Actually 20 months and still counting........
Actually 20 months and still counting........
So, has anyone actually received anything recently? I got another message about a week ago saying they'd ship my top out the next day, but nothing since that.
Hi guys, does anyone know how large the Loreena fluke is in comparison to the other flukes, particularly the Calypso? is the Loreena fluke the largest? thanks!
Still waiting....sigh :(
From my understanding, the Lotus is the largest fluke they offer. Also, the Calypso and Loreena are approximately the same size.Quote:
Hi guys, does anyone know how large the Loreena fluke is in comparison to the other flukes, particularly the Calypso? is the Loreena fluke the largest?
Cool, thanks Lorelei! :D
Have you heard anything yet? I just keep getting empty promises. Its getting very frustrating.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Lorelei
I've had another empty promise, but that's it. No actual progress seems to have been made.
I agree with Arion. At this point I would be steaming. I'd be so frustrated. If I was told they were shipping my ANYTHING the next day, more than one time, I'd be mad. But this is getting ridiculous. If it's not done don't lie and say it is to make yourself look better. Or even if it is done and they just haven't sent it, that's still no excuse. just...UGH
How long have u girls been waiting? :(
I rather agree. I want a finfolk tail more than anything, but if I had been waiting for as long without any communication, I would be pissed and emailing them daily. MermaidHunter, Waiting for 20 months isn't at all acceptable. AT ALL. I get that they moved, I get that they are busy, but I don't get the hellacious wait time. I make custom pendants. While that isn't the same as a silicone tail, I learned that you have to communicate with your clients, even if to tell them that you are way behind.
I would be asking for my money back as well.
I send messages on a daily basis. I get no reply and when they do finally make contact, it is with a wishy-washy answer with no progress and promises like the newest one that my tail will be completed and sent this coming weekend.....we'll see :(
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by Merman Arion
Seeing everyone else's posts has me a little worried. Not even so much about the wait times, more so the lack of communication.
I'm wondering if a scheduled pick-up order would solidify having it made on time? I think I read somewhere that picking up an order from them was possible. They would HAVE to have the item(s) finished if someone was booking a flight and possibly staying somewhere overnight and driving to their shop to get it. Right? [emoji16] reading over the comments about waiting has got me thinking of other alternatives of obtaining a paid product.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sienna, your mother was already offered a refund and declined, opting instead to wait for additional changes to be made. We felt we were being treated poorly, as the paint design was changed three times during the painting process, and other unfair demands were made. (Pushing other clients back, as we painted, and repainted, and repainted again.) Instead, we have continued to do our best, given the changes, and our preference to back away from the project while offering a full refund. There are two sides to every story, everyone. Be sure to remember that.
Anyone who has additional concerns is welcome to address them with us personally.
Seems like people have tried to, to no avail...thus the complaining here.
Had an exchange of words with a fellow mermaid and she has a beautiful tail by FF. I'm so antsy and impatient but she reminded me that patience is key and that it'll be worth it in the end. She had to wait for her tail with production being pushed back too but the tail came out so beautiful and it was worth the wait. Can't rush art! And FF is the best of the best!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I totally agree with you. It'll definitely be worth the wait. I've wanted a silicone tail for a while now and I've seen a lot of really awesome looking tails but Finfolk's tails are exactly what I'm looking for.Quote:
Originally Posted by badkidbebe
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I wish there was a like button on here.Quote:
Originally Posted by PearlieMae
There is on Tapatalk haha
Sent from my SM-T355Y using Tapatalk
I feel bad for people waiting. But all I can say is there is ALWAYS info that's never made it to mernetwork. I know from helping Raven that like, we hear 1% of the 'story' on here. All I can say is Finfolk have yet to scam anyone. So I am sure they'll set everything right as time goes on! Good luck people!
