, 6-10 weeks. It does make sense to ship the top and tail together, but if she wanted the tail immediately I am positive that Eric would have obliged.
The terms of service policy on TheMertailor.com website clearly states:
"Terms & Conditions
.All sales are final and cannot be returned or refunded.
.Silicone and latex products can take anywhere from 5 - 10 weeks to produce (excludes shipping times). Rush services are available for an extra fee.
.Mertailor LLC is not responsible for back ordered products that we purchase from our suppliers to create our products. If one of our suppliers is out of stock of a certain material to create one of our product, an order's production time will be effected. This may take a week to several months.
.Please look at our delivery times to see estimated production times of each product.
.Please measure twice, we are not responsible for incorrect measuring. We use the measurements that are supplied by the customer.
.Due to the nature of all products being custom made/ made to order, we sometimes run out of certain materials and supplies. This can push our production back for up to 3 weeks. This issue can increase the duration in which you receive your product(s).
.When each product is shipped (UPS, USPS, or FedEx), Mertailor, LLC. is NOT responsible for lost or stolen products once a tracking number has been established by the shipping company.
.DO NOT hop, jump, or horse play in your tail. Ripping and tearing will occur to the tail. When swimming in a concrete pool, do not rub up against the rough edges. Instead of standing in your tail, float at the surface with a floating device.
.Swimming with your legs tied together can be dangerous if you are not careful or comfortable in the water! Mertailor, LLC. is NOT responsible for mishaps that may occur while swimming in our mermaid tails.
. After entering your customer payment information (Credit Card, Check, PayPal, or any other payment), you have purchased a non refundable product."
Above information is directly from www.TheMertailor.com
Nerissa
11-14-2011, 05:10 AM
I just received a new email from the staff saying that my package will ship this Friday. They mentioned a point in their terms of service, where it says that tails might take an additonal 3 weeks because their supplier might run out of stock for the materials needed. So that means that my tail could take about 13 weeks to finish. It has been about 13 weeks now, so they were right. And for waiting so long, I'll receive a complimentary shell top as a gift! :)
So no worries! I get a little manic sometimes.
AniaR
11-14-2011, 11:25 AM
I think it is appropriate that you get the top as a gift :) I dont think you were "manic" in your concern the TOS you read was from before the site was re-done and the TOS updated. I also think you have a valid point about the extra charges- I am thinking this needs to be mentioned somewhere on our forum. The tail makers can't be responsible for all that but personally I had no idea there were all these extra charges beyond simple SH and customs fees. If you have a chance to post any specifics about that process I know other mers would be grateful. Im thrilled you're finally getting a tail :) I know you've been dreaming of one for so long and a silicone one will be great for you! Pleaaaase post photos your colour combination sounds really unique too!
Matty- thanks for your respectful and polite response to my statements. :)
Nerissa
11-14-2011, 02:46 PM
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/5869/photo5oq.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/567/photo6q.jpg
I just can't stop staring in awe at the pictures of my gorgeous, beautiful, awesome tail! Yes, I have been waiting my whole life for this! I know now that I can fully trust Mertailor. He's building up a better reputation now. At least with his silicone tails! :) Oh my gosh, I can't wait to try it on! I'm just nervous about what Dad will say when the whole house is filled with this scent that comes with the tail. Haha
MermanMatty
11-14-2011, 03:22 PM
I'm so happy for you!!!!! :))))
I'm glad you love it! :)))
And the tail doesn't really have a scent to it anymore, that also might just be my nose used to the smell though LOL but it won't be that bad once you swim in it :))) Have fun and be safe!
Merman Matty!
Alveric
11-14-2011, 03:32 PM
Wow! That's impressive. Have fun and take some pictures.
Alveric
Winged Mermaid
11-14-2011, 06:57 PM
Matty, while I very much appreciate your change of attitude and polite responses, your previous account was restricted from this and other forum sections for a reason. At the very least you should have come to me to review your forum restrictions so we could discuss a possible change, instead of just creating another account to shed those restrictions. I will be merging your two accounts and replacing the restrictions. If you try shed them by means of another account again, you will be banned.
AniaR
11-14-2011, 07:31 PM
Nerissa I am so happy for you!!!! Congrats!!! You've been waiting so long girl! *big hugs* can't wait to see pics of you in it :) I hope Eric does build up a better reputation for himself. I think he has the potential for a lot of creativity I hope to see the issues being ironed out.
YOU BETTER POST PICS MISSY
Nerissa
11-15-2011, 08:31 AM
Thank you! And I will! I have a photographer friend and she has a friend who is a makeup artist, so when I receive my tail I will visit her and have a photoshoot. This will be EPIC! Oh, and now I can be a mermaid on Larps as well! It will be so fantastic when people will stare at me and my perfect tail, not believing their eyes, haha! :D
AniaR
11-15-2011, 09:37 AM
ahh that sounds so awesome babe! eeee!
Nerissa
11-23-2011, 03:15 PM
I might have the photoshoot in December, and I will post the pictures here as soon as I can! :D
Mermaid Photine
11-23-2011, 03:31 PM
Has the tail arrived? We must know!
Nerissa
11-23-2011, 03:47 PM
It is shipped! It will arrive around the 29th :D
Mermaid Photine
11-23-2011, 06:05 PM
That's great! I am so glad you were able to fix the issues!
Maple
11-23-2011, 11:24 PM
YOU BETTER POST PICS MISSY
Seconded!!