I don't think anyone is worried they'll get scammed. But we always appreciate the advice, Raina :) I think people are just angry that their things are taking so long to receive and they get little to no contact, and what they do get it just empty promises. Then they come here and say if anyone has any problems to contact them. I understand this business is time consuming, and every piece is a work of art. But there comes a time when it gets to be a little ridiculous, and I think that time has come. I think they just need to tel people the truth in that they bit off more than they could chew, they're a little behind and they are catching up. Instead of telling people it's almost done over and over. I guess I can see both sides and the situation just sucks all around :thumbdown:
Thought I might inject a bit more positivity as I realised I have never posted pictures of my Finfolk tail, which I received back in July. I had about a 15-month wait for the tail, but I can definitely say that it was worth it, and although sometimes I had to wait a bit for communication from the girls, they always got back to me (and were also very patient with me in turn when I kept forgetting to pay the shipping invoice!). I'll do a full review at some point on my blog, but here's a picture of the tail's first outing to the Folkestone Mermaid Festival in the UK - we went to the beach after we'd finished performing and did a bit of a photoshoot with an awesome photographer called Andrew Childs.
Attachment 34541
And here's a picture of the tail's second professional outing, performing over a long weekend at an aquarium here in the UK - here I am waiting to get in the shark tank! :)
Attachment 34542
Ondine it's beautiful!
Sent from my XT1021 using Tapatalk
Your tail reminds me of Autumn :swoon: How was the swim in the aquarium? That's one of my biggest dreams. Haha. I'd wanna hug a shark, they look pretty friendly.
So pretty! Those colors are wonderful on you!
I think you're making huge assumptions though. There's about a million reasons why any tail maker is late or has poor communication. But in mernetwork land because there have been scammers in the past, we seem to totally jump to the conclusion that as soon as things aren't perfect, someone must have 'bit off more than they can chew'Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Coralia
I think people forget that before ME literally no one posted reviews or complained about tail makers. I started that and it was a huge battle ( part of why mernetwork was born) because clients were literally being oppressed and abused.
That isn't the case here. Clients are being inconvenienced. But we meet it with the same retaliation as if it is the old days.
Previously, mernetwork was used to keep mertailor and scammers like Stevi etc in check. But I absolutely believe that people now use it to put pressure in tail makers in inappropriate ways.
It is like a threat for people to get what they want. As if complaining on mernetwork will magically make good tail makers suddenly faster and have more time to chat. It doesn't work that way. All it does is add tremendous anxiety and force clients who are ahead of complainers back down the line so tail makers have to give priority to people who freak out.
There is so much I know from back when I used to help Raven with their emails. You assume the worst of finfolk but not the people posting in the thread? I would get so mad reading the complaints in her thread when I knew the truth; x tail was actually done on time but complaining client changed their design after seeing it... 3 times. Making it a month late. What makes it on mernetwork? The tail was late! What is left out? Client wasn't charged for repaints, never coughed up money for shipping, and was given a free top since their tail was late even though it was the clients fault.
I've seen people be so two faced too. They'll be totally "take your time" to Raven, and then complain all over mernetwork. I'm sure FF gets that too. There's no way they don't.
You get young clients who get their parents involved, who eat up a huge amount of the tail makers time needing hand holding through the process. (I can tell from that one reply that that was probably a whole issue that ate up time right there)
So many clients make loads of changes and don't consider how it effects their, or other clients wait time.
Everyone complains Raven doesn't offer reasons or hard deadlines, but this is why. Finfolk tries to do that ( even though at this level it is a fairly unreasonable request in this industry) and is eaten alive. So which way do we want it folks? People who tell you it'll be done by X but miss the deadline? Or people who don't get your hopes up but piss you off because they stay quiet??
Basically, many mers expect a level of communication and timeline that wouldn't fly in any other industry. Everyone babbles on about customer service but acts like these purchases have EVER been consistent across the board.
So yeah, I've caught people red handed lying about their experiences with tail makers, misrepresenting their experiences, or intentionally leaving info out. I 100% expect it happens to finfolk just like I see it happen to Raven
I'm not accusing anyone of that here. Heck I am good friends with Lorelei here and that woman deserves her top! She has a right to be upset. But none of it changes the fact it is going to take as long as it takes. I don't think finfolk intentionally lied to her. I think with multiple people running an email sometimes shit gets messed up ( one of the reasons I never replied for Raven when people emailed ordering details) I think it is far more likely someone accidentally messed up and then didn't want to make it worse by replying again. What's the point of an excuse or anymore promises?
The point I'm trying to make is you need to stop assuming you know what's going on or how to fix it. As a business owner I can't divulge a lot of company info for my business to clients. I also can't talk to clients about another client. So guess what? You want context but finfolk can't exactly sit here and list you their reasons without compromising their business or someone's confidentiality. What would happen if they say hey look we are having issues with x mermaid and it pushed everything back. Well some people might be empathetic, some might go after x mermaid feeling resentful. Mers get damn resentful. ( if you look in merbella thread there's a perfect example of that)
Can finfolk improve on these issues? Yes totally, and they should. But until you run a company on the same level, mers need to stop thinking they know what it takes to run one or they have all the solutions. Like lol just hire an assistant! The more people added, the more room for error. The more changes made, the less clients they can take, the angrier mermaids get.
Like seriously, don't try to explain to me like I couldn't possibly understand why people are upset when I am literally the person who created the environment where you are safe to do this. And when I literally contributed to helping get mernetwork off the ground so you had a specific place to do it.
I'm not saying people can't be mad or disappointed. I know it is hard for things to be delayed, this is peoples dream. I have been there. I was sold an Alex plus neoprin tail before you all knew what that was. Scammed out of 1000$ of dollars and when I had the gall to speak out mertailor literally made it his mission to ruin my life for years. I was harassed constantly. I was exploited. Threatened. And while I put on a good front, I spent a lot of time scared. All because I had the gall to talk. Plus the tail poisoned my blood. How is that for a bad experience? I personally suffered a lot for many years to pave the way so mermaids could actually talk about this stuff without being afraid. Now I feel like what ive done is being greatly misused.
What I'm getting at here is some people go at finfolk, at Raven, or other tail makers who have no history of ever doing anything like that... As if they might at any given moment. Like we need to keep them in check. Keep them honest. It is complete and total overkill and won't get people their tails any faster. All it does is create a hostile environment.
A few things are certain when you deal with any SMALL business ( people seem to forget they aren't a huge corporation) that achieves this level of success: wait times continually increase until demand peeks and levels out which then creates an environment where predictions can more easily be made, and communication is sparse along the same lines. Mermaids aren't unique. This happens to many.
So yeah. You can be anxious, or mad, or disappointed. I get it. I actually do! I have nothing to gain from saying this. I have no plans to ever buy a tail from them ( no offense ff. You know I think your stuff is great) I get nothing from sticking up for them. I am just tired of this attitude and how our culture toward tail makers has changed. I feel it is partially my fault. In my hopes to liberate mers from bad tail makers, I created a monster for good ones. This is something that legit bothers me in real life. I have seen what these attitudes have done to my friend. I can imagine what they do to ff.
We have put tail makers on such a pedi stool that they are often damned if they do, damned if they don't. Ff started out like everyone else: with a game plan they thought would avoid these issues. Just like Raven set out to do. And all the other top of the line tail makers. But we have to change the perspective and recognize it is not tail makers dropping the ball, but rather as a community, as a whole, we have created an impossible standard that tail makers can only seem to reach when they start out at the bottom of the totem poll.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Typos. Typos everywhere. That would be the auto text on my phone
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Dont worry about typos :) I agree with you. I've spoken to the FF girls a bit and they strike me as very honest business people. They have not scammed anyone and continue to produce excellent work. It's fair to be frustrated and complain about wait times and lost emails but it becomes a problem when the tone shifts to "these girls are slipping, purchase with caution" because that's how it's feeling here.
Note: this isn't mod Wesley this is forum member Wesley,
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
and I hate how judgmental people are if they are overwhelmed. Like we're all overwhelmed from time to time. it doesn't mean we've bitten off more than we can chew. That phrase to me sounds like implicating they aren't capable. Sure they're capable. with some expectation adjustments. I have been overwhelmed with my own business so many times. I'd be so hurt if someone told me "well, you just bit off more than you can chew". that's not helpful in the slightest
I'll be the first to say that I'm frustrated and I desperately want my top. Am I angry? Not really. Do I think the girls are purposely trying to keep my top from me? No. Do I think they're overwhelmed? Yes. Do I think we should boycott Finfolk? Hell no. My apologies if my frustration came across that way.
no I didnt take issue with what you said (which is why I used you as an example!) it's more the general tone the whole thread is taking, and this is something I have felt about tail makers for a while. but if I bring it up on a Raven thread I'm just being biased about Raven :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Lorelei
I can understand that. You had some good points, to be sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
It seems to me that people's main issue has been the fact FF have said "it'll ship tomorrow" like 5 times and here they are three months later or whatever. I've noticed people have said things like "I wouldn't even care about the wait if I knew they were behind and were just honest with me".