Nerissa
11-25-2011, 03:21 PM
Heehee ^^ I will! But the photoshoot had to be delayed, because I can't afford the bus to my friend and I don't have the money for the actual shoot yet. I guess I have to save up for the custom and VAT before I can do that. Anyway, I look forward to see the tail and feel the silicone against my skin! I even purchased Siren Lashes & SFX Sequin Beauty Package from Traci Hines' Etsy shop to wear at the photoshoot :D
Mermaid Jewel
11-25-2011, 06:25 PM
I can't wait to see :) :) So happy for you!
Mermaid Sirena
11-26-2011, 01:48 AM
One of my favorite memories of mermaiding was when I was being the Water Witch for my LARP, the water of the lake was really foggy so you couldn't see my waist let alone my tail. There were a bunch of people on the bank who had already seen my tail so they knew I was a mermaid. However a new comer arrived and joined the conversation for a good ten minutes before I flipped my fin up, it was priceless the look on his face and "Holy f*ck your mermaid!" :) It really is awesome to be like 'I'm the most epic NPC you'll ever see' :P You'll have to share your stories once you get it ^_^
Nerissa
11-26-2011, 05:52 AM
Oh! That's fantastic! :D Haha, the look on people's faces when they see a mermaid tail that realistic! I talked with the team leader og Galtvortskolen, they arrange Harry Potter LARPs, and I think they were very positive when I asked if they needed a mermaid for the next LARP. I know they don't have actual mermaids in Harry Potter-world, they have grindylows, but they have made other exceptions at their LARPs before, so I think it will be okay. Eeeeeeee, I can't wait to try it on!
The tail is currently in Paris, according to FedEx.
Spindrift
11-26-2011, 01:22 PM
Goblet of Fire had merpeople. Man that tail has seen the world! :P
Nerissa
11-27-2011, 05:33 AM
Yes, but they were called Grindylows, and they were more fish-like than I like... x]
Whoa! The package weighs 16 kg! More than 30 pounds! Now I really hope it arrives at my door so I don't have to go to the post office to fetch it! Taking it on the bus won't be easy... And oh my, I also have to take it with me when I'll visit my friend who lives two hours away from me! For the photoshoot! WHOA! :O
But it has to work. I have waited so long, and the tail looks absolutely stunning.
Mermaid Saphira
11-27-2011, 10:30 AM
Can't wait to see pictures <3
Spindrift
11-27-2011, 01:25 PM
Yes, but they were called Grindylows, and they were more fish-like than I like... x]
They weren't called Grindylows! ಠ_ಠ Grindylows are the small water demons - some of them were pets to the merpeople. JK Rowling called the mer-people "merpeople" in the book.
But I get what you mean with the fish-like part.
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Grindylow
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Merpeople
Don't worry, the tail will be amazing :)
Nerissa
11-28-2011, 02:25 AM
Oh! I thought the merpeople were called Grindylows! :$ Haha
The package is currently at Gardermoen, Norway! "International shipment release"! Maybe it will arrive tomorrow!
Do you know how FedEx works when shipping to other countries? When it comes to custom and VAT. Do I receive a bill in the mail later, as I did when I purchased a wig and the shop used USPS, or do I have to pay when it arrives at my door/when I'm fetching it at the post office?
Spindrift
11-28-2011, 02:43 AM
Did he already charge you for it when you paid for the tail?
Nerissa
11-28-2011, 03:06 AM
I didn't pay custom or VAT when I paid for the tail, no. But I went to FedEx Norway and chose "estimate duties and taxes". It wasn't as expensive as I thought. I chose "sculpture of any material" or whatever it said. I hope it was right. Then I can afford Christmas presents as well. x]
In about one hour I'll be out fetching my package from Mertailor at the post office! My stepmother was able to pick it up with me after work. I'll edit this post as soon as I get back with the tail! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I'm so happy and anxious at the same time! Haha! I'm thinking about how my parents will take it when I tell them that I spent over 2000 USD on a tail. I'll tell them that I bought a sculpture. Art. Which is true. So maybe it will be accepted. Plus, I'll be saving up the money I spent on it for the next months after New Year.
merpirate
11-30-2011, 10:46 PM
Let us know all about it when you can. I hope it all is worth it in the long run
Spindrift
12-01-2011, 12:26 AM
How'd it go?
Nerissa
12-01-2011, 04:10 AM
I get more and more certain that yesterday was my lucky day! I took the bus to the post office and met my stepmother there. I received the large and heavy package which I struggled with a bit getting to the car and taking it home with me. I almost tore down some pictures on the wall when I carried it upstairs to my room. Haha
Anyway. I opened the package, and inside were the shell top, the latex top and the mermaid tail.
The tail.... it was so magnificent I couldn't stop looking at it and couldn't stop laughing and giggling excitedly! It is mine! Finally! Mine! :D
I had to wait until today for trying it on because dad would probably ask me what I was doing. I didn't get any questions about it, so I will keep it a secret as long as I can. Anyway. I tried it on today. I lubricated my legs and feet with a lot of body lotion, and I mean A LOT! To make sure I was really slippery. I slipped my feet right into the tail and tried pulling it up. But that was difficult. I'm so afraid of tearing or scratching off the paint. But I guess it will be easier when I get help from my friend who will photograph me.
Unless you've got any ideas how I can put the tail on the right way?
Toxotes
12-01-2011, 05:53 AM
Did you try to put it inside out down to the knees to get into it with legs up to your knees in the right place, and roll it back up the full length?
I tried to draw what I want to explain, just to avoid a misunderstanding.
Nerissa
12-01-2011, 06:00 AM
Ah, I see! I tried to roll it, but putting it inside out seems a bit easier. I'll try that. Thanks! :)
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