Disclaimer: I agree with all your points, just thought I'd mention that people generally seem to care less about the wait time and more about the broken promises.
Quote:
Disclaimer: I agree with all your points, just thought I'd mention that people generally seem to care less about the wait time and more about the broken promises.
Which I totally get, I think it comes from them being pressured into giving answers. Most tail makers just can't commit to a hard deadline so they estimate. And if someone keeps asking, they're going to keep estimating. It's the perfect example of damned if you do damned if you don't. Because if they're hesitant to answer or give a date, people make all sorts of assumptions. So if they say "We aren't sure" or "we're going to *try* for _____" many people still flip out.
I think this recent batch, was just a case of people pleasing. They probably shouldn't have said anything, but I guarantee you people would of been in here complaining "I just want an idea!" or "a simple reply would make me happy!" cuz I mean, that's what people complain about with Raven.
I see no solution for the tail makers. It is uncomfortable and inconvenient. But I think the only solution is on the community end to change expectations as a whole.
Obviously, we still need to view these things as red flags when it comes to tail makers who have no history, or a muddled one. But I think when it comes to tail makers who always end up delivering in the end with little to no complaints about the actual product, we just need to adjust!
My two cents folks. I'm sorry if it seems like I am blowing up. Sometimes I find it hard having been around as long as I have because I have such a big history of the mer-world I can consider that others don't have direct experience with. Something someone else may have only just learned about, I very well could of been sitting on for years!
My nickel here,
My original production date was April 2015, but I told the girls to take their time as I did not need it til July, and that if they wanted to move up other tail dates to my April date, that was fine. June came and I heard nothing and plans changed for July so I did not pursue things. Summer ended and I did not hear anything so I started emailing and when that failed I messaged them through Facebook to which I finally got an answer in late September that they would be starting my tail the following week and would be going "full steam" on it.
Well, it is now December and really not great swimming weather up North here, so I have not been pursuing things again. However, I am now approaching my 21st month with no word, pictures or updates. I will wait til after the holidays, as I know like everyone else the girls are probably busy with other things but will be directly emailing them again the first of the year. They can push off my tail again since I can't use it in the snow and ice water but I will need to hold them to a May date, which at that time will be 26 months.
Honestly, it gets a bit frustrating seeing others get their tails when they placed their orders mnoths after I placed mine, yet no word on mine :-(
After long thought and consideration, I am happy to announce I am officially saving for my second tail! I'll be putting a down payment on the tail *hopefully* soon! Can't wait 😁
I don't want you to feel belittled by my comments. They arent specific to you. You have a right to be upset. I will say though I think like I said in my big rant, some people to get ahead of others because they make such a stink and it's stressful and affects both tail makers and the clients who are patient. I always tell Raven since she is my friend that if she has an angry client just get them finished and I can wait.Quote:
Honestly, it gets a bit frustrating seeing others get their tails when they placed their orders mnoths after I placed mine, yet no word on mine :-(
My rant is more about the mentality as a whole we take toward tail makers.
I hope they're able to get your tail done in a timely manner for you. Waiting so long sucks. I think the only consolation that happens as people have to wait a long time is that the tail makers learn and refine their skills. So the tail you get will be vastly improved than the one you would of got if you had received it all those months ago. At least you can look forward to knowing your tail will be top of the line. Plus, we NEED more mermen!
I think that sometimes non-tailmakers really have absolutely no idea how much hard work, how truly difficult it is to make this stuff...especially if you want to produce beautiful work.
Saying something is done when it isn't is one thing, but making a tail is a huge undertaking. No one wants to admit they are struggling, but sometimes, it is overwhelming.
When you think something is taking a really long time, try this...put an apple in your right rear pants pocket. Put a knife in your left hand and peel the apple while it's in your pocket. Make sure the peel stays in one long piece and the apple stays completely smooth and don't miss any spots. Butter toast with your right hand, while doing long division in your head.
Tailmaking is harder than that.
Mermaid Hunter, I hope you get your tail soon and that it's better than you ever dreamed!